Need Help Picking A .38

If the choice is only those three, I like the Colt.

Definitely the Colt, as any of the NEW Smith and Wesson guns are going to have that godawful lock crap on them.

Seems like there are many more/and/or better choices...... how bout a S&W mod 15? But then it all depends upon what you intend to do with it?

Why new S&W's? They're quality is far inferior to older models and they're more expensive. It's a no-brainer.

I'd take that Colt Diamondback over any new Smith any day. That's a total no brainer,and a fine revolver.

I'm sure you could get a sweetheart of a pre lock Smith for a fair amount less too. I don't consider any new S&W revolver to be up for consideration. There are far too many good used ones on the market, particularly in .38 Special IMO.

If those are the ONLY choices I'd go for the Diamondback. There are plenty of good used S&W's out there though which would cost a heck of a lot less. A Model 10 or Model 15 immediately comes to mind, either with the heavier barrel. No lock and forged parts... you just can't beat it.

The new smiths that I've handled were just so-so at best. Try and find a used one made about 20 years ago, K frame. Most of the revolvers smith is turning out today would never left the factory 20 years ago, unless someone screwed up. Sad, but true.

I have 2 Model 67's and a Model 64.

For just general-purpose, do-everything, fun-to-shoot the Model 67 wins.

Go with a used S&W model 10, 15, 64, or 67. They will cost less and be better guns than the new ones, sad as that is to say.

If you are going to stick to the 3 listed choices buy the Colt.

Welcome to the forum....

Where is this $500 Diamondback?

Unless it is worn out or damaged and would take an excessive amount of money to repair, I would get that.

Depending on what your intend to do with the revolver. S&W if you are going to shoot it much. Colt if you just going to safe it.
If your only going to target shoot it as A .38 I would get the S&W.
Let A colector, safe queen the Colt.
Box wine creeps up.

earplug,
While I know many people buy guns just to look at them I have to disagree with you. IMO a gun was made to be shot. Since the Diamondback is "like new" and not NIB it should be shot like the craftsman who built it intended. A fine handgun should be enjoyed, but by shooting it, not looking at it. I don't think someone who chooses to put a gun away and not shoot it is wrong to do so. They have that right since it's their gun and should do as they please with it. I just don't agree with them and wouldn't do it because of the above reasons.

No offence intended to anyone to buy A Colt or any other firearm to shoot and enjoy.
But! offered the firearms described I would shoot the S&W and safe queen the Colts.
I have owned several Colt Pythons. Nice firearms. IMHO if they were great shooters instead of great lookers, the would still be in production.
Most firearms perform much better then I do.
You did not see may Colts in the of Revolver PPC matches.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree LOL.

I have to agree with one thing though, you don't see many Colts in PPC matches.

shortchineesekid,
I will make one more suggestion. I would get a revolver with adjustable sights so you can use any ammo you like while at the range. If you intend upon carrying it concealed all the time you might want to get a revolver with fixed sights. (so the sights won't hang up on clothing when the gun us drawn)

Do not buy the Colt, buy a revolver that is backed up by a company that can repair its products and will be able to do so in the future. That means a Ruger or a Smith.

Since you specified the S&W models 64 or 67 let me say that either gun is excellent, the major difference being the adjustable sights on the 67. My experience with many K frames is that the fixed sights work very well with 158 grain ammo.

While it is very common to read that new Smiths are trash, don't compare to the good old days, etc. etc., my experience with five post 2000 Smiths, 4 with the dreaded lock, is that they are well built, finished, reliable and accurate. There is nothing wrong with MIM parts except the aesthetics and while I don't like the lock, mostly because of the looks, they have never failed in thousands of rounds. I also have approximately 30 non-MIM, non lock Smiths dating back to 1918, some may be prettier, but it isn't night and day like some would claim.

Yes I have some Colts, an OP from 1943 and a PPS from 1962. The workmanship is nice, but they are not the shooting gun that a Smith is, I'm a DA shooter and Colts suck in this department. That's my MHO. That only Colts I'll recommend are the NRM 1911 and the various AR-15 variants. Bet some of you boys still drive Model Ts cause they don't make tham like they used to.

Colt Diamondback

The fact that you specified ".38 only" makes me question the specific task(s) to which this revolver is going to be used. Is this for a security job? Some other application? Unless we know these things it would be difficult to make a sound reccommendation.

I"d try to find a model 10 for $200 or so.

If you can find a Ruger Service Six in .38Spl that would be ideal. I recently saw one at a gun show for 250$ in great shape.

I would get a new S&W Model 10. Alot cheaper than the diamondback and the longest running 6-shot .38 on the market.

I'd get the Diamondback for $500.00. They are shooters, and the reason Colt isn't making them anymore doesn't have anything to do with the guns. I'd use the Colt for security work just long enough to earn enough money to buy a good used S&W Model 10 or Colt Police Positive Special as a carry gun. The Diamondback can then be your "barbeque gun."

ECS