[rugerman07]

As far as durability, accuracy, & reliability, who makes the best revolvers (SA & DA)?

My vote goes to Ruger. Why? Both the top strap and cylinder walls of the Ruger revolvers are thicker than those of Colt, Smith & Wesson, etc., allowing handloaders to load some pretty hot loads without the fear of blowing their gun up.

In the accuracy department, Ruger revolvers are top notch, better in my opinion than their competitor's.

As for reliability, everytime I've shot a Ruger revolver, be it single or double action, it went ..."BANG".

[rcmodel]

Well, to each his own.

My vote goes to older S&W & Colt.

I hate excessivly heavy for caliber guns that pull my pants down and make me walk funnier.

And I hate the heavy, creepy triggers Ruger is putting on guns anymore.

No handloader should be loading super-hot loads that are going to blow up a gun.

A man has to know his limitations!

rcmodel

[ceadermtnboy]

Freedom Arms make the finest production single action, if you willing to pay. Smith and wesson makes the finest double action revolver today. I would put it above even the Korth which is a 5k plus revolver with great craftsmanship but, with several complicated parts. Ruger DA revolvers are great, but I put the S&W slighly ahead.

[blkbrd666]

F.I.E.

No, I'm just kidding! I would rank the given choices in the order S&W, Colt, Ruger...just general ranking. However, my all-time favorite pistol, that I have always wanted and have never owned, is a blued Colt Python with a 6" barrel. All three companies have their strong points though, in areas you didn't mention.

P.S. If anyone has the Python they want to give away......:)

[Shadan7]

Ah, yes - the 6" Python is the definitive revolver, in my opinion. :D

But I voted S&W - for current production. Hard to beat a 642 for a pocket pistol, and I have a number to chose from.

7

[rugerman07]

I never did like the firing pin on the hammer of the Smith & Wesson revolvers. To safely carry it holstered you still, to this day, have to load 5 rounds with the hammer resting on an empty chamber.

Give me a floating firing pin, with a transfer safety bar anyday, allowing me to safely carry my Ruger with all 6 chambers loaded.

[ahpd1992]

It depends on the job at hand, ruger definately for heavy hunting type loads. for everything else Il take a s&w. BTW Rugerman I cant agree w/ u on the hammer on an emtpy chamber, I carried a 586 as a duty gun for years, I can assure you there were 6 rounds in the chamber. I jumped fences, trotted through fields, fought, wrestled, fell and anything else you can think of all w/ my gun fully loaded in its holster, I never felt unsafe. I guess Im not sure waht ur talking about

Tom

[308win]

I would like to have an older model 19 with the 3" barrel. I keep looking and one day maybe.

[easyrider6042004@yahoo.ca]

For DA, Smith and Wesson is my pick. Never had any issues with 6 x .357 magnum and 2 x .22 l.r. S&W revolvers. I still have 2 x 686s and a M-17. I hope to never sell them.

Bought a new Ruger GP100 a few weeks ago. It's back at the warranty center for repairs (timing/lock-up problem). No worries, just one of those things.

For SA, no doubt about it...Ruger all the way. Have one New Blackhawk in SS, .357 magnum, early 1980s vintage, definite keeper. One is enough.:)

[Gator]

Well, since Ruger is the only manufacturer in your poll that currently makes both single and double action revolvers, I guess that would have to be the answer.

Personally, I prefer S&W double actions, Ruger single actions, and Colt 1911s. :)

[nj.piney]

smith & wesson has had a firing pin block since at least 1975, thats my oldest model 36 and it has the block.

[Darkness]

Rugerman07, S&W has had a hammer block on their double-action revolvers for a very long time, allowing for the carry six option.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l231/tvannelli_2006/hammerblock.jpg

That said, having shot various makes and models, I still think it is tough to beat an older S&W. I do love my Blackhawk in .45 Colt, though.

[JesseL]

I never did like the firing pin on the hammer of the Smith & Wesson revolvers. To safely carry it holstered you still, to this day, have to load 5 rounds with the hammer resting on an empty chamber.

Who have you been talking to?:scrutiny:

Smith & Wesson revolvers have had perfectly good hammer block safeties and have been safe to carry fully loaded for a long time (starting in 1896 I think).

