S&W 686 and the GP100

[CajunBass]

I have never so much as fired either one. For some reason neither one has ever really interested me. Especially the GP100. I don't know what it is about that gun, bit it's like it doesn't exist to me. I can't remember ever even holding one, although I'm sure I must have sometime over the years. I've certainly never heard anything bad about either. I think I may have owned a beautiful 586 with a 4" barrel briefly but traded it off on something else, unfired, at least by me.

I've got a 4" 686 on layaway now that I expect to get out in a week or two. It's a -6 with all the "bad" stuff. MIM parts, key lock, frame mounted firing pin, ugly rubber grips and so on, but the price was OK, nothing spectacular, but OK for these days I suppose. I thought I'd finally give one a try and see how it stacks up to my Model 19.

Which one is better? I'll never find out. I could add up all the rounds I've fired in my life and I doubt it would be enough to actually wear out a gun. Boredom is the big enemy of a gun I own, not wear and tear. I'll get bored with something and it's gone. I doubt I could wear out a water pistol.

 

[UncleEd]

I've got a 4" 686 on layaway now that I expect to get out in a week or two. It's a -6 with all the "bad" stuff. MIM parts, key lock, frame mounted firing pin, ugly rubber grips and so on, but the price was OK, nothing spectacular, but OK for these days I suppose. I thought I'd finally give one a try and see how it stacks up to my Model 19. .

I think you are a fair man and I predict you'll like it just fine right down to its
very functional rubber grips. Any magnum loads will tell you why it's preferred
over your Model 19.

 

[Styx]

Like others have mentioned, I think the GP100 isn't really an attractive revolver. I just looks unfinished and of course, unrefined. The trigger isn't as good as well vs S&W, Colt, and even Kimber revolvers, and I'm against putting weaker springs in defensive guns.

As far as all the usual whining and crying about MIM parts go, 99% of most firearms people are buying have MIM and/or polymer components. Period. That includes the GP100 which also switched to MIM parts, but no one complains about that or brings that up.

When it comes to the internal lock, that is another mountain out of an anthill non issue that people like to cry about. It's a non issue, and I personally don't care about the old politics of decades ago when a Brit owned the company. I honestly pray S&W gets rid of the IL, so that those who make a big deal out of it will sell there IL Smiths for cheap.

As far as durability goes, the claims are that the GP100 is stronger, but I'm not seeing or hearing about the millions of Smith that have been in circulation from 1981 till this day (42+ year) falling apart. Yes, the GP100 can handle hot 357 loads, but I'd bet 99% of people who own a GP100 aren't going to be firing super high pressure 357mag boutique loads either way. Both the GP100 and M686 will still be in circulation after we die and after our children's children pass.

All that said, both are great guns though. You can't go wrong with either. I still really like the GP100 and I plan on buying a 7 shot 2.5 or 3" in the future. It's just I like the M686 and even Colt Python better.

 

[CajunBass]

I think you are a fair man and I predict you'll like it just fine right down to its
very functional rubber grips. Any magnum loads will tell you why it's preferred
over your Model 19.

I had those grips on a Model 69 a few years ago. You're right. They are very functional. Ugly but functional.

 

[Boattale]

i don't have a GP 100. But I do have a 686. Breathed on by a really good S&W guy who's no longer with us. This one will be inherited, never sold.

 

[Rexster]

Short answer: Both are excellent weapons. I like both the 686 and the GP100. I can break the “tie” by saying that the original-pattern GP100 factory grip is an absolute perfect fit in my hands.

Longer answer: I bought an S&W 581 from a local gun store in late 1983, about the time I started attending a police academy. I think that I had already ordered my 686, through the academy, but wanted to go ahead and get started working on the DA trigger stroke, so, bought the fixed-sight 581, which would be slightly more concealable, but otherwise a near-twin. The 581 was beatifully fitted and finished. The 686, when it was delivered to the academy was, well, fitted by someone who just did not care. Such was the luck of the draw, when S&W was owned by Bangor Punta. Things got better when Lear Siegler became the new owners of S&W.

