It's been mentioned...
But let me reinforce a few ideas that have been presented.
There are really only two reasonably priced companies that represent the double-action american revolver and thats Ruger and S&W. If you were looking for a single action and had a budget of closer to $700-$1000 then I would point you to Colt, but thats not your gig.
So Ruger versus S&W... I own revolvers from both companies.
As far as S&W goes...
<political rant>I am of the camp that we shouldn't encourage other gun companies to make agreements with the government limiting our right to bear arms, and S&W is the most agregious violater of that currently. Yes it's politics, but as consumers and citizens we have very little means to be heard and voting with our dollars is about the only way to make a gun company pay attention. That being said, I would encourage you to look at a pre-agreement S&W if thats the way you decide to go. </political rant>
I find that S&W makes a finely machined revolver that is a joy to own and play with. I think their Autos are mediocre, personally, but their inovation and niche guns in the revolver line are second to none. They are not overly built, but instead enginered with an eye for fulfilling their stated purpose with an economy of weight and a clean execution. Unfortunately their price indicates the value that the company (and their customers) put on that blend of attributes.
As far as Ruger goes...
I think you are making a BIG mistake to write off Ruger. Now let me tell you my perspective. My first Auto was a Ruger .40cal, mainly because that was what was in my budget and I had owned a .357 Blackhawk and a .22 Singlesix with good results. To put it mildly that Ruger auto (P92?) was a mediocre piece. It never fed Federal hollow-points and failed to go into battery at least once out of every 2 clips with FMJ. I hated it and it turned me sour on Ruger. I replaced it with an HK USP45 and have never bought another Ruger auto since. SO... I am NOT a Ruger fan when it comes to their autos.
BUT
IMHO, their revolvers are the strongest, most reliable mass-produced revolvers you can buy, at any price. It just so happens that they are also affordable. I have owned four Ruger revolvers and without an exception every one worked out of the box flawlessly. They have classic lines and are overbuilt almost to the point of silliness. There is a REASON that Linebaugh and Bowen, not to mention just about every other major revolver customizer wants to start with your supplied Ruger frame. These are revolvers that you could shoot a double-charged load of 45 colt and not worry about the gun failing (just yanking the front sight out of your forehead!). Most handloading guides have recipies for both .45colt and "Ruger only" 45colt. There are no recipies for "S&W only" or for "Taurus only".
The point being that Rugers are a VERY RESPECTED american revolver manufacturer. I think you will do yourself a massive disservice to equate their Automatic pistol designs and quality to their revolver quality. Its just not the same ballpark. Hell, its not the same sport!
As far as your choice goes, go shoot some!
I know that even though I own and like pistols from both companies, I would buy Ruger if I could only have one.
If I was only buying factory loads I would look at a .44 magnum Redhawk in stainless with a 4-6" barrel. I believe these have no problems firing .44 special for plinking and the gun will handle the hotest .44 mags you can buy with relative ease. Another choice would be a .357magnum. These are a BLAST to shoot out of a longer barreled gun (my 6 1/2" blackhawk will consistently shoot 12" groups at 200yds with the right holdover!!!), and have the option of .38special loadings for cheap plinking.
If I was loading my own, its hard to beat the .45 colt loading. Its the pentultimate american large-caliber where history is concerend. You can load that round from mild (shoots like a factory .38) to WILD (more power than a .44 magnum!) and only one mass-market .45colt can handle that level of loading and thats Ruger.
Not to say S&W is any slouch, and I think they are fantastic guns. They just dont have the versitility that Ruger does IMHO. If you are looking for a light-weight carry gun with flawless action and a great triger for self-defense purposes without the extra ounces that an overbuilt Ruger has, S&W is the finest american made mass market revolver. I would again urge you to consider the political ramifications of buying a new Smith though, and hope you would support the rest of us by buying a pre-agreement one.
Hope all this helps!
JT
as usual, IMHO, YMMV, FWIW, and all that...
