Used 686 or GP100 because Hogue grips bite the big one. Or if you can find the old style wood S&W or wood/rubber Ruger grips used somewhere. 
I got both and prefer shooting the Ruger over the S&W. Nicer balance, nicer feel and nicer trigger although the S&W groups a bit better. My S&W was a new 20 Y.O. gun so came with wood (the Hogue I bought to try is somewhere in the junk drawer). The Ruger I had to track down a set of older grips.
I got both and prefer shooting the Ruger over the S&W. Nicer balance, nicer feel and nicer trigger although the S&W groups a bit better. My S&W was a new 20 Y.O. gun so came with wood (the Hogue I bought to try is somewhere in the junk drawer). The Ruger I had to track down a set of older grips.




















