Sadly, my L-Frames went away, to help finance bigger-bore N-Frames. “Replacing“ at least one L-Frame, especially a nice 581, is on my Bucket List. The blued Model 586 is a candidate, too, especially a 6” 586, which I find visually appealing. (I have since owned quite a few K-Frames, and still have some of them.)

After I sorted-out that my index fingers are just not quite long enough to do good DA work, with N-Frames, I transitioned tt an autoloading duty handgun, in 1990. I missed having a nice, sturdy, utility/outdoors sixgun, so, soon acquired my first GP100, which can be seen in my avatar image. It then served as my primary duty handgun, from 1993 until 1995, at which time I switched to a lighter-in-weight K-Frame for the duty holster. I continued to “qual” with my first GP100, well into this century, as a “back-up and off-duty” handgun.

I now have 3”, 4”, and 6” GP100 sixguns, and no L-Frames, but, as I said, it would be nice to “replace” at least one L-Frame, to remedy having traded-away the ones I had in the Eighties.

 

[Anchorite]

Have both, shoot both on a regular basis. You really can’t go wrong either way as both will serve you well throughout your life and can be handed down to the next generation.

 

[Boattale]

Short answer: Both are excellent weapons. I like both the 686 and the GP100. I can break the “tie” by saying that the original-pattern GP100 factory grip is an absolute perfect fit in my hands.

Longer answer: I bought an S&W 581 from a local gun store in late 1983, about the time I started attending a police academy. I think that I had already ordered my 686, through the academy, but wanted to go ahead and get started working on the DA trigger stroke, so, bought the fixed-sight 581, which would be slightly more concealable, but otherwise a near-twin. The 581 was beatifully fitted and finished. The 686, when it was delivered to the academy was, well, fitted by someone who just did not care. Such was the luck of the draw, when S&W was owned by Bangor Punta. Things got better when Lear Siegler became the new owners of S&W.

Sadly, my L-Frames went away, to help finance bigger-bore N-Frames. “Replacing“ at least one L-Frame, especially a nice 581, is on my Bucket List. The blued Model 586 is a candidate, too, especially a 6” 586, which I find visually appealing. (I have since owned quite a few K-Frames, and still have some of them.)

After I sorted-out that my index fingers are just not quite long enough to do good DA work, with N-Frames, I transitioned tt an autoloading duty handgun, in 1990. I missed having a nice, sturdy, utility/outdoors sixgun, so, soon acquired my first GP100, which can be seen in my avatar image. It then served as my primary duty handgun, from 1993 until 1995, at which time I switched to a lighter-in-weight K-Frame for the duty holster. I continued to “qual” with my first GP100, well into this century, as a “back-up and off-duty” handgun.

I now have 3”, 4”, and 6” GP100 sixguns, and no L-Frames, but, as I said, it would be nice to “replace” at least one L-Frame, to remedy having traded-away the ones I had in the Eighties.

Blue 6" 586 really is a beautiful revolver. My USMC buddy used to have one and it was a real shooter too.

 

[Barmcd]

Nothing wrong with the GP100, but I prefer S&W revolvers and really like the 686 series
View attachment 1181325
View attachment 1181326

Yes you do!

 

[v8stang289]

To each his own. They're undoubtedly both good guns, but to me GP100's are hideous (along with most Ruger double actions if I'm honest)
So I have to go with the 686. Better triggers, better looks, and plenty strong.
My pair of -4's

 

[Riomouse911]

I have had my 4” 686+ since 2002. It has been a very good shooter, but it did have to be returned to S&W for a warped crane that somehow manifested itself a couple of years ago.

In 2021 I bought a 4” GP 100 .357 with the intention of having it transformed into a 6-shot .41 Special. When I was told by my preferred gunsmith that he could only do a 5-shot conversion, I left it as-is (I already have a 3” .44 Spl. GP.)

So, I do have an overlap of mid-frame, full lug .357’s.





I prefer the fitting of the 686, the squared off edges of the GP frame look a bit unfinished compared to the S&W, and the barrel profile of the GP does nothing for me. The billboard warning is another turn off, I seriously hate that Ruger ruins their aesthetics with that tripe.

The GP has a much better grip design, with the grip/stud allowing for any number of possibilities in size and design. The GP also has a simpler full-takedown as well as a much easier to replace front sight blade.