Having the firing pin on the hammer doesn't have anything to do with it. Unmodified three screw Ruger Blackhawks have frame mounted firing pins, and still need to be carried with the hammer down on an empty chamber.

[Deanimator]

The only one making a first rate double action revolver is Ruger.

Colt doesn't make DA revolvers at ALL.

Taurus has QC and customer service issues.

S&W turns out nothing but junk and kitsch.

I don't care for the full lug on the GP100, but the half lug guns look pretty good. The Redhawk 4" is a VERY nice gun. If I didn't already have 4" and 6" S&W Model 29-2s, I'd buy one.

[Old Fuff]

I agree with RCmodel's observations concerning older Colt and Smith & Wesson revolvers, but the question wasn't worded that way. When considering current production, some companies make fine single actions, and some make excellent double actions, but only Ruger makes both.

[wanderinwalker]

I'm going to have to vote S&W for DA revolvers.

While Ruger makes excellent handguns, I don't regard their Redhawk as being a well-balanced package in my hands. The Smith 629 just fits me and feels better.

Also, I have yet to meet a Ruger .44 that is as forgiving as my 629 in the accuracy department. At full-power loads, yes, the Ruger will more than give a Smith a run for the money. And if you want to get crazy with the uber-heavy loads, the Ruger comes out ahead. But most of my shooting is done with a 240gr SWC at 1000-fps, and neither of two Super Blackhawks nor a Redhawk I have tried will shoot these as well as my 629 will.

If you want the finest SA revolver, well, I think you need a Freedom Arms for that! ;)

[LightningMan]

Quote; Freedom Arms make the finest production single action, if you willing to pay. Smith and wesson makes the finest double action revolver today. I would put it above even the Korth which is a 5k plus revolver with great craftsmanship but, with several complicated parts. Ruger DA revolvers are great, but I put the S&W slighly ahead
I will agree with ceadermtnboy, LM

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Other:

Freedom Arms
Janz
Dan Wesson
Korth

But among those, I suppose Colt.

[El Tejon]

Korth.

[Moonclip]

Probably Korth and Manurhin for overall quality. Colt Python is up there. Freedom arms for SA. S&W is good for guns that are easily obtainable and affordable(sort of)

Ruger is very good for durability.

[weisse52]

Voted for S&W, but I am thinking pre-lock.

[glockman19]

IMHO Toss-up between Ruger & S&W with S&W having the smoother trigger IMHO and Ruger able to take full loads.

[wally]

The S&W Performance Center guns are still matching the quality of days gone by -- if you are willing to pay the price.

The standard S&W and Rugers are still pretty darn good, Taurus is a crap shoot (but I've been lucky with them) and Colt is past tense.

--wally.

[Ala Dan]

SMITH & WESSON~! ;)

[S&Wfan]

The only one making a first rate double action revolver is Ruger.

S&W turns out nothing but junk and kitsch.

Au Contrair, oh worthy and honorable opponent!

It reminds me of the Cold War days when all the Soviet women were pictured as Olgas weighing 300 pounds with a homely face, stocky build, hair in their armpits . . . and 24" ankles . . .

. . . vs. our gorgeous American chicks with their curvy and sexy looks, and INCREDIBLE preformance to match.

Rugers are like the homely study Soviet farm women . . . and the Anheiser-Busch Clydesdales . . . crude, stocky, heavy and sturdy, but nuthin' much to look at . . . and with sub-par factory triggers to boot.:barf:

S&W handguns are the perfect blend of form AND function . . . shapely and delicate looking, like a gorgeous, hot woman . . . but strong on the inside and with incredible response and "action!";)

IMHO, any handgun with a less than stellar trigger will open up your groups, and shot placement is king. +1 for the incredible S&W single and double action triggers! If the tables were turned on the triggers, I guess I could get used to havin' old Olga around!:banghead:



The Redhawk 4" is a VERY nice gun. If I didn't already have 4" and 6" S&W Model 29-2s, I'd buy one.

