S&W vs Colt Double Action Revolvers
- Thread starter Savage92
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I voted for S&W only because I'm 65, and grew up with them, carried them as an LEO, and still carry them CCW.
I couldn't afford Colt's when I was young, and now when I can afford them I can't find the ones I admired and wanted years ago.
I couldn't afford Colt's when I was young, and now when I can afford them I can't find the ones I admired and wanted years ago.
jameslovesjammie
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I also voted Smith and Wesson.
Out of the factory, Colt probably had a little better trigger and was a little more accurate, but there is so much in the aftermarket for Smith and Wesson to make them as good or better than a Colt.
It's kinda like cars. The 360 in Dodge or 351 in Ford have advantages over a 350 Chevy, but there is so much in the aftermarket for a small block Chevy (at a lesser cost) that it is often the hot rodder's choice.
Out of the factory, Colt probably had a little better trigger and was a little more accurate, but there is so much in the aftermarket for Smith and Wesson to make them as good or better than a Colt.
It's kinda like cars. The 360 in Dodge or 351 in Ford have advantages over a 350 Chevy, but there is so much in the aftermarket for a small block Chevy (at a lesser cost) that it is often the hot rodder's choice.
Texas Colt
Member
1 vote for Colt. I love 'em. The fit, finish, trigger smoothness, accuracy, etc. I collect, carry, and hunt with Colt revolvers.
Although I do agree with James in that there are a lot more custom goodies for the S&W.
Although I do agree with James in that there are a lot more custom goodies for the S&W.
Starter52
Member
I own them both and shoot them both. The S&Ws are my favorites. The only Colt I truly like are the D-frame revolvers, although I have two Pythons and they both shoot great.
In S&W I like them all: J-frames in .22, K-frame for .38s and N-frame for .357 and .44.
In S&W I like them all: J-frames in .22, K-frame for .38s and N-frame for .357 and .44.
James' point actually sounds a lot like what Grant Cunningham said:
I am a simple guy. I love my 19-3, and frankly, I know that at this point I am the limiting factor in my handgun shooting ability. Any slight edge that the Colt would give me in potential would be lost on a pleb like myself.
I'll take S&W. Less expensive, and just as good for me.
Over here: http://www.grantcunningham.com/blog_files/colt_python_delicate.html
I am a simple guy. I love my 19-3, and frankly, I know that at this point I am the limiting factor in my handgun shooting ability. Any slight edge that the Colt would give me in potential would be lost on a pleb like myself.
I'll take S&W. Less expensive, and just as good for me.
earplug
Member
I have owned three Pythons, sold or traded them all, Have never been without A Smith & Wesson and have only traded one off. It was ugly by the time I was done with it.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
S&W all the way!
Not quite as smooth as a hand-fitted Python perhaps.
But it will still be tight & working after the Python is in the repair shop, waiting on someone who still knows how to work on one, who is still waiting on parts he can't get, to fix it.
Don't get me wrong, I like Colts, and I own several, but you can't beat a S&W for long-term durability.
And the Village Blacksmith has parts & knows how fix one if it ever becomes necessary.
rcmodel
Not quite as smooth as a hand-fitted Python perhaps.
But it will still be tight & working after the Python is in the repair shop, waiting on someone who still knows how to work on one, who is still waiting on parts he can't get, to fix it.
Don't get me wrong, I like Colts, and I own several, but you can't beat a S&W for long-term durability.
And the Village Blacksmith has parts & knows how fix one if it ever becomes necessary.
rcmodel
The numbers above, currently 82% to 18% in favor of S&W, are a pretty good indication why Colt dropped the DA wheelgun line. As Iggy noted Colts were expensive back when they were available and now the good ones are held by collectors. The S&W has much more appeal from a shooting standpoint and affordability. There are even a few collectible models for those who want to develop that part of the hobby.
Smith & Wesson revolvers are my preference, mostly by default. There are a bunch available at fairly reasonable prices. Colt revolvers are rare in my neck of the woods. The only Colt revolver I've shot is a friend's Python. Frankly, my 686-3 has a better trigger and finish.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Smith & Wesson, as overall they will have a better trigger~! 
brasskeeper
Member
S&W is my preference but I wouldnt mind owning a python
HammerBite
Member
I voted for Colt based upon experience with my Python. That gun was so smooth out of the box that it was scary. The finish is gorgeous. The only handicap I see today is the difficulty of repair, if needed, and the need to pay attention to developing end-shake issues.
collector14
Member
S&W is clearly the winner in this thread, but...
I have to vote for Colt because...
I love 'em.
I have to vote for Colt because...
I love 'em.
