S&W 868 vs Ruger GP100

[UncleEd]

Buzzrose,

Now that you've mentioned that
your daughters have 9mm pistols,
I restate that you should look for
lighter revolvers, be they 4-inch
or 3-inch.

I think that the introduction of those
guns to your girls and seeing if
they like double action shooting
will give them a chance to perhaps
one day prefer the wheel guns.

Though you're leaning toward a
"range blaster," I truly think you
and they would be better served
by not worrying about magnums.
Stick to what is closer to the 9mm.

Truth be told, the .357 is never
really pleasant to shoot. I know
real men will say that's hogwash.

 

[Buzznrose]

Buzzrose,

Now that you've mentioned that
your daughters have 9mm pistols,
I restate that you should look for
lighter revolvers, be they 4-inch
or 3-inch.

I think that the introduction of those
guns to your girls and seeing if
they like double action shooting
will give them a chance to perhaps
one day prefer the wheel guns.

Though you're leaning toward a
"range blaster," I truly think you
and they would be better served
by not worrying about magnums.
Stick to what is closer to the 9mm.

Truth be told, the .357 is never
really pleasant to shoot. I know
real men will say that's hogwash.

Good points…thanks!

I have a lot of both .357 and .38 brass and want a gun that can handle both. I personally enjoy shooting magnum rounds after shooting some .38’s.

 

[mavracer]

I love the older Lett grips on the GP100. I'm not really into the 7 shot revolvers so the 686+ doesn't interest me.
As to the 4" vs 6" both have their place, 4" is a better all around choice IMHO.

 

[Buzznrose]

Appreciate all the inputs. Gives me stuff to thing about when I check them out again in the flesh. I’ve seen and messed around with them before, but not really with a critical “buyer’s eye”.

Take care, Buzz

 

[bannockburn]

I voted for the Model 686.

Had a GP100 when they first came out, me thinking this would be a new and improved Security Six. Hope I don't hurt anyone's feelings but right from the get-go I couldn't get comfortable with the design of the grip. It felt awkward and overall the way the gun handled and balanced (with a 4" barrel), just never seemed right to me. The trigger was also rather heavy and somewhat gritty, in both DA and SA mode.

I then decided to take a look at the new L frame S&W was making, in particular the Model 686. Liked that it used the K frame grip design as it's the perfect size and shape for my smaller size hands, but now it had a larger and more robustly built frame to handle the .357 Magnum cartridge. Balance with 4" and 6" Models was excellent and the DA and SA trigger was the best I have ever encountered on any revolver, right out of the box too!

 

[Tacoma]

Most 38 special range loads in a GP 100/686 will have less recoil than most 9mm will produce. i.e. more pleasent shooting

Buzzrose,

Now that you've mentioned that
your daughters have 9mm pistols,
I restate that you should look for
lighter revolvers, be they 4-inch
or 3-inch.

I think that the introduction of those
guns to your girls and seeing if
they like double action shooting
will give them a chance to perhaps
one day prefer the wheel guns.

Though you're leaning toward a
"range blaster," I truly think you
and they would be better served
by not worrying about magnums.
Stick to what is closer to the 9mm.

Truth be told, the .357 is never
really pleasant to shoot. I know
real men will say that's hogwash.

I'll disagree. A light frame 3" revolver in 38/357 is a good carry gun but not a good range or training gun. It is not going to be allot of fun to shoot for any newbie nor is it going to reward them with tight groups or good shooting practices. It will in all likely hood become a flinch-o-matic. ( I can't tell you how many times somebody bought a small carry gun at the shop I worked at only to bring it back after few range sessions , whining about the exact things I warned them over.)
A gun is a tool. It must be matched to the task. If the OP's family already has lighter and snappier 9mm's, they have that experience covered. A heavy GP/686 fired with light 38 special target loads will be a nice change and enhance their shooting experience by slowing them down and likely reward them with good groups and improved skills. The 357 chambering just allows the OP to bang away with hot loads if/when the mood suits. My bet is the pistol will not see 357 loads often.

 

[sequins]

I have a 4.2" GP100 Match Champion with a novak blacked out rear and a fiber front, and a 6" GP100 with a weig-a-tinny rail and red dot , both in the 357 chambering.

