686 or GP100??

[Randomname]

Short answer? Get a 686 with a 3" or 4" barrel and love it

I've shot and handled both but only owned a 686+. I was on the fence between the ruger and the smith and ended up getting the smith because I liked the stock grips a little better, I found the trigger on the smith to be smoother and nicer feeling, I prefer the smith cylinder release switch over the rugers, it feels more natural to push forward than inward and to the rear.

Thats all minor personal preferences though, I would take either one and be happy. I just have a soft spot in my heart for the 686 because it was the first gun I ever owned. But really they are both excellent guns by excellent makers, just maybe the smith is a little better in my opinion. But the Ruger is probably going to be about $70-$100 bucks or so cheaper depending on where you get it.

BREAKDOWN

Best revolver for the least money? GP100
Best Current production revolver for the money? Smith 686 in 3" or 4"
Have tons of money and want the bestest? Get a pro Series 686 or one of the TALO models with the sexy grips, theres also some really cool GP100's out there too.

The problem with owning a 686 is you will eventually want the fun of the 686 without the expensive ammo and giant fireball blast and feel the need to get a 617 as well. these are a great pairing because they pretty much look and feel identical but one shoots 10 rounds of .22LR. That is probably the absolute #1 most fun range gun money can buy, although its a huge PITA to clean.

[ExtremeX]

I always wanted a 686 when I was shopping for my 1st wheel gun, and found a used GP100 for a good deal instead... it has not disappointed and turned out to be a great purchase. Don't hesitate to get one. That said, I would still like to own a 686 or 627 one day.

[tvfreakarms]

I'm looking to buy my first wheel gun. Which one of the s&w is on the roster

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[Daywalker_]

Its a 2 and a half inch tho but it does everything the 3 inch does.

That's what she said! Sorry, had to do it.


But anyways, thanks for posting OP, I've been wondering this as well. I'm leaning toward the 686 myself.

[S.P.F.]

People describe the Ruger as "a tank", because of it's bulk. Because of its bulk, it appears "better".

I actually prefer the actual strength of the 686 forging, versus the GP100's casting construction, which requires bulk to compete with the 686.

686 wins.

BTW, I have both Rugers and Smith's. Rugers are good, but not always better.

[Milsurp Collector]

I'm looking to buy my first wheel gun. Which one of the s&w is on the roster

Look it up http://certguns.doj.ca.gov/

[pklin1297]

I'm looking to buy my first wheel gun. Which one of the s&w is on the roster

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As long as it can be converted to single action only, have a barrel longer than 3", and 5+ shots, no need to be restricted to the roster...

[chrometip78]

Go with the Smith if you want a pretty firearm to match your watch, bracelet, manicured hands, and velvet lined holster.

Go with the Ruger is you want a gun to take hiking, shooting however many fire breathing magnum loads you want, opening beer bottles, rock crawling, and wrestling crocodiles.

4" is the best all around barrel length IMO, good for range or carrying in the woods. If it's truly just a range toy I'd go 6" and get the Smith, great trigger, great looking, and plenty strong despite the silly comment. I have a 4" Ruger for an outdoor companion, it gets unfairly abused yet doesn't seem to mind and neither do I.

[brian5271]

Can't go wrong with either. My first handgun I purchased when I turned 21 was a GP100 with the half lug six inch barrel in 357. It is still one of my favorite guns to shoot. That being said, a S&W revolver is on my short list of guns I want to buy soon, but I think maybe in 45LC.

[ExtremeX]

Go with the Smith if you want a pretty firearm to match your watch, bracelet, manicured hands, and velvet lined holster.

Go with the Ruger is you want a gun to take hiking, shooting however many fire breathing magnum loads you want, opening beer bottles, rock crawling, and wrestling crocodiles.

4" is the best all around barrel length IMO, good for range or carrying in the woods. If it's truly just a range toy I'd go 6" and get the Smith, great trigger, great looking, and plenty strong despite the silly comment. I have a 4" Ruger for an outdoor companion, it gets unfairly abused yet doesn't seem to mind and neither do I.

I like this post... and I approve this message.

[ianS]

Ruger strength comes from its Lockwoork and the way the frame is designed. No side plate. It's generally about revolvers going out of timing then anything else. If you're not a competition shooter shooting pallets of ammo it's really a moot issue between an L frame and GP100. If Smith didn't put locks on he frames I'd say Smith I guess. But they do.
Off the shelf the triggers for sub $1000 Smith or Rugers it's a crap shoot. Generally they range from acceptable to crap for both. The S&W PC triggers tend to be nice off the shelf but $$$$. Put a spring kit on a stock Ruger or Smith and they can be triggers most can be happy with. Just don't go too light.

In a way I'm glad Smith put locks on their revolvers otherwise I'd have never really appreciated Rugers the way I do now.

So my vote: Ruger Match Champion with Wolff 10 lbs hammer and 10 lbs trigger springs if necessary.

[langss]

Go with the Smith if you want a pretty firearm to match your watch, bracelet, manicured hands, and velvet lined holster.

Go with the Ruger is you want a gun to take hiking, shooting however many fire breathing magnum loads you want, opening beer bottles, rock crawling, and wrestling crocodiles.

4" is the best all around barrel length IMO, good for range or carrying in the woods. If it's truly just a range toy I'd go 6" and get the Smith, great trigger, great looking, and plenty strong despite the silly comment. I have a 4" Ruger for an outdoor companion, it gets unfairly abused yet doesn't seem to mind and neither do I.

The two stainless GP100's I own might just like a Velvet Lined Holster, But I don't see any in their future. They sit in the same case as the 686.... No special treatment for any of them......LOL......

[vealgonzo]

I've not owned the Ruger. Love the 686 4


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[rogervzv]

686 for sures. Why settle for 6? When u can have 7. Might be worth looking at it. Its a 2 and a half inch tho but it does everything the 3 inch does.

Why settle for 7 when you can have 8?

[Carcassonne]

As for the 9mm conversion, can this just be done with a separate cylinder or once I get it done is it stuck in 9mm only?

The S&W cylinder and yoke assembly can't be remover fairly easily, so if you had a 9mm cylinder it could be converted back and forth.

I have been looking for either a 9mm or unchambered J-frame cylinder for my S&W 60, but have been unable to find one. I do not know if someone makes a 9mm or unchambered cylinder for the 686. You can't just rechamber a 38 special or 357 Magnum cylinder to 9mm because there would be too much free travel for the bullet from the old chamber. Well technically you can, but it wouldn't be that accurate. I don't think you can use a cylinder from a 986 or 929 because it is shorter than a 686 cylinder, and would leave a huge gap between the cylinder and barrel.

I do not know about the GP100

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