Tuco

Both are fine guns. Smiths are a little more "polished" fit and finish wise. Rugers built a little stronger. There is a reason some handloaders refer to some loads as "Ruger Loads" because Rugers can handle stiff loads, not that the Smith can't, just not as many. That being said both guns would probably last any of us 2 lifetimes, because most people will not go out and shoot hundreds of stout 44mag loads at a time. And both guns will probably shoot better than our abilities. Don't think you will go wrong with either. I have owned both and to me there is nothing better looking than a 4inch Smith blued N frame....it just looks right!