Well, I'll buy those two pieces of S&W "junk" from 'ya, even up . . . and you can use the proceeds to buy Olga. Have fun toting that "boat anchor" during deer season!:D

Heck, I don't NEED anymore S&W .44 Magnums . . . but they shore are easy on the eyes to look at!

On a serious note though, both makes are fine American products.

I own a couple of Ruger products myself, and traded off a nice 3-screw Super Blackhawk in .44mag to purchase my 29-5. Oh what an improvement in my results in the woods! I wouldn't trade my 6" M29-5 for any other handgun for its purpose!

Call me the "S&Wfan," and an all-around, good-natured smartazz:neener:

[Monkeybear]

Best? I don't know. Ruger makes the ones I like though.

[10-Ring]

I have shot samples from Ruger, Colt & S&W that I've really liked. If I had to pick just one, I have found vintage guns from S&W to be the smoothest, most reliable, most accurate wheelguns around ;)

[mgregg85]

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d37/madcratebuilder/BeatDeadHorse.gif

I prefer ruger revolvers myself, no lock to fail and its built like a tank.

[Hawk]

I don't know, but I know who doesn't.

I'm more than a little bit bemused by the observation that Colt made it into the poll and voting at all.

They don't make DA revolvers.
The poll didn't ask "who used to make the best..."

The single action finds itself squared off against USFA, Turnbull, Freedom Arms and STI among others. It may well be better than any of these options but it would take a special kind of reasoning to believe so.

Their double action is dead.
deceased.
gone.
not in production.
possibly never to be back in production.
Failed, abandoned, discontinued and orphaned: what about this says "best"? Maybe once, but certainly no more, which is, after all, what the question was - I suppose the OP may well have mis-stated it...

But, at this point, it only has 7 votes so perhaps I'm not the only one that noticed they're out of the DA business.


We gunnies are a special lot: If automotive enthusiasts were asked who makes the best car, how many would feel compelled to state: "Auburn!".?

[Eightball]

I like my Smith and Wesson, it's never let me down, "lock" be damned.

[JohnBT]

No votes for USFA? I would like one.

http://www.usfirearms.com/highres/prewar_la.jpg

[Hawk]

No votes for USFA? I would like one.

...or a Turnbull collarboration?

[AZAndy]

Too bad you're talking current production; I'd have to go for the Nagant myself. ;-)

[Moonclip]

I can't believe there is target variations of the Nagant revolver!

[JohnBT]

"or a Turnbull collarboration"

Now that you mention it, what I've thought about off and on is a Turnbull gun done completely in high-polished blue.

John

[Ohen Cepel]

Freedom Arms makes the best.

Colt made some good stuff in the day. However, I rarely see anything from them now.

That leaves Smith and Ruger. I like the Smiths more in most cases. However, for a hard use gun I would go with the Ruger.

[m38shooter]

I'm sure that by now it's shown that I'll pretty much always lean toward Ruger handguns. Those who've seen me shoot Rugers versus anything else understand, though.

[Phil DeGraves]

Colt Single Actions
Smith Double Actions

I'm happy with my Rugers. They are good guns, just not the best.

[RifleGuy]

For sheer indestructability; the Ruger reigns supreme. For quality of fit & finish, reliable and smooth function and aesthetically appealing; the Smith & Wesson is the clear winner.
That said, these are just the opinions of an almost-old curmudgeon!

[foghornl]

The only company I can think of that makes both SA & DA revolvers right now is Ruger.....

[JesseL]

The only company I can think of that makes both SA & DA revolvers right now is Ruger.....

Taurus does too, but you rarely see anyone who thinks they're the best of anything.

[El Tejon]

The only company I can think of that makes both SA & DA revolvers right now is Ruger.....


How about Colt or Beretta?

[NGIB]

I only own 3 revolvers and all of them are 1970s Dan Wessons. Fantastic shooters all...

[JesseL]

How about Colt or Beretta?

I didn't think either of them was currently producing double action revolvers.

[Vern Humphrey]

Well, the question is "Who Makes The Best Revolvers (SA & DA)?"

Only Ruger makes both SA and DA revolvers in any numbers.

[TS537]

"Taurus does too, but you rarely see anyone who thinks they're the best of anything."

