I've had several Ruger SA's, they are good tough guns, decent price, and the service I got from Ruger was good when I needed it.
I've had both the 44 and the 45 colt. Fell in love with the 45 colt caliber, I loaded my own for the .45 so it gave me the option of shooting a 255 grain hard cast bullet at 800 fps, which I thought was a good all around plinking load that wouldn't bust my ear drums while in the woods, and when I wanted I could drive the bullets at much higher velocities if I needed much more power. Can't put down the 44 mag, it does a great job also, I just liked the bigger diameter of the .45.
You can get an action and trigger job if you think you need one, have the forcing cone re-cut if you want, and the over all price is still not bad.
But don't rule out all those other brands out there, Freedom Arms is top of the line, and there are Colts and Colt clones too, but it depends on what you like and want to do with the gun. I kind of slowly over the years went from Rugers and the heavy frame guns to the Colt style, got a touch of "old time cowboy" in my blood, and have been fondling The Colt types for the last several years. They won't be able to handle what a Ruger or Freedom Arms type gun can if you load hotter loads.
Maybe shop around to lots of gun shops and handle a bunch of them, see what you think feels good.
Happy shopping
Jimster
