The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Pros & Cons: Ruger vs. S&W vs. Colt DA revolvers?

Dfariswheel · November 28, 2008, 08:05 PM

It not a matter of "blown up" revolvers, it's a matter the battering and peening of the frames and cranes/yokes.

Most people assume the Ruger is stronger simply because of the more massive frame. It's larger and thicker, so it HAS to be stronger, right?

Some of you may remember the famous "burger war" between Ruger and S&W back in the 80's.
Ruger started it with a magazine ad that said that Ruger's more massive frame was stronger than S&W's frames.

S&W retaliated with an absolutely devastating ad that showed a Ruger-shaped hamburger patty on a bun with pickles.
They explained that the Ruger frame had to be larger just to equal the S&W because Ruger's cast steel frame required the added bulk, where S&W's forged frame could have the same strength, but be smaller and lighter.

Ruger became a laughing stock, and quickly dropped the ads.

Colt, especially the later guns in the Mark III, Mark V, and King Cobra were probably the strongest medium frame DA revolvers, because of the Colt high-grade forged frames and barrels, and the locking notches off-set from the chambers.
S&W, even the 686, place the notches right over the weakest point of the cylinder.
Ruger uses cast steel frames, that while strong, are more porous and need the added bulk.

November 28, 2008, 08:05 PM	#13
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	It not a matter of "blown up" revolvers, it's a matter the battering and peening of the frames and cranes/yokes. Most people assume the Ruger is stronger simply because of the more massive frame. It's larger and thicker, so it HAS to be stronger, right? Some of you may remember the famous "burger war" between Ruger and S&W back in the 80's. Ruger started it with a magazine ad that said that Ruger's more massive frame was stronger than S&W's frames. S&W retaliated with an absolutely devastating ad that showed a Ruger-shaped hamburger patty on a bun with pickles. They explained that the Ruger frame had to be larger just to equal the S&W because Ruger's cast steel frame required the added bulk, where S&W's forged frame could have the same strength, but be smaller and lighter. Ruger became a laughing stock, and quickly dropped the ads. Colt, especially the later guns in the Mark III, Mark V, and King Cobra were probably the strongest medium frame DA revolvers, because of the Colt high-grade forged frames and barrels, and the locking notches off-set from the chambers. S&W, even the 686, place the notches right over the weakest point of the cylinder. Ruger uses cast steel frames, that while strong, are more porous and need the added bulk.