BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
Three inch Detective Specials are pretty neat. This one came from Puerto Rico
snubbie choices
- Thread starter coondogger
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coondogger
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Why are the model 49s so scarce? There are none at my local gun shops and very few online. Whereas the Colt DSs seem plentiful.
oldfool
Member
what the Bullfrog said
I do love my 3" SP101, but my old S&W 60 snubbie has a far better trigger
yet I would have to bet on the Colt trigger over a current version S&W J
shrouded or not is all about how you choose to carry, but any guy who has long carried a Colt DS cannot go wrong by "dancing with the one that brung 'ya" (always a good notion)... a DS in 38 seems the perfect pick for OP
I do love my 3" SP101, but my old S&W 60 snubbie has a far better trigger
yet I would have to bet on the Colt trigger over a current version S&W J
shrouded or not is all about how you choose to carry, but any guy who has long carried a Colt DS cannot go wrong by "dancing with the one that brung 'ya" (always a good notion)... a DS in 38 seems the perfect pick for OP
Damon555
Member
A 70's model 10-5 snubby
kenhwind
Member
The Detective Special gets my vote. I do like the "J" frame S&Ws, but 6 shots is 20% more firepower than 5.
Of the lightweight Colt Agent that we have, and the Smith and Wesson Chiefs Special Airweight I had, I think I would prefer the Smith.
I carry a used DS on a regular basis, but I've had a couple of the J frames and have carried them also.
For serious carry my Colt LWT XSE 38 Super.
Of the lightweight Colt Agent that we have, and the Smith and Wesson Chiefs Special Airweight I had, I think I would prefer the Smith.
I carry a used DS on a regular basis, but I've had a couple of the J frames and have carried them also.
For serious carry my Colt LWT XSE 38 Super.
ThomasT
Member
Here is a DS I have on GB right now. I hope its Ok to list my own gun. 
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=231389812
Its a really smooth little gun that weighs around 22oz IIRC. The trigger is so light and smooth I was afraid it wouldn't fire. It worked just fine and really wacked the primer on my test round.
I took it to the local GS and asked if all Colts felt this smooth and he said they do. He also said this may have had a trigger job. I bought a 915 9mm auto from the same person and they both belonged to a retired cop. The 915 has also has a trigger job and I didn't know one of these could be so smooth. Not scratchy feeling like my 39-2. I sure wish I knew who did the work because I would have that 39 in his shop before the end of the week.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=231389812
Its a really smooth little gun that weighs around 22oz IIRC. The trigger is so light and smooth I was afraid it wouldn't fire. It worked just fine and really wacked the primer on my test round.
I took it to the local GS and asked if all Colts felt this smooth and he said they do. He also said this may have had a trigger job. I bought a 915 9mm auto from the same person and they both belonged to a retired cop. The 915 has also has a trigger job and I didn't know one of these could be so smooth. Not scratchy feeling like my 39-2. I sure wish I knew who did the work because I would have that 39 in his shop before the end of the week.
Kendal Black
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Toss a coin!
Either one is excellent. It's a win-win choice.
The only thing that occurs to me is you are already used to the D-frame Colt. The .38 DS will have the same feel and operation, same type of trigger stroke, the cylinder will turn in the same direction, the cylinder latch will work the same way you are used to, etc. This might be important in a high stress situation. You can pull back all day on a Smith's cylinder latch and the thing won't come open.
Either one is excellent. It's a win-win choice.
The only thing that occurs to me is you are already used to the D-frame Colt. The .38 DS will have the same feel and operation, same type of trigger stroke, the cylinder will turn in the same direction, the cylinder latch will work the same way you are used to, etc. This might be important in a high stress situation. You can pull back all day on a Smith's cylinder latch and the thing won't come open.
ColtPythonElite
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huntershooter
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Might consider a mod. 12 S&W; alloy "K" frame...
I find it an ideal "pocket pistol".
I find it an ideal "pocket pistol".
ulflyer
Member
Over the years I've had a bunch of handsome, small 38's and loved them all. Then came the auto's for a long time, but recently a plainjane, some say homely, LCR called to me. Decent trigger, very accurate, no concerns about messing up the finish on it. Its become my primary carry now.
MCgunner
Member
I never liked the fragile colt lockwork. I'd go with the J frame and live happy. But, bare in mind, I never owned a colt DA, so I really shouldn't get a vote. Just sayin'......
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
I'm not sure I'd describe a Colt action as fragile. A little more intricate, for sure. But not fragile.
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coondogger
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My local gun shop has a 649 in stock. I'm wondering how these compare to the original blued model 49s. There are many who say the older Smiths are generally of better quality. Is there any truth to this? Or would the 649 be a good alternative to the harder-to-find 49?
MCgunner
Member
Yeah, that's a better way of descibing it.
MCgunner
Member
I'd spend the money on a 642, not too expensive, if it checked out okay on inspection. I wouldn't pay a whole lot for a new Smith, though. the 642s are affordable, not sure about the 649. 400-450, I might bite on one if I were in the market. The older ones are a bunch better IMHO, though.
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coondogger
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I don't think I'd go for the 42 or any of the variants because I like the option of being able to cock the hammer even though it's shrouded. So on the smiths, my choices narrow down to the 49 vs the 649 because of the steel frame; I don't care much for very lightweight 38s.
doc540
Member
"Doc
I was just browsing through the threads and I saw your snubbi. I'm afraid I don't know enough to contribute to the thread but I have to know what is it? I want one now! Is that a modified hammer or did it come that way?"
modified
A friend on the Colt forum does a superior job of bobbing the hammers, though.
I just happened to stumble across that Agent with the uncheckered hammer but a fantastic action.
So I sold all my pretty ones to carry the Agent with character.
And those are stock Badger grips. Jim Badger makes a fine boot grip and is a great guy to deal with.
To date I've sorted through a few D frames.
I was just browsing through the threads and I saw your snubbi. I'm afraid I don't know enough to contribute to the thread but I have to know what is it? I want one now! Is that a modified hammer or did it come that way?"
modified
A friend on the Colt forum does a superior job of bobbing the hammers, though.
I just happened to stumble across that Agent with the uncheckered hammer but a fantastic action.
So I sold all my pretty ones to carry the Agent with character.
And those are stock Badger grips. Jim Badger makes a fine boot grip and is a great guy to deal with.
To date I've sorted through a few D frames.
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