Which would you prefer, and why?

If you were to pick...

  • Ruger GP100

    Votes: 63 33.3%

  • S&W 27

    Votes: 126 66.7%
  • Total voters
    189
  • Poll closed .
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I would have to pick the S&W Model 27. Love the big N frames in any caliber, and I had a GP-100 years ago. Never did take a liking to it; probably because I thought the Security Six was fine just the way it was.
 
Well,
I have or had a GP100, 686 and a Smith M28-2. I like all three. The 27/28 N frame are the classic 357 revolver. They are pleasant to shoot and are one of the best looking revolvers of all time. The GP100 and 686 are competition to each other. Both came out when the revolver was transitioning to the "modern mass produce revolver" and was replaced by law enforcement with the semi-auto. I would pick the GP100 first because its the best value in a everyday 357. Now if I want to pay more then I would get a 27-2 5 inch. A excellent revolver for shooting 357s. But you will pay a lot more for a 27 than a GP100. And the 586/686 is getting to the point where its just as expense as a 27/28. I would rather have a 27/28 than the 686 it the two revolvers were the same price in a gun store.
Regards,
roaddog28
 
Although the Colt Python gets all the press. I really believe the S&W model 27 is the finest 357 magnum ever made.

I sold mine because a K frame 357 in SS is easier to carry and maintain and if I want to carry an N frame I'll carry a 44. But neither of these reasons take away from the fact that the model 27 is probably the finest 357 made, especially in the 3 1/2 inch version.

Their only problem, if they have one, is they are too valuable and hard to come by to be trashed by everyday carry and use.
 
I tend to like Smith and Wesson triggers. Still, either revolver will do just fine. Maybe your great-grandchildren will wear out the one you choose.
 
well tough call, two extremely durable guns, I would venture a guess that while the ruger is definitely a durable gun, you would have just as hard a time if not harder breaking an N frame 357. Never shot a 27, would love to own one some day. My gp100 is extremely accurate It shocked me when I saw my grouping at 50 YARDS (standard stock sights) That gun and I seem to be made for each other. So its basically a coin toss, went with the smith just because they aren't made any more.
 
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I picked the S&W 27. It is the direct decendant of the first Magnum revolver - the S&W .357 Registered Magnum. Can't get much more historic than that.

You did not mention pricing - so I will assume they are both reasonably priced. If you told me you could buy a 6" SS GP100 for $275 or a 6" 27-2 P&R for $900, I would take the Ruger.
 
The M27 is the finest .357 revolver ever made, the Python may be a hair prettier but the M27 well not shoot out of time in no time:eek:

Your comparing apples and oranges. The Ruger is a fine utility gun the Smith is a work of art. Compare the GP with a 586/686 that's closer. Smith still comes out on top.
 
Quoheleth -

S&W was forced to accept a compromise...they had no choice.

Bill Ruger volunteered and spent his own money supporting the anti-gun groups and went purposely to Congress to limit magazine capacity.


It is *not* the same thing, not even close. It is *not* "water under the bridge" because we are still dealing with the laws they made based in part on his actions.

I am saddened to see shooters who have no interest in the Second Amendment...or at least not enough to be aware of who the enemies are and have been. If we do not learn from experience, the same mistakes will be made again.

I suppose the next thing will be that someone will chime in and tell me that Hanoi Jane was selected as one of the top 100 women of the 20th century, eh?

fonda.jpg
 
Nasty,

Perhaps I am naive; perhaps I am a sucker. I am in the business of forgiveness. If I held every sin, real or imagined, into perpetuity my life would be rather miserable. I'm not always successful in "forgive & forget" - in fact, sometimes the most powerful prayer is "forgive my unforgiveness" - but I try.

Ruger screwed up. He's dead & gone. The company no longer follows his lead.

I am not defending the man - I do think he was wrong - but I think it could be argued that he was trying to save himself and his company by being politically expedient at the time of unfavorable and antigun officials.

Too, I concur that S&W was doing what they did for survival. Not really arguing with you on either point.

The early church wrestled with what to do with the Christians who "pretended" to be non-Christian in the face of perseution. When it ceased, some wanted to welcome these pretenders back into the flocks; others wanted nothing to do with them.

I understand the analogy is not perfect, but it illustrates my point: I understand why people still are upset at Wild Bill. Nevertheless the facts remain, he's gone and the Sturm, Ruger of today =/= the Sturm, Ruger that he ran.

