Ruger_Nut
Member
I am looking to buy a .357 for pig hunting, and I am torn between a Ruger GP 100, and a S&W 686............any advice?
S&W vs Ruger
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Deer Hunter
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Are you looking for completely unbiased replies, written by those with knowledge of both designs? People who have shot both, know them inside and out, and don't let company loyalty get in the way?
Good luck.
I'm going to say Smith, but others will say ruger. My advice for you is to handle both and see how they fit.
Good luck.
I'm going to say Smith, but others will say ruger. My advice for you is to handle both and see how they fit.
Tiny in Ohio
Member
Ruger Blackhawk. Single action, built like a tank, and will handle HOT loads. Single actions are better for hunting with anyway. YMMV.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Another vote here for the S&W~!
Marhaben
Member
My former Ruger GP-100 was without a doubt the finest .357 magnum revolver I've shot. But you can't go wrong with S&W...they made my 629
Have you looked up reviews on the internet? Everyone loves the GP.
Have you looked up reviews on the internet? Everyone loves the GP.
If you consider future resale the S&W will appreciate more than the Ruger. It that's not an issure then flip a coin or take the one with the best price. Its a win/win choice in either case.
As mentioned a single action Ruger Blackhawk is a good hunting revolver and is worth considering.
As mentioned a single action Ruger Blackhawk is a good hunting revolver and is worth considering.
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EddieCoyle
Member
Flip a coin. They're both excellent weapons. Like Ford vs. Chevy, you are going to find fans of both. I prefer S&W. Like someone else said, try them both (if you can) and pick the one that feels better or is more accurate for you.
Not to beat a dead horse, but if you're going to use it only for hunting, you can't beat a Blackhawk. Although if you ever plan on carrying it for self defense, the Blackhawk is quite unwieldy.
Not to beat a dead horse, but if you're going to use it only for hunting, you can't beat a Blackhawk. Although if you ever plan on carrying it for self defense, the Blackhawk is quite unwieldy.
I like both guns but the Ruger double actions just don't have the triggers that the S&W guns have.To me a good trigger is the basic requirement I need to make decent shots.
If you feel the need for repeat shots and want the double action go for the S&W . If you can live with a single action the blackhawk is a fine choice and will be a good deal cheeper,new or used.
If you feel the need for more power than factory .357 or equivilant handloads do yourself a big favor and get a .41mag or a .44mag (or 45colt)
It is one thing to sit at a bench at the range and manage to shoot decent groups when takeing your time and "working" a not so great trigger. When it comes down to makeing a shot in a hunting situation,usually pressed for time, shooting without a rest,a very good trigger is of great importance.
As others have said,try to borrow or rent some guns and find out what works best for you. Try to use some full power hunting type ammo,try to lay your hands not just on different guns but with different grips
If you feel the need for repeat shots and want the double action go for the S&W . If you can live with a single action the blackhawk is a fine choice and will be a good deal cheeper,new or used.
If you feel the need for more power than factory .357 or equivilant handloads do yourself a big favor and get a .41mag or a .44mag (or 45colt)
It is one thing to sit at a bench at the range and manage to shoot decent groups when takeing your time and "working" a not so great trigger. When it comes down to makeing a shot in a hunting situation,usually pressed for time, shooting without a rest,a very good trigger is of great importance.
As others have said,try to borrow or rent some guns and find out what works best for you. Try to use some full power hunting type ammo,try to lay your hands not just on different guns but with different grips
MCgunner
Member
Ditto, that's why I love my blackhawks. I have a 180 grain handload that I'm not sure I'd wanna shoot even in an N frame, but the Blackhawk handles it fine. A question though, you can't go bigger than .357? I have no doubt that a heavy 180 grain load like the buffalo bore 180s or my own handloaded XTP 180 would do the job on a pretty good size hog, but those biggens get a pretty good gristle plate to penetrate. A .44 mag, hot .45 colt would do a better job IMHO. A .454 Casull would not be ridiculous on such an animal. They can be tough and if you wound one and have it cornered, well, they can be ornery as heck.
OH25shooter
Member
In the Ruger family, my opinion would be a Blackhawk for hunting. I own both and the Ruger is my choice for a hunting handgun. However, lets be real...either would do the job. For that matter, any handgun that shoots accurate will kill an animal/varmint. Using the proper caliber of course.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
To open the cylinder do you want to push a button forward or in? Do you want the front of your cylinder to lock on the axis or at the yoke? Do you want a more finely styled gun or more utilitarian?
Answer those and you made your choice.
Answer those and you made your choice.
cbsbyte
Member
Either gun will fill your needs for hunting. Both guns are well made, and durable. The Smith might have a more refined trigger, though that can vary wildly from each gun. The Ruger is a more modern design, and over the longrun it will take heavier loads better. In the end, It really comes down to how much you want to spend and what feels better in your hand.
HankB
Member
I don't care for single actions, the relatively high bore line and plowshare grip just don't suit me.
I'd go for a 686 . . . better yet, a pre-lock, pre-MIM version. Sturdy, likely to have a better DA trigger than a GP100, and likely to have a better SA trigger than either a Blackhawk or a GP100.
