Which model do you prefer more?

Rockrivr1 said:

they are basically the same gun

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What? No, totally different- on one of them, the cylinder rotates the wrong way!

Between the two, I prefer the Model 66. I like SW K-frames and own three Model 19s and a Model 65. I own Colt revolvers but prefer the lighter K-frames over the heavier Trooper for normal use.

This is a toughy, but I would say D-frame over J-frame, K-frame over D-frame, E-Frame over K-frame, N-frame over E-frame, and L-frame uber alles.....

But seriously, I love all revolvers, even (gasp) Rugers.

For my last "revolver day at the range," I performed my own "shoot-off" comparison between a Diamondback and 15-4 (previously unfired by anyone). Although I am a die-hard K-frame guy, I shot better with the Diamondback, especially in SA. I just like 'em all and don't need to worry about preference. As far as the direction the cylinder rotates, or pushing/pulling a cylinder release, eh, who cares.

Had both, still have two 66”/ and a 15. Trooper was a good revolver and sorry I sold it. I prefer the 66. If I was raised on the Colt I might think different. Have an old D frame Colt and like it. To me the K frame is my preference

Howdy

I have revolvers made by S&W, Colt, Uberti, and Ruger. I even have one antique Iver Johnson. But the sheer quantity of Smiths in my collection far outweighs any of the other brands. I don't really know why. Perhaps when I bought my first cartridge revolvers in 1975, a Model 17-3 and a 19-3 it set the pattern. I have always liked the appearance and geometry of S&W revolvers.

And I too find it much easier to open the cylinder by pushing my thumb forward than by hooking my thumb over the cylinder release and pulling backwards.

Let's not even get started about which one rotates the wrong way.

I have more S&W revolvers than Colt, mostly because in my early gun buying days, I mostly bought new and there were more S&W revolvers available.

New Colt revolvers were darn near impossible to find and I was not into used guns.

I finally bought my first Colt revolver in 2020, a new production Python. It is a nice revolver. I'd like to get an Anaconda to go with it.

I'm buying more used revolvers these days, S&W's exclusively. I'd probably be interested in some of the Colt offerings but I have not gotten into their history yet.

I like 1911's and I have more Colt 1911's than any other brand of 1911.

Single action revolvers and I do not get along. I have a few Rugers and they are nice. Too shoot the center fire models well, I've done what I've needed to install rubber grips. Nothing against single action revolvers, they just don't work well in my wheel house. One side of me says I want Colt SAA, but my history of enjoying single action revolvers says otherwise when the cost is figured in.

S&W

I would compare the Colt Trooper-Old Model in my case-to the S&W L frames, just enough bigger that it can function as a true .357. I have seen the S&W M-19 described as a 38 that can shoot .357s.

I'm another one who likes both. I've owned both over the years, and I really couldn't tell a dimes worth of difference. The cylinder latch is a non-issue for me. The chances of me ever using either in a situation where the muscle memory comes into play are about the same as of me flapping my arms and flying like a bird. At the range I never have any problem remembering rather to pull or push. If I had been a cop carrying one or the other "back in the day" I suspect I'd have adapted to either pretty quickly.

Speaking in generalities, as a S&W fan, I'd prefer the Model 66, but not for any practical reason.
With regard to your two particular samples, I prefer the Colt. I have a love of nickel plated guns; particularly revolvers.

I prefer Smith & Wessons.

If someone were to say to me, “Here are the two guns @Rockrivr1 posted. You can have one of them for free.” I would snap up the S&W.

I have little experience with Colts. I own 1, a Detective Special.

Years ago, when I was ha-ha over 1911s and semi autos a friend from work took me to the range with his plethora of revolvers. After shooting a Python, an Anaconda and a Trooper and then shooting the models 19, 586 and a 29 I decided I liked the Smiths better and have stuck with them when I started buying revolvers.
It didn’t help that Colt’s stopped making revolvers and the prices jumped on them.

Ruger is another DA revolver I haven’t owned. Love their single actions though, but this thread isn’t about Ruger.

I honestly do not see me buying a Colt any time soon now that they are on the market again. At least not until I see how their support is for the ones they have been selling. Colt has always been a bit Schizophrenic in my book. You never know what they’re doing from one year to the next.

