When I first answered this post back in April, I had not as yet owned or fired a S&W revolver to make an honest comparison. Now that I've been shooting both a 4" 686 and a 6" GP-100, I just traded in the 6" GP-100 for another 686..(6").
I don't hunt, I just target shoot, and the S&W revolvers just have a better trigger. Both DA and SA trigger pull far exceeds anything you can do with the Ruger trigger, even after break-in, and a Wolf spring kit installed, the "out of the box" trigger on the S&W is much better for target work.
Now with that said, if I was to take up handgun hunting, and using loads that could kill a bulldozer with one shot, I'd probably get a Super Redhawk, but I live in a state that doesn't allow handgun hunting, so when I make the step up to a .44 magnum, I do believe I'll probably get the 6" S&W 629.
I've come to the honest opinion that for DA revolvers, it's Smith & Wesson all the way. For SA revolvers, it's Ruger all the way......(unless you happen to be a millionare, and can afford a Colt Python, or Single Action Army....
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