Up to the .44magnum I believe the S/A has a $ vs power advantage.
(I'll call it "practical strength" as opposed to real mechanical advantage)
Beyond that power level, I believe the strength vs $$ level switches over to the D/A.
- .500 S&W magnum. I saw a D/A Smith yesterday priced @ $900. The dealer also had a Freedom Arms on the shelf - $1900.00.
- A Ruger SRH in .480 Ruger, or a .454 Raging Bull really doesn't have a S/A counterpart as an off the shelf item for under a grand.
A .45LC Ruger S/A can approach the power levels, but it's probably going to go south w/fewer rounds @ that level than a Raging Bull or SRH or RH in .45LC using similar loads. Customs like Bowens' can be had of course but you probably won't see it sitting on the average dealers' shelf.
- Probably the single most commonly seen used revolver. The K frame Smith and Wesson. If someone were to ask me what to buy for home defense w/out investing a bunch of money or time,,,,, a used Smith Model 10 or 19. Is a S/A stronger mechanicly? Sure. Is it stronger from a standpoint of how many .38spl practice rounds can go through it? Who cares. It's a nonissue. Generally, with just a small bit of looking, a 200/300 dollar used Model 10/19 is easy to find.
- Tackle box/trunk. hmm, tough one. Overall I think the D/A would fit more roles,,,,but the power nod would probably go to a S/A. My personal "go to" happens to be a S/A Blackhawk in .38/.357mag. Honestly? I dislike the gun. I sort of "gave it" to my son. Come vacation/camping time, it's the one that goes along. I believe I'm going to shelf it (make that -- give it back to the kid) though in favor of a D/A Model 19. Another "Go to" I use is also a S/A Davies derringer in .22lr. Now, flip a few things around and I'd probably "go to" my old H&R D/A convetible in .22lr/.22mag. Even in the no carry state of Ohio, just about every kid I grew up with slipped a D/A .22 H&R (usualy bought at Sears or Western Auto) in their coat pocket to run their trap lines.
Strengths - No question about it. This type of gun is one that's more destined to become a piece of rust or at the bottom of a lake than shot out. Also, there's the real possibility that this type of gun would be stolen. Again, I'd have to give the nod to the D/A here. Apples to Apples would be a .22lr Heritage Rough Rider vs a Comanche
(
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?threadid=76921 )
OTOH, a Ruger Single Six in .22LR is a better bargin than a Smith Kit Gun.
So -yes. Overall I believe a D/A has more "practical" strength than a S/A.
(Good topic. I had to really set aside a lot of personal preference for the S/A to look beyond just the nuts and bolts of it)
PS: (My kid will probably be happy to get his BH back