Smith and Wesson or Ruger revolvers - the perennial quesition

JBD said:
I have had a few 629 that I used in Ipsc competition and a couple RedHawks. If you are shooting 5000 rounds a season and dry fire extensively you will have a number of problems with the 629. The trigger stud will break I broke two on different revolver. Also the cylinder notches for indexing will wear and you will have problems. This happened on two revolvers as well. So if your goal is to be the Ipsc revolver champion then you need to buy at least 2 629 to be sure you have one running for Match day. The Redhawk I did not use in competition so I don’t know if it fail like the 629.
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The S&W 629-3 came with various improvements to address these very issues. These were introduced first off in the 29-2E and 629-2E around 1988 or thereaboutst. Everything including the sometimes failing trigger stud, 29-3 and 629-3 around about 1990 and fully completed about 1992-93 the enlongated cylinder stops plus a hardened yoke.

Something like that.

Edit: There was a gentleman here on CGN whom introduced about 10,000 mostly 240 grain jacketed ammo through his 629 and without a major failure IIRC.

Not sure of its dash series??
 
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Opinions will very as they are subjective, and each person has their own likes/dislikes and priorities as to what features are important to them.

I own Ruger handguns (NMBH and a 22 MkIII Competition), and have owned a S&W Model 57. And I like/liked each for their individual features. Fit, finish, feel, accuracy, etc.
While I may not own the S&W anymore, it isn't because it wasn't a quality firearm; I just prefer the the feel of the SA in the hand when shooting them.

As for the pistol, I prefer the Ruger over my wife's Browning Buckmark. Nothing wrong with it either; just my personal preference.
I also have a 1911 from Kimber, and chose to go that route over the Ruger's model. A good friend has a first gen Ruger 1911 and he loves it. It shoots very well. I was more interested in a 10mm than a 45 ACP, so when I found a nice used Kimber, for less than the cost of a new Ruger, I bought it. I am sure if I had bought a Ruger instead, I would have been happy with it.

If you are happier with the S&W's, and have your history there, then stay with them and enjoy; no need to justify your taste to others.
 
Lead hammer said:
My GP100 is very good, I shimmed mine even though nothing was dragging. It outshoots my Shadow easily, even with the painted front sight on my GP. The only thing that is not superb on my GP is the blued finish, however it's on my never sell list.
GP's are way better than Alpha Project, my dad has an Alpha in 9mm.
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i fixed the blued issue by having a stainless one ...
 
CobraGT said:
What are some thoughts on Ruger .44 revolvers (the Redhawk or Super Redhawk) vs the S&W 629 or 29? Any real plus or minus either way? I had a .44 years ago, and have been considering getting back into .44 for a while...
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I have a Redhawk in .44Mag. I haven't tried a S&W in this calibre. I understand why some people prefer the S&W but it's not better in ways that to me they are worth the typically higher price. (I have a S&W Model 17 and I like it for its role just as much as I like the Ruger.)
 
Yup I had all kinds of Rugers and while excellent guns have come full circle to only wanting S&W revolvers specifically .44 mags...for 1911 autos though I prefer Colt, find Colt the best in all ways
 
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