My favorite is the older model ruger vequeros. Several reasons. OK they are heavy, but if you accidently over charge a round while reloading, they will handle it. Dependability, relaibility. And one thing a lot of folks take for granted, is safety. The transfer bar under the hammer. If you accidently drop one cocked, not a problem.
Now, it does take some work to get it shooting just right. New spring kits, honing the cylinders for better accuracy, trigger job, and dont forget the sight in work. And you can go as far as cosmetics too. I have maybe 750 tied up in each pistol. yeah, yeah, I could have bought an original colt for that!. What can I say.
Mine are in 45 Colt. 5 1/4" barrels. I shoot 45 colt, 45 scholfield, and even 45 auto rim out of the darn things. Once tune, they shoot as good if not better than my colt gold cup.