I gotta go with Ruger over all, though they lack anything really light and portable. The SP101 is heavy for a "J" frame type gun. Dang nice to have that heft, though, if you're planning to fire full house .357s in it, though.
I've always liked Ruger because they build STRONG, reliable, accurate firearms that last and last for a decent price. The way they've been able to do that is through manufacturing innovations that have reduced the cost per unit, namely investment casting. Yeah, the guns are a little heavy and perhaps bulky, but they'll be here when heck freezes over and still shooting straight.
My particular affinity is for the Blackhawk single actions (outdoor uses), but also a certain P90 I own is my favorite of favorites for any sort of games and would be my desire if I knew I was going into a gun fight and was limited to a sidearm. That thing almost seems to shoot itself sometimes, like part of my arm. It's deadly accurate and .45 ACP ain't no wimp far as gun fighting rounds go. Don't have the firepower of my P85, but the trigger is quite a bit better and I think that's why I shoot it a little better. It'll also plunk those big pills into an inch to an inch and a half off sandbags (about as good as I can shoot) at 25 yards where the P85 is a 2-2.5" accuracy gun.
My primary affinity for Ruger, though, is they make high quality, tough firearms that I can afford. I can't say that about many of the Euro brands. I'd like to try a CZ, though.
But, I'm more of a revolver guy than autoloader guy. My first center fire revolver was a new Security Six stainless 4" in .357 magnum. I've liked Rugers ever since.
