I like Ruger revolvers almost as well as S&W revolvers. But if your trying to decide between the new Ruger SP101 and a S&W model 17 or 18 I would go with the S&W. The double action trigger is better. Most new owners of the SP101 I have read about have had to do trigger action work to make the double action trigger work better. If you are going to shoot single action only then the SP101. But at about $550 for a SP I would buy a Ruger single 10 or like me I own a Ruger single 6. To me Ruger makes as good a single action revolver as a person can find for a reasonable price.
Good luck with your decision.
Howard