S&W 686 or Ruger Bisley for IHMSA/Woods walking?

[PO2Hammer]

I'm having a hard time deciding between the two. .357 magnum is my caliber. No great bears to worry about here, just the occasional rabid skunk or racoon.
Plinking fun and IHMSA field pistol (100 yards half scale), so a mid range .357 load is plenty.
The 686 may have the better trigger out of the box and would be stainless.
The Ruger is probably a more rugged design and easier to work on to tune up. I have a Freedom Arms model 97 4.25", but it is a bit small for extended sessions, and the chambers are very tight.
Anyone shoot either of these models, or both?
100 yard accuracy?
Current production quality from Smith or Ruger?
Which is better for handling handloads?
Any and all opinions are appreciated.

 

[ChristopherG]

How long a gun are you looking to get? The Bisley .357 only comes in 7.5", right? That's quite a hogleg to be toting around the woods--though ideal for silhouette.

For accuracy, either is likely to be quite capable of what you need for those tricky turkeys. Sights and trigger will be more of an issue than mechanical accuracy. The SA on the S&W would probably win in the trigger category, you're right; factory sights are about a wash. And while the Ruger is built to take heavier loads more easily in stride, the only loads that would potentially push the L-framed 686 near its limit would be VERY heavy--much more than you'd need for knocking down rams.

I like my Bisley 5.5" for both of these purposes, but it's a .41 mag. My 6.5" blackhawk in .357 is a bit unwieldy for carry, to my taste, but it's just a matter of preference. The right holster could really be the key, whether you went with the long-tubed Bisley or a 6" 686. Sorry, that didn't turn out to be much help, but it's not like you're gonna make a bad choice here.

 

[Kevinch]

I don't have a .357 Bisley, but when I went shopping for a .44MAG to plink & carry in the woods I looked for, found, & bought a Super Blackhawk.

The first gun I ever bought was in the late 80's, a 6" 686-1. I still have it.

The 686 I'll never sell, more due to nostalgia than any other reason - but it is still 1 sweet revolver. Locks up as tight as it did when new, & has a nice trigger that has been broken in by box after box of both .38SPL & .357MAG being released from the barrel. Definitely a keeper!

The big Ruger doesn't have quite the trigger pull as my S&W, but is just plain fun to shoot & is built like a tank. There is someting about a single action that is just neat - sorta like driving a stick every once in a while when all you ever drive are automatics. I'm seriously considering buying one of the Peacemaker style guns that are out on the market. I don't do any SASS organized shoots or anything. The SA ritual - pulling back the hammer, opening the gate, loading 1 round at a time while you click the cylinder around, etc. - it's just fun.

I'm not sure who currently has better quality - lately most of my acquitions have been used, except for 2 recent purchases for my wife & daughter - & I would think either of the guns you mentioned could be easily located on the used market & in excellent shape. I would also surmise that the general rule of thumb between these 2 brands applies here: trigger pull probably goes to S&W, if you want to push the limit on pressure then go with a Ruger.

Hey - you can always buy 1 of each & compare! (That's what my dealer always tells me!)

 

[roo_ster]

The SW686 is never a bad answer. I had my trigger worked on & in SA it is like the proverbial glass rod breaking.

 

[rudolf]

ChristopherG wrote:

How long a gun are you looking to get? The Bisley .357 only comes in 7.5", right? That's quite a hogleg to be toting around the woods--though ideal for silhouette.

I've held a brand new 4 5/8 inch Bisley in my hands at a gun dealer, so they do exist.

I would go for a Ruger single action. Simple, robust, and very safe to carry.

 

[Onty]

Before making any decision, I would take a hard look on S&W M27. With right grips, it’s delight to shoot. It has a nice, wide and long hammer spur, easy to grasp, much easier than puny one on 686. They are available from 3-1/2 to 8-3/8” barrel length.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Thanks for all the input.
After a discussion with my dealer and a few others, I ordered a Bisley. My FFL dealer has sent a few Rugers to Bob Munden for tune ups & mod's with great results. So it will go straight to Munden (after a weekend of shooting) for an action job and a chop to 5-1/2". (all current new Bisleys are 7-1/2")

I've always had a soft spot for the single action, and the big Ruger should be just about as indestructable as a revolver gets.

 

[ChristopherG]

A 5.5" .357 Biz is a great idea; they oughta make it, in fact. Good choice, and good shooting with it!

 

[mountain_cowboy]

Actually, they do make the Bisley in a 5.5", at least they did until this year. There are Bisley Vaqueros in stainless and blue in 5.5" and .45LC, .44mag, and .357. They also made limited runs of stainless 5.5" Blackhawk Bisleys for the distributor Acusport in .41mag, .44mag, .45LC, and .45LC/ACP, with about 1000 of each of them. I have one each in .44mag and .45 convertible. As a collector and shooter of Rugers, I think they're the perfect packing and shooting handgun. Ruger will be producing a run of the same model in .357 for Acusport at the end of this year. I'm already on the list of one of those.

 

[ChristopherG]

Ah, yes, the Vaqueros; but I was assuming blackhawk-Bisley, 'cause of the silhouette. I have the accusport in .41, and it's a great balancing, fun-to-shoot gun. Glad to hear they're gonna do a .357 run. That could be tempting.

 

[critter]

You done good! Best choice IMHO! I LOVE the Ruger Bisley. I think you will too and it is the most versatile thing you can find cause ammo is available all the way from the 'pop-wait-wait-wait-thump!' kind to the 'end-of-the-world-doom' kind even in factory loads.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Thanks again, It has to be the Bisley-SBH for me, I need the adjustable sights.

Now that I'm handloading, the .357 Magnum has a whole new appeal.

 

[ChristopherG]

When you get 'round to accuracy testing for your silhouette loads, allow me to suggest you try the Hornady 158 gr. XTP Flat Point. It's been the most accurate bullet I've found in every .357 I've tried it in. Awesome with Hodgdon's max recommended load of Lil gun, 18.0 gr.s.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Yup, 158 XTP's and Hodgdon Titegroup. Just enough to reach 1,000 fps is plenty for feild pistol. Last year I used factory .38 spl LRN. Never a problem on the rams with any hit.

 

[critter]

If there is ANY slop of the cylinder on its axis, get and install a Belt Mountain base pin. It is an easy, do-it-yourself job and costs $20-$22 and will tighten it up A LOT. Not sure it improves accuracy a whole lot, but lockup will be tighter and you won't get powder residue down the center hole of the cylinder. I think they are a fantastic improvement.