I know I'll get flamed badly for this (
), but if including past guns and present both, but excluding boutique makers like Korth, Manhurin, Janz, Mateba, etc., I would say, best to worse, ALL things considered (looks, reliability, durability, accuracy, trigger, materials, politics, price/value, everything), in order:
1. Freedom Arms
2. tie - OLD Colts
2. tie - OLD Smith & Wessons
2. tie - (Monson) Dan Wessons
5. NEW Colts
6. Taurus
7. Beretta (Stampede)
8. Rossi
9. NEW Charter Arms
10. Ruger
11. NEWer Smith & Wessons (recently bought my first and LAST)
12. Heritage Arms
13. OLD Charter Arms
14. non-Monson Dan Wessons
15. EAA Windicator and such
Just my humble opinion - take it for what it's worth (not much), because I haven't owned very many. Have very limited experience - I have owned only 5 of these 15 categories. But I do read a fair amount and have some line of reasoning for my choices.