I'm not a revolver expert, but they sell less than Smiths, have less aftermarket support, are used less in competition etc. etc. Subjectively, they're not as nice to shoot unless heavily modified, and it's harder to find a gunsmith to time or trigger job a Ruger. I've seen more Chiappa Rhinos in competition than Rugers.
In terms of quality, the centerfire revolvers are solid guns and the old Single Sixes are great. The new Wranglers are a bit crap, but cheap enough that most people won't mind.
Ruger is a weird company. They make top-tier rimfires, second tier revolvers and bolt guns, and Kel-Tec-tier centerfire semi-autos. Much of what they're discontinuing is "pistol" registered short-barreled versions, possibly having to do with the ATF rule changes. The revolvers are just not profitable and haven't been for a long time. The heyday of big-bore revolvers was forty years ago, and Rugers aren't as popular or well supported as Smiths.
A lot of these old legacy gun companies are struggling, while new ones like PSA, Bergara and CZ eat their lunch. Ruger is in trouble, and I'd guess Smith isn't doing too great either. Remington, Colt, Winchester etc. are all dead and buried. Name brands for the banks to fight over.
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All legit, but that sort of thing isn't nearly as big a part of the gun community as it was forty years back. Back then it was all handloading varmint rounds, fire lapping barrels and big bore six guns. Nobody had ARs!
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