Author Topic: Smith and Wesson compared to Ruger (Read 7592 times)

Jack Gilbert · « **on:** April 07, 2007, 05:36:08 AM »

I would like some input about the quality, durability, value, retained value, fit and finish, and any other things pertaining to an ongoing discussion about the quality of Smith and Wesson revolvers compared to the Ruger revolvers. I have a 629 Classic with the old fashioned nose pin, a friend is a Ruger fan. We go around and around on this. How about some intelligent input on this topic?

Jack

buck460XVR · « **Reply #1 on:** April 07, 2007, 07:47:39 AM »

a lot like the Ford vs Chevy or the Harley vs Metric debates......it's a no win situation. But for most, the Ruger is more durable, while the Smiths are better lookin and have a smoother action. My experience is the Smiths hold their value a little better, but than again cost a little more to begin with. Both are good guns and do their job well.

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #2 on:** April 07, 2007, 07:51:46 AM »

I believe the S&W is a better gun but also cost a bit more.

oldandslow · « **Reply #3 on:** April 07, 2007, 09:17:55 AM »

What Buck said. I have both and like both but the most accurate handgun I have is a Dan Wesson 15-2VH.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 07, 2007, 09:23:05 AM »

I like them both, I have not had problems with either. So therefor I own both.

HEAD0001 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 07, 2007, 09:45:36 AM »

Accuracy- Advantage S&W
Trigger- Advantage S&W
Action- Advantage S&W
Resale value- Advantage S&W
Drop off a cliff into Grand Canyon- Advantage Ruger

A lot of people say that if you shoot thousand's of heavy loads that the Ruger is buit to withstand this punishment. This may be true, but I do not know anyone who shoots thousand's of heavy loads. I practice with light loads, I have never worn out a S&W. It may be possible to wear one out, but I doubt the average shooter would ever do it.

IMO the Ruger may hold up better under alot of abuse. I do not abuse my firearms, so this feature is lost on me. Tom.

irold · « **Reply #6 on:** April 07, 2007, 02:01:07 PM »

Most of my "old" reloading manuals list a separate section of hotter loads for T/Cs and Rugers.....that must mean something. I own a 686 and a Super Redhawk.....the 686 has been back to Smith several times....the Redhawk is still problem free. As Redhawk1 said "both are good revolvers" , we just have our individual preferences.

canon6 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2007, 05:19:46 PM »

I own S&W's and Rugers's I like the one in my hand the best

,what everyone else has said is true,you can not go wrong with either . Doug

Wingman26 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 07, 2007, 05:43:29 PM »

I own and shoot both, as mentioned the Ruger's are very rugged, the Smith & Wesson is more refined, usually the S&W will be more accurate, but that's not a certainty, but the S&W will have a better trigger and most usually a better finish.

I wouldn't say the difference is like Ford or Chevy, it's more like the difference between a nice sedan and an SUV, both will get you where you are going, the sedan will be more refined and comfortable, and the SUV will be more rugged. I have been wanting to get a 44 mag wheelgun for a very long time, and fighting the S&W vs Ruger argument with myself, I've finally decided to get the more refined S&W, a classic Model 29, I just can't resist that slick S&W.

Did I mention I bought a Ruger revolver in the last week? Yep, sure did, I wanted a good rugged revolver that would stand up over the long haul, but in this case, Smith & Wesson doesn't make a classic single action revolver!

greener · « **Reply #9 on:** April 07, 2007, 06:12:47 PM »

My GP100 shoots very nicely both DA and SA. Excellent feel and accuracy (which means it hits where I am really pointing it and lets me keep pointing it at the center of the target most of the time). My single six shoots very nicely. My 80-year old .38 M&P also does a fine job. I've had the Rugers for less than a year, so they are a bit behind the S&w in the long-term endurance test. Both companies seem to make great shooting revolvers. It's hard to tell which one does better.

Darrell Davis · « **Reply #10 on:** April 08, 2007, 06:34:59 AM »

Back and forth, forth and back, -------

But when Smith and Wesson brought out their ad during early production and introduction of the 29 "Classic" and said in those ads that here was a .44mag. built for "sustained" use of heavy 44 loads, that was enough for me.

