You won't make a bad choice with any of the Smiths mentioned...thread coould have been closed after the first post :)

I've had my 6" M27 for almost 40 yrs...
.357 is a pretty stout rd with recoil if you're not used to them (38 always an option)...I prefer the 6" over shorter....better sight radius and more weight reduces recoil a tad.

The GP 100 is outstanding. Their triggers, from the factory seem to run the gamut from atrocious to wow, that's not just good for a Ruger, that's a nice trigger. Check them out handle them side by side and choose the one you like better. Very comparable functionally, what sets them apart is pretty much subjective, so the one you like better is better.

Much of the shooting community hates S&W's lock in their new production, so be aware. Used revolvers make a solid purchase. Know that S&W redid its K frames, I believe tabs is correct about the older 19/66 13/65 S&W, (keep bullet weight 140 and above, shoot primarily .38's for practice), no such caveats for 686/586 (L frame) or Rugers. But I believe new production K frames with the 2 piece barrel are not subject to the same failures as the older Smiths.

You cannot make a bad choice if deciding between GP 100 and 686, look them over and get the one you like better. 6" will get you more velocity.

Added this to the stable a few months ago. Perhaps the most accurate, balanced spoon I’ve ever had the pleasure to shoot. S&W Performance Center 627, “8 Times” baby!

The trigger is sublime, fit/finish is over the top. An heirloom piece for sure. A few bucks more than standard version but you’ll never have regrets about investing in quality.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1513771602.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1513771626.jpg

I bet you've got an ugly dawg....'cause I would never bad mouth a man's choich of spoons :)

....just personal preferences, please don't shoot me! ....that barrel doesn't do "it" for me...don't care for the angular look...bet it shoots like a dream though, so who cares :)?

S&Ws are awesome....but my baby snake with a pony on the side is by far the best I have...

Yep, she’s ugly by comparison ;)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1513772712.jpg

I take it all back :)

Any idea (ballpark) how much the fees are?

When I took the second test I went down to the gun shop and picked up the 'study guide' then went next door to the pub for a couple beers and lunch expecting to go back for the test in a day or two. I read through he study guide and figured I could handle it so I walked next door and aced it... there was a guy at the counter that failed the test.

CalGuns is pretty much my primary shopping place, that and Turners for new.

This is my golden goose... they pop up on CalGuns for around $800-$900... over my budget but yes, the ultimate.

crazy..i have my gun receipt in my man bag. i may have mispoke. looks like i have one fee called "CA DROS"..it was only $25.

I have had my 686 for over 30 years thousands of rounds and still works perfect. It originally came with wood grips which were too big for my hand and swapped out with Pacmyer rubber.

Sent it out to a shop I think is/was in Montana called Magna Port and he laser cut these slots matched to the guns recoil. This sucker reduced recoil and eliminates most of the muzzle rise.

I can shoot all day and no fatigue. When using .38 wad cutters it's like shooting a .22.

Oh and when I bought it brand new it was only $365 bucks.

It is the favorite of all my selection.

Terry

Oh forgot to add the pics.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1513787969.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1513787993.jpg

The Magnaport work are small trapizoidial slots near the front sights.

Terry

Wow...melikes :)! Never seen one like that....I'm afraid to ask what the work costs....
My M629 needs taming...

KC911, crazy as it might seem I sent it our UPS the shop test shot it determined what cutting is needed and sent me a bill to prepay for 65.00.

The turn around time was under a month.

Now todays prices might be a bit different.

I just checked out their web site and they are acually in Mich. been a while.

Mag-na-port International--Home Page

I also did some trigger work with smoothing and springs afterwards and even with .357 rounds is easy on the hands and so very accurate.


Terry

+1 on hunting on Calguns for a 686 pre-lock - I think a 6" barrel is overkill. 4" will shoot more precise than you will ever be able to. It will be as much as a new one, but it will be worth what you paid for the next day, while the lock/new models will not.

You can take the gun safety test without studying. Most questions are common sense safety items. There are a few legal questions you may not know the answer for, but you'll still pass.

Keep us posted!

Georg

Though it's a personal thing, my bbl lengths range from baby Ruger pocket pistol, up to 8 3/8 on the 629.....I just shoot better with the longer sight radius, though the weak link is me...not the spoons :).

Many used S&W are advertise as 'pre-lock' I will google on how to tell the difference.

Yes, Colts are nice, my buddy has two and I love them, but way out of my price range.

This

My blood pressure goes up a bit when I see "pre lock" in reference to S&W 686. What a silly idea

Look right above the cylinder release in Blue Wing and chocaholic's pictures. Chocaholic's has the lock, Blue Wing's does not.

As far as the 6" vs 4" issue, I shot better when my eyes worked better. But you will get more velocity (and a longer sight radius) from a longer barrel. With a full lug revolver (both the GP 100 and 686 are), you may find that you have a preference due to the weight, check them both out. As far as grip options go, you will have more with the 686. I believe L and K frames share the same grips, so lots of options wood, synthetic, stag, ivory..., fewer with the GP. Most people like Ruger's rubber grips with the wood inserts, but there is more criticism of the finger grooved rubber grips they use.

The reality is it is a real thing. I've never seen it have an impact one way or the other in performance. But, like an older P&R Smith, the lock has an impact on value to enough people, that its presence is worth considering.

I don' t think I have ever shot a "bad" S&W wheel spoon.

Grew up shooting dad's 4" model 27 and we have a 6" Model 28. The 28 is very smooth single or double action and far more accurate than I am.