Old Colt & S&W Revolver Weights?

[Ala Dan]

Greetings All-

In the days of old, lets say the 60's [just too name a time period] Colt
advertised that their 6-shot Detective Specials weight was just 21 ozs;
while their competition, the S&W 5-shot Chief's Special weighed in
at 19 ozs. My question is, would you rather give up the extra round for a
weight consideration; or would you put up with the weight, for the benefit
of having one extra round~? I know that most will say that the S&W has a
far better trigger; and I would have too agree.

*Footnote- please keep this discussion to the two models listed; NO Cobras,
Agents, 37's, 38's, 42's and the like allowed~!

 

[savit260]

I would disagree that the J frame has a better trigger than the small Colts. I prefer the Colt.

I don't find I notice any difference in weight between the small Colts and S&W in practical use.

 

[Starter52]

I prefer both the trigger and the grip shape on the Colt. The extra shot is a bonus.

That said, the J-frame is a smaller, easier-to-carry package.

I would pick the J-frame for pocket carry and the Colt for holster carry.

 

[keyboard commando]

The diameter of the cylinder on the Detective Special is only one hundred thousanths of one inch larger than that of a S & W "J" frame.

 

[JHK94]

The diameter of the cylinder on the Detective Special is only one hundred thousanths of one inch larger than that of a S & W "J" frame.

I can't prove it right now, but I think that number is closer to 1/10 of an inch. Even if not, 1/100,000 seems implausible. Does someone know the actual measurements?

 

[keyboard commando]

Sorry,it is 1/10 of an inch....100/1000...or .010"

 

[Lucky Derby]

Personally I find the Colt has a better trigger and is easier to shoot than the Smith. The Smith is a smaller package and is easier to pocket carry. For belt carry, I prefer a larger revolver than either. I have owned both J and D frames over the years. Only 2 remain. Both are Smiths.

 

[syr74]

I am always amazed when somebody forwards the idea that a Smith and Wesson revolver has a 'better' trigger than a Colt. Each to their own I suppose, but I think there is no comparison.

 

[Low Budget Shooter]

Dear Dan,

If the only difference were one more shot, for the sake of 2 oz, I'd take the extra shot. But the D frame Colt is different from the J frame in more ways than that, as I'm sure you know. For one thing, there is more length between the trigger and the backstrap on the Colt, which makes it both fit the shooting hand better and want to stick up out of the pocket more than the Smith. For another thing, as already mentioned, the cylinder is wider on the Colt by 1/10 inch. That doesn't seem like much in math, or on the belt, but in the pocket it is noticeable. For just one more thing, the Colt has much better style, or panache, or chemistry, or whatever it is. But you just feel cooler carrying and shooting a Colt DS than a Smith CS. I'm sure you all agree!

LBS

 

[Cosmoline]

I like them both and have owned both. The J Frame Smiths are a ground-up postwar five shot design that are smaller all around. I've found them slightly easier to conceal than the D frame DS. The Colt DS is a derivation of the Police Positive Special, a considerably older design. So the DS tends to feel like a full size revolver in the hand. And of course it has the full six shots.

The DS' biggest drawback is its complex lockwork which can go out of time after many years of shooting. It also uses a "V" mainspring that can break. One of mine did a few years back, and proved difficult to replace. The Smith J frame, while being less durable than say an SP-101, are less prone to mechanical problems. Part of the problem lies in the sheer number of years a lot of DS's have been in circulation. Any revolver kicking around since before WWII is bound to need some parts replaced eventually. The newer DS's with the full rod shroud won't suffer from this drawback though.

he Colt has much better style, or panache, or chemistry, or whatever it is.

Yes, absolutely. The J frames are great, but mostly fungible. A DS has SOUL!

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Personally, I choose to carry a Colt DS (the old, unshrouded version) when I carry a revolver. I like the Colt double action trigger and the extra round is a nice bonus.

 

[dfariswheel]

Added to the mix is the fact that the slightly bigger, heavier Colt DS is an easier gun to shoot and to control and later heavy barrel versions could be used with +P ammo.

Then too, the Colt Detective Special was famous for being the most accurate, highest quality snubby revolver ever made.

 

[savit260]

With the post 1966 short grip frame , and a set of Agent style, short grips, the Colt gets pretty close to the size of a J frame, and nicer to shoot IMO.

The Cobra, and Agent (aluminum frames) also weigh in around 15 or 16 oz. Again, pretty close to the Airweights with an extra round in the cylinder.

 

[Archie]

How interesting...

Of the two, I'll carry the S&W Chief Special. It hides better and the double action trigger is vastly superior to the Detective Special. Single action, they are about equal; if one thumb cocks a snubby.

I find the two inch M&P Smith to be far more graceful than the DS ever was. It is also a six shot revolver and only marginally larger than the DS.

The lockwork on the DS will go out of time, but it doesn't take all that long. Additionally, when a DS needs interior work, nearly all the parts must be addressed. The design of the S&W minimalizes this problem.

So yes, I'll trade the one round for the weight and size difference.