S&W .357 Revolvers and Ruger GP100

[Mr.CRC]

Greetings:

I want to get a revolver in .357mag, but am deliberating between the Ruger GP100 and the various S&W models. If S&W didn't offer the possibility of holding more than 6 rounds, I'd just buy the Ruger and save some dough. This is intended to be my primary home defense weapon.

I went to Reed's Range Sunday and operated a S&W 686 4", burning up 50 rds. each of .38spc and .357mag. I could operate the gun just fine, putting lead on target comfortably with one hand left or right, or with two hands. Though I did have a little trouble getting a comfortable two-hand grip.

I also wanted to test a Ruger GP100, but they said it was out being serviced. I may have to wait until I can go back and try that before making a choice.

For purchase consideration, in addition to Ruger GP100, I'm looking at the S&W models:

medium frame:
Model 686 Plus Revolver - 4", 7-Shot, 9.625" 38 oz
Model 327 M&P R8 - 8 Shot 5", 10.5", 36.3 oz
Model 620 Revolver, 4", 7-Shot, 9.5" 38 oz
large frame:
Model 627 - 4", 8-shot, 9.625" 42 oz

It would seem that for 8 shots, the choices are either heavy or expensive. I'd probably like the 5" bbl. on the 627 since I may be able to shoot more accurately. But for that kind of money I could buy the Ruger and maybe another Ruger. I don't really understand the significance of S&W "medium frame" vs. "large frame" models.

Basically it boils down to this:

Ruger pros: economical
Ruger cons: 6 shots
S&W pros: 7-8 shots
S&W cons: more expensive, and lingering worries about the "Clinton lock."

What is the Clinton lock, and should I be worried about that?

Thanks for input!

[WINGEDSWORD]

Ruger VS S&W

Although My Double action .357's are Smiths, I've had them for years. If you are looking at it for home defense,Practically, there is no real advantage to
7 or 8 rounds. If you haven't taken the intruder down with 6 rounds, you're not going to do it with 1 or 2 more,because you are probably dead! The Ruger
GP100 is an excellent revolver. Less expensive than the Smiths and extremely
strong. On a personal level,my HD weapons area .45 ACP semi-auto and a semi-auto 12 ga. shotgun!

[Legasat]

All fine revolvers. You can't go wrong with any of them.

[RedFord150]

I have owned a GP100 for about 20 years. Before that, I owned a Security Six. Both in .357 mag. I also own a Speed Six in .38.
I am really partial to Ruger Revolvers. Never had a failure on any of them. I keep 2 speedloaders in the nightstand plus 6 in the gun for 18 total. For me, this is more than enough for HD.
I do not know how often a homeowner even gets off more than 3 or 4 shots. The option of a 7 or 8 shot revolver is just not that important to me.
Good luck.

[redhemi]

I have a GP100 4" stainless and love it. I just resently changed the trigger and hammer springs and polished some of the connecting parts between hammer and trigger. The double action pull is now really smooth and easier, the single action is now just a light pull of my finger. I also have put on a Pachmayr grip and a Hiviz front sight and now I really enjoy shooting this gun I just wish ammo was cheaper so I can shoot it more, Redhemi

[twotap]

Those are great choices.Shot placement is everything ,not how many rounds you have. Get what feels the best to you. That is all that really matters.

[liketoshoot]

I have both and like both, can't go wrong with either.

[BadIndianSwamp]

I am a recent GP100 owner. I have put several hundred rounds through it and am very happy with my purchase.

Before I chose the GP100, I went to the range and rented both the GP100 and the S&W 686 on the same day (both 4"). The guns seemed similar in many ways. Both felt very well made and heavy to help absorb the recoil of the 357 rounds. To me the GP100 felt a little smoother on the trigger than the 686...but these were rental guns so you never know what their life has been like.
Overall they were both just about perfect. The difference for me was the 7 round (686) vs 6 round (GP100) and the price difference ($100-$150 more for the S&W). Weighing those differences, I went with the GP100. Again...very happy.