I can keep it in the 10 ring at 25 yards with that red dot 6" and it's by far and away my favourite. I got the 4.2" in a flight of fancy thinking I might like the GP100 enough to carry one. In the end, I mostly still just shoot the 6" at the range and I'd say wait for the 6". I don't care for modern S&W with the locking feature so I buy Ruger's myself but any 6" 357 is liable to be your favourite gun.

 

[375supermag]

Hi...
I have and regularly shoot several .357Mag revolvers.
My favorite is my 686 Silhouette Model, I also own a couple of Colt Troopers, a Model 27 and a plethora of Ruger BlackHawks in .357Magnum.
I have shot a Ruger GP100 in .357Mag extensively but have not been inclined to buy one for myself to this point. I don't think the GP100 to be the equal of the 686 or the Model 27 when accuracy and aesthetics are factored into the equation.
Is the GP100 a heavier built more robust design? I think so, but I have thousands and thousands of rounds through my 686 over the years with zero issues and it is still the most accurate hand gun I own. It is more than strong enough for the vast majority of shooters.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Among other things, I am Dyslexic so 868 makes perfect sense to me! I am also left handed so does that mean that I am dominant handed dyslexic as well? It is all too confusing.

Nah, just means you don’t know whether you’re coming or going!
And you have two left feet...

My wife is dyslexic, thats what I tease her with.
I’m left eye dominant, so I know your pain!

 

[Tallball]

I'll disagree. A light frame 3" revolver in 38/357 is a good carry gun but not a good range or training gun. It is not going to be allot of fun to shoot for any newbie nor is it going to reward them with tight groups or good shooting practices. It will in all likely hood become a flinch-o-matic.

A heavy GP/686 fired with light 38 special target loads will be a nice change and enhance their shooting experience by slowing them down and likely reward them with good groups and improved skills. .

I'll second that. My daughter will shoot a 38 snub or a smaller 9mm if the other young adults are. If her friends or cousins shoot it, she will shoot it too, come hell or high water, whether she enjoys it or not. When she's shooting with me or her grandpa just for fun, though, she gets bored with 22's after a while and starts shooting a medium or large framed revolver loaded with mild 38's. That's fun for her. I'm glad she does most of her shooting with handguns that are so gentle. She doesn't have a flinch, and she actually enjoys shooting.

 

[UncleEd]

To clarify, when I proposed
lighter revolvers I was not
referring to a "light frame"
such as something less
than all steel. Nor was I
thinking of anything much
less than a K-frame Smith
or the "D"-frame Colts.

Being an old fuddy, to me a
lighter revolver as opposed to
a 6-inch fully lugged magnum
is a Model 15 Smith, a Model
10 or the stainless counterparts.
I'd even include the older or
current Model 66s,

Early on I even proposed the
Ruger GP100 in 3 inch. And
if you lean toward Colt, then
the new King Cobra in 3 inches
or the King Cobra Target would
be ideal in my estimation.

And shooting .38s from the ones
I've just suggested even in +P
are no big deal.

Had I voted in the survey part with
those listed as the absolute only
options, I would have picked the
Ruger 4-incher. But I really thought
the survey was just too limited.
Other models must be available.

 

[Elkins45]

You don’t have my choice listed: 4” 686.

 

[DR505]

I am biased...I've never been a fan of Ruger DA revolvers. If I am buying a SA revolver though, I look to Ruger first. For DA revolvers my first choice is a Smith and Wesson. I do have a 6" 686-3 that is a very good revolver; accurate, smooth, perfect trigger. I have a couple of Ruger SA revolvers I will pass on to my son.

 

[silicosys4]

686-1 through -3 > gp100 > new 686.

I have a few 586-1's, aesthetically they are a much better gun than the gp100 I have...but I'd take a gp100 over a new 686.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have a newer 686, lock gun. I have put about 4k magnums through it and have yet to clean it. It's been a great gun.

 

[Obturation]

6" gp100. It's a great gun that'll digest a lifetime of full power loads and ask for more. 4" is cool and better for carry but longer barrel is better for everything else.
I tried to get along with S&W but repeated bad luck soured me on the brand. I know there are plenty of good ones but there are definitely some real stinkers too.
I'd try a colt but wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be less than durable . I don't know though, might be great.
I also like the kimber and plan to get one eventually. Either way, I know my gp100 will always be there and no worse for the wear regardless of what I do to it.
Good luck

 

[ECVMatt]

Nah, just means you don’t know whether you’re coming or going!
And you have two left feet...

My wife is dyslexic, thats what I tease her with.
I’m left eye dominant, so I know your pain!

