I have or had a variety of handguns chambered for 44 and 45 cartridges. Rugers tend to be the heaviest for caliber and while they are easy to work on, I tend to tire of the extra weight and move them along to other shooters. Same with the SBH and RedHawks I have purchased. Nice guns, just not my style.
Colt SAA copies have graced my gun boxes and a couple have stayed. Both started as 45 long Colt and I fitted ACP Childers to them. Not really sure where the long Colt cylinders are anymore. Also have a pair of 1860s that use the Richards patents to fire the 44 Colt cartridge. These were made by ASM and are well made and handle beautifully. They were modernized as they were built with a .430 barrel to allow inside lubed bullets instead of heeled bullets.
This brings us to S&W revolvers. I really like the ACP revolvers and have them from the 1917 up through the stainless models. A couple even have the lock! (I really can’t think of a new axe revolver that doesn’t have some sort of safety but some folks need to get their panties bunched up about something so S&W gave them the lock!)
I also have a 25-5, 45 long Colt. Also a good revolver and one I have used deer hunting here in Ohio. A 260 grain SWC bullet at 850-900 fps is plenty for whitetailed deer or anything else on this continent.
If looking for a good revolver for the long Colt cartridge, I would suggest the 25-5 first and second one of the SAA copies.
Kevin