Hi...
I own and regularly shoot both Colt and S&W revolvers and like both, push or pull on the cylinder release isn't a big deal to me.
I actually prefer Dan Wesson revolvers with the release in front of the cylinder.
I don't currently own any DA Ruger revolvers although I did once have a very nice Super RedHawk in .44Magnum that I had to sell due to a divorce. I keep thinking about a GP100 in .357Mag, but I already have a S&W 686 Silhouette Model and two Colt Troopers and my son has a S&W 66 that I shoot regularly. Plus, I have four BlackHawks in .357Mag and my son has a very nice Uberti in .357Magnum. Adding another .357Magnum revolver isn't really a priority unless I find a nice Dan Wesson Monson gun for a good price.

Not going to answer, I like (Love) them both equally.
You have 2 beautiful examples of each fine maker there.

I like my Smith nickel 586 better. I just traded off my Mrk. III Trooper to a relative that needed am easy to use house gun. The Smith has a smoother action and seems to be more accurate with my handloads. Now I owned the Trooper for over 5 years and it was a nice gun to shoot. But being able to handle both guns side by side, I like the Smith better. It is better balanced. The Trooper felt top heavy and harder to keep on target.

I'm going with "BOTH".

As the question was presented, in the original post, I “prefer” the Colt.

The original post did not ask for which one I would rather buy, or which one I would rather own. Looking at the photograph, I just prefer this particular Colt. I am fully capable of liking a Colt, S&W, or Ruger, or, perhaps, several other brands, as well. I own more Rugers, than any other revolver brand. I could enjoy owning any of them. Something about this particular Colt just looks nice. Simple as that.

I own Colt, Smith and Wesson, and Ruger revolvers, both double action and single action. I prefer Smith and Wesson, double actions over both Colt and Ruger and really prefer Freedom Arms Single actions over any other Single actions. I know the Colt Python is said to be one of the most beautiful revolvers ever made and it is a very beautiful revolver, by all means. In my eyes, there is nothing that has anything on a pre lock, Smith and Wesson, blue or stainless N frame, with a 4” barrel, especially the models with tapper barrels. To me they are just neat looking revolvers. The newer S&W’s doesn’t appeal to me. Even their shape is different from the older, S&Ws. The lock, stuck right on the left side, just seals it all. Colt, at least did it right, on their new double action revolvers, by not putting a idiot lock on them. The prettiest of the Colt double actions to me, is the 4” Diamondback. I own one in 38 Special and would love to own one in .22. Their size just makes them stand out. I wish Colt would bring back the Diamondback in .22. In stainless, they should be a big seller. The old Diamondbacks, are selling for big money and will probably keep going up.

WheelGunMan said:

R U G E R

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/\ this /\ all day everyday. Although I wouldn’t turn my nose up at a decent S&W model 10 for under $500.

of those two, I'll take the Smith, thanks

The only fair comparison I have to compare makers of a "similar" Revolver are on these 3...all late 70's or early 80s. All 4" fixed-sighted models.


I prefer the Colt Lawman 1st, prefer the Ruger Police Service Six 2nd, and the Smith and Wesson M13 3rd. I judge by shootability, accuracy, and the trigger pulls. However, this order is relative to these specific guns and NOT the makers themselves.

My favorite revolver of all time with long barrel is my Smith and Wesson M-27, followed by my favorite short barreled wheelgun, the new Colt King Cobra, and then Ruger Super Blackhawk is my most accurate .44 Mag. Prettiest Gun- Colt Python



I've learned to love Colts, Smiths and Rugers and I'll never pick a side and consider myself one sided.....it all boils down to the actual gun itself, how it feels and how it shoots. I have ones from all 3 makers that I love, and have had ones from all 3 makers that I didn't like much and have sent on down the line...
What I mean is, I feel there is more variance between guns of the same maker, then there is between the makers, in many cases. Exception, the Cylinder releases
Push forward- Smith, Pull Back - Colt, Push In- Ruger
I don't use revolvers for fighting, so not concerned with the ergonomics of a speed reload. I don't mind any of the Cylinder Releases from any of the big 3 makers, I can make any of them work fine.

I'd have to be able to pick up and shoot both of the OP'S guns for awhile and then maybe I could come up with an answer...but on looks alone, impossible, theyre both drop dead gorgeous.

Targa said:

I sure would hate to be in a situation where I had to choose between the two.

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My choice has been made, so I don't have to agonize over it. And oh, the price on the tag is about a third of what I paid, that was the original tag from 1980. This was unfired when I bought it a year ago.

bangswitch said:

My choice has been made, so I don't have to agonize over it. And oh, the price on the tag is about a third of what I paid, that was the original tag from 1980. This was unfired when I bought it a year ago.


View attachment 1037613View attachment 1037614

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$325.00....That was a pretty good chunk of change back in 1980 too!! Pretty piece.