Remember that was Smith and Wesson's own ad, one which they Ok'ed and paid for.

However, I also remember the early TC ads about their .22 "classic" and how wrong they were in their claims, as least if my sample was any indication.

So, maybe these folk, S&W - TC, don't always know what they are talking about, and/or don't do a good job of screening their ad material. All I know is what their ads said.

My Red Hawk shoots a "sustained" diet of 310gr. LBT slugs ahead of 19gr. of AA #9. It takes a lick'in and keeps on tick'in, but then of course, it is a RUGER and one should expect nothing less!

Now the fact that I am a hard core RUGER fan, and the fact I get VERY GREAT joy about ribbing Ol' Jack about his S&W - ie. "Bean Can Gun" -- (S&W, canned vegetables etc.) -- couldn't possibly have anything to do with this on going debate, could it?

?

Rugers forever and down with B&Cs

The Ol'Coot from Dreary, Ideeeeeeho! Yip, yip, yipeeeeeeeeee!

Keep em coming!

Jack Gilbert · « **Reply #11 on:** April 08, 2007, 11:21:50 AM »

Did you bother to tell all these folks just what it cost for a TRIGGER JOB on the Ruger so it is shootable? That is above and beyond the price you paid for the gun. My Smith has a fine trigger out of the box. I also had to pay extra money on the Ruger .22 to get a decent trigger on it. Even the poorly made .22-A Smith had a decent trigger on it.

Jack

Mikey · « **Reply #12 on:** April 09, 2007, 12:40:45 AM »

I have to agree with the Wingman on this one. It isn't the difference between a Ford an a Chevy, it is more like a sedan and a SUV.

I have owned both. I prefer the S&W. For the amount of really heavy shooting the revolver sees it is just perfect. Mine is in the Mountain Gun configuration and I can't think of a handier piece. Weight, grip, trigger pull and sight picture are all I could ask for. The revolver is no less accurate than any other. It is just my preference. If, for some reason, I wanted or felt the need for a heavy hammered SA in 44 or 45 I would get another Ruger - probably with the 4 &5/8 barrel.

The difference twixt sa and da in a heavy revolver caliber does not make one a stronger action than the other. Most of my S&W 44 mag shooting is SA, and a wonderful SA trigger pull it is, unless I am just shooting up old slugs in low powered reloads to skip cans. Mikey.

Outcast · « **Reply #13 on:** April 09, 2007, 04:09:39 PM »

I have owned and shot both. I now just own S&W double actions. Ruger probably does make the best SINGLE ACTION production revolver. However, when it comes to DA revolvers or semi autos S&W is clearly the best.

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #14 on:** April 10, 2007, 04:56:52 AM »

This is a no win topic. I own at least a dozen of both and have shot them for 40 yrs. This is my thought. My oldest revolver and the one that I have shot the most game with is my 3 screw 357 Mag Ruger Blackhawk. Rugers are very tough, very reliable & shoot very well. The guns that I use the most now are S&W's. The S&W's are a very high quality & very accurate handgun. Ruger's & S&W's each have a different feel and some people can get use to both, so they choice one over the other. I like both of them and use each one of them depending on what type of shooting or hunting I will be going at the time. Ruger has always been a working mans gun both in affordability & toughness. So it's not fair to compare the trigger pull to a S&W. It's like apple's to orange's they both have a different look & a different taste.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #15 on:** April 10, 2007, 07:22:15 AM »

In the early 80’s just before the big transition to autoloaders by law enforcement an official 10,000 round test was conducted for the U.S. Border Patrol. One of the reasons was the failure of the S&W M19 and S&W M66 to hold up to the numerous rounds being fired in training and qualifications. The failures were the result of firing high-pressure loads and not .38 Special rounds.

The test guns were S&W K frames and Ruger Security-six in .357 Magnums. Two of each brand was tested. Records were kept on rounds fired, failures, and accuracy at different levels.

The paper on the test showed that the S&W started more accurate. But as the rounds accumulated the Ruger maintain its level of accuracy and exceed the S&W pistols. The first S&W failed between two and three thousand rounds, and if I recall correctly the second one failed around the four thousand rounds count. Both Rugers successfully completed the 10,000 rounds without failure.

