I would have to say from my own experience Ruger is one of the best gun companies out there. I used to really like Smith & Wesson, and I still do, but now I prefer Ruger over S&W and most other gun companies as well, at least when it comes to handguns. As it is, I've got one Ruger that is a cowboy style gun, the Ruger Vaquero. A well crafted, well made cowboy six shooter. That is the only cowboy era gun I've got by Ruger but I do have other Rugers that are more modern guns. I've got the Ruger GP100, but the original version and the Match Champion, and I've got a Ruger Super Redhawk .44 Magnum as well as a Ruger LC9, a great concealed carry gun. So I absolutely recommend Ruger.