1 - If you go to a Ruger forum, you'll find all sorts of complaints about how Ruger's quality control is in the toilet. Canted barrels are frequently mentioned. I read at least a half dozen threads just browsing thru some old posts last night.
2 - Just picked up my Model 29 "Classic" today. Yes, it has a hole and no, purists won't like anything about it. But for the record, the barrel is NOT canted. There is a little creep in SA mode - maybe 1/64th inch, or perhaps a little less. The trigger on my Ruger Alaskan breaks cleaner.
However, the DA pull is amazing, and cocking it single action is the lightest of any gun I own. Since I shoot primarily SA, that is important to me. Small creep doesn't bother me - it feels like staging, if I pull the trigger light enough to notice it. I'd guess about 4 lbs of trigger pull would make the creep disappear. Still, I believe it would be better without. If the blueing ever wears to much, I'll send it to S&W for refinishing, and I'll include a trigger job at the time. My only concern from looking is that the barrel/cylinder gap is pretty tight. I haven't measured it, but it is noticeably less than my Alaskan and less than my 686.
All told, compared to my Ruger Alaskan - a slightly more expensive gun but very comparable - the finish on the S&W is far superior. The DA trigger is better, tho not by a lot. Cocking the revolver is much easier with the S&W, although the Ruger has no creep at all.
I haven't had a chance to shoot it, but will later this week. Overall, owning both, I'd be willing to pay $100-150 more for the S&W than the Ruger. That isn't a slam on Ruger, but it reflects my priorities about what makes me happy. As it is, I paid about $50 less for the 29.
Remember, S&W has to compete with Ruger to stay in business. They are probably not trying to build the finest possible revolver, since they would lose too much business to Ruger. Based on prices I see, S&W's business model is to charge a bit more than Ruger and provide a better finished gun. Both companies offer, IMHO, outstanding customer service.
Off topic, but this is the first N-frame I've owned in 30 years. I put a set of silver/black service stocks on it, and it fits my small hand perfectly. I wonder if that isn't why they are designed like that - back in the day when an average American male was 5'7" and 140 lbs...