Rugers are certainly functional, strong, and reliable . . . Smiths generally tend to be better finished.
Note that outside of the cowboy action shooters, very few competitors who shoot revolvers use Rugers.
I'd go for a 686 . . . better yet, a pre-lock, pre-MIM version. Sturdy, likely to have a better DA trigger than a GP100, and likely to have a better SA trigger than either a Blackhawk or a GP100.
Rugers are certainly functional, strong, and reliable . . . Smiths generally tend to be better finished.
Note that outside of the cowboy action shooters, very few competitors who shoot revolvers use Rugers.
MCgunner
Member
To me, strength of the gun, ability to handle the hottest of hot loads, outweighs the DA pull of any DA gun in this application. In fact, DA is moot. You will be firing the gun single action. You want HOT loads in a hunting revolver and no DA gun short of a Redhawk can match the Blackhawk for ability to shoot hot loads AND accurately I might add.
10-Ring
Member
I had gone into a local shop w/ the intention of buying a Ruger revo in 357 mag. When I got there, I saw as they were prepping a S&W mod 19 for display. Good deal, great gun, I went w/ the Smith...my recommendation to you...check them all out & buy the one you like the most or the one you can get the best deal on w/o compromising too much!
ajax
Member
Either way you can't lose.
kjeff50cal
Member
I say a S&W 686 with a Ruger Super Redhawk in 454 Casul as back up for the POed hog that you shot with a .357 Mag.
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MachIVshooter
Member
The question you have posed really comes down to whether or not you are willing to spend a little more for a more refined fit and finish with a smoother action. I have both Ruger's and S&W's in .357 and I love all of them. That said, I prefer the action on my S&W's. However, when it comes time to chronograph sledgehammer loads, I grab the Ruger.
Both are excellent guns and both will handle any factory ammo available and will print respectable groups at reasonable ranges. The GP100 is about $150 less.
Both are excellent guns and both will handle any factory ammo available and will print respectable groups at reasonable ranges. The GP100 is about $150 less.
FotoTomas
Member
Well this is a fine debate. For pig hunting I choose my Springfiel Armory M1911A1 MilSpec. Works for me.
Of the two revolvers mentioned I tend to lean towards the S&W brand as I have carried and used S&W's since 1973. The few Ruger DA's I had or used were more often the less expensive option when I wanted a S&W. I tended to buy, trade and sell guns a lot and often went with the less expensive option when money was tight.
In todays world however the GP100 is a well built machine and worth a good look. More of a tank in construction and style but a strong one to be sure.
I agree with most here... try them both and go with your gut. either choice will be a good choice.
Of the two revolvers mentioned I tend to lean towards the S&W brand as I have carried and used S&W's since 1973. The few Ruger DA's I had or used were more often the less expensive option when I wanted a S&W. I tended to buy, trade and sell guns a lot and often went with the less expensive option when money was tight.
In todays world however the GP100 is a well built machine and worth a good look. More of a tank in construction and style but a strong one to be sure.
I agree with most here... try them both and go with your gut. either choice will be a good choice.
I've bought, shot, then sold hundreds of revolvers and at the moment have a dozen or so-all S&W. I learned to do trigger jobs and can make alomosr ANY Smith have a 2 3/4 to 3 pound single action that 'breaks' like a glass rod: no creep, no drag no over travel. Any good gunsmith can do it for you.
NOT SO with Rugers.
The Ruger fans always come back that they are built like tanks, which is true. Buy a 6 or 6 1/2 inch S&W Model 27/627 if you want to shoot hot loads and have a $75 action tune.....you'll have a heavy large frame awesome Ferrari and NOT A TANK. If you don't plan on shooting really heavy .357 loads a 6 inch 586 or 686 will have you drooling.
Trust me...dan
NOT SO with Rugers.
The Ruger fans always come back that they are built like tanks, which is true. Buy a 6 or 6 1/2 inch S&W Model 27/627 if you want to shoot hot loads and have a $75 action tune.....you'll have a heavy large frame awesome Ferrari and NOT A TANK. If you don't plan on shooting really heavy .357 loads a 6 inch 586 or 686 will have you drooling.
Trust me...dan
Lou22
Member
Just to add a little more to the thread... how about a Colt Trooper MKIII? They are no longer made, but lots of good ones are around, they are very well built and accurate, have a good DA and SA trigger pull, and can handle hot loads (I owned one where I ran some very hot handloads through many times). Prices are reasonable ($350-400 range) and can be found in 4 inch and 6 inch barrels.
Lou
Lou
If you can find an old Smith that's still tight, you'll learn about that nice trigger. But go to the store and compare a new Smith trigger to that of a similar Ruger and suddenly the difference is moot. I'll take the Ruger because it will take all the heavy loads I can handle without wimpering. And if you spend a couple minutes with a disassembled Ruger, common sense and a stone, you'll take care of the trigger roughness (or just dryfire the snot out of it for a while)...I've sold lots of Rugers by letting Smth fans shoot my RH, GP and SP.
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