Gp 100 or S&W 66?
From 1990 to 1994 I carried a S&W model 64 as my duty gun. When we switched them out, I purchased mine from the department and continued to shoot it when ever I got the chance. Last month it fell apart on me. The barrel came unscrewed when I was cleaning it and the ejector rod came loose as well. The new barrel cost me $160 (installed). I am thinking of replacing this revolver. I am thinking of a 4" 66 or going to a Ruger Gp 100. I have little in the way of experience with Ruger revolvers. I am wondering if anyone has had experience with both and could give me some insight. Does anyone know if the target grey finish on the glass bead Gp 100 is pourous or smooth like the other stainless models>
Thanks,
Thom
Do not mistake my kindness for weakness.
IALEFI, ASLET, NRA, and proud owner of a pair of S&W revolvers.
Thanks,
Thom
Do not mistake my kindness for weakness.
IALEFI, ASLET, NRA, and proud owner of a pair of S&W revolvers.
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if you are use to a Smith you will not like the trigger on the Ruger, the trigger are heavy to say the least , but over all the Ruge is a fine gun , just needs a little help from a good smith on the tigger ,
you may want to take a look at the S&W 686, its built a little heavy than your 66 but still comes with a good trigger
if I was planing on using the gun for shooting HOT loads all the time I would go with the Ruger , just because they are build stronger but if your shooting is normal loads then the S*W will stand up just fine0 -
I'll just give you my general impression, for what it's worth.
I purchased a new Ruger GP 100 when they first came out. it was a nice revolver that shot accurately and looked nice. I also purchased a S&W 66. I carried both for a short time as a duty weapon until we switched to semi-autos.
I can't put my finger on it, but although I liked the Ruger, I eventually sold it. I still have the Smith and think it is a nicer and better quality revolver.
Don't know about the grey finish on the GP, mine was blued.
My .02 cents.
"We become what we habitually do. If we act rightly, we become upright men. If we habitually act wrongly, or weakly, we become weak and corrupt" - *ARISTOTLE*
**Like Grandad used to say--"It'll feel better when it quits hurtin"0 -
I own a 686, but rent the GP 100 a lot down at the range (I have a membership, so pistol rentals are free) and while both are good guns, I just prefer the look and the feel of the GP 100. Why I haven't bought one yet is beyond me. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by ElMuertoMonkey
I own a 686, but rent the GP 100 a lot down at the range (I have a membership, so pistol rentals are free) and while both are good guns, I just prefer the look and the feel of the GP 100. Why I haven't bought one yet is beyond me.
That's easy it's because you're a lefty and don't know what you want.[:D] [:D] [:D] [:D] [:D] [:D] [:D] [:D] [:D] [:D] [:D] [:D] [:D] [:D]
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In my opinion, dollar for dollar, go for the Ruger. I had a 686 w6" barrel and I sold it and bought the 6" GP100. The 686 is a nice gun, don't get me wrong, but when I shot my buddys' GP, I had to have one. The Smith did have a better out of the box trigger,BUT, sit the two side by side and notice how much thicker the top strap is on the GP. It is undeniably a stronger design. This gun can handle some of the hottest loads you would ever care to shoot. I have some other Ruger handguns and I think they are the best value on the market today.
"They call me Don. Dr. Jason Donald Dalinger."0 -
Both are excellent built guns, But I like the 686 the best. The S&W's have a little better trigger as far as resetting goes. Good luck you can't go wrong with either Ruger or Smith & wesson revolvers.
Down Zero0 -
Ruger GP 100...tough as they come! nambu 0 -
Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback. I have heard good about the Rugers, but had never owned one. I don't hear any horror stories here to discourage me. I am a little leary of the Smith's after what happened to the 64. I want something that is going to last the rest of my shooting days. I have always had Smith's and was one of their biggest fans, now there is this little seed of doubt when it comes to durability. I don't know.
Do not mistake my kindness for weakness.
IALEFI, ASLET, NRA, and proud owner of a pair of S&W revolvers.0 -
I was recently in your position looking at these two fine revolvers. I certainly like the tigger of the smith better, but the store owner told me there gun smith could make the gp 100 trigger just as good if not better than the smith. So i grabbed up the slighly used stainless for $325, quite a bit less than the $650 smith. I can't tell you witch one you will like best, but i just though i would let you know that i love my ruger and with the tweeked trigger it is a blast to shoot. I don't regret for one second saving hundreds of dollers and then paying for a $30 trigger job. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by gunguy30_06
I was recently in your position looking at these two fine revolvers. I certainly like the tigger of the smith better, but the store owner told me there gun smith could make the gp 100 trigger just as good if not better than the smith. So i grabbed up the slighly used stainless for $325, quite a bit less than the $650 smith. I can't tell you witch one you will like best, but i just though i would let you know that i love my ruger and with the tweeked trigger it is a blast to shoot. I don't regret for one second saving hundreds of dollers and then paying for a $30 trigger job.
You could buy a used 686 for what you paid for the Ruger.[:)]0 -
Well,Brother Officer, when I was active I carried mostly S&Ws. I engaged in the PPC game for several years and fired many, many rounds. I still shoot S&Ws for pleasure, and as a professional gunsmith have worked on many of them. I have never heard of a failure as you describe. Not saying it isn't so; just saying you are one unlucky dude. Ruger makes a fine gun. I own several Rugers, but not a GP-100, but am familiar with the breed--a club. Rugers are strong and reliable. S&W has both of these features, plus something that Ruger just falls a little short of: class. The closest Ruger ever came to being serious competition for S&W's Mod. 66 was the Security Six, which they discontinued. I own two 4" Mod.66s, and wouldn't trade them for four Rugers. Here's where my edit starts, after re-reading this entire thread. Interesting how a couple of responses slipped in the S&W 686, which is a very different animal than the 66. Just interesting--no conclusion to be drawn. The 686 is a great gun, but much larger and more heavy duty than the 66. The 66 is simply a stainless Mod. 19, not really meant for a steady diet of full-house magnum ammo; whereas the 686 and GP-100 are. Perhaps there lies the difference, in how much magnum ammo do you intend to shoot? Also, you can get a departmental trade-in 66 in V.G. condition for right around $250 (if you have a friend in the business!) and it might be better than new in that it may have had an action job.[:D] 0 -
I own a GP 100 that I ordered before the first ones left the factory (mine is a 4-digit serial number). The first thing I had done was a complete trigger job, and it currently has the slickest trigger of any revolver I have ever had my hands on (and I have handled lots of them). You can feed the GP 100 any load that suits your fancy, and it isn't ever going to fall apart on you. If anyone is interested in pictures of mine, please contact me through my profile (I do not have a way to post them here).
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0
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