I have handled the Ruger, the Browning, and the 41, and the 46 at the range.
My own order of preference:
1. S&W Model 41/46 Best trigger, good sight picture, feels full size, accurate. Accuracy over 300 rounds 92% FTF FTE over same RC 4%
2. Browning Trigger second only to the 41/46 good sight picture, accurate. Accuracy over 300 rounds 88% FTF FTE over same RC 1%
3. Ruger MKIII Slab Sided Target Trigger needs work. Badly. Best sight picture, feels a little strange but quite accurate over 300 rounds 85% (mostly due to trigger pressure) FTF FTE over 300 rounds 2%
To qualify, all ammunition used was the same in all 3 guns. The cheapest American Eagle 36gr hp ammo. I did not find each gun's ''favorite food'' so as not to contaminate the test with an ammunition variable on FTF FTE
Accuracy was determined one the gun was sighted in on a bench rest at 15 yards.
What is interesting to note, is that with .22's their trigger, and hand positions really made a subjective 'feel' when shooting at the targets, and the difficulties in groupings.
The 41 and 46 were superb in handling, if somewhat hampered by sight picture (the 5" barrel suffers a little more compared to the 7" barrel on the 46) With a trigger set on the light side, it feels great to shoot, and really amplifies hand pressure errors since the trigger is very sensetive. Muzzle flip was light at best.
The Browning has the best overall 'sight line' above the irons and around the target proper. What a great shooting pistol. Clear views, and a crisp trigger (without being too light) is marred by only a little too much 'take up'. Gun fits well to hand, and returns to target well, although the muzzle tends to flip more than the other guns. Which may or may not be a recoil spring not matched to the ammunition being used. Can't say enough about the browning. If you can't afford a Model 41/6 this one should be on your shopping list.
Ruger MKII. Great ergonomics for smaller hands (mag release not awkward like the 41/6, and safety is more confidence inspiring than the browning). Best sight picture of them all. If time on target is important, this is the gun for you. Unfortunately, once on target, the trigger group really lets you down compared to the other pistols. It requires more force over a longer distance, and combine that with the shape of the grip, that when the gun finally goes bang, you wonder why you missed! (pulled trigger, off straight right slightly down)
My own summary is just my personal findings. With some trigger work, the Ruger would be, in it's own right, close to the Browning in terms of overall shooting and scoring. The sight picture is, quite frankly the best of all 4 guns, and probable the least flip in the muzzle between the shots (weight forward design of the ruger works best here).
The Browning is definately the unsung hero of the bunch, and the price reflects that. Generally for an equivalent in the Ruger (barrel size, finish etc) you would be paying a bit more, however, as built, the trigger is phenomenal, sight picture is good, and the accuracy where it matters most, just edges out the Ruger.
41/6 guns. What hasn't already been said? Even enthusiasts about the gun that are so quick to extoll the virtues we all know so well (trigger, feel, handling) are less than excited by it's sight picture, and ammunition issues. Be that as it may, there isn't a whole lot to do to the gun. If the trigger on the Browning is phenomenal, the one on the 41/6 is telepathic. equalling pressures between hands results in consistant repeatable accuracy every time you pick it up. It just feels right.
fin
