Ruger vs Colt

[xkalifornian]

Was looking at either getting the Ruger Security Six or a Colt Trooper. Any thoughts on these and which would be the better gun over the long haul.
Thanks Mark

 

[esq_stu]

They're both good, solid guns, but they're not made any more. Seems like you might consider something in current production. Used Troopers are going for around $650; The Ruger looks like about half that. A new GP100 might fall in between the two in price.

The only concern I'd have is parts availability (for both). Would you consider something new? At least there'd be current parts availability.

 

[Bhpmarkiii]

I'd be looking really hard at a Smith .357 Highway Patrol. It's the revolver you really want, but haven't seen yet.

 

[easyrider604]

Ruger. Any Ruger revolver is a best buy, IMHO.

If you wanna spend more coin, nothing wrong with Colts either.

 

[rgs1975]

Ruger vs. Colt? Smith & Wesson wins.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Both of those pistols you mention are ANVIL TOUGH. In factory form, I give an ever-so-slight refinement edge to the Trooper. I give an equally slight durability edge to the Security Six. Are you planning on shooting factory ammo or loading up your own "earth-shakers"? Will this revolver be carried daily & shot often or tucked-away as home defense with occasional plinking? The long-haul can mean 10 years of hard labor OR a life sentence sitting in the dresser drawer. For my money, it's the Ruger.

 

[xkalifornian]

This gun could be for hard use, but most likely average range and some carry. Factory loads is what it will eat, at least if and until I start to reload. My first choice was indeed a S&W 28, however, and I might be mistaken, the Ruger Sec. Six and Colt Trooper are a bit smaller framed which is what I'd prefer in this .357.
Already have a beautiful S&W 681 3" now I want a blue 4"er that's tough and not quite as big as the GP100 or S&W 586 (although I haven't completely ruled it out).
I appreciate all of your input. Keep it coming.
Mark

 

[Ghost Tracker]

The Ruger Security Six is (to me) smaller-framed & easier to present than the Trooper. I had a blued, 6" Security Six years ago & it was a tack-driver.

 

[Ash]

I've owned both. Okay, I owned a Service Six and the Trooper Mk III. The Security Six is taller than the Service but uses the same grips. Personally, I really liked the way the Service felt, but the Trooper felt better, to me. I have service-style grips on my Trooper and as a result, the grip feels the same to me.

In the end, I sold the Ruger and kept the Colt. I regret selling the Ruger, but I do not regret choosing the Colt over the Ruger. The Security's top strap is thicker than the Colt, which makes it seem bigger to me.

Ash

 

[Rugerlvr]

Yeah, I second the Smith Highway Patrolman...

 

[xkalifornian]

This coming from a "Rugerlvr"! Pretty powerful recommendation.

 

[gruesomenewsom]

all my handguns are either ruger, colt or smith and wesson. you cant really go wrong with any of them. One of the few things in life that you still can really take pride in ownership. that said im a sucker for old colts and i think it really speaks volumes of their timelessness when they are carried still.

 

[duallydave]

I LOVE my new GP100, I would recommend trying one out before you make your decision.

 

[22-rimfire]

I assume you are talking about a 357 mag revolver. As the previous person mentioned, I would definitely look at the Ruger GP100. They are real nice revolvers.

With all that said, my favorite 357 mag is my Colt Trooper Mark III. It shoots very well and the trigger is very smooth. I would rank it close to Python smooth, but not quite. Not planning on selling that one anytime soon. They may bury me with it!

The one I don't have is a Model 27 Smith. I hope to get one in the next year or two. No hurry. Knowing me, I'll buy a mint one and won't want to shoot it.

 

[Moonclip]

Both good guns, both strong. Pricing would be a factor mainly for me in choosing which one.

 

[equitytrader]

The one-piece frame of the Security Six is supposed to be one of the strongest ever made. There must be a reason you see ammo that says "Ruger only".

You could always just go all out and get a Python.

 

[Dienekes]

The Trooper will have the usual Colt DA pull; which makes it a non-starter for me.

FWIW, I have owned and used Ruger "Sixes" since 1980.

I could have had a nicely nickelled Trooper Mk. III free. After a lot of work trying to make the DA usable I gave it back.

Colt ruled the roost in police guns until cops got serious about DA. Even when I was a rookie you rarely saw any Colts anymore.

SA is another story, of course.

 

[Steve C]

Get the Colt, its a finer finished pistol with closer tolerances and will appreciate more than the Ruger. The MkIII series uses all coil springs is a strong pistol and fine shooter.

While S&W won most of the police business by the end of the era of police being armed with revolvers, it was due to economics not that they where a superior product. S&W where cheaper to produce and Government agencies buy the lowest bidder not the superior product. The same reason the police drive Fords and Chevey's not Lexus and Mercedes.

As to strength, I've seen both a Ruger GP100 and a S&W L frame 586 that where KB'd. Knew one guy who said he'd KB'd his Colt Cobra using commercial reloads, but they bought him a new gun. The Ruger and S&W where KB'd by someone who thought the Ruger was of "superior" strength and the Smith by shear stupidity. Both those owners where out of pocket for a replacement.

 

[Ash]

Not that I'm offended by your disdain for Colt's double action, all my Troopers have very smooth DA trigger pulls. What is your problem/trouble with them?

Ash

 

[MCgunner]

Faced with that decision in 1978, and the choice of a M19, I chose the Security Six. It was a good gun. I eventually traded it off for a Blackhawk I still have and I bought a M19 I had for a while. Never did own the colt. Sorta wish I'd gotten it considering the plight of Colt years hence. Ah, well, the Ruger was a good shooter and the Blackhawk is still a fantastic shooter.

All in what ya want at the time, I guess. I got the Ruger because it was 10 bucks cheaper than the other two and stainless.

 

[Blacksmoke]

The Trooper will have the usual Colt DA pull; which makes it a non-starter for me.

-Dienekies

Would you mind elaborating on that? I have a Trooper Mk 1 and always thought the trigger pull was smooth as glass. Am I missing something?