This test concerned me because I was carrying a S&W on duty. A large number of S&W M19 & M66 were being pulled from the field and repaired by the gunsmith. A number of departments were switching to the new S&W 686 because of the K-frame failures. I had a brand new K-frame out of the box that could not be certified for field use until repairs were made. It’s a fine handgun now, but it was not when it left the S&W factory.

The S&W 686 life span was cut short in law enforcement holsters when autoloaders took over the LE market. While some 686’s stayed in service the majority off officers made the switch to an autoloader.

A good friend of mine had a number of S&W revolvers. I enjoyed shooting his 4-inch M29, but like his others he sent it to the S&W custom shop after purchase.

S.S. · « **Reply #16 on:** April 10, 2007, 04:09:12 PM »

I have both .. A Blackhawk and a Model 29-2 ... In my experience, the hotter the rounds become the more uncomfortable the Model 29 becomes to shoot (it only sports a 4 inch barrel)... The Ruger on the other hand has never really been unpleasant to shoot
regardless of the power of the loads..To me they are equally accurate. Just to be fair I have a Dan Wesson also but in .357 Mag. that has spent more time in the woods than both the Ruger and the S&W..The best shot I have ever pulled off handgun hunting was with the Dan Wesson and it has a special place with me..

WNY_Whitetailer · « **Reply #17 on:** April 12, 2007, 05:44:11 PM »

Quote from: Redhawk1 on April 07, 2007, 09:23:05 AM

I like them both, I have not had problems with either. So therefor I own both.

Same here...

Mikey · « **Reply #18 on:** April 13, 2007, 02:34:34 AM »

Siskiyou: I well remember reading about those tests and personally recall the failures of the M 19s during those years. It was later determined that the cause of the failures was the faster buring powders used with the lightweight, high speed bullets found in vogue by law enforcement. You may recall the favored load of the time, heralded as a 1 shot fight stopper, was the 357s 125 gn hp that clocked 1425'/sec from a 4" duty revolver. The faster burning powders used to attain those velocities would disintegrate the spacers at the end of the M13, M19 and M66 clyinders and the revolver would end up failing.

It was also determined that if standard 357 loads were used, that is those with the 158 gn slug, the powders used in those loads were slower burning and wouold not harm those spacers.

I used to shoot metallic silhouette with a M19, using a 200 gn slug and either Winchester 296 powder, 2400 or IMR4227 and shot quite a bit without problems. I later sold the revolver to a friend who also used it for silhouette for many years and he never had a problem either.

I like the M19 and the other K frame S&Ws, but the newer models are stronger and better and can use those lightweight high speed loads without a problem. Mikey.

jengel · « **Reply #19 on:** April 13, 2007, 10:46:01 AM »

I have owned both Ruger and S$W. I just sold a SW 625-6 .45 Colt Mountain Gun because I realized that while it was a very nice pistol to shoot and carry, I never shot it double action and I could not shoot warmer loads in it for hunting (I know, you can shoot warm loads in it, but I don't like to chance it). I am going to buy a Ruger 5.5" SS 45 Colt Blackhawk to replace the S$W. I can load some warmer rounds and I think have one heck of a hunting/backup gun. How many of you actually shoot your S&W revolvers double action? I didn't unless I was playing around and did not want to expect any real accuracy.

ihuntbucks · « **Reply #20 on:** April 13, 2007, 10:20:51 PM »

I like both,I own both so I guess it's just a "toss-up"

........Rick

Darrell Davis · « **Reply #21 on:** April 14, 2007, 04:47:26 AM »

Morn'in Shooters,

As per Siskiyou's posting (#15) and the tests he refers to, maybe the this is the reason the then editor of the SPEER reloading manual took the stance he related to me back 25 years or so.

During some "face time" at a gun show in Moscow, Ideeeeeeeho (located 30 +/- miles from Speer), the man clearly told me to buy Ruger if I wanted a hand gun to last.

He went on to say that the Smiths just didn't hold up and required continued return trips to the factory for repairs, just to keep them working.

In relation to the posting by Mikey, the Speer tests for their reloading manuals WOULD NOT have been confined to the firing of the hot 125gr. loads.

It was just a stated fact that the Smiths, of that time?

?, didn't hold up.

