Depends.
For a range toy, S&W N frame
General, all-around use, S&W L frame
More carrying than shooting (at least with full power .357) K or J frame
Yes, I'm a S&W fanboy. For me, Ruger double action offerings are too close to the price of a S&W with none of the refinement to be in the running, save for Super Redhawk if you want a .454 (yes, I own or have owned pretty much every example of a Ruger single or double action). Colts are nice, but priced well above what they're worth IMO. A Python, King Cobra, Peacekeeper or Trooper won't do anything an L frame S&W can't do as well or better for far less money. Dan Wesson revolvers are nice, but also priced beyond what they're worth to me.