Ruger and Smith & Wesson are two iconic American firearm manufacturers that produce several lines of handguns and rifles. Both companies have a long history of American quality and excellent guns. They are known as two of the finest firearm manufacturers in the world.
When looking at their handgun lines, both Ruger and Smith & Wesson offer expansive selections of revolvers, 1911s, and semi-auto duty pistols. Everything from budget-made handguns to high-end models, from sub-compact CCW pistols to big caliber revolvers, these manufacturers cover everything that a gun enthusiast, hunter, or law enforcement officer would desire.
I created a poll on YouTube and asked the viewers to vote on which two companies would best suit an ongoing series I’ve been running called, “Handgun Showdown.” The vast amount of people chose Ruger versus Smith & Wesson. When we look at the handguns each company produces, I cannot think of a better comparative showdown.
For Ruger, I featured the Ruger American Compact, SR1911 “Officer” model in 9mm and the budget-friendly Ruger Security 9. For revolvers, the Ruger SP101, and the overbuilt, very strong GP100 in 10mm were showcased. I personally own each of these handguns. They all function flawlessly and are quality made firearms.
As for Smith & Wesson, the M&P9 2.0 Compact and the M&P Shield in 9mm were featured. Once again, I own these handguns and can attest to their craftsmanship. The showcased revolvers include the S&W J-frame 442 and two of the well known and heavy duty L-frame S&W 686’s. The S&W 686 models were borrowed for a previous review, however, after some range time, I didn’t want to return them.
Check out the video below and let us know your experiences with Ruger and/or Smith & Wesson. Which of these two manufacturers do you feel makes the best handguns?
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