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While reading one of the many threads lamenting the demise of the venerable Ruger Security-Six, I began thinking how much of a shame it was that such a fine gun passed into obscurity, and also wondered how much of it was due to ignorance.
In other words, it's not that the GP-100 was made to be stronger than the Security-Six, as some have suggested (though it may be stronger from sheer size, lockup and weight). Rather, it was designed to follow in the footsteps of the 686.
Back in the early 80s when word was going around that the 66s weren't holding up to full throttle light-bullet loads, some people just assumed (even some gun writers) that the Security-Six, being about the same weight and size as the 66, suffered from the same malady. I think someone at Ruger panicked and felt like they had to follow suit. In S&W's case, the gun was clearly better, stronger, more accurate. The GP-100, though, only resulted in more bulk and weight.
Now please don't get me wrong. I love every .357 Ruger and Smith ever made, but there was a reason Bill Jordan wanted a lighter magnum for law enforcement. Hunters and outdoorsmen also liked the 4- and 6-inch Security-Sixes as hunting pistols and as backups. Campers liked the smaller, lighter guns for packing into the wilderness. The full underlug barrels were fine for shooting on the range or for places where they didn't have to be hauled, but they dumped all the benefits of a lighter, powerful gun.
While perusing this subject, I ran across an article in Guns Magazine where gun writer John Tafin noted: "For Bill Jordan the .357 Combat Magnum, introduced in 1955, was the Peace Officer's Dream Sixgun. Its smaller diameter cylinder, lighter weight, and smaller grip frame made it much easier to pack in relative comfort all day and also easier for smaller hands to handle. It not only was an excellent revolver for law-enforcement use, it soon gained a large following among outdoor types who needed a powerful and easily packable pistol."
Amen to that! He added:
Although Tafin didn't say so, keep in mind that the Ruger offered the size and weight advantages while having none of the disadvantages of the Combat Masterpiece. Continuing, he writes:
Tafin failed to note the Security-/Speed-Sixes in his article, but his points are otherwise well taken.
Comments?
Other articles of interest include:
R.I.P. Combat Magnum
The American Classic .357 Snub
In other words, it's not that the GP-100 was made to be stronger than the Security-Six, as some have suggested (though it may be stronger from sheer size, lockup and weight). Rather, it was designed to follow in the footsteps of the 686.
Back in the early 80s when word was going around that the 66s weren't holding up to full throttle light-bullet loads, some people just assumed (even some gun writers) that the Security-Six, being about the same weight and size as the 66, suffered from the same malady. I think someone at Ruger panicked and felt like they had to follow suit. In S&W's case, the gun was clearly better, stronger, more accurate. The GP-100, though, only resulted in more bulk and weight.
Now please don't get me wrong. I love every .357 Ruger and Smith ever made, but there was a reason Bill Jordan wanted a lighter magnum for law enforcement. Hunters and outdoorsmen also liked the 4- and 6-inch Security-Sixes as hunting pistols and as backups. Campers liked the smaller, lighter guns for packing into the wilderness. The full underlug barrels were fine for shooting on the range or for places where they didn't have to be hauled, but they dumped all the benefits of a lighter, powerful gun.
While perusing this subject, I ran across an article in Guns Magazine where gun writer John Tafin noted: "For Bill Jordan the .357 Combat Magnum, introduced in 1955, was the Peace Officer's Dream Sixgun. Its smaller diameter cylinder, lighter weight, and smaller grip frame made it much easier to pack in relative comfort all day and also easier for smaller hands to handle. It not only was an excellent revolver for law-enforcement use, it soon gained a large following among outdoor types who needed a powerful and easily packable pistol."
Amen to that! He added:
Bill Jordan envisioned the Combat Magnum to be carried with .357 Magnum loads while using the .38 Special loads for practice. Some complained of the Model 19/66 not holding up to continuous use of .357 loads. One of the problem areas was the relatively thin forcing cone while the other complaint, especially with the Model 66, was the cylinder locking due to the gas ring expanding with the heat of rapid-fire loads. The latter was addressed in 1977 with the moving of the gas ring from the yoke to the cylinder, and then in 1980 the Model 19/66 was "upgraded." Gone was the light weight of the Combat Magnum replaced by a heavier and larger cylinder in a new revolver called the Model 586 in blue or nickel and Model 686 in stainless steel. The new L-frame revolvers were larger and heavier than the K-frame Combat Magnums yet maintained the K-frame grip.
Although Tafin didn't say so, keep in mind that the Ruger offered the size and weight advantages while having none of the disadvantages of the Combat Masterpiece. Continuing, he writes:
The advent of the 586/686 revolvers was a good news/bad news proposition. The good news is the fact they are probably the best double action .357 Magnum revolvers ever offered by Smith & Wesson, or anyone else for that matter. The bad news was it would be only a matter of time until the Model 19 was dropped from production and the day of the K-frame .357 Magnum is now over. The 586 is also gone, however the 686 remains. For shooting a lot I prefer the newer L-frame .357 Magnums, however, most revolvers are carried more than shot and the Combat Magnum remains the easiest packing, finest looking, all-steel .357 Magnum S&W ever offered. I intend to keep mine and hopefully they will be used by my grandkids and passed on to their grandkids. Bill Jordan had a great idea. Progress killed it. See full article here.
Tafin failed to note the Security-/Speed-Sixes in his article, but his points are otherwise well taken.
Comments?
Other articles of interest include:
R.I.P. Combat Magnum
The American Classic .357 Snub