I am cross eyed dominant as well! Left handed, right eyed. I shoot handguns left handed and rifles right...I am a mess.

Back on topic, I do find manipulating a Ruger revolver easier with the left hand than a Smith. Pushing in the cylinder release seems more intuitive than trying to push forward.

 

[jdc1244]

I have a 4.2” GP100 I’ve owned for going on 14 years; I bought a King Cobra Target last December. In January I got a 686 6” to see how the longer barrel would affect recoil – and indeed the longer barrel made for very pleasant shooting with .357.

Unfortunately the 686 had to go back to the factory due to jamming and misfire issues.

Apparently Smith has relegated QC responsibility to consumers.

Meanwhile, the Colt and Ruger continue to function flawlessly.

 

[golden]

I would suggest you go with something better.

I own both and the trigger on my GP-100's leave something to be desired. My 681 and 586 have tuned actions, so they are way better than the RUGER'S, however, part of that is the works of some good gunsmiths.

My suggestion, spend a little extra and get a RUGER Match Champion. It comes from the factory, the way the GP=100 should be made. It is a little lighter due to the trim barrel which help when using it for ccw. The trigger is really smooth and well worth the extra money. I intend to trade in my GP-100 for the Match Champion when I get a chance. It is the only RUGER that can match the triggers on my Security 6 and Speed 6. Both are excellent and what RUGER should be producing, but does not.

I would also consider the PYTHON. It has just as good and smooth a trigger and it is just so beautiful to look at. Unfortunately, It has the regular GP-100's weight problem, just like the 686.

Good luck with you choice.

Jim

 

[Styx]

Not a Ruger fan. Their revolvers are unrefined cast metal with a crap trigger. They are basically budget revolvers that aren't that attractive. The looks, fit and finish, resale value, and quality is just better on the Smiths. Did I mention that the trigger is ALSO better too?... It would be a tie between the Smith and a Colt Python. Ruger would be in last place and rightfully so.

The only Ruger handgun I like is the LCR. Those too are ugly as all hell, but the fit and finish is good. The trigger has a serious flaw of it's short stroked though.

 

[PzGren]

I own Rugers, S&W, Colts, Korth, Manurhin, and Sauer & Sohn revolvers but if I did not have a S&W 65, I would buy a police surplus S&W 64-6 from Recoil Gunworks. Any issues have usually been addressed by the department's armourer and in today's market $449.99 are a screaming deal.

 

[UncleEd]

Not a Ruger fan. Their revolvers are unrefined cast metal with a crap trigger. They are basically budget revolvers that aren't that attractive.

Holy moly, I did not know that despite
50 years of using them in multiple
and numerous varieties. Thanks for
letting me know.

But you have shaken me beyond
any point of consolation.

Bye the bye, I have the same amount
of experience with S&W products. And
I appreciate them. Any defects I should
know about? Please be gentle.

 

[Styx]

Holy moly, I did not know that despite
50 years of using them in multiple
and numerous varieties. Thanks for
letting me know.

But you have shaken me beyond
any point of consolation.

Bye the bye, I have the same amount
of experience with S&W products. And
I appreciate them. Any defects I should
know about? Please be gentle.

My opinion of Ruger revolvers. Cast metal, big and bulky, not as refined as Smiths, Colts, and even Kimber, and by most accounts the triggers aren't as good out the box as the competition. They also do not hold value or appreciate in value like Smiths and Colts. In my opinion, they aren't as attractive.

I know some love Ruger revolvers. They seem to be a reliable alternative. The bulk and weight is great for shooting heavier loads. Utilitarian best describes them. When it comes to carrying for long periods of time when weight matters, concealing, future resell value, and all the things I already mentioned, Rugers just don't do it for me.

 

[dannyd]

My opinion of Ruger revolvers. Cast metal, big and bulky, not as refined as Smiths, Colts, and even Kimber, and by most accounts the triggers aren't as good out the box as the competition. They also do not hold value or appreciate in value like Smiths and Colts. In my opinion, they aren't as attractive.

I know some love Ruger revolvers. They seem to be a reliable alternative. The bulk and weight is great for shooting heavier loads. Utilitarian best describes them. When it comes to carrying for long periods of time when weight matters, concealing, future resell value, and all the things I already mentioned, Rugers just don't do it for me.

How many Rugers have you owned?

 

[dannyd]

I'll be your Huckleberry