Doing a little experiment on a couple different boards. Pick the one you prefer. Concealed. Hiking. Home defense. Just all around.
3" model 65 .357 Magnum.
2 3/4" Speed Six .357 Magnum.
For all practical purposes, they are as close a match as I can get between a Ruger and a Smith. I'm curious to see how they rate in others eyes. Feel free to elaborate on your reasons for choosing one or the other.
It's just for entertainment, I appreciate everyone's input.
(65 is Shown with bobbed hammer, feel free make either one bobbed or full hammer)
My only revolvers:
Smith and Wesson 617 (.22 rimfire)
Ruger Security Six (.357 mag)
The Ruger was made in 1982 and I've had the 617 for more then 25 years.
Both favorites, both built like tanks.
And when I can't use them anymore................... my sons will!
I have a 5906 that I like, your 1006 is worth a lot more!!
They are heavy tanks that will take a lot of rounds.
My only S&W revolver is a stainless model 60 J frame .357, with beautiful rosewood grips, looks so sweet and kicks like a mule!! My Security 6 is much more user friendly!!
I would pick a Colt revolver over an S&W revolver. I would pick an S&W revolver over a Ruger revolver. I own eight Colt revolvers, three S&W revolvers, and five Ruger revolvers. They are all good.
I fired a bone stock Service Six against a bone stock S&W 64, and both did the same.
The S&W may "feel" slicker but in the real world it doesn't make a difference.
I sold and traded many of my "beater" and used S&W's, simply because I stopped trying to play "collector" and just want to focus on being a shooter, and I can't afford to feed 40 .38 and .357 revolvers and spend any time getting good with any one of them.
I have a GP100 that I just got ready for some PPC-lite type stuff, and I challenge even the most die hard S&W nut to tell me that action doesn't compare with the best S&W they've ever fired.
I had wanted a 3" 686 and a 3" 65, I have a spurless 2 3/4" Speed Six .357, and a 3" adjustable sight 1751 GP100, so the needs for both of those S&W's dissapeared.
At the end of the day, it's all personal preference and the Rugers meet my needs better.
I'm also getting heavily into Single Actions, so Ruger wins by default in that category
Smith & Wesson Model 66 no dash Smith & Weeson Model 17 .22 LR, Ruger SP101 3 inch .327 FM Ruger Vaquero Bisley .357, Ruger LCRX .38 +p Just to name a few!
I posted in three forums. Smith, Ruger and Glock (that was my neutral choice)
Even in dedicated brand forums, there was some crossover.
A few "I'd be happy with either one". "Flip a coin".
References to the Ruger toughness. The better trigger on the Smith.
Pretty much a wash with a slight preference for the Smith overall.
Both just outstanding firearms and the pinnacle of design when revolvers ruled. And, even now in 2016, one would be well served with either.
I might have a tiny preference for the 65 just because I grew up shooting Smith revolvers.
Years ago, I looked at Rugers as the second tier. I had a S&W 27. A buddy had a 28 and another friend of ours had a Security Six. We kind of felt "Well, bless his heart...he only has a Ruger.
With time comes experience and knowledge. I'm now quite sure the Ruger is the equal to the Smith and, in some ways, superior.
IMO it's kind of hard for me to "double dip", I mean, I kind of reached a crossroads in my shooting hobby, where I couldn't afford to go "full bore" with both S&W and Ruger revolvers, since I wanted to have many variations of each. There is SO much in both "worlds", .41 mags, small .32's, .357's, etc. I just couldn't do the collecting and shooting with both brands to really feel fulfilled as a shooter, so I just went with Ruger and never looked back.
I kept a few of my "pet" S&W"s, but I no longer own dozens of them like I used to, and continue to own dozens of Ruger wheelguns and don't feel any "lesser" about it.
I'm now getting into SA's and so that pretty much sealed the deal.
As far as DA's, there's a Ruger "equivalent" I can replace all the S&W"s I sold with........always wanted a 6" Model 15 or 19, well, I have a 6" Security Six that takes care of that......
Wanted a bunch of 686's, my many GP100's have taken care of those needs.
My two favorite one is my S&W Model 66 no dash .357 4 inch. My other favorite is my Ruger Vaquero Bisley Stainess Steel 5.5 inch barrel .357 Magnum large frame. Both guns are really nice. My Ruger Vaquero Bisley does handle the heavy .357 Magnum loads better. Currently have more Rugers vs S&W but the S&W is my go to gun if really needed. I have 2 LCR's and 1 SP101 .327 FM. My next quest & still on the search is a nice Ruger GP100 really want a Blued 4 inch adj. sights model or a nice Blued WC. I really want a nice older model but they are hard to find for a reasonable price!!!
As expected a few different opinions than I read on the s&w forum. I like these comparisons, can't go wrong with either. Like Ford and Chevy. Of course that would open up a whole new can of worms
Shield vs SR9c/40c. Or perhaps in 9mm only Shield vs LC9. I've fired all these in my search for CCW gun. I actually liked the Shield best (by far) and bought the 40 S&W version so I wouldn't have to stock another caliber.
Ruger. Why? In my 30 plus years of shooting I have never seen a Ruger revolver out of time. I have seen several Smiths out of time, especially the old K frame .357s and the N frame 29/629 .44 Mags.
Not a S&W pistol fan, I think I would rather rely on a Hi-Point than an S&W. Sorry guys, but I do like a few of the S&W revolvers, pretty cool wheel guns, but the love ends there.
To the op ,
Between the 2 in your photo , I vote Ruger . I like Rugers and I like hammers on my revolvers . If I think I need to go hammerless for concealment then ill pack a striker fired pistol .
I have 2 N frame Smith's , a 624 and 625 and I love them but most of my revolvers are Ruger single actions . That's what I carry mostly in the mountains .
If S&W was making guns in a pro liberty state I might like them, but for now the Live Free or Die state of New Hampshire where Ruger revolvers are made is my pick.
I think the perfect match is the S&W 642 vs Ruger LCR or maybe the S&W 686 vs GP100.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Ruger Forum
2.8M posts
106.7K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to Ruger firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!