S&W 686-6 VS Ruger GP100

[JnBama]

Hi all been awhile since been here . LGS has used S&W 686-6 4 inch .357 mag $699 and Ruger GP100 fixed sight 3 inch .357 mag. $700. Will make up my mind if going to purchase eighter one , seems every time I buy a gun bad luck happens and have to sell . I've previously owned several S&W revolvers and a GP100 that I've posted about . LGS also had 686 3 inch but out of my budget $900.

 

[Reinz]

I’m not going to debate which gun is better, because that is subjective.
But I will give my opinion on which is a better deal.
In my area in Texas the used 686’s tend to bring $150- 200 more than the GP-100’s.

edit- I have no idea why the type is bold, and I’m to lazy to redo it.

 

[Ed]

I was thinking the same thing. That’s cheap for a 686. I’m all for a great deal, but I’m also cautious. If the two were the same price I’d go Ruger just cause I like Rugers better.

 

[bigpower491]

Either or would be good. The Smith probably has a better trigger, although you can slick a GP trigger up to be as good. I did that to my 3" GP 44 special and have yet to get to it on a 6" 357 i picked up in April. Definitely on the schedule when I get some time.
Hopefully that $900 Smith is a brand new gun, as that's the number for a new new in my area. Used, that laughable, and they'll have it awhile.
I recently picked up a 629-6 for $650. I gave it the best inspection I could in the store, and after it passed that I decided to take a chance with it. Trust me, I took it apart when i got it home, trying to find something wrong with it, but it turns out I landed myself a pretty fair deal on that. It's my first Smith revolver to boot. No endshake and good lockup, I'd probably take the chance with it.

 

[Armed 24/7]

I'd buy the 686, although there is nothing wrong with the GP100

 

[Pat Riot]

A fixed sight 3” GP100…I think I would offer $600 for it and buy it if the seller would go for it. I have never seen a 3” fixed sighted GP100. Hence my reasoning.

 

[W.E.G.]

Bad luck happens?

It would be bad luck to not GET BOTH.

 

[JnBama]

A fixed sight 3” GP100…I think I would offer $600 for it and buy it if the seller would go for it. I have never seen a 3” fixed sighted GP100. Hence my reasoning.

LGS & pawn shop won't budge too much , I'm leaning toward the 686 previously owned 686 Snub and 3 inch also had a 586 6 inch several years ago

 

[derek45]

686 by a mile

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I'd get the 686 even if it cost more. I could live with a GP100 if there was no other choice.

 

[22250Rem]

I own a 4 inch 686 and I love it. Nothing wrong with those GP 100's though. I'm confident either one would serve you well. Which one feels better in your hand?

 

[amd6547]

I had a 4” 686 for while… never really bonded with it, and moved it on after a year or two.
My 3” GP isn’t going anywhere, though. Just a fantastic revolver. No trigger work necessary, both DA and SA are great, and it shoots very well.

 

[red rick]

I wouldn’t get either of those .

 

[Anchorite]

686, hands down. And I have one of each.

 

[VoodooMountain]

I have 1 of each as well. Honestly just comes down to personal preference.

 

[Targa]

I would have to go with the 686 as well.

 

[SterlingBullet]

Smiths are faster resellers than Rugers and bring more money if that is a consideration.

 

[dannyd]

It's Apples vs. Oranges, most people like me that have GP 100's purchased them back in the late 1980's because Ruger's were less expensive than S&W.
Would I pay 700.00 dollars for a GP, no, the most I have ever paid was 530.00 out the door. My GP's look raggedy, but are fully functional and accurate. Under normal circumstances I would be shooting them three times a week.

 

[JDeere]

Recently sold my 686+ and 586 S&Ws. I still have my GPs and old model 28-2 along with my Colts. I was not a fan of the new model Smith triggers. GPs are an easy fix and Colts don't need work. I would take the GP...

 

[MrBorland]

If it's to be a range toy, I'd opt for the 4" barrel and adjustable sights on the 686. If it's in decent shape, it's not a bad price for it, either, IMO.

 

[Dan-O]

Can’t go wrong with either

 

[bassjam]

IMO GP100's can only be compared to 686's when the Ruger is $150-200 less in price.

What your pawn shop has is an overpriced Ruger and a decent price for a S&W.

Not gun advice, but if "bad luck" means you need to sell a $700 gun perhaps an emergency savings buffer is the better option here?

 

[JnBama]

IMO GP100's can only be compared to 686's when the Ruger is $150-200 less in price.

What your pawn shop has is an overpriced Ruger and a decent price for a S&W.

Not gun advice, but if "bad luck" means you need to sell a $700 gun perhaps an emergency savings buffer is the better option here?

Just my luck I drive for Intermodel Company and ports are on strike so a revolver is on the back burner again . Had to sell previous guns for medical bills, it never ends

 

[joneb]

They're just like peas and carrots

 

[sgt127]

It’s just me. But.

The 686 over the GP 100. I’m just a S&W trigger snob. As much as I like even Pythons, the Smith trigger is, for me, superior. And well above the Ruger.

However. The Ruger is a brute of a mechanical device. You can acclimate to a sub par trigger on a gun that would likely survive just about anything you subject it to.