information please/ Ruger-S&W

[michaelp]

I just purchased my first revolver. A ruger GP100. It was used but had only about 100 rounds through it. It was traded in as I was standing there. It looks and feels new. SS with a 4 in. barrel, full shroud and adjustable rear site. I have not shot it yet.

My concern isd that I was looking at a S&W 66 with a 3 1/4 in barrell and a highvis front site for the same price. I was able to shoot the S&W but not the ruger. (They were at different place). I really liked the S&W and it was very accurate, but could not walk away from the ruger for 329.00.

Question-- the trigger on the S&W was so smooth and the trigger on the ruger is not. Will this smooth out? The S&W is haunting me.

I hope that I made the right choice. This is for shooting cans and paper.

What is the difference between a S&W 66 and a 686?

Thanks

 

[Preacherman]

You made a good buy - the GP100 is an excellent revolver. The trigger is not as smooth as the S&W, but will become smoother with use, and you can have a gunsmith work on it for you, or buy a set of reduced-power springs that also smooth it up quite a bit.

The S&W Model 66 is a K-frame revolver, originally designed for .38 Special loads, but upgraded at Bill Jordan's behest to the .357 Magnum load. It's a great weapon, but will wear out if fired constantly with full-power loads - it wasn't designed for this. The 686 is an L-frame revolver, designed to take care of the K-frame's weakness under stress. It is bigger and stronger, and is built to take the stresses of firing lots of .357 Magnum ammo. - but is bulkier too. I prefer the 66's for carry, and train with .38 Special much of the time to ease the stress on them. Of course, I shoot lots of .357 Magnums through my 686 and Rugers as well!

 

[WESHOOT2]

RELAX, BE HAPPY

I have two GP's, and both have responded to dry-firing.
Suggest sticking to the stock springs (at least at first) and dry-firing the complete crap out of them, like 10,000 times.

 

[jar]

Remember, that wasn't the last handgun you'll ever buy. All you're debating is the order in which you'll buy them. The Smiths will get you soon enough.

 

[RCL]

Michaelp, don't be concerned about your Ruger, you got a good gun. Bought mine used about a year ago, and it quickly became one of my favorite woods bumming and range guns. It's also one of my most accurate revolvers. Shoots tight groups even with the generic factory loads, especially the Federal American Eagle red box load. Seems to like the Sierra bullets.
Mine has a very good trigger, smooth, crisp and about 3.5 pounds. It was probably worked on at some point before I bought it, new springs probably. My point is, it has the potential. Enjoy your new shooter.

 

[dairycreek]

Ya' done good!

Price is fair and the trigger will smooth out over time. Good shooting