Welcome Jon Dough to the Forum.
Sixguns and levers share a natural affinity. But, as in most things the devil's in the details. I've owned and operated Rugers, Colts and several varieties of Colt clones.
Ruger, nothing I can say could possibly add to their strength and durability. (My preference is strictly in the 3-screw variety, the NM has little attraction for me). I have a 3-screw coming from my B-I-L who back in the early '80s bought up several in the 4-5/8", .357 mode. He's condescened enough to allow me to purchase one of his precious "spares"!
However, my love is mostly reserved for the Colt SAA. I currently have 3, one .357 in 7-½" and two 4-¾" .45 Colts. The 3 are almost strictly cowboy action competition guns, although with std loads they are no slouch for a defensive weapon; (as long as the fight will be short)!
I have 3 clones, and they are each of a different maker, yet all 3 were imported thru EMF. All have been slicked up to one degree or another; all are 4-¾", one .357 and 2 .45 Colts. The 2 .45s were both rebuilt as CAS competition guns by Oglesby & Oglesby, while the .357 was slicked up by the quick draw artist known as Bob Munden. They were produced by Jager of Italy, Armi San Marco, and Uberti.
None of the 6 are such delicate flowers as to be cradled on velvet pillows, all will work hard and on ocassion be put up wet!

I have found nothing to inhibit my enthusiam for the Colt SAA design. I've carried each of them, (except the 7-½) as sidearms during hunts and even actual work in LE. (This was done with special permission by the Sheriff, and under specific circumstances. This included uniformed work as a mounted officer in parades, or other public gatherings where some "head nod" to the historic aspects of "Sheriffin'" was warranted, to work in an undercover search for a escaping felon that was thought to be working on a nearby ranch. Never felt undergunned. Possibly that was a result of my years of competition in cowboy action matches, where I was confident of the guns' and my ability to carry out the assignment. (Failed, BTW, as we learned a few days later that the perp had caught a ride outta the county with an older farmer headed into to Dallas about daybreak, the morning following the shootin'. Last I recall hearing was that he was back in Mexico.)
However, no discussion of the Colt SAA design should leave out USFA or Freedom Arms. Both are excellent copies of or enhancements to the design, possess workmanship of a level that's second to none. Were I desirous of a traditional designed and size pistol to shoot potent cartridges, I'd not hesitate to purchase a FA. And the quality of the USFA Colt clone is truly remarkable.
There, you have my thoughts on SAs. Others are certainly welcome to their opinions, and are invited to disagree.