OH! OH! I got it! Best firearms manufacturer named after a cow! :D

[tblt]

For the price Ruger hands down.
I have a Single six a GP100 a P95(auto)
looking at getting a LCP(auto) and a SP101 soon in 357 or 327 ?
You can't beat them for the price I have owned Dan wesson S & W,Colt,RG(junk) and I own a Taurus mod 85(last one).I will only buy Ruger revolvers from now on,Durable accurate well built.

[bigdaddydan]

my votes are for s&w and ruger

[BlackJackal]

+1 for s&w and ruger

[larry starling]

I voted Colt! IMHO the Python was one of the finest revolvers ever made. And Colt is the original manufactuer of the S.A.A.....:what:

[Feanaro]

Not an SA guy, so the answer will have to be Smith and Wesson. I find Rugers to be overbuilt and ugly. Quality wise, they are both good. I usually find Rugers rough, YMMV.

[Rexster]

I answered Ruger, based on BOTH their SA and DA revolvers, which are currently made. I like SA Colts, and some of their DAs, but not all of their DAs have been so great, and their DAs are no longer made. I like DA S&Ws, but they don't currently make an SA, so that leaves them out of the running according to the way I interpreted the question. Freedom Arms makes superb SA revolvers, but no DAs, so that leaves them out for the same reason. The question was posed in the present tense, and only Ruger presently makes SA and DA revolvers.

[RifleGuy]

Posts: 588 I voted Colt! IMHO the Python was one of the finest revolvers ever made. And Colt is the original manufactuer of the S.A.A.....
Was, Sir, was. The question seems to imply current production. I tend to agree that the Python was just about the finest action to ever roll off an assembly line, but alas 'tis no more.

[JesseL]

I like DA S&Ws, but they don't currently make an SA, so that leaves them out of the running according to the way I interpreted the question.

This isn't quite technically accurate.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/images/engraving/cus/170208_large.jpg

[BOOM-BOOM]

Who makes the best revolvers?????? Thats like asking who makes the best cars....

If you like buy it. Its lthat simple...you decide

[Timthinker]

In terms of SA revolvers, Freedom Arms, USFA and BFR top the list in terms of both quality and price. Korth strikes me as a leading contender for the DA revolver award, but S&W trumps it in terms of affordable price and availability.


Timthinker

[joe_security]

I prefer the S&Ws made in the late 70s, if you can find them...no MIM parts, real wood grips .Classic and timeless design. My approx. 1978 (cardboard boxed )model 65-2 4'' shoots almost through one hole at 25 feet. The bullet holes are so close together they touch each other . I have to hand it to the Ruger guys, the guns are way more tough and durable, and a great value for the money. Im just old fashioned and set in my ways !

[R12GS]

S&W forged steel not cast. S&W triggers are top notch therefore enhancing accuracy. S&W customer service if needed is 2nd to none. S&W for the win.

[.38 Special]

Anyone who doesn't believe that Freedom Arms doesn't make the best "factory" revolver has not handled one. Of course, any of the top 'smiths can turn a Ruger into something that is better than any factory revolver ever made...

[cornman]

There is no way Ruger can compare with a S&W. Rugers are fine, but not anywhere near as good as S&W steel.

[tblt]

For the money ruger
You get more gun for your money with ruger

[22-rimfire]

The poll is stacked. There is only one answer. Ruger

The best production revolvers made today are made by Freedom Arms and Smith & Wesson. You back this survey to 1980 and without question, my response would be COLT. Rugers were poor immatations of both Smiths and Colts; 2nd Tier stuff.... (at that time). Colts and Smith were the only 1st Tier manufactures at that time. Today, I rank Ruger as a 1st Tier manufacturer along with Smith & Wesson and Freedom Arms (of course). Ruger has earned the ranking today, but it helps that Colt does not make any double action firearms any more. Ruger moved into the 1st Tier when they introduced the GP100. I certainly would not consider Ruger handguns inexpensive these days. Improved quality costs!