Both guns have had some trigger work. The GP has a one-pound lighter DA pull weight, but the Smith has zero stacking through the pull so it feels better to me. The Smith also has s slightly lighter SA pull, but both break cleanly so this is pretty much a wash..



Of the two I shoot the 686 better, but I have owned it 20 years longer so I am much more familiar with it.

In all honesty, you really cant go wrong with either one.

Stay safe.

 

[Roc_my_tims]

686 plus fan myself. Look great

 

[2ndtimer]

686 plus fan myself. Look great

I like my 6” GP-100 for shooting, and while I admit the Smith 586 and 686 might be more visually pleasing, neither comes close to this:

 

[dannyd]

Don't do Smith's, but my GP100 are north of 150,000 rounds easy and I like Rugers. Put 12,000 rounds on the three 6 inch ones this year.

 

[Mike in Western Oregon]

They are both wonderful guns! I’ve owned several 686s and GP100s. For whatever reason I just cotton to the GP100 more than the 686 and now have 2 x 3 inch and 1 x 4 inch GP100s. I love ‘em
Now, if we’re talking small snubs, I have a few J-frames and they also are near and dear to my heart, so it’s not a brand-thing

 

[Styx]

Don't do Smith's, but my GP100 are north of 150,000 rounds easy and I like Rugers. Put 12,000 rounds on the three 6 inch ones this year.

Bless your little heart. I'll pray for you. I can only imagine how difficult it is to wake up everyday and have to look at those. On the bright side, it could be a lot worse....

You could be this guy. I don't know how he makes it through the day:

 

[dannyd]

Bless your little heart. I'll pray for you. I can only imagine how difficult it is to wake up everyday and have to look at those. On the bright side, it could be a lot worse....

You could be this guy. I don't know how he makes it through the day:
View attachment 1182297

Don't own any semiautomatics, I am kind of One and Done kind of guy, but hey some people need 15 rounds to get the job done.

At the price Ruger's go for now do you realize how plastic guns I could buy with the same money.

 

[Styx]

Don't own any semiautomatics, I am kind of One and Done kind of guy, but hey some people need 15 rounds to get the job done.

At the price Ruger's go for now do you realize how plastic guns I could buy with the same money.

Depends.... With Heckler & Koch you maybe in the negative.

 

[westernrover]

Taurus was bought and owned by Bangor Punta, the former parent/owner of S&W. They didn't "copy" S&W, they were the same company for a while. They never copied Ruger because it would have violated patents. They didn't have to be concerned with S&W patents because Bangor Punta owned those.

From Wikipedia: "In 1962, the Bangor Punta Corporation, then the parent company of Smith & Wesson, purchased 87 percent of Forjas Taurus, allowing the two firearms manufacturers to easily share information regarding design and manufacturing. In 1973, Taurus was purchased from Bangor Punta by its current owners, and its ties to Smith & Wesson were severed."

I could be mistaken, but I believe Taurus has since exercised considerable influence on both S&W and Ruger. Wasn't Taurus the first to introduce 7-chamber cylinders in their medium-large revolver frame, before the Smith L-frame or GP-100? And didn't the Raging Hornet introduce the 22 Hornet in a large frame revolver long before Ruger chambered their SRH in Hornet? I wouldn't be surprised if Taurus has led the revolver market in other things also.

 

[dannyd]

Depends.... With Heckler & Koch you maybe in the negative.

That my be true, I know basically know nothing about any of them, but a GI 1911, which the former company I worked for used.

 

[Palladan44]

Smith and Wesson is my choice in 38/357 all day, every day. Never found a Ruger I liked. Not Security six, not Gp100 or SP101.
I've sold most of my Rugers in this caliber.

But I do like Ruger 44s. Super Blackhawks and Redhawks are great.

 

[AzShooter1]

I prefer my 686 to the GP. I've fired both and the Smith wins out with trigger pull and accuracy. The rumor that they only last 10K rounds is a bunch of crap. This gun has well over 60K rounds through it. You need to take care of your guns if you want them to last.

These are my reloads, 180 grain bullets from a special mold I had made. They group into one inch at 25 yards and are the best load I've ever come up with.