[Army GI]

Rugers are build heavier. They can handle slightly hotter loads that would batter a Smith.

Smiths are, imho, easier to shoot and more accurate, and have better triggers.

But I really like HOT .357 Mag, so I would go with the Ruger.

[Trendkill]

If I could....Id get the GP-100. Its tough as nails...and the trigger aint too bad.

Smith in my opinion has the better Customer Service.....but the Ruger will more than likely assure you that CS will never be needed. Smith is going to have the smoother action....but who could tell in a fire fight anyways.

The GP-100 is one hell of a solid revolver.....it gets my vote.

[powaybob]

All good choices. I am a Ruger GP-100 6 inch owner (and 4 inch Security Six owner). You can't go wrong with a Ruger revolver for reliability and strength.

BTW, I did probably 2500 dry fires with the GP 100 and the trigger is now very smooth.

[rideanddive]

I owned a S&W 686+ 4". Excellent gun. I gave it to my son and traded another gun for the GP100 4". Also an excellent gun. The Smith usually has a smoother trigger, but the Ruger can be easily tuned to match. The Smith holds 1 more round, but the Ruger is built more ruggedly. I like the Ruger as a back up gun with very stout loads when hunting pigs. You can't go wrong either way

[nn3453]

For HD, it doesn't really matter. What matters is that you practice with whatever gun you pick because even an experienced shooter is likely to miss in a high adrenaline, low light situation. Handguns are the last resort in HD and should be treated like that.

The S&W lock used to be an issue on a small number of very early guns. It is FUD now.

[jccam]

7 shots might be useful

Practically, there is no real advantage to
7 or 8 rounds. If you haven't taken the intruder down with 6 rounds, you're not going to do it with 1 or 2 more...

Well....OK, unless you have to face more than one assailant. Just two weeks ago in my town there was a burglary (morning, back door kicked in, stuff stolen), and a neighbor witnessed THREE guys leaving the house. So, if three gang buddies enter the house, then having that 7th cartridge might be useful.

Someone else posted that they keep extra speedloaders on the nightstand...that's fine too, IF you have time to reload. But the situation might demand that you take 2 shots at each attacker...having one round left over (without having to reload) might just make all the difference. And consider if you decide to answer a late night knock or investigate a strange sound in the night, gun in hand. Will you be carrying those speedloaders in your pajama pocket? If not, then that 7th round in the gun might be useful.

YES, 6 rounds is probably enough, and it's better than 5, which is better than nothing...but "I'm just sayin'"!



Of course, you could follow this reasoning all the way to claiming pre-ban 15+ magazines are a necessity. Each to his own. YES, it is maybe paranoid to expect to fight off a dozen guys Rambo-style---yes, in that case you're probably toast. But it's not unreasonable to assume that a burglar might have a buddy or two.

And no matter if your revolver has 8, 7, 6, or 5 rounds... it's good remember that the revolver has certain advantages. To quote Paul Scarlata:

"A revolver's functioning is not influenced by variables in ammunition, bullet shape, magazine feed lips, recoil and magazine springs, or the shooter's grip."

Stay safe all.

[oghl888]

The price difference will be negligible when it's all said and done (it's a few boxes of 357 ammo). The enjoyment of the gun for the rest of your ownership is more important than the purchasing price, IMHO.

I have 1 Ruger and 3 S&W 357's. The Ruger was purchased for it's rugged reputation, but I end up shooting the S&W only. The S&W have smoother operations and is a joy to shoot compared to my experience with my Ruger. The Ruger has a trigger job done (tried to improve it to make it better), and it's still not as good as the stock S&W triggers.

I have a 627 5", 686 4" and a 686 6". A 686 4" would be my choice if the purpose is HD and range practice. The extra money is well worth the improved shooting experience.