Top firearm brands.

[Timothy]

I'm shocked ruger out sold S&W.

I'm not!

When I bought my snubby a few years ago, I looked at fifty different guns, mostly S&W and some also-rans like Charter and Taurus.  I chose the Ruger because the same SS J-Frame from S&W was 300 bucks more.  Would have bought the Charter as well for a third less than a Smith.

[tombogan03884]

TAB, all the taxes and fee's in Ca. may bring the prices closer together, but I know around here Ruger has 3 big advantages
They are a local company, their original factory and Pine Tree Castings are about 20 miles from here.
The greater strength of their designs, most people don't really care, but it matters to reloaders.
The significant price difference that Tim mentioned.

[TAB]

TAB, all the taxes and fee's in Ca. may bring the prices closer together, but I know around here Ruger has 3 big advantages
They are a local company, their original factory and Pine Tree Castings are about 20 miles from here.
The greater strength of their designs, most people don't really care, but it matters to reloaders.
The significant price difference that Tim mentioned.

not that big of a diffrence here $150 ish, comparing simlar models.   SW do have a better trigger pull.  The extra strength really means nothing.  besides the ruger only loads for 44 mag are do to the extra lenght of the cylinder, not the strength.  The trigger pull on a smith is so much better then that of a ruger its not even funny.

[Timothy]

No one will deny that a Smith out of the box trigger is fine.  However, I spent about 15 bucks on Wolfe springs and tweaked my Ruger to about half the original trigger weight while still getting good primer strikes.  Getting rid of the machining burrs took most of my time and was well worth the effort.  The guy or gal that bought that little gun last fall on consignment will be reaping the benefits of my tedious filing of that mechanism.  I never touched the sear surfaces and still managed to make a decent improvement on the trigger.

I'll buy another Ruger in a heartbeat, already plan too!

[tombogan03884]

TAB, you overlook the fact that there ARE "Ruger only"loads, not just in 44Mag, but in 45 LC as well as probably other calibers I'm not aware of.
Your statement that it is due to longer rather than stronger cylinder is foolishness. A longer cylinder means the pressure builds even higher in the fraction of time before the bullet leaves the cylinder, that means that an otherwise equal strength metal would be more, not less, likely to give way.
If you think about it for a second you have to realize I'm right.

[Sponsor]

[Big Frank]

There are lots of loads that are for Ruger or Contender only too. Like .45 Colt "Magnum".

[sledgemeister]

I will take my Ruger Redhawk over a S&W629 any day, just saying I like it more.
I have just brought a S&W460 and I really cant see any difference in the quality of the two side by side. I did however notice that the extraction rod of the S&W seemed incredibly small, I would have liked to see it a little more meaty. I also would have liked to have a non ported compensator made available for it, not every one wants to be cleaning out compensators or wearing double hearing protection.

BTW if anyone sees one of these non ported inserts about for one please grab it for me, PM me and I will send you $$ for it and for the postage!! I may even send you a jar of vegemite back for your kindness!

[TAB]

TAB, you overlook the fact that there ARE "Ruger only"loads, not just in 44Mag, but in 45 LC as well as probably other calibers I'm not aware of.
Your statement that it is due to longer rather than stronger cylinder is foolishness. A longer cylinder means the pressure builds even higher in the fraction of time before the bullet leaves the cylinder, that means that an otherwise equal strength metal would be more, not less, likely to give way.
If you think about it for a second you have to realize I'm right.

not always.  it does allow for  greater over all length.  could be for a heavier bullet/ bullet style, it also allows for less bullet seating, which  could be for very light loads.  the 44 mag "ruger only loads work in most lever guns as well.

[kmitch200]

I did however notice that the extraction rod of the S&W seemed incredibly small, I would have liked to see it a little more meaty.

Just curious, why?