quote:

Originally posted by Benderx4:
Chevy or Ford? The both do the job well.

Pretty
much my thoughts. I love them both.

quote:

Originally posted by TheFrontRange:
Sidebar - I like that replacement latch shown above. I have only one S&W currently that features the lock; may have to check those latches out for it.

I put one on my 586. It required a bit of fitting to pop in and work, but I think it was worth it!

what's the take on the sleeve and shroud ruger barrels? Smith went that way a couple years ago and ruger uses it in the Redhawks. Anyone know if they are doing the same with the GP100?

My LCR is sleeved. Shoots fine!

My Redhawk is sleeved my GP is not. Both shoot great. I wish my 640 Pro was sleeved, if it was it wouldn't have the wicked twisted barrel that it does now.

The old Smith Performance Center was using sleeved barrels in specialized hunting and competition revolvers years before they became common in Smith's production revolvers.

Dan Wesson used them before that in revolvers that had stellar reputations for accuracy.


There is nothing wrong with the technology. It's the implementation that makes it or breaks it.

Most revolver guys (probably myself included) are traditionalist and not too trusting or open to new methods. Most of us have a strong idea of how a revolver should look.

From a performance perspective though, sleeved barrels are not a bad thing.

AFAIK, apart from some specialty models (super GP100?) Ruger is still using traditional one-piece barrels on the GP100.

The traditionalist in me initially balked at the idea, but my S&W Model 69 has one, and that gun has been excellent in every way. It's accurate, smooth, and locks up like a bank vault. The only issue with it is that looks a little goofy from the end you don't want to be looking at anyway.

On the plus side canted barrels are a thing of the past. Unless the operator is drunk.

That really sucks about your 640 Pro...I love mine and it spent all day with me today, both at work as my backup and then after I got home mowing the lawn, working on the in-law's house, and walking the dog. Have you tried contacting S&W to see if they will fix it for you? Its too nice and too expensive a gun to have it not be right.

quote:

Originally posted by 22940:
I've been told the Smith will be smoother, but the Ruger will last longer.

Having owned both a 686+ and a GP100, the only one I kept was the Smith. The Ruger isn't a bad gun by any means. Out of the box the Smith has the better trigger, and can be made measurably better with a factory action job (comes with warranty). Both revolvers will outlast several generations on a steady diet of full power .357 ammo. If you ever feel the need to go above maximum CIP or SAAMI spec ammo, I would suggest moving up to a more powerful cartridge.

You might want to look at one of the new Colt revolvers. The King Cobra is available in a 4.25" target model that is probably very nice to shoot. I have a 3" King Cobra which soaks up recoil like a champ, and makes a great carry gun.

I've owned both. Still have the S&W (actually a couple of L frames now). The GP was a good gun, but a little clunky compared to the 686.