[natedog]

Which one do you like better? I think the S&W is easier to work with one hand, and you don't have to change your grip on your shooting hand to get it. The Colt release is more camoflauged and blends in better, though.

[Mike Irwin]

I got rid of my Detective Special a few years ago.

After years of shooting S&Ws, I simply couldn't get used to having to pull back on the latch.

[Majic]

Smith modified it's release because it was cutting some people. Colt never had that problem. I vote for the Colts.

[Mike Irwin]

Colt modified the shape and contour of its release, as well.

Maybe it was cutting people?

If so, I guess that would make Ruger's the best then? :)

[Majic]

That's true, but thinking along those lines a little further points to the Dan Wessons. They have them all beat in that department.

[tomkatz]

Between colt and S&W, I'll vote smith, but I really go for the ruger style......tom :cool:

[PlayTheAces]

I don't have any major beef with either one, but for me pushing is a little easier than pulling.

Occassionally I have run into a release on a S&W that has a bit of a loose/sloppy feeling. Don't think I've run across any Colt's that felt that way, but then I've handled a lot more S&W's.

[RangerGrant]

I too, voted for S&W as I have never cared for the operation of, or the looks of the Colt release.

Best, RG

[.45FMJoe]

Colt > Smith & Weasel

I do love my Colts. So much, in fact, I bought another one today.

[B27]

The Colt release that moves the whole recoil shield away from the cylinder has always felt much more natural to me than the the S&W latch being pushed toward the cylinder.

[Serpico]

I don't care since reloading one of these belly busters is probably a moot point...but if I did have to reload, and only had one bullet..I'd vote for the cylinder that turns clockwise....

[9mmepiphany]

i voted for the colt because besides looking niced, and usually fitting tighter, it has never bitten me.

sharp checkering is really nice except on the cylinder release of a smith.

i too prefer the release on the dan wesson

[Jim March]

Ruger is the best, IMHO, S&W 2nd, Colt 3rd, DW 4th.

I can actually make a case for the early Charter Arms system as being the best: you have an S&W style switch in the normal location and usage, contoured quite well, but you don't have to use it. You can instead grab the ejector rod and pull it forward, opening it in a sort of "Dan Wesson-esque" fashion.

Modern ones with a shroud around the ejector rod can be retrofitted to that system. Just grind the shroud off :). The actual mechanism hasn't changed.

[JCM298]

I have both. Neither have really caused a problem either with plinking or qualification,
John

[Bren]

I like how a Python closes but would rather push forward.

[Monkeyleg]

When using speedloaders, it feels more natural to me to push down on the S&W cylinder release. Pulling up on the Colt release while trying to get the speedloader into position seems like an opposing reaction.

[10-Ring]

I really enjoyed shooting the Colt revo's I've met up with :) But I could never get use to the cylinder release. I voted S&W :D

[Tamara]

The S&W and Ruger releases are the only ones I can operate one-handed without juggling the gun around in my hand too much. I suppose you could do it with a Colt with practice, but I could never get the hang of it, and the Dan Wesson is definitely a two-hand operation.

[ruger357]

S&W. I also find that pushing is easier.

[LIProgun]

No strong preference. They both work well, as does Ruger's. The key is training, and one can learn to use any of the three equally well, for practical purposes.

[Monkeyleg]

SaxonPig, not to pick nits, but I was always taught to open the cylinder and then turn the muzzle upwards. The reason was that the shells, if muzzle is up while opening cylinder, could catch on something and prevent the cylinder from swinging open.

Just my .02.

[goon]

SaxonPig, not to pick nits, but I was always taught to open the cylinder and then turn the muzzle upwards. The reason was that the shells, if muzzle is up while opening cylinder, could catch on something and prevent the cylinder from swinging open.


This is true. Other reasons for this are that I have seen (rarely) an empty casing just barely caught by the extractor. If the gun is already upside down, the shell will fall out anyway. If not, it can fall back into the cylinder under the extractor. Like I said, rare, but I have still seen it a few times.
A better reason is that it helps keep the action cleaner. The unburned powder granules fall out of the gun when you point the muzzle skyward instead of back into the action.

[Dr.Rob]

I voted Colt, becoause I don't own any SW revolvers. I think Ruger maybe has the best but after playing with the Colts enough you get used to it. Reloading is a two handed operation anyway.

DW is absolutely a 2 handed operation.

[Rob96]

I like the Ruger release. Oops, not on the poll.

[Old Fuff]

Colt used to explain in their advertising that the "pull-backwards" latch was better then a "push-forward" latch because if the shooter rested their thumb on the latch, recoil could cause the latter design to unlock the cylinder. They did have a point. You'll have to decide if it's important or not.

[The Silver Bullet 1719]

I like Colt better personally. I've had the S&W release slice up my thumb twice duing 1 handed shooting.