I looked at all three. I liked the ruger, and the taurus the best. However the saleman said there is no comparison the S&W is steps above the rest. I am not sure I agree. I want to buy the biggest I can handle. I want to shoot for fun too so I was thinking the .454 Casull is a bit much. That is why I was leaning the .44. I like shooting the .357 however for bear control I feel it is a tad light.