[SAG0282]

Smith and Wesson

[ceadermtnboy]

While the Python is beautiful and has the best single action trigger pull of any other double action revolver that I have shot, the lockwork is complicated and more prone to loosing its timing. Much like the Korth, the Python has a lot of parts that an experience gunsmith would have to work on if you had timing issues. The Rugers and S&W dbl action revolvers are far less complicated and can be home smithed. However the Rugers are considerably more blocky in design and the dbl action trigger pull can not compete with the S&W. The S&W is a simple lockwork with the ability to tune to a lightning fast buttery smooth action. If you do not believe me ask Jerry Miculek. In my mind that makes the Smith & Wesson the premier double action revolver as long as DOUBLE ACTION triggerwork is what you are trying to accomplish!

[Huddog]

My vote for overall best goes to S&W and until last year I was a S&W snob. Since then I have obtained a couple of Rugers and after trigger jobs I am quite impressed with them.

[gcrookston]

past-tense. Colt made the best.... S&W does now, but not as good as they did 30 years ago...

[Vicious-Peanut]

DA - I find Rugers and Smiths to be equal, but the Rugers are stronger.

SA - Ruger obviously takes this one with no competition. (from the listed choices)

Don't get me wrong, they are all fine revolvers but I prefer the Rugers.

[DWFan]

Single Action...Freedom Arms
Double Action....Dan Wesson

Silhouette shooting has always been, IMO, the standard that determines both accuracy and durability. Neither S&W or Ruger even come close.

[Fishman777]

In my opinion, the best DA designs made today are Ruger DAs. Why?

Ruger's solid frames
Ruger's triple locking cylinders
Ruger's modular design
Ruger's non-rotating ejector rods
Ruger's robust and thoughtful cylinder design
Ruger's grip studs.

I think that the Ruger designs are superior to what the other manufacturers currently sell. They might not be the most refined guns out of the box, but it is easy to clean them up with a little 600 grain sand paper or the maroon scotch brite pads. It is also easy to clean up the trigger to get an incredibly smooth trigger.

Based on reputation, I'd probably say that Freedom Arms makes the best SA revolvers.

[CYANIDEGENOCIDE]

i like my rugers but smith will eat their lunch anyday. the smith trigger is head and shoulders better out of the box, you dont get a billboard on the barrel, and there isn't a bunch of extra steel all over the gun. extra steel doesn't equal to extra strength, a better design which may or may not require extra steel equates to more strength.

[Walkalong]

I have Rugers, Smiths, Colts, and one FA. I like them all. The best feeling double action triggers are the Colts. The Rugers will slick up, or you can get a Smith to turn them into a fine feeling action. The Colts are great, but no longer made. The FA is a work of art, but the trigger is nothing special as it comes from the factory. Nice, but nothing to get excited about. The older Smiths are great. I have no experience with the newest ones. The latest Smith I have is a 696-1. Yep MIM, (no lock though :D) It has a very nice trigger action to it.

[machinisttx]

Who have you been talking to?

Smith & Wesson revolvers have had perfectly good hammer block safeties and have been safe to carry fully loaded for a long time (starting in 1896 I think).

Having the firing pin on the hammer doesn't have anything to do with it. Unmodified three screw Ruger Blackhawks have frame mounted firing pins, and still need to be carried with the hammer down on an empty chamber.

Actually, the original hammer block design sucked. The design used now came about as the result of a M10/Victory/M&P falling on it's hammer on the deck of a ship. It discharged and killed a sailor. The goobermint told S&W that it needed to be improved.

You'd have to work really hard to get one to fire accidentally with the "new" style hammer block.

[thesecond]

I still want a Ruger (sp101?, service six?) for an outdoors-anywhere-take-a-beating kind of sidearm .... I'll save the Colt Python to introduce interested newbies; Nothing like a "first trip to the range" and appreciating the inherent beauty of wheelies :)

[searcher451]

Fifth years ago, or 75 years ago, I would have voted Colt first and S&W second. Today, without a doubt, I'd vote Ruger ... with my wallet as well as my mouse. :)

[Boris Barowski]

I'd say Korth

but it's hard to compare a 700€ ruger versus a 5000€+ korth

(Recommended retail price (w/o VAT) starting at EUR 4.920,- VAT is 21% here)

[marineman]

The two best revolvers are the SW Model 21 and the Colt Python.

