I own and have shot many Ruger handguns. They are very popular not because they are necessarily the "best" in any particular way, but, instead, are popular for those of us who like the concept of "value." Fact is, you can pay about $325 and get a Ruger P89, 95, 97, etc., and get a pistol that will work every dang time you pull the trigger. My P89 has NEVER had a misfire or malfunction on a factory-loaded round. Not one. No jams, no stovepipes, nada. For the $, hard to beat.
For pure fun, ruger .22 handguns and rifles are a blast. Their revolvers are strong, but do not have quite as good a trigger action as Smith and Wesson. No one sells more single-action revolvers than Ruger.
Hope this helps!