Ruger GP100 7 round

cmdc · May 27, 2023, 03:28 PM

I have a SW 686+ 5” which is a favorite. Very accurate revolver. I want a 4” revolver and am trying to decide between the Ruger and the Smith. I need your input to tip the scales one way or the other. If possible. I realize it probably comes down to personal preference, but I always appreciate the forum’s collective input.

Thanks

jetinteriorguy · May 27, 2023, 04:48 PM

You can’t go wrong with either. I have numerous Smith’s and a few years ago picked up a GP100 and with a little work it’s as good or better than any Smith I’ve ever had. Spend an hour polishing a few pieces, get a shim/spring kit from Trigger Shims.com and the GP will be a pleasant surprise.

hammie · May 27, 2023, 05:54 PM

As 'jet interior" said, there are no wrong decisions here. Since you already have a Smith & Wesson, I would choose the Ruger, just to have something different. As you're probably aware, the ruger comes with a 4.2 inch barrel, which is not that much shorter than your 5 inch Smith. Have you considered a 3 inch barreled revolver? The GP-100 comes in a 3 inch version. Also, a Colt King Cobra with a 3 inch barrel would be nice, too.

Fun decisions ahead for you. I think half of the pleasure of a new gun is the planning stage.

V35 · May 27, 2023, 06:39 PM

I have a Ruger GP100, 7 round, stainless, 6 inch version. It's a very nice gun.

I chose the 6 inch for no other reason than I wanted a big gun. Just because. You will be pleased with its 4 inch version. Ruger makes quality products.

Nathan · May 28, 2023, 07:44 AM

I have had both in 6rd versions. Functionally the same, but the S&W had better triggers, better sights and better accuracy in my hands.

I still keep and carry my Ruger.

Wag · May 28, 2023, 07:53 AM

Get one of each. I have both and love them both.

--Wag--

cmdc · May 28, 2023, 09:56 AM

Now there’s an idea.

cmdc · May 29, 2023, 09:52 AM

I ordered the Ruger. It’s about the same price as the 686+ and has fiber optic sights.

saleen322 · May 31, 2023, 03:34 PM

Smith makes fine revolvers and we will always have them around. We also have a 7-shot GP-100 in 327 mag. Great gun to shoot and it is a tack driver. That one is also a keeper.

wild cat mccane · May 31, 2023, 04:22 PM

Ruger "corrected" that some 1771s and 1773 7rnd GP100s could not fit 7rnds in without rims hitting each other.

What the fix was or if it went into production? no one knows.

I liked GP100s when they were max $600 for the stainless 4" (most desired). They were that cost from the time I was buying 2010-2018. Now, the GP100 ss 4" 6rd goes for 850, which is more than the 686. That makes no sense.

I have 6 686s and have had maybe 4 GP100s so far? I'm probably done with the GP100 line. For me, the GP100 double action is extremely weird with a two stage feel that I absolutely do not like. To each to their own, but someone saying it doesn't exist is bonkers.

While many claim the GP100 has a large ability for grips, only two types exist; ugly pirate peg and the shape it comes with. On the 686 round butt, any type of grip is available and from Altamont which makes the grips for the Delux. Eagle makes the current Python grips. Altamont has a similar.

I think the 686 has a much better trigger, even if you Wilson spring in the GP100 (which I did).

The GP100 "tank" talk is nonsense. The fact that the 686 has had the Plus 7rnd model for years and Ruger struggled/struggles with the GP100 7rnd cylinder lead me to realize the cylinder window is larger in the 686. So the guns are the same size basically, but the cylinder window is larger on the 686.

Never read of a top strap break on either 686 or GP100. Dollar for doughnut, the top strap is not the "strength" of a revolver. I don't buy anything into the GP100 being stronger. 357 Ruger loads do not exist either. The third lock up on the GP100 extractor is great. It's not needed and it's not mechanically all that amazing.

So smaller feeling, yet bigger, not cast, better trigger factor and 160 shipped back to S&W you get a trigger job, fully functional on 7rds...why not go 686? Then through in the crazy costs today that put the GP100 the same or higher than the 686? nope. Make no sense today.

cmdc · June 7, 2023, 07:48 PM

Picked up the Ruger a couple days ago. Just eyeballing its seven rounds cylinder compared to my 686+ loaded with snap caps and live ammunition, I didn’t notice a discernible difference between the two. I’ll shoot it in a few days and see how they perform side by side.

wild cat mccane · June 9, 2023, 02:06 PM

Nice

May 27, 2023, 03:28 PM	#1
cmdc Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2010 Location: Florida Gulf Coast Posts: 721	Ruger GP100 7 round I have a SW 686+ 5” which is a favorite. Very accurate revolver. I want a 4” revolver and am trying to decide between the Ruger and the Smith. I need your input to tip the scales one way or the other. If possible. I realize it probably comes down to personal preference, but I always appreciate the forum’s collective input. Thanks

May 28, 2023, 07:53 AM	#6
Wag Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2010 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 988	Get one of each. I have both and love them both. --Wag-- __________________ "Great genius will always encounter fierce opposition from mediocre minds." --Albert Einstein.

