Who do you think makes the best double-action revolvers?

Question

Who do you think makes the best double-action revolvers?

Answer 1

In the year 2012 it's Ruger.

Answer 2

Hello!



Personally, I think S&W makes the best DA revolvers ... I have 6. Granted, all of mine are older (virtually all of my handguns were made prior to 1980), my Smith's are "mission specific", back when S&W catered to competitive shooters.



My "K-Masterpieces" have the smootest actions I have experienced, and they should since they were made to be competitive in the rimfire and centerfire stages of NRA 3 pistol bulls-eye matches.



My "N" frames are a pure delight to shoot ... I have a much older long barreled .357 which holds its own on the 200 meter rams in handgun metallic silhouette, and my .41 is a pleasure to shoot.



Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, these revolvers are fired "single action", but for when the need arises, thay have the most "buttery smooth" double actions I have EVER experienced (except for the occasional Python). I do have an older Colt Trooper MkIII, just because I had to have it, but when shooting double action, the pull is not as smooth, and the "stack up" as you bring the hammer into battery with a double action pull of the trigger is noticeable (unlike a Smith). I attribute this to Colt's use of a coil mainspring as opposed to the flat springs that S&W uses.



Additionally, back before I was content with my handgun colletion, S&W was the ONLY manufacturer that catered to customer demand and offered a major "sporting" variety in their catalog, everybody else took the Henry Ford approach and offered handguns that had very distinct military or police heritage. At the same time, Ruger was just getting started in the DA market, and had only the Speed Six and the Security Six, offered only in .38 or .357. Colt offered DA revolvers in .38 Special or .357 Magnum, and a few were still available in either .32 New Police or .38 New Police. However, S&S offered a gamut to choose from: .22LR, .22 Mag, .22 Jet, .32 S&W Long, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, and .45 Auto Rim.



Just as a quick aside, NONE of my Smith & Wessons has EVER been in the shop for a trigger job.



Good luck and good shooting!

Answer 3

The most beautiful work-of-art revolvers . . Colt. They are also difficult to repair due to all the hand-fitting and use of more components than absolutely needed.



My favorite duty-issue DA revolvers? Older S&W K-Frame. Especially the Model 15 and 586. Great triggers, easy to work on, heavy enough for duty and competitive target work, lots of parts and accessories.



The strongest . . Ruger. Built like a hand-sized tank. Virtually indestructible. I find the trigger to be a little heavy as a result. Bill Ruger didn't want his products falling apart, and they never do.

Answer 4

Smith & Wesson.



Colt has too many internal moving parts and the cylinder rotated the wrong way.



Bill Ruger supported banning magazines holding greater than 15 rounds. His .22 is a copy of a Japanese Nambo. Given zero consideration as a result of both.



Anything else is either a copy of a Colt or a Smith.



Ask Dirty Harry, he say's "Smith & Wesson".

Answer 5

I own Colt, S&W, Rugers. For fit, finish, trigger creep Colt wins hands down. Add in price and the Smith & Wesson wins. For a work a day fine, reliable firearm you can not go wrong with a Ruger

Answer 6

It's a toss-up between Ruger and Smith & Wesson. Rugers are a bit more durable, but S&W tends to have a smoother action, in my experience.

Answer 7

Smith and Wesson, with Ruger a close 2nd and pretty much everyone else a distant third or further back.

Answer 8

Colt

Answer 9

My Taurus snubnose is one of the best I ever owned.

Answer 10

no doubt about it RUGER, GP100's, SP101's, REDHAWK's