Ruger GP100 1/2 lug 5" or S&W 69 4.2"

I have both longer barreled the S&W Model 69 and the 44 Special GP100.

I'm an S&W fan so I prefer the looks of the Model 69. Ruger DA revolvers look frumpy to me but the Rugers have a top notch reputation for reliability. If you are Ruger fan, then it will have a better appearance than the S&W.

I've had my Model 69 since they were introduced and it has a fair number of rounds through it. Its single action trigger is better than the GP100 but it is not a fair comparison due to the use difference.

Otherwise, they shoot very similarly to me.

Out of the box, there is little difference. Either can be tuned to be very smooth and slick with a great single action letoff. The only real difference is if you're Jerry Miculek and are able to outrun everybody's trigger return but S&W. I love my older S&W's and just got my oldest, a 1935 .44Spl but IMHO, the quality/refinement advantage over Ruger is no longer existent. Ruger has upped their game while S&W has started cutting more and more corners. Ruger comes out with more and more good stuff that I want but S&W just isn't enticing me at all with their newer offerings.

Looks are irrelevant. Go for the ultra-strong Ruger.

I just happened to look both over in a gunshop, the S&W had a much better single action and double action was a fair amount better too...

Personally, I liked the S&W better, it had a much better feel, it almost came home with me...

DM

CraigC said:

Ruger comes out with more and more good stuff that I want but S&W just isn't enticing me at all with their newer offerings.

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Their awful-looking key lock doesn't help either.

I will have both on Saturday (picking up the Ruger) and e
then it is off to the desert for some plinking. I am really liking the Smith right now ,but the Ruger looks great and has some great internals. I'll post an update when I get back on Monday night.

I'd get the Ruger's pistol. Mine is set up right from the factory and doesn't have the infernal lock.

The new GP100 with the half lug 5" barrel is the first GP100 to interest me in quite awhile. I would probably go with that over a comparable S&W Model 69.

I've not got much S&W experience to speak of, but I have noticed quite a bit of variability in the trigger of stock GP100s. Ruger's fit and finish are pretty good these days, but no optimization of the trigger components is done. As such each gun arrives at its exact degree of trigger quality largely by chance. And having dry-fired a bunch of new GPs in the last few months, they have all been pretty darn good.

Ruger does fit excessively heavy springs to ensure the guns function even if the trigger or hammer drags. If you have a drag (and most GPs drag on the hammer) it's easily fixed with shims and you can then reduce the spring weights without running into hammer speed problems. At this point a basically stock GP DA trigger can be really good.

SA also varies. None of the guns I tried were bad at all, but only the one I took home has an absolutely perfect SA pull. Zero take up, creep, overtravel, and I can't even guess how light it breaks. I'd recommend visiting a gun shop and trying a few out and judging for yourself.

I like the Ruger's ruggedness with higher-pressure cartridges, but I'm not sure it would matter much with 44 special unless you load 'em up hot. And with the thinner forcing cone of the GP in 44 I'm sure any advantage is diminished.

farm23 said:

I am looking at getting one of the above. I will use the gun as a woods carry and hunting but not for a range toy. I reload so i can optimize the 44 spl therefore being able to shoot 44 mag is of little importance. Does one have better trigger out of the box than the other, does one handle recoil better? I will have to order as the local LGS does not stock much and it is a long way to another. I will use this site for input on which to buy. Experience for those who have both would be great. Thanks

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If you mean to say that you would not load or buy 44 Mag ammo, then I would go with the Ruger that is chambered for 44 Special. I would also balk at the modern Smith's internal lock system, knowing I would remove it with evidence of having done so. I have a few Smiths with The Plug installed but with no plans to buy more.

beag_nut said:

Looks are irrelevant. Go for the ultra-strong Ruger.

