I can't really comment on backdrag because I'm comparing a 60 tooth Armstrong to an 84 tooth Gearwrench.
At any rate as you can see from the crappy pictures below, there isn't a whole lot of difference between the two locking 3/8 drive models. They are both approximately the same length and width. Internally they are also basically the same. The Armstrong weighs slightly more at 1.034 lb compared to Gearwrench's .932 lb. The direction levers are almost identical. However the flex head locking switches are shaped differently. The Armstrong locking flex head switch is only accessed from the top of the ratchet. However, the Gearwrench switch can be used from the top or bottom as it is the same shape on both sides. I don't think one locking mechanism is stronger than the other and there seems to be about the same amount of forward/rearward head play on both ratchets. The Gearwrench is Taiwan made and the Armstrong is US made. I think either one would serve you well.
