revolver desicion/delimma

[n az realtor]

Hello all.  I'm new to the board, so please forgive if I am unfamiliar with any rules.  I want to replace a taurus mod 66 357 in stainless that I baught over ten years ago and an unchristian individual liberated from my truck.  I shot mostly 38 for practice, but a quite a few 357s.  It was very accurate with my habdloads and the tigger was factory -but felt very nice to me.  I have heard a lot of unimpressive things about the newer taurus revolvers.  I was thinking of purchasing either a ruger gp 100 or a medium/large s&w.  A friend of mine has a 686 that I like the feel of, but not the prices I have seen for them. I know prices go up, but I want something I pay so much for to last until my great grand kids wear out. I don't mind buying used as price is a factor, but how do I tell if one is "used up". 

[safetysheriff]

I went with a 6" GP-100 for target shooting and hunting.  it's great.   it is just as accurate as they say it is.   i'd go with a 4" GP-100 for home defense and maybe for concealed carry....though it's probably borderline for CCW at best where size and weight on an individual are a consideration.   

a Smith is a good piece; but i don't like their prices and their 'side-plate' construction when the Ruger is investment cast and provides a stronger frame.    for concealed carry the Smith may be better than a 4" GP-100, but i'm not sure.   the GP-100 can be had Very Reasonably if you shop around.   

ss' 

[n az realtor]

thanks for the reply safetysheriff,  I haven't had any 1st hand expirience with the ruger's - but I have heard they are reliable with the full power 357's.  any idea what I should expect to pay for a used stainless 4" gp 100?  any idea's or tricks to tell if its in good shape without shooting it? (they kind'a frown on loading them and shooting them before you buy them the places I've been looking).  Thanks again any info is helpful.
chris

[Old Griz]

The Ruger is a tank. You will never shoot it out. It is a fine gun, and I have several. However, I like the S&W double action guns much better. Everyone starts off saying the S&W trigger is so much smoother, and it is. I seriously doubt that either of us will do enough shooting to ware out a S&W, especially an L-frame 686. Several years ago I had the opportunity to get a 3" 66 (K-frame) which was not extremely rare, but hard to find, or a 2.5" 7-shot 686. Both are like pointing your finger, especially the 686. I went with the 66 mainly because of the lighter weight and the longer ejector rod, but I sure do wish I had bought the 686 instead. I'd buy it still, except I have so many .357s I don't really want another, and the new 3" .44 Special has recently grabbed my attention. But since I just bought a Smith 25-10 in .45 Colt, and a 638, I'd better lay low for a while. The wife carries a .357 (Ruger SP101) and she might be inclined to use it if she found out I bought two guns instead of just one!

Get the 686. You'll be happy if ya do, and always regret it if ya don't! (Spoken like a true S&W fan!)

Oh, and you're right about the Taurus. Had a real bad experience, and will never buy another.

[dscp]

   HOWDY !    DSCP IS THE NAME AND SHOOTING IS THE GAME ! I DO NOT CLAIM TO BE THE BEST  , BUT I PLAY TOO .          THE S&W 686 IS THE GUN TO BE HAD . I HAVE ALL LENGTH VERSIONS AND MAYBE 3 SO ABOUT 7 . I HAVE A RUGER SINGLE ACTION ( WHICH WOULD BE HARD TO DISTROY ) BUT A 686 IS THE ONE. YOU WILL NEVER GO WRONG . I GOT MOST OF MINE AT GUN SHOWS , ONE HERE AND ONE THERE . PAID ABOUT $300.00 EACH FOR MOST . OF COURSE HAVE NIGHT SIGHTS ON ONE , OPTICS ANOTHER AND A LASER .       I REALLY RATHER PUNCH A BIG HOLE WITH A 44 OR 45 BUT THEN THE 357 HAS ITS OWN AREA AND IN 357 LAND  THE 686 IS KING .
     JUST ONE OLD MAN'S OPENION , BUT HELL I HAVE BEEN THERE . IF YOU RUN ACROSS A 587 GET IT. THE STAINLESS IS NICE BUT THE STEEL IS JUST AS GOOD.
happy trailes to you,
dscp

[Lloyd Smale]

I too prefer the smith and i would have to doubt that you will find one thats shot out anywhere. IT takes alot of ammo to shot a handgun loose and if it were shot that much it would definatly look it!!!!!!!!!

[n az realtor]

I really appreciate the feedback guys.  My wife got tired of listening to me wine and cry about missing my toy.  I went to a gun shop in Flagstaff and looked at all of them together.  The only 686's they had were the newer 7 and 8 shot.  I figured my old speedloaders would be of no use besides, I'm not sure I want extra metal shaved away. I went ahead and got the gp100 4" in stainless- mostly because of the price.  (although I will be getting tax money back soon and if a homeless 686 or 586 crossed my path at a gun show or somewhere, I might have to convince my wife it is just "the right thing to do").