S&W guys/gals only- should I buy a Ruger GP100?

[tex_n_cal]

No, I have several Rugers, but the GP100 is not one of the old man's better designs.

 

[Boats]

These last two opinions have been really insightful. Thanks for the contributions.

 

[tex_n_cal]

okay, to elaborate...since I now have finished my dinner - The GP's I find sorta crude in design, usually with so-so triggers and blocky design. I just find the Smiths easier to shoot, and better looking. No question the Rugers are durable and reliable, and some I expect are pretty accurate.

If the GP was in a unique caliber I especially desired, I might go ahead and get one - like I did with my .480 SRH. In the common .357, though, there are plenty of other choices.

 

[L-Frame]

I am a huge L-frame fan. I have a 681 PC, a 686-5 3", and 2 686 MG's. I love the triggers, accuracy, quality, etc. I do though, also really like the GP-100's, especially the fixed sight models. I think "blocky" does apply to the adj. sighted GP's but not to the fixed sights. I think they are very well designed. They actually have more of a service or speed six profile. They also have a slightly smaller grip frame that fits my hand better than any other handgun. I only have 2 reasons for prefering the 686's: 1) trigger-I've felt some nice GP's but they have never had that "feel" of a smith, and 2) for defense I think that 6 is fine but why not be able to load 7 in the same size package? (for plinking it make no difference).

Can't really go wrong with either. Which feels and shoots better for you?

 

[WT]

Sure, go for it. It only holds 6 rounds.

As Bill Ruger said "No honest man needs more than 10 rounds."

The Anti's will love you for it.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I am a died-in-the-wool Smith & Wesson wheelgun fan. However, after shooting a GP-100 with some 125 grainers handloaded on top of a good amount of Blue Dot, I had to get one. Why? For me, the GP-100's grip soaks up recoil better than any other handgun's that I've shot. I was simply amazed at how much more comfortable it was to shoot the Ruger, than say, a K-Frame with hot loads.

I scratched my itch with a police trade-in 3" GP-100 imported back into the US by Century Arms. When I got it the gun was filthy and had obviously been shot a lot with lead loads. E.g., the cylinder flutes were black and required major scrubbing. It cleaned up nicely, and the large number of rounds through it really smoothed up the action.

Oh yeah, I got it in trade for the equivalent of $225 OTD.