[lonegunman]

Ruger is a great choice for uninformed shooters. "Thicker" metal is meaningless. The correct type of metal is important, S&W pointed out years ago when it came out with "L" framed revolvers that using cheaper metal and more of it is not actually a plus.


I happen to think a pinned bbl S&W of any type is the best revolver made, period. Lately S&W has gone cheap with trigger locks and cheal two piece barrels, Ruger uses all cast and MIM parts and has a terrible trigger on nearly everything they make, Colt is just living off it's name and waiting to die. Uberti makes a better copy than Colt makes a gun.

S&W had a transfer bar safety in the 1950's, so carrying on a loaded round is not a problem and until the 1980's they had a stellar trigger. I shot a revolver competition with my Dad's pre-27, .357 magnum in April. The gun is 54 years old, never been apart and trigger still makes weight, accuracy is flawless and for more that FIVE decades is has gone bang everytime.

[Hawk]

The two best revolvers are the SW Model 21 and the Colt Python.

Python is no longer made.
OP is "who makes..."

I'd like to nominate another for ineligibility:
Dan Wesson.

Based on my attempts to purchase a new one several weeks ago, these appear to not only be limited but essentially vaporware.

[VE2RF]

Dan B. Wesson of Monson MA

[Fiveshooter]

I am more of a single action fan than a double action fan. My vote goes to Freedom Arms. I own several and have plenty of Colts, Rugers and Smiths to compare them to. The Freedom Arms revolvers are expensive and I would not buy them If I did not feel they are worth it. The single action Rugers represent a great value for the money but they are nowhere near the best.
As far as double action goes I guess I am not qualified to judge. I will say that although the Rugers are not as smooth out of the box as the Smiths are they can be tuned and seem to hold up to steady diets of heavy loads just fine. The question is obviously opinion based and of course you will get several opinions. If more posters to the thread owned a Freedom Arms, I think it would get more votes. I am curious as to how many that voted a Korth as the finest actually own one or have even shot one. I know they are expensive but are they worth it? I am curious as to how many are sold at all.

[dogngun]

Smith & Wesson, although I really prefer the ones they made before 1980.
My favorite Smith was made around 1937, a DA .45 ACP N Frame revolver.

mark

[teknoid]

Ruger is a great choice for uninformed shooters. "Thicker" metal is meaningless. The correct type of metal is important, S&W pointed out years ago when it came out with "L" framed revolvers that using cheaper metal and more of it is not actually a plus.

The question, again, was MAKES. There is only one answer from the choices provided. As for being uninformed, I'd think 40 years of shooting has informed me pretty darned well. I've got a S&W model 65, and a Ruger SP101 at the moment. I carry the Ruger. 'Nuff said. Nothing wrong with the Smith, but I like the Ruger better. IMHO S&W is now just plain over priced, and I don't buy guns with locks. I'll probably buy another S&W, but it will be an older gun. The GP100 comes first, though.

[Fishman777]

I hate to deviate from the "High Road", but I'm going to do it for a moment.

If you are so well-informed, educate me. What grade of Stainless Steel does Smith and Wesson use in their guns, and what grade does Ruger use? What data do you have to support your position? Don't give me garbage about how everyone knows that casting is inferior to forging. I've heard qualified people argue that the opposite is actually true in some cases. Everyone raves about Freedom Arms. Guess what? To my knowledge, Freedom Arms doesn't forge any of their revolver parts, I do however, know that they use casting.

Oops. I guess Freedom Arms sucks now. Right? Not on your life. The only top end handgun that I'd ever consider worth buying would be a .357 magnum Freedom Arms revolver.

As far as I can tell, you are basing your position on the infamous hamburger ad.

I think everyone on this website has seen that cute little Smith and Wesson Hamburger ad. Why do you suppose Smith and Wesson came up with an ad like that in the first place? Think strategically. Smith and Wesson responded with that ad because they viewed Ruger as a legitimate threat. Why? It is because the perception was and still is that Ruger's solid, investment cast frames were stronger than Smith and Wesson's forged frames. I thought it interesting that Smith and Wesson mentioned how *serious* hand gunners know better than to be fooled by thick investment cast frames. Not exactly the most technical argument in the world, but it was an effective ad. I find it even more interesting that you basically parroted the message of the ad, just now.