So, I am in the forgiveness business. I'll trust but verify. To me, Sturm, Ruger has turned around. Smith is now making non-locking pistols...but still has locks on others. Which company has changed more?

OK...back to the conversation:

The Smith 27 is expensive, but I'm trying to work a trade for it with my stainless Springfield 1911. I have the Ruger. The Ruger shoots great; the S&W would be a trade to try to increase some of the value of my collection by adding a classic piece. It's been shot, so it's not a true collector. It's "collectable working stock," you might say. Definitely not mistreated by any means. I hope it'll work out as I have a thing, now, for N-frames.

Q
 
I had a model 27 many years ago and...

my brother kept after me until I let him have it. It is one of the finest revolvers ever made but I like my Pythons a little more and would not part with them. That said, I am sure we can find positive and negatives about each one based on our individual choice. As far as the GP 100 is concerned , it has a great following because of its inherent strength but it does not have the refine characteristics of the beautiful model 27.
 
Just personal preference. I like the aesthetics of the Model 27 and N-Frames in general, more than that of the GP100. My experience with Ruger revolvers has been very good, so I assume the GP100 is a fine gun. The Model 27 just has more personal appeal to me.
 
Hi again,
This comparison has been posted on forums before. And there is not a answer. The N frame 357 is a old school revolver. The 27/28 were made back when S&W cared more for quality. The current Smith revolvers in my opinion are no way as good as the older 27/28 revolvers. A better comparison would be the current L frame versus the GP100. Both of these revolvers started production when both Ruger and Smith and Wesson started caring more for pumping out guns and less on quality. Even the discontinued Ruger Security Six for me was better made than the GP100. Of the current generation 357 SA/DA revolvers I would pick the Ruger GP100. By far the better value than the overpriced 686. I would own again a 686 but only the early series. And the problem with that is the 686 has gone up to the same level of price as a good 27 or 28. Again, if I was at a gun store and saw a early 686 and a 27 for the same price. I will pick the 27 every time. Same goes for the 28.

Summary, if I am on a budget and want a reliable shooting 357 then the GP100 would be the best choice. But if money is not the issue, then of course I would pick the 27 or a 28.

Regards,
roaddog28
 
Money goes to anyone who owns stock in the Ruger corporation. As already said, this is water under the bridge; neither company is still being run by the same folks who made the poor decisions of the past.

Bill Ruger and/or his employees designed the GP100 that saved me and others I care about from serious injury or death one summer night.
 
I would pick the GP-100 with short underlug barrel as it is more compact, weighs a couple ounces less and can readily be replaced. If both are cycled fast in double action the Smith would have more problems in time due to the mass of the cylinder. Also, due to value I would be somewhat reticent to take it afield and would use mainly for an occasional paper punching. For the size (N frame) would prefer a larger caliber to take advantage of the size such as .44 Mag or .45 Colt. I have a medium size hand (9.5) so find the trigger reach of the GP-100 is better for me than the N frame.

Having had one "classic" [Colt Python] that did not get much use because of value would not do that again as anything I have I shoot a fair amount. Guess I am a user and not a collector. Someone with a different bent might take the opposite approach.
 
Over the years, I've owned both Ruger and S&W revolvers. Both are good guns, and both have their strengths and weaknesses.

Now, with the afore-mentioned disclaimer, I will say this. I have OWNED 2 Ruger GP100s over the years, but I presently OWN a S&W Model 28-2 (The no-frills version of the 27). I just haven't found a GP100 yet that I can honestly say I prefer over an older pre-83 pinned and recessed S&W.
 
I have had both. I still have the 27 but not the GP-100. I love the 27. My favorite is a 5" model.
 
No doubt about it, Smith is trading heavily on their name. The Ruger GP 100 is the most rugged trouble free double action firearm you can buy. It will not let you down. I walk pipelines out in the mines day in and day out. I encounter ferral dogs, snakes, wild hogs, and some pretty nasty people. My Ruger GP 100 is allways with me.
 
I'd pick a 3 or 4" GP100 over most Smiths... comparing newer Smith models to ones from my father's or grandfather's generation, I can't see any compelling reason to buy one. They do have a classic look and I actually want to prefer a Smith, but my Rugers seem to be better built & more forgiving to shoot.
 
I voted M27 because I prefer forged and machined to investment cast. Also, the Smith is finished better and has a better trigger pull potential.
 
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