I’m interested in DA revolvers. Looking at past models, a number of evolutions seem to have occurred. First, you have > 6 shot cylinders now. Second, you have fewer one-piece barrels and ejector shrouds. That’s as far as looks is concerned. What about the inner workings? How have they changed since the 60’s? Who still makes them the old way? What differences are there, really?
I am no expert. The number of shots is directly inverse to the diameter of the cartridge, so .22 comes in 10 shots sometimes, but a compact .357 is 5. But for most cartridges, the capacity hasn’t really changed; 6 is still the standard. The biggest trend is probably for smaller, concealable models, often with spurless or flush hammers (the latter effectively makes it DAO as you can’t cock it manually). Also some ultra large models have come out, in .500 S&W and .460 S&W.
I really only know S&W. Models made in the 2000s came with a nanny locking mechanism that a lot of people hate and actively avoid.
The Chiappa Rhino is one example of a recent novel design. They’re still pretty uncommon.
You didn’t ask, but SA is more popular now, perhaps still in a niche way.
People keep telling me DA revolvers have priced themselves out relative to modern semi-automatic handguns. But writers have a lot of praises for new editions of Ruger DA’s. With regard to SA, it’s possible they changed little, and so the brand and model loyalty still strong.
All the same, I just want to be reassured the S&W or Ruger I buy won’t be a lemon, will stay accurate and reliable for a good many years, and won’t blow up in my hand. Thanks.
I hear nothing bad about either. Some brands, like Taurus, have lots of detractors but I’ll note only some have actual experience. Overall I think quality control is much better in both types of pistols now than 40 years ago.
SA some of the more popular models are Ruger Blackhawk and Vaquero, which aren’t old designs.
Revolvers are more expensive than autoloaders most of the time. Just as double barrel shotguns are more than pumps and most semis. Both lower popularity and more work needed to make sure the cylinders line up properly.
“modern” revolvers only have a few notable differences.
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materials; small, lightweight carry pieces may have frames made of aluminum or a titanium alloy.
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coil mainsprings (hammer spring) instead of “leaf” mainsprings
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transfer-bar safeties.
#3 is where the firing pin is no longer attached to the hammer, but captive in the frame. when you pull the trigger, a transfer bar rises and as the hammer falls it strikes the transfer bar which transfers the impact to the firing pin.
Some ofthem are quite ugly IMHO. 
Rugers have some odd issues now and then. For years their SA cowboy pistols were notorious for having the pin on the adjustable sites (the hole in the frame the pin went through) drilled crooked so that every time you adjusted elevation the windage changed and vice-versa. Never anything bad that could cause a drastic failure but annoying problems. Smiths are still the basic rugged workhorse type guns. Not the glamour of a Colt but they keep going strong cases and cases of ammo later.
Now since someone mentioned Taurus I’ll throw out my favorite in the budget department – Rossi. You are never going to make the Olympic pistol team with one but for fun shooting and personal defense the things are pretty strong and well made. Some of the early ones were sorta crappy but they got real serious about quality say 20 years ago and the newer ones I’ve shot have been real nice.
Coil vs leaf mainspring ---- I still like leaf. Yeah ---- shoot either enough you will need to replace the spring and leafs can break. But I’ve seen enough funky things from the coils to make me less than a fan.
The revolvers look fine next to this… thing.
I was recently quoted $615 for a S&W 686+ (.357 Magnum, 7 shot), which is a bargain price for that model. But even at that, it is significantly more expensive than, say, a S&W M&P in .40, which I can buy new for mid-400s.
I love both, but for self-defense and all-around use, the general public is apt to see the 16-round-capable polymer gun as the better value.