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Hey forum,
Question: If you had the opportunity to buy only one of these guns, which one would you buy? The smith costs $699 (locally), and the Ruger $499.


http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... s_id/26267

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... s_id/70165

thank you, th

I'm not a cowboy gun fan so I'd go with the S&W. However it depends mostly on what you are looking to do with it. For example if you wanted a home defense weapon, the Smith is the obvious choice.

Georgezilla wrote:I'm not a cowboy gun fan so I'd go with the S&W. However it depends mostly on what you are looking to do with it. For example if you wanted a home defense weapon, the Smith is the obvious choice.

It will be your gun, so you should be the one to decide that question. Also depends what you want to do with it, as far as a Carry gun they are both too large for that.
Due to the fact that I already own a 50th Anniversary Blackhawk in .357, I would get the Smithm the are a fine double action revolver.

I am a S&W guy, big time.

Howsumever, I had an early 586 back around 1985, and it was just awful. Inaccurate, sloppy lockup, horrible trigger. Traded that thing off for a goat and shot the goat. (Not really, but I dumped it quick).

Could be that I just had a lemon, and it's likely that S&W has improved the breed since, but that really soured me on x86's.

Therefore, I'd get the Ruger.

The S&W, I hate single action revolvers; takes too long to load and unload the things. When I go to shoot I don't want to waste time loading.

recumbent wrote:The S&W, I hate single action revolvers; takes too long to load and unload the things. When I go to shoot I don't want to waste time loading.

Yes they are slow loading and unloading but they do have that old west mystique. I got mine because the dealer owed me a favor and gave me a very good deal and it is the only single action that I own and if not for the fact that it is unique I probably never would have bought it. I have a couple of older revolvers both are top break so they load and unload fairly fast, an H&R 999 Sportsman 9 shot and a 1915 manufacture Iver Johnson that is an 8, both in .22LR.The 50th Anny is .38Sp/.357Mag, but has only seen the .38 and reduced loads as they are only killing paper. Love the Ruger Autos, have 12 mags and can really shoot a lot in a short time.

The comparison between the 686 and the Blackhawk is sort of an apples and pears comparison: a double action revolver and a single action revolver. They have quite a difference in shooting styles and to some extent different uses. I'd rather have a double action revolver for SD than a single action revlover, although for the first six rounds they are pretty much equivalent.

If you are looking for a double action revolver, the 686 is an excellent choice. However, you should take a look at the Ruger GP-100. I have a GP-100 and really like it. GP100's generally are about $200 less than 686's. You might also want to look at one of the Taurus DA .357's.

Single action revolverss are generally slower shooting and have a longer reload time. They are a ball to shoot and it is always good to have one in your collection.

I have both. I like both, but they are certainly different. Your choice will probably largely be based on the ergonomics of the two: which grip you prefer. Cost may also be a big driver. The GP-100 also deserves consideration.

Tommyhaka........Now for me, since my Cowboy days are over now, it would be the Smith & Wesson in the .357 mag caliber. This caliber is very versatile (you can shoot 38spl in it ) I like a double/single action pistol. I think the Smith & Wesson is a better made weapon.

I have a 586 that I have owned since the '80s. It is not bad, just not exciting, and frankly, I should a bought the Ruger Security Six when I was making my choices. Buuuut...Smiths are good, if a tad overpriced. Just my $.02.

Both are .357 / .38, both are stainless, so being a Ruger fan I'd go with the Blackhawk. For me at least, single actions are more fun and more accurate. The slow loading and ejecting seems to save ammo, too!

You didn't state a specific need. If you just WANT IT (don't we all have that problem) I'd go with the type you think you would most enjoy.

I have all kind of Blackhawks and Vaqs that I love but also have a great 686 S&W so it depends on how you intend to use it.

I like choose only one at a time better than only one. Funny thing about my BH .357 is that I shoot the BH .45 better in either colt or acp than I do the .357 in either .357 or .38 special. They differ by <1" in barrel length and caliber, for all intents, they are the same revolver. I haven't quite figured that one out yet.

greener wrote:I like choose only one at a time better than only one. Funny thing about my BH .357 is that I shoot the BH .45 better in either colt or acp than I do the .357 in either .357 or .38 special. They differ by <1" in barrel length and caliber, for all intents, they are the same revolver. I haven't quite figured that one out yet.

It;s one of them mental things compadre, Quit thinkink and just keep shooting, it;s more fun.

The S&W will have that ugly lock in the sideplate. That's enough to make me move on.