O.P. did you state why you don't want a Ruger
Blackhawk?
BlindJustice, because the only DA Ruger in .45 Colt is the Redhawk. I've looked at the S&W Mountain Gun 629 and the Ruger Redhawk KRH-45-4 and I think that I'll end up choosing one of those. They're similar in price and WAY cheaper than a Freedom Arms revolver. I like the look and feel of S&W revolvers more than Rugers but I appreciate the ruggedness of the Ruger at the expense of refinement. I'll be thinking about this for a while.
Thanks for all the help.