May 31, 2023, 04:22 PM	#10
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,628	Ruger "corrected" that some 1771s and 1773 7rnd GP100s could not fit 7rnds in without rims hitting each other. What the fix was or if it went into production? no one knows. I liked GP100s when they were max $600 for the stainless 4" (most desired). They were that cost from the time I was buying 2010-2018. Now, the GP100 ss 4" 6rd goes for 850, which is more than the 686. That makes no sense. I have 6 686s and have had maybe 4 GP100s so far? I'm probably done with the GP100 line. For me, the GP100 double action is extremely weird with a two stage feel that I absolutely do not like. To each to their own, but someone saying it doesn't exist is bonkers. While many claim the GP100 has a large ability for grips, only two types exist; ugly pirate peg and the shape it comes with. On the 686 round butt, any type of grip is available and from Altamont which makes the grips for the Delux. Eagle makes the current Python grips. Altamont has a similar. I think the 686 has a much better trigger, even if you Wilson spring in the GP100 (which I did). The GP100 "tank" talk is nonsense. The fact that the 686 has had the Plus 7rnd model for years and Ruger struggled/struggles with the GP100 7rnd cylinder lead me to realize the cylinder window is larger in the 686. So the guns are the same size basically, but the cylinder window is larger on the 686. Never read of a top strap break on either 686 or GP100. Dollar for doughnut, the top strap is not the "strength" of a revolver. I don't buy anything into the GP100 being stronger. 357 Ruger loads do not exist either. The third lock up on the GP100 extractor is great. It's not needed and it's not mechanically all that amazing. So smaller feeling, yet bigger, not cast, better trigger factor and 160 shipped back to S&W you get a trigger job, fully functional on 7rds...why not go 686? Then through in the crazy costs today that put the GP100 the same or higher than the 686? nope. Make no sense today. __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM. Last edited by wild cat mccane; June 1, 2023 at 09:08 AM.

June 9, 2023, 02:06 PM	#12
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,628	Nice __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.

May 27, 2023, 04:48 PM	#2
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,176	You can’t go wrong with either. I have numerous Smith’s and a few years ago picked up a GP100 and with a little work it’s as good or better than any Smith I’ve ever had. Spend an hour polishing a few pieces, get a shim/spring kit from Trigger Shims.com and the GP will be a pleasant surprise.

May 27, 2023, 05:54 PM	#3
hammie Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Temple, TX Posts: 959	As 'jet interior" said, there are no wrong decisions here. Since you already have a Smith & Wesson, I would choose the Ruger, just to have something different. As you're probably aware, the ruger comes with a 4.2 inch barrel, which is not that much shorter than your 5 inch Smith. Have you considered a 3 inch barreled revolver? The GP-100 comes in a 3 inch version. Also, a Colt King Cobra with a 3 inch barrel would be nice, too. Fun decisions ahead for you. I think half of the pleasure of a new gun is the planning stage.

May 27, 2023, 06:39 PM	#4
V35 Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Location: Southeast Pennsylvania Posts: 16	I have a Ruger GP100, 7 round, stainless, 6 inch version. It's a very nice gun. I chose the 6 inch for no other reason than I wanted a big gun. Just because. You will be pleased with its 4 inch version. Ruger makes quality products.

May 28, 2023, 07:44 AM	#5
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,333	I have had both in 6rd versions. Functionally the same, but the S&W had better triggers, better sights and better accuracy in my hands. I still keep and carry my Ruger.

May 28, 2023, 09:56 AM	#7
cmdc Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2010 Location: Florida Gulf Coast Posts: 721	Now there’s an idea.

May 29, 2023, 09:52 AM	#8
cmdc Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2010 Location: Florida Gulf Coast Posts: 721	I ordered the Ruger. It’s about the same price as the 686+ and has fiber optic sights.

May 31, 2023, 03:34 PM	#9
saleen322 Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2010 Posts: 778	Smith makes fine revolvers and we will always have them around. We also have a 7-shot GP-100 in 327 mag. Great gun to shoot and it is a tack driver. That one is also a keeper.

June 7, 2023, 07:48 PM	#11
cmdc Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2010 Location: Florida Gulf Coast Posts: 721	Picked up the Ruger a couple days ago. Just eyeballing its seven rounds cylinder compared to my 686+ loaded with snap caps and live ammunition, I didn’t notice a discernible difference between the two. I’ll shoot it in a few days and see how they perform side by side.