Question about Ruger GP100

[BTF/PTM]

Ok, so I've done a bit of research and firearm fondling at local stores. I know my next pistol will be a 4" .38/.357 revolver. It's just a matter of picking which out. Here are a couple questions that some resident experts might be able to answer for me.

1) I've heard that S&W guns have some kind of trigger lock built into them, and Rugers don't. I can't find any literature on exactly what kind of system this is or how it works. Anyone got links?

2) I've heard that Rugers sometimes need a "trigger job" to have the same trigger feel as a S&W. What is involved in this and how much does it cost? Can I buy the Ruger and have the trigger tweaked and still end up saving money vs. the cost of just buying the S&W?

[mothergreen]

smiths cost more give you a better finish and a stupid lock that can engage during firing of full power loads. its happened enough times to be an issue. I find the stock trigger to be fine but what people are talking about is changing the stock spring out for wolff. my vote goes for the 4in gp100. I chose it over the 686.

[BTF/PTM]

smiths cost more give you a better finish and a stupid lock that can engage during firing of full power loads. its happened enough times to be an issue. I find the stock trigger to be fine but what people are talking about is changing the stock spring out for wolff. my vote goes for the 4in gp100. I chose it over the 686.

thanks! I've been thinking more and more about the Ruger, I even like the look more with the full-length barrel reinforcement and some Hogue grips. I still wanna read up on the Smith trigger lock, that's really interesting (albeit incredibly annoying I'm sure).

Is the trigger spring replacement something I could do on my own? For what it's worth I'm a very competent tinkerer, I'm no stranger to mechanics and a tool set.

[mothergreen]

it would be easy for you. people have removed the little finger that engages the lock and people have also removed the lock completly leaving a hole in the frame.

[BTF/PTM]

I just went to the Ruger website, noticed they now offer a Redhawk in .45acp...looks like I know what my next TWO gun purchases will be

[moulton]

Ruger rocks, after I broke it in the trigger is smooth as butter in single action and excelent in DA.

[Otony]

I just went to the Ruger website, noticed they now offer a Redhawk in .45acp...looks like I know what my next TWO gun purchases will be

Look again, it is .45 Colt, the old rimmed round originally chambered in the Colt SAA. A great round, but NOT the .45acp!

[SJshooter]

Only Smiths made after 2005 have the lock. It is a little hole just above the cylinder release. The instances of it malfunctioning are anecdotal, and are not incredibly common (at least not relative to the number of lock-equipped S&Ws on the market). What's more, those incidents are almost entirely occurring with scandium/alloy frame superlight guns and full-house rounds. I don't think I've ever heard of a Model 686 (the Smith version of the GP100) having a lock-up problem. Oh, and you can disengage the lock if it suits you. Or buy a pre-2005 version.

[bwiese]

The S&W lock failures were in early production guns. The engineering/ production has been fixed. Not heard *any* recent production failures at all.

Not that I am fond of gov't mandated locks, but I'd have no hesitation sleeping on or carrying an S&W wheelgun w/a lock - esp as the locks can be removed or functionality disabled.

Ruger GP100s are good solid guns. But S&Ws are more refined, generally more accurate and the trigger feel is phenomenal. You get what you pay for; if you can't afford the Smith, the Ruger is a good alternative.

[moulton]

The S&W lock failures were in early production guns. The engineering/ production has been fixed. Not heard *any* recent production failures at all.

Not that I am fond of gov't mandated locks, but I'd have no hesitation sleeping on or carrying an S&W wheelgun w/a lock - esp as the locks can be removed or functionality disabled.

Ruger GP100s are good solid guns. But S&Ws are more refined, generally more accurate and the trigger feel is phenomenal and crappy ergonomics. You get what you pay for; if you can't afford the Smith, the Ruger is a good alternative.

Ruger felt much better in my hand and I liked the pushbutton cylinder opening as apposed to slide button.

[Knauga]

I LOVE my GP100. I shot it for the first time this past wednesday and I think it is the best value I have right now. The factory stocks are painful. I added the Hogue "Tamer" monogrips and now I can fire the hottest "Ruger" loads through it without hurting myself



The trigger on mine is stock and I have no issues with it. Because of the transfer bar you just need to make sure to follow through on the trigger so that it will go bang.

[Paradiddle]

A nicley broken in Smith is a joy to shoot. A truely beautiful trigger.

IMO Ruger doesn't and hasn't made a pistol or gun of any kind that has a trigger as nice as my Model 19 - I've shot enough of them to form an experienced opinion. Heck they can't even make the 10/22 trigger civil and they've made that rifle for what 30 years????

The GP is a great gun, but it's generally regarded as "built like a tank" and "solid" - trigger feel is rarely discussed in the same sentance as Ruger (unless it's someone complaining).

If it were me I'd find a used 686 or 586 and be done with it. I've never shot a gun with the lock, and will probably never own one as there are plenty of super nice used S&Ws out there.

[liketoshoot]

I have both the GP100 and a few S&W's, love them all, my S&W is a new one with the trig lock and I have had no lock up problems.
That said after 200 rounds thru the GP it is a real pleasure to shoot.
My S&W on the other hand was real easy from the start.
I just got an older Ruger Security-Six and have not broken in the triger yet, but I working on it.
If you can't afford the S&W yet but just have to have something get the Ruger, you won't be sorry.

[oghl888]

My Ruger, even with a trigger job, doesn't feel as nice as my S&W's. A Ruger with a trigger job is almost as costly as a S&W.

[SmithAndJohnson]

Putting all of the internal lock discussion aside (I frequent smith-wessonforum.com and am sick of hearing about it), have you considered a 627? 8-shots of .38/.357 out of a wheel gun is something else.

I just DROS'd a PPT for a 5" Performance Center 627, and I can NOT WAIT until I get to pick it up. While inspecting the beauty I dry fired through each chamber a few times. The DA trigger pull on this guy is so *insanely* smooth, I cannot express how impressed I was. It is as smooth and light as using my 617 in SA, if obviously longer.

The 4" model is not a Performance Center gun, so I don't know what to expect from the trigger. But I wouldn't be surprised if it was even better than a new 686 (and it certainly won't be worse).