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Pick your favorite S&W vs Ruger

12K views 78 replies 61 participants last post by  gunna1day 
#1 ·
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)

 
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#15 ·
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!!

Greg
 
#6 ·
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.
 
#40 ·
I just did the math. Wow, 16 revolvers, but you only got 2 hands.:p
 
#7 ·
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:)
 

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#13 ·
No idea on those two guns. Only carry SAs outside of town except for .44 Special Bulldog for CC in town. And most of the SAs are Rugers.
 
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#17 ·
Pretty much what I expected.

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.

I appreciate everyone's input.
 
#18 ·
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.
 
#19 ·
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!!!
 
#22 ·
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.
 
#27 ·
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.
 
#28 ·
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 .
 
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