Are Rugers really that bad?

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I've never actually owned any, but my dad has 2 and loves both of them. They're nice especially if you want ot add a scope on. Already set up
 
The only disadvantage to the GP100 and the SP101 is the design of the ejector unit. Since there is play in the unit, its prone to allow cartridge cases to slip underneath the extractor star during ejection and jam the gun.

Personally, I do not find that to be an acceptable 'feature'.
 
Since there is play in the unit, its prone to allow cartridge cases to slip underneath the extractor star during ejection and jam the gun.
Click to expand...

In over 5,000 rounds through my GP-100 I have never, as in not once, seen that happen. It's happend once on my Smith 25-7, and happened fairly often on a Taurus M 94 but never on the GP100. I've never even heard of anyone mention that problem with the Rugers before.
 
I don't think anyone has mentioned Ruger GP 100s have crane locks. Smiths don't. For mags go with Ruger.
 
triggertime, I've got to agree with JohnK. Since the word "prone" essentially means "more likely than not", I am wondering where you got the information concerning the Ruger ejector mechanism. My GP-100 has never had that problem (or any problem for that matter) after many thousands of rounds. And I haven't seen or heard of anyone else owning either a GP or an SP with that problem. :confused:
 
Ruger sells plenty of revolvers and most owners seem to be happy. That doesn't really mean a whole lot but it is a good sign. I don't think I've ever seen a DA Ruger as smooth out of the box as an average S&W but if you want the ruggedness of the Ruger, you can always have someone clean up the action a bit.

Talking purely DA revolvers, I think the Smiths are smoother, but either can be made to be super buttery smooth. Just depends on what you want in the end.
 
I just brought home my second SP101. I, too, have never heard or experienced a situation where a cartridge case has slipped underneath the extractor star during ejection.

--
Mike
 
JohnK & MalH: You will always hear different comments from those of us who train with their revolvers versus comments from recreational shooters who don't. In otherwords, a casual shooter will never experience these issues first hand unless they practice strictly in a defensive setting while performing speed and tactical reloads under stress.

But to elaborate on my original comment using a Ruger SP101 as an example: If you release the cylinder and press the ejector rod to its full extention and then grab the extractor star, you'll notice that there is a considerable amount of play in the unit as you wiggle it back and forth. This 'play' is what usually allows cartridge rims to slip underneath the extractor star during ejection as the two inside most cartridges in the cylinder impact the grip panel on their way out. Yes, I have experienced this issue many times with both the Ruger SP101 and the GP100 regardless of what manual of arms was used, be it the old FBI technique, the FLETC technique or even the LFI technique.

From this, I have come to the conclusion through personal experience that Ruger revolvers are not the ideal choice for defensive use and are best left to the recreational shooter. Of course, as always, your opinions and milage may vary.

edit: typo
 
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I used to be a S&W-only guy but I now like my Rugers a bit better. I find them to be really strong and able to handle the hot 44 mag loads. I`m more confident shooting hot 44mag from my Blackhawk than my Smith. The BH is extremely accurate, as well. I don`t have a problem with either fit or finish on any Ruger I own, nor have I heard that Rugers were in any way inferior to S&W in this regard.

Just my opinion........
 
I've had multiples of both. I have gotten triggers on GPs that are every bit as good as S&W with less effort and expense. The only reason I've been adding Smiths to my collection is because they're cheap right now.
I really believe that most people buy Smith & Wesson because they're popular, not because they are superior.

As for the alleged jamming thing, I train with a GP, carry one, and shoot IDPA with it. It is a non-issue. Now if only I could find a grip that looks like a S&W round butt...
 
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Ruger GP-100 Pawl / Extractor Issue

The trigger on my GP-100 had some internal dragging during the last 10% of trigger travel (furthest back position). And with the lighter Wolff trigger spring, the trigger would not always return on it's own, depending which of the 6 cylinders it was on.

I did a careful inspection and noticed the pawl was moving TOO FAR UP on the ratchet/extractor ring grooves causing the trigger to be heldback in the furthest position. So I worked the pawl over and smoothed out the extractor grooves (slightly!) and now they engage with no problem.

I have since tried a handful of new pawls, and every one of them cause the trigger to hang back, unless I work them over. Pretty strange !

Question:
- have any of you ever experienced the pawl and extractor grooves not mating properly which caused the trigger to hold back?
- are the pawl's 'handfit' at the factory?
- are pawl's typically made in slightly different lengths to keep them from sticking?
 
I don't own any Smiths, but the only ones I am interested in are small .357s for defense. Otherwise, I will take Ruger hands-down for fit, strength and, in my opinion, balance. I have heard that wolff srpings make a huge difference in trigger pull and I know taht the Rguer mechanism is simple and tough. Double or single action, if it is a big bore, it is going to be a Ruger.
 
As far as the ejecter star play issue, I've done 1000's of fast reloads on my GP-100 (at the range, IDPA and practice with dummy rounds) and never had a round hang up on the grip (sounds like a case of not swinging the cylinder out fully) or any other sort of hang-ups.
 
Among other Ruger revolvers, I have had my 4" GP-100 Stainless since 1986, the first year they were offered to the public. It is more accurate than I am and has digested more than 25,000 heavy .357 handloads with no ill effects. I will pass it on to my grandchildren in 50years!
-Mike
 
While I havent had any experience with ruger revolvers i do own the newer stainless target .22 with the 6 7/8" heavy barrel and that thing will shoot 10 rounds in the space of a dime at 50' (bench rest), the trigger could use some work. seems to creep occasionally.

m
 
my rugers, Kgp161, and a bisley vaquaro , are good in my terms and my smiths 686 and66 models are good too , but compairing the two are like compairing a compact car versus a luxury car , the smiths have better triggers but the cost is almost 2;1 in price , as a duty gun my Gp is perfect it will take the abuse of being dropped (when teaching newbies ) extra hard loads for when I am doing research ,and just getting ah abused?? :eek: , I would cringe if someone where to drop my S&W clark custom on the ground probably would break there hands , but my gp has been dropped and kicked ( that person I wouldn't let near a squirt gun now ) and all i had to do is polish out the scratches . I look a my smiths as art and my rugers as tools.
 
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