The new Colt revolvers don't do it for me

[Mark_Mark]

Is that a left handed single action? The loading gate is on the left side.

no Samuel Colt was left handed and this is were the loading gate should be! that’s why it’s the Improved Right Hand Version!

 

[Styx]

Not sure how anyone can think they're unattractive especially if they like the looks of Smiths as they favor Smiths IMHO. The RQ code is really inconspicuous and I don't really think about it or know it's there until someone reminds me. It doesn't hurt anything or really take away from the beauty of the revolver. As someone else pointed out, it's certainly not anywhere near as bad as the black mole on S&W revolvers.

Between S&W, Ruger, Colt, and Kimber revolvers, Rugers look the most unattractive IMHO. Because of the amputee looking grip tang, it's humpback, and obvious cast metal soft lines, they've always looked less attractive to me vs forged revolvers. Like Glocks, the way Ruger revolvers look have grown on me over the years. S&W, Colt, and Kimber revolvers have the best stock triggers too over Rugers.

I never was really a fan of blued revolvers. Don't get me wrong, they're beautiful in their own right as well; however, they require more maintenance, they aren't as rust/weather resistant, and they show wear (scraps, nicks, and scratches) faster that can't simply be buffed out within a matter of minutes to looking as good as new.

King Cobra [favors a S&W K-frame]



Python [ Favors a S&W L-frame]



Anaconda [Favors a S&W N-frame]

 

[cfullgraf]

Colt, the cylinder release goes the wrong way, it will get you killed on the streets.

-Certified Colt hater and S&W fanboy!

I agree, I’ve put orders of magnitude more rounds through S&W revolvers than a Colt. Where a rapid reload would be necessary, muscle memory would make me push on the cylinder release.

But I do enjoy shooting my Python and Anaconda. I’d use them any where the need for rapid reloads would be unlikely.

 

[sgmdcw]

I have always preferred the looks and mechanics of a S&W

 

[Old Dog]

Nothing like a Colt thread to bring out the haters, naysayers and S&W fanbois.

 

[Styx]

Nothing like a Colt thread to bring out the haters, naysayers and S&W fanbois.

I know right? I guess I'm the only member on the forum who's a fanboy of them all, and own multiple revolvers from S&W, Colt, Ruger, Taurus, and Kimber. Others seem to perfer one platform only or the most, and will hate on the competition. I personally like them all for different reasons.

 

[shoebox1.1]

I love my KC

 

[hemiram]

I had a blued 6" Python back about 1979 or so. The hand broke on it soon after I bought it used, and I can't really say I loved it. I sold it to a guy at work who had a 4" Python and several other Colt revolvers. I didn't miss it, but I did miss my S&W 28-2 I sold about the same time, a lot. A friend has a new 6" Python, and it's OK, but like my old one, I have no real love for it. I prefer my Dan Wesson 715 and S&W 28-2's.

 

[Rodfac]

The new Colt small frame revolvers have the odd shaped trigger guard to prevent pinching the trigger finger.

Yep....that flattened fwd section looks like someone dropped it....beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, however, and the reviews have been flattering to say the least. Best regards, Rod

 

[UncleEd]

Kudos to Colt for getting back in the revolver game.

Obviously Colt has pleased many shooters and that's
all to the good in the world of revolvers.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Always loved the feel of thumbing the hammer on an old Python, but the reputation then was the Smith was a better revolver. Colt's always had a wonderful finish.
We're told the new Python is a sturdier revo.
Gotta tell you, the trigger guard on the KC leaves me a little cold; feel the same way about the new Kimber revos...reputedly decent guns, but apparently designed with a T-square. Anyway, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Have to admit, a 3" Python looks interesting, but probably won't happen for me.
Whether it's a Colt, a Smith, or a Walther, everyone beefs about the quality of newer guns...
Moon

 

[.308 Norma]

Unfortunately, the retro Thunderbird was a miss.

IME, the originals weren't all that great either. I had one (a '55) and I think I spent at much time working on it as I spent driving it.
I ended up trading it for a new '71 Chevy pickup-truck because I was headed overseas and my bride needed dependable transportation (which the T-bird was not) while I was gone. Besides, I knew as soon as I got home, I was getting out of the Navy, moving back to Idaho, and taking up deer and elk hunting again. And that T-bird would have been an absolutely awful hunting rig.
I guess it did hold its value though - I paid $1,200 for it originally, and after putting about another $1,200 into it, traded it straight across (minus sales tax) for the new '71 Chevy pickup truck - which I drove home to Idaho, and a few years later, traded in (at a loss) on a new GMC.

