S&w triggers compared to competitors

[john 800]

My dad has a 80s vintage s&w 357 mag. Mod 686 I believe, but i dont know revolvers very well. I have shot it a handfull of times and have always marveled at how nice tbe trigger is, always wanted one and he doesn’t want to sell. Is there any other revolvers I should be looking at? How are rugers triggers?

 

[Twicepop]

My experience with Rugers is that they are very close to being as good as a Smith & Wesson. Older Colt double actions always seemed to stack up at the very end of the pull. I haven't held or tried the new Python but the reports say they have improved the trigger pull over the older models.

 

[jepp2]

and have always marveled at how nice tbe trigger is

If his 686 trigger is stock, you will not believe how much better it can be made with replacement of 2 springs and some judicious stoning. I only have experience with Ruger single action triggers. Lot of take up, not the smoothest, but they also can be improved upon.

 

[Fast14riot]

My TTT P&R M57 Smith has the best trigger in a pistol I've ever shot. Rugers are stronger frames, but the triggers just can't get as nice. Although I have not handled the target model GP100.

 

[wagonman]

my GP100 runs wolf hammer and trigger springs, its smoothed up some over the years, its held up to a lot of heavy use they are a very strong gun. my smiths are older models 29-5 44mag, 624 44spl, mod15 combat masterpiece 25-5 45colt all have the sweetest DA triggers, my 79 python has the cleanest single action trigger of all my wheel guns. look for older s&w revolvers for sale over a new one, they don't make em like your dads 686 no more.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Oh Jeez I feel old...686 vintage!

 

[K22]

Been an S&W revolver shooter since the 70's. Their triggers are hand fitted and excellent. Do not "polish" or "stone" the hammer or trigger assemblies. These are case hardened and you'll ruin the them is you mess with them plus violate the warranty. It could also render the revolver unsafe. There is no need to mess with them.

As far as the springs, if the revolver is a self defense firearm do not mess with the springs. These are designed for reliability. Personally, I wouldn't mess with the springs no matter the application. I've competed with S&W revolvers in NRA Bulls Eye (precision) matches and attained a "Distinguished Expert" rating with as is factory revolvers only changing to the stocks to Herrett Competition stocks.

The only Ruger revolvers I've owned are single actions and that's not a fair comparison to the S&W's.

The old Colt Officer's Model Match revolvers had some of the finest triggers I've ever tried. It's a toss up with the S&W's. I preferred the S&W's for competition because of the shorter hammer throw for the time and rapid fire stages.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The ruger match champion gp100 are good but youll find that same trigger as your dad’s or better in any s&w off the shelf now

 

[243Lapua]

I've installed the Wilson Combat spring set to my 3 Smith & Wesson's. Model 17, Model 14 and the 686. Totally recommended if you get a Smith.

 

[cw308]

I think S&W triggers are the smoothest , I changed the trigger return spring on my S&W 65 3" smoothed it out even smoother , alittle too smooth for a 3". A few friends have Rugars , not as smooth as a Smith in my experience. A rough trigger can make or break a deal.

 

[divingin]

From what I hear, judicious stoning of the rebound block and tuning (selecting) the rebound block spring does the most for double-action pull weight and smoothness.

Single action break on older S&W revolvers generally doesn't require any modification; they were excellent out of the box.