Shoot,
I am not an aficionado.
I've shot Rugers & Smiths for well over 40 years. I've carried both on duty in various uniforms, and bet my life on both.
I deal regularly with gunsmiths across the country who do repairs on both brands, including high-level custom work.
I own customized revolvers based on products from both companies.
I have yet to encounter a longtime gunsmith who'll tell me Rugers go out of time before Smiths do, but have heard just the opposite for decades.
Same with longtime high-volume shooters, and with longtime use of heavy loads.
I have yet to encounter a gunsmith (or anybody else) who'll tell me a Smith 29 can stand up to the hot sauce a Ruger Redhawk can easily handle, for decades, without shooting loose.
Both brands have QC issues in recent years, but in a head to head between the two, my money still goes on Rugers for durability in DA revolvers, based on the above.
Rugers are well-represented where I live.
I own & use Smiths, for certain purposes, and my regular daily carry is a Smith M&P .40.
I have no automatic Ruger default as a brand, and no automatic condemnation of Smith & Wesson as a company.
Both companies put out products that I own & use regularly, both companies put out products that I have no interest in.
Both companies have their strengths in terms of product lines.
Ruger gets no "honorary" rep from me, and I've gone the rounds with them in the past when I've thought they missed the boat in a couple peripheral issues with products.
I make no assertions that anybody should avoid Smiths, or that anybody should ONLY buy Rugers.
I do not state or infer that either company is "better" across the board.
I do not state or imply that Smith revolvers will fall apart inside 1000 rounds.
I do not state or imply that Smiths are inherently "weak".
Buy whichever you feel meets your needs & preferences.
I do stick to my earlier statements.
Denis