Hawk
Member
Colt = Hit or Miss.
When I finally broke down after reading all the raves about the Python, I bought 3 in relatively quick succession. The first one had a trigger nastier than most of the S&Ws I had, the second had an action better than all and the third split the difference.
The first one is traded off, the third will probably get worked on and I keep the second to remind me why people talk so about them. Granted, they were all assembled at different times by people of varying talent and used or abused in the way that used handguns are heir to. However, I would submit that no one here can expect to do better. If you don't already have a working of knowledge of Pythons, the one you get is a crap shoot. You do not have the option of buying a new one.
The Anaconda is fine as is the Dick's Special. I don't have all that many Colts and I'm not feeling any overwhelming urge to change that.
Definitely S&W - mostly because they're still in the business.
The survey compares a discontinued product to current production. That's a tough one, even with S&W putting a lock on current models. At least there IS a current model.
When I finally broke down after reading all the raves about the Python, I bought 3 in relatively quick succession. The first one had a trigger nastier than most of the S&Ws I had, the second had an action better than all and the third split the difference.
The first one is traded off, the third will probably get worked on and I keep the second to remind me why people talk so about them. Granted, they were all assembled at different times by people of varying talent and used or abused in the way that used handguns are heir to. However, I would submit that no one here can expect to do better. If you don't already have a working of knowledge of Pythons, the one you get is a crap shoot. You do not have the option of buying a new one.
The Anaconda is fine as is the Dick's Special. I don't have all that many Colts and I'm not feeling any overwhelming urge to change that.
Definitely S&W - mostly because they're still in the business.
The survey compares a discontinued product to current production. That's a tough one, even with S&W putting a lock on current models. At least there IS a current model.
tuckerdog1
Member
I voted S&W
1st revolver I ever bought was a used Trooper III. Didn't know squat about guns, and a co-worker who was a big S&W fan steered me toward the Smiths. I did prefer the quicker, shorted pull of the S&W hammer, when cocking for single action. So I traded the Trooper for a 686. The 686 is gone now too. Wish I had both those guns back
Tuckerdog1
1st revolver I ever bought was a used Trooper III. Didn't know squat about guns, and a co-worker who was a big S&W fan steered me toward the Smiths. I did prefer the quicker, shorted pull of the S&W hammer, when cocking for single action. So I traded the Trooper for a 686. The 686 is gone now too. Wish I had both those guns back
Tuckerdog1
ak-kev
Member
Colt all the way!! I cant really explain it. I guess its the intangables Colt brings to the table.
ak-kev
Member
No problem, I understand your frustration. I've been searching very hard for the last 2 months or so, with little luck. But I have found and bought 6, so.....its not too bad. Its only going to get worse.
6_gunner
Member
I voted S&W, but I'm a little prejudiced because I don't have any Colts. My experience with Smiths has been so good that I haven't felt the need to diversify.
However, there's something I've wondered about. Smiths, and some other revolvers have a reputation for having their extractor rods work loose and bind up the action (although this has not yet happened to me). It seems like this would never happen with a Colt, since it doesn't lock at the front of the extractor rod. Is that right?
However, there's something I've wondered about. Smiths, and some other revolvers have a reputation for having their extractor rods work loose and bind up the action (although this has not yet happened to me). It seems like this would never happen with a Colt, since it doesn't lock at the front of the extractor rod. Is that right?
Hawk
Member
A perspective from the noob (myself): I had one S&W lock up from the extractor rod backing out.
I also had a Colt go whacky cause a previous owner installed the crane "cup" (looks like a screw to me) in the wrong order thus gimping up the cylinder.
Six of one, half dozen of another. Neither suffer dicey former owners to any great extent.
The fine folks of THR will get you running in either event, but I'm not seeing any particular advantage to either party as far as "fussy" assembly goes.
Hawk
Member
Part of the culture. No problemo.
Kinda like "which is better?: Marlin 336 or Savage 99. I fully expect to see that sort of thing in "rifles" if it hasn't occured already.
Never mind:
You can't buy a new 99.
The 99 you get might be the slickest thing ever or a dog.
There are 14 'smiths qualified on 99s and when they're gone, you're screwed.
To say nothing of the greatest single area of commonality: a number of people buying "NIB" Pythons won't be shooting them. They're for resale. Forgive me my curmudgeonly attitude, but if you're buying something whose value is derived from a "trigger so smooth you'll soil yourself", of what use is one that you'll never pull the trigger on? Might be like mine that was filled with fingernail clippings and chalkboard aggregrate... but they'll never know.
Never.
Perhaps "Colt" vs "Vanguard Funds" is the more appropriate question?
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