Have you ever seen any Smith and Wesson-only loads in a loading manual? I haven't, but I've seen plenty of Ruger-only loads listed. This partly has to do with Ruger's longer cylinder lengths, but it also has to do with overall strength of the revolver as well. If you go over to the Smith and Wesson forum, and do a search for timing issues, you'll find quite a few references to different Smith and Wesson products requiring timing adjustments over time. I've never heard of a Ruger GP100, sp101, RedHawk or a Super Redhawk ever with a timing issue. Isn't that interesting. I guess all of us stupid Ruger owners are just lucky, or maybe we are too stupid to notice that our guns are shaving lead. We also don't have problems with ejector rods unscrewing or bending, either. We can also easily disassemble our guns, because of their modular design. As I see it, the only downside of Ruger products is the rough finish, heavy springs, and trigger mechanisms that are sometimes a little rough. They usually are not very refined out of the box. I can fix these "Ruger" problems, easily enough. I can't, however, make a Smith capable of handling the abuse that I routinely heap on any of my Ruger revolvers.

I have no problem with a person liking Smith and Wesson, Dan Wesson, or Colt products. Heck, I like them all. I wouldn't mind owning an eight-shot .357 magnum. I do have a problem when people go around implying that other people are ignorant because they don't agree with them. If you have solid data to support your argument, then educate me. I have no problem with being wrong.

[Hawk]

Dan B. Wesson of Monson MA
Nope. Inapplicable.

Does not make revolvers - made (past tense) revolvers.
Not since 1992 AFAICT.

There's some measure of doubt that the Norwich NY Dan Wesson makes revolvers. I couldn't buy one for whatever that's worth.

[wheelgunslinger]

It's true. I'd vote for DW, seeing as I own one and it's one of the best revolvers I've ever owned or shot.
But, their purchase by CZ and the consequent resurrection seems to have made DW a 1911 brand and no longer in the revolver bidness. Which is a real shame.
And, CZ did make DW revolvers for a while, but now they just can't be had.

Though, you can still buy NIB CZ/Dan Wessons on Gunbroker and as new old stock in gun stores.

my vote? I don't care for any of the new ones. Literally, there's not one single new revolver I want to buy bad enough to plunk down my cash.

[Catherine]

I never had to 'tune' or do a trigger job or anything else to my firearms bought NIB-right out of the box. I had help adjusting the sites since I was a 'Newbie' in learning/buying my own firearms. I was buying my own firearms for the first time circa 1998-2001.

Ruger and Smith and Wesson were my choices.
S&W= my D/A Revolvers
Ruger= my S/A Revovers
(Glock and some S&W models for semi automatic pistols.)

I did not own/buy one but Dan Wesson had some pretty good firearms. I learned on a 357Magnum and that was my home self defense gun of my late husband's. Smooth action, well balanced and nice gun. Pretty too!

Freedom Arms makes a GREAT gun too. I don't own one but my groom/husband has had two of them. He sold one and kept the other one. I have shot many of his firearms... revolvers and lever action rifles MORE often than the other ones.

He has some custom made revolvers and other custom things done on some other firearms too.

The only thing that I would put on my Ruger S/A guns IF and when I ever needed it would be a Belt Mountain Pin. I think that is what it is called. He has an extra one IF and when I could ever need it. So far... NO need.

If I wanted to change the grips... I would do that too. I have not done that yet but I did see some cute ones that I liked in 'looks'. So far... I like what I have in form, function and beauty.

There is a gun on here that a man posted that I absolutely adore in looks. USFA one? A couple of people own them here. Woo hoo!

I understand a bit about the metal deal but I am NO expert. My late husband could explain all of those things better. He made prototypes of ALL kinds of things in his life. He understood engineering, building anything (Metal objects, stick built houses, etc.) from a to z, actually could DO IT not just 'talk it' and he knew math the old fashioned way too! He knew metric measures too. Brilliant man, used common sense with his brains too.

