Few revolver questions...

[1JimMarch]

The cool part about buying a Ruger is that you're not just saving money, you're also getting a fundamentally tougher gun that's easier to work on.

Maybe not quite as refined in some aspects, but it's not "lesser" by any means. You can damned well trust your life to a Ruger - in some cases, moreso than an S&W. See the post I did on that TFL thread I linked to... for starters, under harsh conditions Rugers are designed to be field-stripped where S&Ws aren't.

[bwiese]

1. Who does Ruger GP100 trigger jobs?

2. Who does decent non-ugly grips for Ruger GP100s (Hogues for Rugers make the baby Jesus cry)? I'd love to have a wood grip in the same style/form factor that the original non-Hogue GP100 grips had.

[opos]

I shoot a 4" and a 6" GP100 ....the 6" has the "old style" rosewood insert grips and the 4" has Hogue grips.. E play always has Ruger grips and often the rosewood insert ones....I'm 72 and have arthritis in my hands and I have no problem with either of these...I shoot American Eagle 38 special fmj for plinking (or Lawman or Magtech)...I don't reload....I shoot +P JHP for S/D practice and keep +P JHP loads in the guns at home for home defense...Often at the range I just fire a few 357 mags for the fun of it...just to hear the big boom....Nice to have the flexibility...I had looked at Security sixes and Taurus revolvers and just stepped up to the "big guys". I never have to ask it it's "ok for +P"...or things like that...it will handle anything I want to shoot in it.

I do have a Taurus 9mm PT92AFS that I really enjoy shooting..I've shot a lot of semi auto 9's (have several others)...it's a copy of the Beretta PT92 and frankly I like it better because of the safety and decocker setup...I went to a step heavier recoil spring and the pistol is a pleasure to shoot and is accurate.

[CHS]

1. Who does Ruger GP100 trigger jobs?

I had an action job done by Bolsa Gunsmithing down here in Huntington Beach.

2. Who does decent non-ugly grips for Ruger GP100s (Hogues for Rugers make the baby Jesus cry)? I'd love to have a wood grip in the same style/form factor that the original non-Hogue GP100 grips had.

Screw you, I LIKE my Hogues

But to answer your question, I don't know. Never looked for any.

[jazman]

I think either a GP100 or any number of S&W's will fit your bill. I like the way you think, a lever and a wheel gun in .357 is a great way to go.

[JTROKS]

GP100 will be the way to go, you can see those in the for sale ads from time to time. I would go for a 4" GP100 since you'll have a lever gun.

[HowardW56]

If you are looking for a plain jane reliable revolver, go for the Ruger, they are built like old trucks and are very reliable.

IF you want a nicer finish, smother action, lighter revolver, go with a Smith & Wesson...

I have never cared for Taurus...

[Vacaville]

Taurii are fine revolvers, but if you are going to buy something you are going to keep forever, what's another $200 bucks in the front end?

More like $400 - you can buy 2 Taurus revolvers for the price of one S&W, at least in the stores around here. The Ruger GP100 shot up in price from $450 to $600 in the past year too. Ouch.

2. Who does decent non-ugly grips for Ruger GP100s (Hogues for Rugers make the baby Jesus cry)? I'd love to have a wood grip in the same style/form factor that the original non-Hogue GP100 grips had.

Agreed. I hate the look of Hogue grips. Liked the rosewood inserts much better.

I have a Taurus 85 snubbie with about 500 rounds down the pipe and no problems yet. If money isn't an issue, I'd get an S&W 686 or 620.

[HowardW56]

More like $400 - you can buy 2 Taurus revolvers for the price of one S&W, at least in the stores around here. The Ruger GP100 shot up in price from $450 to $600 in the past year too. Ouch.



Agreed. I hate the look of Hogue grips. Liked the rosewood inserts much better.

I have a Taurus 85 snubbie with about 500 rounds down the pipe and no problems yet. If money isn't an issue, I'd get an S&W 686 or 620.

I'd look for a model 28 or 19

[bangkok]

Rugers are great guns and built like tanks, but I think there is no finer stock revolver made than the S&W 686+. You really can't go wrong with either brand but the Smitty will hold it's resale value better (but you'll never sell it!).

BTW, that's a great setup, a lever and a revolver.

[BigDogatPlay]

I'm an S&W guy, through and through. My "throw it in the truck and go" pair is a 6" Model 66 S&W and a Marlin 1984C. I'd prefer a 4 inch Model 28 for the handgun half, but I traded the last one I had and have yet to replace it...

All that said, you would be well served with a GP100. They are built like a tank, run great and are readily available. Classic S&W revolvers (pre-MIM / pre-lock) are always a solid choice, but they become less and less available on the secondary market. A GP100 is easily available new, and will last a lifetime.

For the lever, either a Marlin or the Puma Model 92 knockoff will serve you well. A friend of mine has a Puma in .454 Casull, did some simple slicking to it and that rifle shoots like a dream.

[ChrisO]

I have a b92 browning in 44 mag but Ill probably be getting a 1894c they seem like a good price for a nice gun. Possibly a used one .

[savasyn]

Not much more can be said about revolvers other than what's been said above. I'll add that I recently picked up an S&W 627 8-shot and I LOVE it! It's the 4" Pro Series(not Performance Center) version and it would be, without question, my go to revolver if needed.

I also have a Puma M92 lever gun chambered in .357 Mag. It very fun to shoot and really accurate with .357s even with its heavy stock trigger. The only downside is that it doesn't like short .38s, they just don't cycle reliably. I just loaded up some .38s that are about as long as they can be, so I'll see if those work, but I wouldn't trust that gun with .38s in a SHTF sitch. .357s yes, .38s, no.

Not sure if the real Winchesters or other brands are any better in that regard, but the Puma was affordable and functions 100% with .357s.

[vengerltc]

1+ for 686. I have 2. GP100 is a tank but fit and finish S&W is the only wheel gun just for those reasons.