.357 Mag options

[GLShooter]

I wrote:

Quote:
I would go with a basic 6" 686 but it will not fly with IDPA. I've played all the games you mentioned and shot a ^' in police matches quite a bit. I have not seen any with changeable front sights and unless the rules changed IHMSA would not allow it unless it was a factory type deal.

You can shoot the L-frame faster than the N-frame over an IPSC course unless you have huge hands. I've won six USPSA National Revolver titles (prior to Miculek LOL) and shot an 25-2 for three of them and an L-frame for the other three. The L was demonstrably quicker for me. You can also get the L-frame cut for moon clips like I have done on my current one.


John Wayne wrote:
I didn't know IDPA didn't allow non-factory sights (but a stupid rule like that wouldn't surprise me). Why should someone not be allowed to compete with sights they actually used, instead of what was offered from the factory? I mainly listed the changeable front sights because of the wide range of loads I intend to shoot, and because a lot of guns come with a black blade front that's hard to pick up quickly. I don't plan on mounting any optics on the revolver.


I was referring to IHMSA (silhouette) about the sight changes. They were real strict on that when I shot it a long time ago. IDPA has some issues that I have never agreed with. The 4" rule for revolvers chaps my buns since I run 6" guns that are basic. My full house race guns run 5" and 6". The only below 4" I have is a 3" RB 686 that I use for a house gun. Not ideal for a good competition piece IMHO.

Greg

 

[John Wayne]

Thanks for all the replies so far. I really appreciate the input.

I went to the store today and handled a 6" GP-100 they had in the case. It's been a while since I've seen one in person.

The first thing that struck me was the Hogue monogrips. I'd always liked the old style rubber Ruger grips with the wooden insert--they were both functional and nice to look at. The monogrip feels weird to me. I had one on a S&W revolver and didn't like it on that gun either.

Other than that, the gun balanced pretty well, sights weren't bad, but would have been a lot better with a red ramp front or fiber optic sight (anything with contrast). Weight was ok, but I definately wouldn't want anything heavier. Lockup was actually a lot tighter than I expected, as was B/C gap.

Upon pulling the trigger though, I was sorely disappointed. DA was smooth for the first 3/4 of the pull and then had such a rough catch before the hammer dropped that I wondered if something was caught in the mechanism. It did this every pull. Single action was heavy and long, but creep was minimal. The price was $550, which wasn't bad compared to the Smith, but I guess you get what you pay for.

How much can the Rugers be improved upon? Will it improve considerably with dry-firing? Can they be made as nice as a S&W, or does something inherent to their design prevent them from slicking up as much?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO for what you are looking to do you should buy a S&W M627.

In the 2010 IRC (International Revolver Championship) there were 280+ shooters, all but ONE was shooting a S&W revolver. Of those more than half were M627 PC models but in .38 Super, not .357 Magnum. What I'm getting at is if those shooters think and prove S&W revolvers are the most reliable and durable who am I to argue.

 

[Maximumbob54]

The latest 4 inch GP-100's are really 4.2 inch barrels. I think it had something to do with imort into Canada as they have a metric minimum that 4.2 meets. I have a 4 and a 4.2 and side by side it is hard to tell the difference.

 

[Fishman777]

GP100 or Redhawk...

The .357 Redhawk is massive. Easily the most rugged DA .357 magnum ever made. If you've ever seen one of these, you'll agree. It is a .357 magnum on a Ruger .44 magnum frame with a six shot cylinder. The frame is solid, it has a triple locking cylinder (not counting the ejector rod), and a massive, massive cylinder. If there has ever been a DA revolver that was more overbuilt for the cartridge that it was intended to fire, I'd like to see it. The GP100 would be my next choice, if you are trying to shoot max .357 magnum loads all of the time.

Most revolver manufacturers eventually dropped .357 max revolvers because of severe flame cutting. I would put a .357 mag Redhawk against a .357 max Dan Wesson revolver any day of the week.

 

[roaddog28]

Based on what you want the revolver for and especially for IPDA and such then a 4 inch barrel revolver is the ticket. Thats the longest a person can go in IPDA. The two choices for me would be the S&W 686 4 inch (prelock) and a Ruger GP100. Either one would do what you are looking for. The Ruger will be cheaper but you can find good used S&W 686s for in the $400 range. I have both a 686 and a GP100. I got lucky and paid $400 for each. I did a trigger job on the GP100 and now it shoots as well as the 686.
Good luck with your decision.
Howard

 

[WoodyTX]

I have a 6" GP-100, and love it. When I tested all the revolvers in the gun case (Cabela's), the Ruger trigger was the slickest of them all. I suspect that the one you saw would benefit from some work, possibly at Ruger's expense.

I've heard that S&W triggers can be made slicker than others, but it costs...