Now, for the sake of Ol"Jack, the author of this topic, I reserve the right to continue giving him the worse possible time about his "B&Cs", knowing that when push comes to shove, I can always loan him a RUGER to get him out of a sticky situation.

Ideeeeho Ol'Coot.

Keep em coming!

Jack Gilbert · « **Reply #22 on:** April 14, 2007, 05:16:19 AM »

I noted that Mikey has a lot of posts, and the information on the powders was very enlightening. I have thoroughly enjoyed the input on this topic, I didn't realize it would generate that much response. Just to throw the guy from Idaho a bone, I have a 22-45 (45-22?) Ruger which I bought some time back and I can say that I am thoroughly satisfied with it. So it's not like them liberals bashing conservatives all the time. I can cross the line when need be. My stepfather has several SP 101 Rugers and loves them. I would dearly love to have a 3 screw .44 Ruger.

Jack

Outcast · « **Reply #23 on:** April 15, 2007, 02:41:07 PM »

Perhaps newer Ruger DA's are better. The earlier Security Sixes (and several Colt models) were bad at a time when the S&W were flawless ... the 1970's. During this period I was a cop and there were two kinds of cops .... those who carried S&W revolvers and those who wished they did! I went with what worked and stayed there. Ruger had accuracy problems with every thing they made for the first twenty years they were in business. It amazes me they survived. In any event I took the 'Ruger accuracy challange' and don't plan on dooing it again.

S.B. · « **Reply #24 on:** April 16, 2007, 12:24:56 AM »

quality, durability, value, retained value, fit and finish
Quality: S&W no contest.
Durability: Ruger.
Value: your choice.
Retained value: A life time from either.
Fit and finish: S&W no contest.

454Puma · « **Reply #25 on:** April 19, 2007, 06:42:14 PM »

I'm in the other Camp all mine are Ruger's , I don't see the difference that would causee the S&W to be more expensive.
Besides I will not own a S7W for political reason's - shot many still don't know why they are so expensive ?

S.B. · « **Reply #26 on:** April 20, 2007, 01:44:07 AM »

454Puma, does you username alude to a Taurus? Who makes a Puma, or is it just your chosen username?

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #27 on:** April 20, 2007, 02:50:02 AM »

form follows function , decide what function you will use your gun for and buy the best gun you can afford to that function . someone listed the pro's and con's of Ruger and S&W , a Ruger is in most models stronger , but S&W has some big guns out now ! action - if ya like 100 year old actions that come from the factory somewhat smooth S&W has the edge most of the time , however if strength is a concern and ya don't mind getting a trigger job then ruger might get the nod , remember action includes the bolting system etc. not just the feel of the trigger ! ruger on the redhawk encloses the action which protects it well ! trigger any gunsmith worth using can do a trigger job on either ! accuracy , anyone on this site should know each gun has its own level of accuracy ! I shot IMHSA with a 10 1/2 in. ruger super blackhawk won a state match in NC the gun was as accurate as a friends fredom arms which had better sights and a smoother action . resale , if you buy to resell then buy what ever is the hot item at the time , if ya use your gun and enjoy it resale should not be a main concern , sort of like going to a movie , you enjoy it have a good time have memories and the price you paid was an investment in your ertainment a gun price is an investment in insurance , entertainment or sport . so decide what ya need then go to a gun shop and hold as many as you can get your hand on ( even the same model ) and get the one that feels best !

S.B. · « **Reply #28 on:** April 20, 2007, 05:38:44 AM »

SHOOTALL, the monies spent on Ruger trigger jobs and action jobs is equal to S&Ws right out of the factory? You better check out the price of Rugers, they're not cheap, anymore?

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #29 on:** April 20, 2007, 06:40:45 AM »

I agree they are not "cheap " I feel they show quality in fact ! and when you add strength plus the cost of a trigger job you get a great deal ! i had a trigger job done on a redhawk last may and it cost $40.00 . to be honest i knew i would shoot heavy loads in it and didn't compare prices , if i had been looking for a defence gun i would have started with S&W maybe !
I like S&W , carry one everyday a mod 38 air weight , nothing works better for me . Thats why i said decide what the gun is to do then hold as many as you can ! Hey if owning a brand is the #1 reason for buying a gun go for it !