Colt det. special or airweight J-frame?

[roscoe]

I am in the market for a .38 snubbie and have seen some S&W model 37s on sale for around $340, but I have also seen some older Colt detective specials around for $275-$330.

I understand that the Colt carries 6 shots, but if I am looking for a strictly utilitarian snubbie, what would be the other reasons to get the used Colt over the new S&W? I assume the Colts are heavier, and that definitely is a factor (although when I watched Kansas City Confidential last night, everybody was pulling these steel snubbies from everywhere without problem).

Any thoughts on a comparison between the two? For me, ugly is OK, I want reliability, and portability.

Thanks!

 

[CZ-75]

Colts are known to go out of time, and you won't have a good idea how many rounds that have gone through the gun. It should be apparent if the gun is badly out of time before buying.

SF-IV, DS-II, and Magnum Carry can be suspect, due to declining standards at Colt, though a recent debate in this forum leads me to believe Mag Carry was the best of the most recent bunch.

I owned an older one and liked it, but gave it to a relative many years ago. It was my second gun, so I really just got lucky in buying it. Six rounds is nice, but the added weight (a few ounces heavier) over a Smith is better.

I, personally, think the full underlug versions look the best. I think these were called Cobra or Agent (one of these may be an alloy frame design??? = accelerated wear).



Smith & Wesson model 60 or 640 in .357 mag have a good bit of heft to them and would be a more reliable, IMO, choice. Doubt you'd miss the add'l round of the Colt. I see you want an airweight, but I found that even steel frame snubs can sting. Anyhow, I have no opinion on airweights, since I never shot one.

 

[Poohgyrr]

I like my DS ('80's production) a lot. And I've heard a lot of good things about the airweight J frames, but don't have any personal experience with them. Absolutely love my 640.

Have I seen you on the www.smith-wessonforum.com ? Someone there will have opinions on the airweights, I'm sure ..

 

[STEVE M]

I would have to choose depending on my usage. As a pure back

up gun the J is the best. It's smaller, lighter (exp. so in alloy), can

be more snag free (if you get the bodyguard or centenial.) The

DS comes into it's own as a more all around gun.

If I were going to carry a 2" rev. as a primary gun the DS or

Magnum Carry would be at the top of my list. They have better

sights, better trigger pull (at lest to me). Weigh a little more

(good for recoil control, bad for ankle carry), and carries one

round.

 

[Kahr carrier]

I prefer S&W J frames myself they hold one less shot,But if you are going to carry it ,its pretty hard to beat an Airweight they are so light you will forget it is in your pocket and they are a pretty small package with a set of Hogue Bantams on it.

 

[Lone Star]

Roscoe, m' lad-

You are comparing guavas to mangoes. The Colt equivalent to the Airweight S&W's would be the alloy-framed Cobra and Agent. They're the same, except that the basic Agent usually has a half-inch shorter butt. Weight? 21 oz . for the traditional Det. Spcl.; 15 oz. for the Cobra. This is from memory and pre-dates the time Colt added full lug bbls. Later Agents were an economy gun.

The LATEST S&W Airweights are warranted for use with Plus P ammo, and that's a major issue with me. With alloy Colts, the factory used to recommend they be shot no more than 1,000 times with Plus P before being factory-inspected.

Colts, as noted, do go out-of-time much sooner than S&W's. And today, it's hard to find a gunsmith qualified to work on Colts. It will cost a lot if you do find one; they're relatively complex.

Lone Star
(Who uses S&W stainless steel M60's as snubs.)

 

[ACP230]

I have several Smith Bodyguard snubs and usually carry the M649. The 649 is the most accurate of the bunch and has the best trigger.

I also have a Colt Cobra which is nice and light. It has good sights and a passable trigger. However, it is just a bit too big to fit into my pocket comfortably. If I have to go to a holster I'd prefer to use a larger revolver or an auto pistol rather than a snubby. So the Colt has been relegated to an occasional IDPA gun.

I'd buy a Smith.

 

[PDshooter]

I'll take a S&W640 "Hands down"
That's why I own one!

 

[popeye]

Gun show yesterday. I picked up what I thought was a Colt Agent to look at. Turns out it was a Commando Special, which is a steel frame, parked, (third issue so shrouded ej. rod) Det. special style gun. For $225 I bought it. I've also got a third issue Det. spec. These are holster or coat pocket guns. I've got a S&W 42 (not +p rated) and a 640 38 spec. +p+ rated. I carry one of those when I want to carry in front jeans pocket.

roscoe....If I was you I'd go for a J frame Smith LW in either Bodyguard or Centennial config. Colt D frames are just a bit too big for a pants pocket.

 

[ruger357]

Go for the model 37.

 

[roscoe]

Thanks all, sounds like a consensus. I'm a bit leery of buying used guns without knowing the previous owner, anyway.

 

[Poohgyrr]

FWIW, I'd print that picture of PD's 640, take it with me to the gunshop, and tell the salesman "I want one of these".

I carry one almost everyday. and "I" think it's the most accurate of the bunch with the best trigger . Hehe, for a fun discussion of "which" J frame is the "best" go to www.smith-wessonforum.com, all in good fun.

Seriously though, you can't go too wrong with any Smith revolver that hasn't been beaten with a sledgehammer (um, this has happened before). When the Brits bought S&W, they seriously upgraded the manufacturing equipment, which produces a stock trigger much better than the old stock triggers.

 

[ACP]

Had a Colt "Fitz Special" (Det. Spec. bobbed hammer, front nightsight, hardchromed). Nice gun, but it didn't carry -- and was no more accurate -- than my S&W 642, which I still have. I love Colt -- a 70 Series Combat Commander is my primary belt gun -- but for a pocket gun, or a backup, go with the S&W Airweight. When that one wears out, buy another.

 

[Johnny Guest]

Mainly a matter of personal preference--

JUST as pointed out by Lone Star--gotta compare comprable models.

The all steel S&W J frames-- M36, etc - - compare to the Colt Detective Special and Commando - -Colt's D frame, all steel.

The alloy S&W J frames - -M37, etc - - - compare to the Colt Cobra and Agent - - D size with alloy frames.

I own an Agent and an M37, and like 'em both.
The Agent comes with shorter grip than the Cobra, and I find it carries okay in side pocket and in an ankle holster. I also don't feel TOO bad carrying it in an IWB holster with a speed strip for main battery when I can't manage my Commander.

When I was out on the street a lot more, I carried my M37 airweight Chief in ankle holster as backup. It would be my choice for pure ankle carry. Dunno why the one round difference is really significant, but I really don't like to carry it as sole armament.

Neither Colt nor Smith alloy revolvers will tolerate a steady diet of +P ammo without suffering for it. I have NO qualms about regular practice with light-to-medium loads for regular practice, but I hold back to a cylinderful of +P about once a year, as a reality check.

Best of luck--
Johnny