This is a tough one. I'm a logger, sawyer, and woodworker and I was in the remodeling/construction business for years also so I own a LOT of tools. I learned early on to buy the tool, not the brand. I saw guys in the business that purchased by brand only, and they usually deprived themselves of the "best in class" type of tools by doing so.
We've all seen this in the chevy vs ford debates too; both manufacturers make junk and both make decent stuff too. Ford more so than chevy.
Joking. I have trucks of both makes. The same could be said with firearms. Besides Ruger I own Colt, Marlin, Mossberg, DPMS, Glock, S & W, Remington, Springfield Armory, Zabala, and a Schmidt Rubin that might be my favorite of them all on some days at least. It changes with the wind - or at least which one I'm usng at the time. I just know I have forgotten one or two though . . . . .
It's a great question Marc but I have no specific answer. I *have* learned a lot from the answers thus far though. And BTW if you ever inside my shop or tool trailer you'll see the same thing, numerous brands. I don't have many guns compared to a lot of guys, but as I continue to collect them, my choices won't be because of the brand stamped on it although I do pay attention to that, it'll be primarily because of what that particular firearm can do for me.
Mostly they make me squirm with delight when I fondle them.