harmon rabb
Member
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2009
- Messages
- 2,699
For a NEW production revolver, which do you prefer, Smith or Ruger? And why?
Me, I'll take Ruger over Smith any day of the week. Why? Well, first, price. Looking at Bud's, a new GP100 is about $470, a new 686 is about $660, so the Smith's are about $200 more. Second, the Rugers don't have locks, and don't have MIM components. Third, the Rugers are more durable.
I can't see a single advantage the Smiths have, other than perhaps a slight increase in prettyness. What's that, you say? Trigger? Yeah, old school Smiths had nice triggers. The new ones? Not so much. I've played with a few 686's at the store, and the trigger really isn't any better than the trigger of my GP100. It's perhaps a bit smoother, but just as heavy, if not heavier. And on the topic of Smith triggers... uh, have you tried the trigger of a new production j-frame? What in the world are they modeling that trigger after, that of a Nagant revolver? They must average around 18lbs.
Now, I have fired some old school Smiths. A buddy's grandfather left him some classic Smiths in .357 and .44mag. Both are gorgeous and were a joy to shoot. Too bad the new ones aren't like that... and I think the reason I see guys in here prefer Smiths is nostalgia for those old models, and not an objective look at the new models.
So, yeah. At best, I think new Smiths are on par with new Rugers. For a couple hundred bucks more.
Opinions?
Me, I'll take Ruger over Smith any day of the week. Why? Well, first, price. Looking at Bud's, a new GP100 is about $470, a new 686 is about $660, so the Smith's are about $200 more. Second, the Rugers don't have locks, and don't have MIM components. Third, the Rugers are more durable.
I can't see a single advantage the Smiths have, other than perhaps a slight increase in prettyness. What's that, you say? Trigger? Yeah, old school Smiths had nice triggers. The new ones? Not so much. I've played with a few 686's at the store, and the trigger really isn't any better than the trigger of my GP100. It's perhaps a bit smoother, but just as heavy, if not heavier. And on the topic of Smith triggers... uh, have you tried the trigger of a new production j-frame? What in the world are they modeling that trigger after, that of a Nagant revolver? They must average around 18lbs.
Now, I have fired some old school Smiths. A buddy's grandfather left him some classic Smiths in .357 and .44mag. Both are gorgeous and were a joy to shoot. Too bad the new ones aren't like that... and I think the reason I see guys in here prefer Smiths is nostalgia for those old models, and not an objective look at the new models.
So, yeah. At best, I think new Smiths are on par with new Rugers. For a couple hundred bucks more.
Opinions?