I have found S&W to have better double action triggers than Rugers. Single action, the difference is not so noticeable, but S&W gets the nod there, too. That is box stock. Polishing the action can do wonders for any gun.
But I prefer Rugers. Here's why:
I owned two S&W revolvers in my past. Model 28 6" Highway Patrolman .357 Magnum )same N-frame as your 44 Mag Model 29) and a K-22 Masterpiece 6" 22 rimfire. When I took the sideplate off the .22, I saw all those small parts inside (comparing it to my Dan Wesson, which had about half the number parts as the Smith.) I lubed the inside lightly, put the parts that sprang out back in and never opened it up again. I traded them off shortly thereafter. The Dan Wesson, in addition to having fewer parts, seemed to have more robust parts as well. Ruger parts are even more robust than the Smith or the DW. I like that.
Springs. The Ruger Redhawk uses coil springs. The Smith uses a single leaf as the mainspring. Coil springs are more durable. The Redhawk's lockwork is unlike any other revolver ever made. It uses a single spring to power the hammer AND the trigger return. This makes it a little harder to tune than a gun with separate springs, but if you like a unique gun, it is one.
Undeniably, the Smiths are beautiful guns, but Rugers have their own style of beauty. And, "Beauty is as beauty does." However, My Dan Wessons have lock times that other guns can only dream of.
Nobody seems to ask about Colts. I have a Colt Trooper with a double action trigger smooth as warm butter.
On the strength question, about 25 years ago, S&W made a big deal about the relative merits and strength of forged frames (S&W) vs investment cast frames (Ruger). Yeah, forged has an edge in strength-to-weight and strength-to-size ratios. But that edge has shrunk and, considering Ruger's frames are one-piece frames without sideplates, the design was always inherently stronger (opinion alert). And Ruger doesn't just make Ruger guns. They make frames for other gunmakers and investment cast parts for many other industries. Bill Ruger was a pioneer in investment casting post-war and Ruger still is a player in the industry. Meanwhile, many S&W parts are using MIM Casting technology, but if the M29 you are considering pre-dates their use, that is of no real concern to you.
Anyhow, a little extra weight has its own advantage in a heavy-recoiling gun.
Happy shooting.
Lost Sheep
). The 629 is a big gun, but the Redhawk is a BIG gun.