Catherine

[BlindJustice]

When Smith & Wesson went from the long DA trigger action to the
shorter DA action Post-WWII the N, K, & J-frame all got the
safety transfer bar. Ruger didn't change until about 1970-.

I don't know about best, but I'll stick with my S&Ws.

625 in .45 ACP/AUto Rim - Ruger doesn't make an equal
617 10 shot cylinder - not a Ruger out there that can touch i
Model 60 J-frame 3" .357 Mag adj. sights.
686P 7 shooter Better balance in 4" Bbl than a GP100

NUH YHAAAAAH

R-

[BHPshooter]

I never did like the firing pin on the hammer of the Smith & Wesson revolvers. To safely carry it holstered you still, to this day, have to load 5 rounds with the hammer resting on an empty chamber.

I don't know where you got that idea. S&W got a hammer block right after WWII, in late '45 or early '46. I have an early post-war M&P with the hammer block.

Anyway, I voted S&W.

Wes

[tuckerdog1]

Drawing on limited personal experience, I'd have to say Freedom Arms for the SA. The sweetest DA I've ever shot was a friend's Python. I know, no longer being made. Close behind that would be a couple older S&W model 29s I used to own. These were pinned & recessed, and I don't know how the newer ones might compare today. But if the new ones are as good, I'd have to give the DA nod to S&W.

No pics of the S&Ws but here is an old FA 353.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=80247&stc=1&d=1214075534

Tuckerdog1

[lee n. field]

I never did like the firing pin on the hammer of the Smith & Wesson revolvers. To safely carry it holstered you still, to this day, have to load 5 rounds with the hammer resting on an empty chamber.


Uhhh.... no. There the little thing called a hammer block.

My old Taurus 66, made the way you like, ate firing pin springs if you weren't careful dry firing. I much prefer the firing pin on the hammer.

[ds/ks]

I own 7 Ruger firearms and happy with all of them, including GP100,SP101, and SBH. I believe Ruger makes the best revolvers for the money. For the money is the key. All my Rugers have sub-par triggers, but I know if I can muster the strength to make that hammer fall, it WILL GO BANG>

[Brass Rain]

That's a pretty subjective question. Supposedly Rugers are toughest, Smiths have the best triggers, and Colts have the best alignment of internal parts.

When we're going to find a company that can do it all is unknown to me.

[devildog66]

Only seen pictures of them, and heard testimonials to their quality, but that
.357 looked as though it had been grown instead of made it was so precisely fitted. Of course, at 4-5K :what: it should look that way...

[SAWBONES]

Old Colts and Smiths in average or typical examples were far better quality than anything available today out-of-the-box.

Freedom Arms makes the best current production SAs, without question, with USFA and STI also being quite good.

As for current DA revolvers, both Smith and Ruger examples need a minor to moderate amount of work to be acceptable IME unless you happen to get lucky. Both brands can be made into quite good guns after trigger work, endshake reduction and attention to timing, not to mention surface polishing.

I won't buy any current S&W revolvers with "the lock", so my revolver purchases nowadays are pre-lock Smiths, Rugers and old Colts (when I can find one).

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I know I'll get flamed badly for this ( :) ), but if including past guns and present both, but excluding boutique makers like Korth, Manhurin, Janz, Mateba, etc., I would say, best to worse, ALL things considered (looks, reliability, durability, accuracy, trigger, materials, politics, price/value, everything), in order:

1. Freedom Arms
2. tie - OLD Colts
2. tie - OLD Smith & Wessons
2. tie - (Monson) Dan Wessons
5. NEW Colts
6. Taurus
7. Beretta (Stampede)
8. Rossi
9. NEW Charter Arms
10. Ruger
11. NEWer Smith & Wessons (recently bought my first and LAST)
12. Heritage Arms
13. OLD Charter Arms
14. non-Monson Dan Wessons
15. EAA Windicator and such

Just my humble opinion - take it for what it's worth (not much), because I haven't owned very many. Have very limited experience - I have owned only 5 of these 15 categories. But I do read a fair amount and have some line of reasoning for my choices.

[351 WINCHESTER]

I like the older s & w's. Never cared much for the colts, although some say they were good. Don't like the new s & w's and never have liked the rugers.