But let me reinforce a few ideas that have been presented.
There are really only two reasonably priced companies that represent the double-action american revolver and thats Ruger and S&W. If you were looking for a single action and had a budget of closer to $700-$1000 then I would point you to Colt, but thats not your gig.
So Ruger versus S&W... I own revolvers from both companies.
As far as S&W goes...
<political rant>I am of the camp that we shouldn't encourage other gun companies to make agreements with the government limiting our right to bear arms, and S&W is the most agregious violater of that currently. Yes it's politics, but as consumers and citizens we have very little means to be heard and voting with our dollars is about the only way to make a gun company pay attention. That being said, I would encourage you to look at a pre-agreement S&W if thats the way you decide to go. </political rant>
I find that S&W makes a finely machined revolver that is a joy to own and play with. I think their Autos are mediocre, personally, but their inovation and niche guns in the revolver line are second to none. They are not overly built, but instead enginered with an eye for fulfilling their stated purpose with an economy of weight and a clean execution. Unfortunately their price indicates the value that the company (and their customers) put on that blend of attributes.
As far as Ruger goes...
I think you are making a BIG mistake to write off Ruger. Now let me tell you my perspective. My first Auto was a Ruger .40cal, mainly because that was what was in my budget and I had owned a .357 Blackhawk and a .22 Singlesix with good results. To put it mildly that Ruger auto (P92?) was a mediocre piece. It never fed Federal hollow-points and failed to go into battery at least once out of every 2 clips with FMJ. I hated it and it turned me sour on Ruger. I replaced it with an HK USP45 and have never bought another Ruger auto since. SO... I am NOT a Ruger fan when it comes to their autos.
BUT
IMHO, their revolvers are the strongest, most reliable mass-produced revolvers you can buy, at any price. It just so happens that they are also affordable. I have owned four Ruger revolvers and without an exception every one worked out of the box flawlessly. They have classic lines and are overbuilt almost to the point of silliness. There is a REASON that Linebaugh and Bowen, not to mention just about every other major revolver customizer wants to start with your supplied Ruger frame. These are revolvers that you could shoot a double-charged load of 45 colt and not worry about the gun failing (just yanking the front sight out of your forehead!). Most handloading guides have recipies for both .45colt and "Ruger only" 45colt. There are no recipies for "S&W only" or for "Taurus only".
The point being that Rugers are a VERY RESPECTED american revolver manufacturer. I think you will do yourself a massive disservice to equate their Automatic pistol designs and quality to their revolver quality. Its just not the same ballpark. Hell, its not the same sport!
As far as your choice goes, go shoot some!
I know that even though I own and like pistols from both companies, I would buy Ruger if I could only have one.
If I was only buying factory loads I would look at a .44 magnum Redhawk in stainless with a 4-6" barrel. I believe these have no problems firing .44 special for plinking and the gun will handle the hotest .44 mags you can buy with relative ease. Another choice would be a .357magnum. These are a BLAST to shoot out of a longer barreled gun (my 6 1/2" blackhawk will consistently shoot 12" groups at 200yds with the right holdover!!!), and have the option of .38special loadings for cheap plinking.
If I was loading my own, its hard to beat the .45 colt loading. Its the pentultimate american large-caliber where history is concerend. You can load that round from mild (shoots like a factory .38) to WILD (more power than a .44 magnum!) and only one mass-market .45colt can handle that level of loading and thats Ruger.
Not to say S&W is any slouch, and I think they are fantastic guns. They just dont have the versitility that Ruger does IMHO. If you are looking for a light-weight carry gun with flawless action and a great triger for self-defense purposes without the extra ounces that an overbuilt Ruger has, S&W is the finest american made mass market revolver. I would again urge you to consider the political ramifications of buying a new Smith though, and hope you would support the rest of us by buying a pre-agreement one.
Hope all this helps!
JT
as usual, IMHO, YMMV, FWIW, and all that...
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