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If it is ultra-strong why isn’t it chambered for the .44 magnum as the S&W 69 is? Could it be that the S&W is forged rather than cast as the Ruger is? I really like the Lipsey’s version of the half lug GP with the Roper grips and I am sure that the OP would be very pleased with one. Unfortunately, if SS is your choice, they are only available in blue currently. However, I would not choose it over the S&W 69 because I see no reason to limit myself to .44 special when the 69 will give me the choice of either. The internal lock isn’t an issue for me because it can be eliminated easily. In my hand the Smith action is better than the Ruger in stock form. If I could not have both, the choice for me would be the S&W.

Forged vs cast has nothing to do with it, never did, never will. This is a bogus argument stemming from S&W's marketing nonsense. Both the L-frame and GP were designed and optimized for the .357 cartridge. It has to do with the fact that S&W enlarged the barrel shank for the model 69 and that they have historically been more comfortable with less safety margin than Ruger. Ruger has not enlarged the barrel shank. However, the N-frame is really only good for a 250gr at 1200fps on a regular basis, or basically a heavy .44Spl load. Which is what your standard watered-down .44Mag load consists of. The GP is good for that and the .44Spl is no limitation for the handloader.

farm23 said:

I have 44mag and have ammo for them but since I load and will use for deer hunting and smaller I can load the 44 spl for anything I need, hence if I were to get the 69 it would be because it has advantages over the GP100. I like the looks of the new 1/2 lug 5" but again I am looking for input if one offers an advantage over the other. I will have to order from small local LGS or online so input will help me decide.

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For one thing, the S&W isn't 5". When you don't plan to conceal or shoot at close range, a longer barrel is good within limits, and I find 5"+ to be pretty ideal, although you might cross over into a length better carried cross draw.

I would get the one that fit my hand best and/or happened to have the best trigger. They are both nice handguns. It's pretty much a win/win situation.

Here they are side by side:

I am heading out to shoot as soon as the desert warms up a bit, it's about 33degrees right now. They are very similar in size and weight. The barrel shank on the Smith is about twice as thick as the Ruger.

I will update later this afternoon.

ECVMatt said:

Here they are side by side:
View attachment 774834
I am heading out to shoot as soon as the desert warms up a bit, it's about 33degrees right now. They are very similar in size and weight. The barrel shank on the Smith is about twice as thick as the Ruger.

I will update later this afternoon.

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That photo reminds me that what I don't prefer on my 625PC is that black trigger, hammer, and cylinder release tab and screw. The Ruger has a contrasting color too but in colors my little brain considers natural for a gun.

CraigC -" However, the N-frame is really only good for a 250gr at 1200fps on a regular basis, or basically a heavy .44Spl load. Which is what your standard watered-down .44Mag load consists of. The GP is good for that and the .44Spl is no limitation for the handloader."

In looking at Brian Pierce's article in "Reloader" that would appear to be about a 25,000 psi load. Are you saying the forcing cone is up to that on the
GP as am trying to see how robust it is as I own one.

So here are results

The Ruger


And the Smith

I was shooting with my son and his friend, a first time shooter, so I did not get extensive trigger time. At this point it is basically a wash. I shot better with the Smith,but liked the feel of the Ruger better. Since I was basically raised on Rugers this is not much of a surprise. If I could really only have one,I would go with the Smith just because I could shoot magnum ammo. I think you will be pleased with whichever you choose.


25 yards, off handed

Sorry posting from a tablet, bottom group is the Smith.

Craig, I beg to differ. The fact is that the forging process of heating and hammering upsets the grain structure of the metal creating stronger structure. Casting produces linear grain structure which isn’t as strong as forged metal. So....it isn’t S&W marketing. It is metallurgy 101. Blades and machine parts are forged rather than cast not only for strength but to obtain a similar part by casting would require it to be heavier and larger to be as strong. That being said, I see no problem with having a .44 special GP. I have no doubt that it is a fine weapon.
However, being able to use both magnum and specials is a positive to my way of thinking. Of course, one could handload .44 specials to approach magnum levels if you want to push the limits as Keith famously did. It is the prerogative of the buyer to do as he wishes.

I think we make too much of a case of being able to shoot 44 Magnum, when the OP has clearly said only 44 Specials will be shot. That is why the Ruger is being considered.

Good point! Ruger wins!