Three guns to choose from..one purchase...what to do ?!

[Thorn001]

I'll agree that all are good revolvers. The GP100 is probably the toughest and most durable. The Smith is high quality. The Taurus is also very nice. I have shot the Smith and the GP100. I liked the trigger on the GP100 better than the Smith. It also fit my hand better. As for the Taurus, I have a 607. The 7 shot ancestor of the 608. It is built like a tank and is very accurate. The only problem that I had with it was the grips were too small. I went with Hogue Grips and have had no problems. I ran into a minor problem with the porting on the Taurus. It tends to blacken the orange insert on the front sight with heavy use.

Bottom line, go with whichever fits your hand the best. If it doesn't feel right, you won't shoot it well no matter how expensive it is.

 

[Don Lu]

spent too much time thinking about it, now i cant find it..anyone know of a place online i can find a taurus 608 ss 6" ?!?!?!? I see plenty of 8's and 4's..but no 6's

 

[10-Ring]

If you're going NIB, I'd go w/ the Ruger. If you're going the pre-owned route, I'd go w/ a Smith

 

[Jim March]

Ruger quality control of late has been good.

If you have smaller hands, try gripping a Ruger SP101. Not that that's the gun you want, but a smaller GP100 grip similar in size to the SP101 grip is available for the GP100. The GP100s with fixed sights come with that smaller grip type - it's similar in size to the SP101 grip but not compatible with the SP101.

This smaller grip will set you back about $40 all told - Lett Grips should have them in stock, or order from Ruger or Brownell's. Many people love the big fixed-sight GP100s with that smaller grip on there. You can't get a grip that tight and compact on an S&W due to the grip frame shape.

Ruger used to sell GP100s with a "short lug" barrel. You can still find 'em used. For example...errr...dang, both gunsamerica and gunbroker are completely dry of same. Looks like they've been snatched up! Anyways, they point like the finger of God...overall "heft" is similar to a 4" full lug GP100 'cept it's a 6". GREAT gun. If you like "muzzle light" fast-pointing critters consider either finding one or having any local gunsmith or machine shop chop most of the lug off a standard 6" GP100. It's pretty simple, just cut away the lug starting just after the tip of the ejector rod.

One more thing: DA Rugers can be field-stripped without tools, other than a single standard screwdriver for the grip panels. Once the grip is off you'll find a takedown tool hidden under one of the panels. It's really neat. This is a MAJOR advantage in really rough conditions. If the gun ever takes a dunking in saltwater, mud, whatever, you can field-strip it by the campfire...it makes the Ruger DA series a big cut above in a wilderness survival piece.

That said: Ruger does produce real lemons once in a while and "cosmetically challenged good shooters" somewhat more often. I recommend "the checkout" on ANY new or used revolver this side of a Korth or Freedom Arms and would not buy a Ruger sight unseen unless I really trusted the seller.

But then again, I'm *very* picky about my guns as I own and buy very few and need to trust them all.

 

[Ralph Bryant]

If you can afford the ammo it will take to wear out any of the three mentioned revolvers, then you can also afford to replace the gun.

 

[2ndamd]

I would opt for the Ruger GP100.
The 7 and 8 shot revolvers that other makers offer can and do go out of timing faster.

This decision is based on the assumption that you are a "shooter".

 

[Ala Dan]

Smith & Wesson 6" 686-5

my "long range" handgun~!

NOTICE: Pre-lock model.

 

[ronto]

With no doubt or hesitation...THE RUGER!

 

[DC3-CVN-72]

As far as the Ruger and S&W , flip a quarter. I have a S&W 686-5 six shot 6 in. bbl. power port no lock that blances grate, and the next the next 6 in. bbl revolver I get will be a Ruger GP-100. so I don't think you can go wrong.

 

[Don Lu]

After all that , I ended up going w/the new S&W model 520, 7 shot. pick it up Tuesday.

 

[Cousin Mike]

I've got a 608...

It's hard to beat 7 shots of .357 Magnum... unless you've got 8!

Just kidding - Congratulations! Make sure you get us a range report asap.

 

[dogngun]

I have nothing against Ruger revolvers, I have owned several Six-series, and liked them all. I don't think the GP100's are as good as the Six's, but they are still very good indeed.
Having said that, I have a S&W 586 that has become, after 35 years of shooting handguns, my favorite .357 mag revolver. I'd go with the Smith.

FWIW, the super strength Rugers are fine if you plan on firing large numbers of very hot and heavy handloads, but the Smith is plenty strong enough otherwise.

I have never shot a Taurus revolver, and will not comment on them.

Mark

 

[C-grunt]

I might be wrong, but if you "shoot out" a Smith, wont they replace it?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I like the 520 because it's very similar to my 619. If it were me buying I would have gotten a Ruger GP100 because I already have a 4" S&W .357 Mag. Nothing wrong with having more than 1 S&W but since I just starting to buy revolvers I would have gotten a style I don't have rather than buying a similar gun. I like S&W's better but there is something about the look of a Ruger I like. I'm sure I will get at least 1 Ruger GP100 and SP101 in the future.