S&W Quality Issues?

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I've shot my GP100 and a 686 side-by-side and have to say, I'm more impressed with the ruger....

3. Ruger is built sturdier
Totally false. The Ruger may be thicker, but that is because it HAS to be - it is cast and not forged, like a Smith is.
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BS, total BS. The Ruger is stronger because of design. It has no side plate. Investment casting is weaker, provide me with proof! Where's the engineering or metallurgical papers to back you up?

Smith and Wesson's strength is half of Ruger from the start because it's half a frame with the other half covered up by a plate. Then there's the superior crane locking system.

If Ruger has a fault, it's that they OVER design and OVER build their guns. They're heavy for their application. Do I really NEED a 27 ounce snubby .38 or .22 4" or .32 mag? NO, but it's nice in the .357 magnum. Ruger lacks variety.

Back to the smith is crap thread, now. :D
 
I guess I never really warmed to the Ruger GP100 as I did to the Security Six. I mean the Security Six was a great gun, and I had hoped that the GP100 was going to be like an improved variation of the Six. But the GP's grip felt like it was too big and didn't point the gun as well; likewise the balance and handling didn't feel as good and the trigger pull was hard and gritty. At the time, I owned a Colt Trooper Mk.V, a GP100, and a S&W 686. Due to pressing financial considerations, I could only keep one. The hard part was deciding between the Colt and the S&W; ultimately the Smith won out with it's handier 4" barrel and smoother trigger.
 
I had a Security Six. Terrible recoil in that gun even compared to a comparable K frame. And, the grip is much improved on the GP100. WHY, you say? Well, because the grip frame is a thin piece of stout metal which lends itself to FAR more grip styles and shapes. Want a round butt? Just buy a grip with a round butt profile! Me, I like the Hogue. I don't know if I EVER kept a revolver with its original grips. :rolleyes: That is one of the advantages a revolver has over an auto is that you ain't stuck with the grip that comes on it and on the GP100, you can even vary grip ANGLE to an extent! WHY, just look at it with the grip off, it's obvious!

Personally, I like Hogue's monogrip. Have one on my SP101, on my Taurus 66 3" gun, and on my Smith and Wesson M10. No grip that ever came on a 686 was worth a crap in my hand. First thing it'd get is a Hogue. The 686s from the mid 80s, they were excellent, accurate revolvers, but I just don't think I want one with a lock in it. The GP100 is a great handgun and the 3" may be on my "to get" list in the future. :D I have the SP101 now in 2.3" form and a couple of blackhawks and an Old Army and a P85 and a P90 autochucker. All great guns that are strong as an ox, overbuilt, and will likely last my grandson's lifetime, when I get a grandson. :D
 
McGunner

The one thing I changed immediately on the Security Six were the grips; the factory wood was terrible and the later "target" style one's weren't much better. I found Pachmayrs as the way to go with the Six, as they fit my smaller hand better than anything else I tried. The only gun that had factory grips that felt great and I wouldn't want to change out, were the ones on the Colt Mk.V. I've tried the Hogue Monogrip but have found it to be too big for my hand, with the finger grooves being spaced too far apart. Nowadays I switch off between a couple of different Pachmayrs and some old N frame grips that I modified to fit, on my 686.
 
No grip that ever came on a 686 was worth a crap in my hand. First thing it'd get is a Hogue.
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In recent (1994 and on?) years most smith & wesson revolvers, including the two 686, and the .44 mag mountain gun, I own come standard with hogue finger groove rubber grips. I always replace the rubber hogues with exotic wood hogue finger groove grips, sometimes smooth sometimes checkered, depending on the gun. They fit my hand like they were custom made for me.
 
Wow, Mattnoks you sure stepped in it on your 1st post. :D Welcome to THR. Maybe I can help. I own some S&W's, old and new. None is/were perfect, all went bang when I pulled the trigger. One new one I bought has been to the factory and fixed as requested. The other is currently there being worked on for something that should have never left the factory, but I am confident they will come through on it.
Bottom line, if there is a problem it is highly likely they will make it right with you. As many 686's as there are out there I would read the revo check out sticky and find a used one. If you want a perfect revolver and have the $$, why mess around, contact a custom shop.
 
Ha, yeah I know. It seems to have gotten a little of subject. Thanks for all the help though.
 
Most likely they will call you and ask what new gun you would like to replace it with, or they are going to give you a new one with the same serial number as your old one on the frame.
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:what: Well, I've got a S&W (auto) going back for the third time, same problem, never fixed, in a month. I'll see if you're right. I'll bet you're wrong.

But, my 686-5 revolver (2003) has worked fine since I bought it used.
 
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