S&W vs Ruger Strength & Durability

[Phil3]

As I consider different big bore revolvers (44 Mag, 44 Special, 45 Colt), I keep reading that S&Ws are a bit on the fragile side, can't reliably tolerate a steady diet of hot loads, and that Rugers are a tank, bombproof, etc. Is this really true? Is there any real documented evidence that a S&W is "fragile"? Even with modest loads, will the S&W be durable with many rounds put through it?

Thank you.

Phil

[shooting4life]

S&w are fine for all normal loads and even some "house" loads as long as you don't shoot them all too often.

If you want to shoot regulat magnum loads s&w's are gtg. If you want to hand load with heavy for caliber magnum loads then stay away from S&w and get a freedom arms.

[TMB 1]

The older S&W M29 would loosen up with steady diet of full power 44mags. At some point I think in the late 80s or early 90s S&W changed their manufacture technique to make them stronger. With modest loads even the old ones will last forever.

[Win231]

No contest comparing S&W and Ruger, especially when it comes to S&W's 44 Mag. I've owned three Model 29's. After 200-300 magnums, they were too loose to fire safely. (Same issue with my S&W 500; cylinder stopped turning all the way after a couple hundred rounds. S&W replaced parts twice in the year I owned it. When the 44 Magnum came out, S&W used their N-Frame 357 Mag & drilled out the cylinder to fit 44 Mag. They are made for occasional shooting with magnums as for hunting.

I've only owned one Ruger Super Redhawk. 28 years later, at least 1,000 Mag loads through it, it's as tight as when it was new. The Ruger is designed from the ground up to be a 44 Mag.

[Johneracer]

Lots of info on this one....really big nasty cartridges are all built on Rugers. 480 ruger, 475/500 linebaugh, 454 casull, GNR, no custom gun maker will use s&w frame for one of those. Rugers casting process is supposed to be very good and John linebaugh has a ton of good info on this

http://www.customsixguns.com/writings/dissolving_the_myth.htm

[TMB 1]

Lots of info on this one....really big nasty cartridges are all built on Rugers. 480 ruger, 475/500 linebaugh, 454 casull, GNR, no custom gun maker will use s&w frame for one of those. Rugers casting process is supposed to be very good and John linebaugh has a ton of good info on this

http://www.customsixguns.com/writing...g_the_myth.htm

This is about SA revolvers. I think OP is talking about DA revolvers. S&W doesn't make SA revolvers anymore that I know of, I have seen some replicas though.

The Redhawk is strong too and the S&Ws aren't near as bad as Win231 is making them out to be, at least none of mine are

[1911whore]

True. S&W makes a great gun so long as it is not fed a steady diet of ":hot " loads. They will shoot loose. Ruger , while lacking refinement are tanks....look no further than your reloading manual many magnum loads have "for ruger pistols only" data.