Who Makes The Best Revolvers (SA & DA)?

[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.

 

[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]

My $0.02...

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 ) 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]

voted Smith, but ....

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)