Most durable revolver?

I will add to the dogpile and say that the only real option in a <$800 single action revolver is a Ruger of some variety. For a DA gun the Ruger Redhawk is pretty darned tank like as well, although an N frame S&W in 357 would consume a fortune in full power magnum ammo and still keep on ticking.

If you can afford enough ammo to wear out any of these guns then the choice is essentially irrelevant: replacement or repair costs would be a minuscule fraction of the total shooting bill. If you're actually wanting to know which one you can overload the most and not blow it up then I don't really know if the cast Ruger frame can take more abuse than the forged S&W, but the offset cylinder notches on the Redhawk are a plus.

I guess the ultimate in overloadable <$1000 guns is a Redhawk in 357 because of the offset notches and beefy cylinder walls.
 
I guess the ultimate in overloadable <$1000 guns is a Redhawk in 357 because of the offset notches and beefy cylinder walls.
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FWIW -here's a picture of how Ruger off sets the bolt stop..

http://s32.photobucket.com/user/madcratebuilder/media/100_0330.jpg.html

This isn't mine BTW. I was just looking at some pictures of blown up Rugers and ran across this one of an SP101.

It's a good shot of how the bolt stop is off set though - one of the best I've ever seen.

Both S&W, on their D/A guns and Colt on their SAA (and clones of such) have the bold stop more in the center.
That cuts into the metal of the cylinder & is one big reason why guns like a S&W N frame and the SAA, chambered in .45 Colt shouldn't be pushed too hard.
 
hehe - more like a pucker factor checker than anything else. ;).

Two things about it though.

The off set bolt stop is clearly shown.
I've looked for pictures showing that for quite a while and this is honestly one of the best I've ever seen that shows it that clearly.

Second - the Ruger SP101 is a hell for stout little pocket gun.
Showing one blown to pieces like that doesn't reflect in any way on the stoutness of the Ruger product.
A slip here or there, whether intentional idiocy or honest mistake can render even the most robust gun into a pile of broken metal.
 
I would think it some kind of casting flaw. The cylinder was machined out of a solid piece, but that solid piece had to be cast at some point. If it was just one chamber I would say overloaded ammo.
 
If I had $800 to spend on a gun I'd get a Super Redhawk in 454 because I need a big bore DA to fill that spot in my collection.
 
interesting post Hal, however i never heard of "Virginia Dragoon Only" ammo, just "Ruger Only" ammo.
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As someone who owns a Virginian Dragoon as well as a couple of large frame Blackhawks, and a Redhawk... I can assure you the Virginian Dragoon is Hellfore stout. Nothing you'll be able to fire safely in a Blackhawk is going to phase one of these.

As stated before... "Ruger Only" applies to more than just Rugers, and now not even all Rugers will handle "Ruger Only" loads.

The fit and finish on the VD is a step above Ruger. It's slightly bigger and heavier than a Super Blackhawk, and has the nice carry 5, 4 click action you won't get on a New Model Ruger.

Used Virginian Dragoons (not to be confused with the mid frame Virginian) run around the same price or less than a used Super Blackhawk.

It's an excellent gun. The only revolver I've ever handled with a tighter lockup than my VD is a Freedom Arms. They are a hell of a lot of revolver for the money .
 
Even tho I don't like them for the way the action works the Ruger is toughest and most reliable. I prefer a Uberti for the historical aspect.
 
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