I actually picked up a ruger yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. The gun was very light compared to anything else in that size and it was used (the guy that owned it previously maybe put 50 rounds through it) so I saved a few pennies. Shooting the gun it really blew me away. The trigger is ok, and parts fit is a little hit or miss, but even if I upgrade the sights, beavertail and trigger this gun would still cost less than a colt off the line which would probably need the same work. I put about 400 rounds of various weights and types (147 grain flat nose, 124 grain ball, 124 grain +P gold dots and some 115 grain ball) all having no issues. The one thing that threw me off was the recoil spring weight felt very light. I expected the gun to beat me up a little bit, but it almost felt compensated with how little it recoiled. I had a few other firearms instructors shoot it and they felt the same way. Honestly I would have never given the ruger a second look, but I am glad I did.