 

[SterlingBullet]

IME, the originals weren't all that great either. I had one (a '55) and I think I spent at much time working on it as I spent driving it.

Us boys born in the 1930s, 30s, 50s, 60s and 70s, maybe a few from the 80s, sure have a lot of stories about fixing our cars ourselves. I miss those times, can't fix anything on the new cars today. For me, its just pump gas, change the air filter, and drive.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Kudos to Colt for getting back in the revolver game.

Obviously Colt has pleased many shooters and that's
all to the good in the world of revolvers.

I’m looking to get a New Colt Python, not as throwback Colt compare & contrast. But as a smooth DA revolver. I have handled a Korth and it only noticeably better than a new Colt Python but not $2,500 better.

 

[Old Dog]

I kinda feel bad for those folks that limit themselves to their favorite brand and can't be open-minded enough to try out new things. Myself, I'm totally onboard with DEI, and my safes are the model for diversity and inclusivity.

I do find it ironic that some who decry the modest little QR code on the new Colt revolvers, will prattle on and on about their wonderful (insert name of preferred maker here) revolver (or pistol) in spite of the unsightly pimple on the left side plate or the egregious half-inch writing on the barrel, or the ridiculous nanny admonition to "read instruction manual before using" on the barrel, slide or frame, not to mention some of the heinous laser etched roll marks with complete addresses of the company or otherwise silly inscriptions....

Anyway, all my revolvers cultivate partnerships with each other, share resources (my ammunition) to create and sustain an environment that is inclusive, equitable and diverse. Hey, I worked for the government, so I have training on this stuff! Perhaps some of y'all have some work to do in this arena

 

[Mark_Mark]

I kinda feel bad for those folks that limit themselves to their favorite brand and can't be open-minded enough to try out new things. Myself, I'm totally onboard with DEI, and my safes are the model for diversity and inclusivity.

I do find it ironic that some who decry the modest little QR code on the new Colt revolvers, will prattle on and on about their wonderful (insert name of preferred maker here) revolver (or pistol) in spite of the unsightly pimple on the left side plate or the egregious half-inch writing on the barrel, or the ridiculous nanny admonition to "read instruction manual before using" on the barrel, slide or frame, not to mention some of the heinous laser etched roll marks with complete addresses of the company or otherwise silly inscriptions....

Anyway, all my revolvers cultivate partnerships with each other, share resources (my ammunition) to create and sustain an environment that is inclusive, equitable and diverse. Hey, I worked for the government, so I have training on this stuff! Perhaps some of y'all have some work to do in this arena
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You must be from Seattle! I feel you and convey you as a person with feelings for the less fortunate gun makers!

 

[Styx]

I kinda feel bad for those folks that limit themselves to their favorite brand and can't be open-minded enough to try out new things. Myself, I'm totally onboard with DEI, and my safes are the model for diversity and inclusivity.

I do find it ironic that some who decry the modest little QR code on the new Colt revolvers, will prattle on and on about their wonderful (insert name of preferred maker here) revolver (or pistol) in spite of the unsightly pimple on the left side plate or the egregious half-inch writing on the barrel, or the ridiculous nanny admonition to "read instruction manual before using" on the barrel, slide or frame, not to mention some of the heinous laser etched roll marks with complete addresses of the company or otherwise silly inscriptions....

Anyway, all my revolvers cultivate partnerships with each other, share resources (my ammunition) to create and sustain an environment that is inclusive, equitable and diverse. Hey, I worked for the government, so I have training on this stuff! Perhaps some of y'all have some work to do in this arena
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For the most part people have a strong bias towards what they're use to seeing and what they used to using since their younger years, so they'll find (nitpick) reasons to bash anything newer or different than what they're use to whether even if it's hypocritical as you pointed out.

If S&W or Ruger revolvers always had, since their conception, a cylinder release, QR code, and the trigger guard the same as the current Colts, and the Current Colts were different, the opinions of S&W or Ruger fanboys would flip-flop IMHO. They'd be bashing the features of the new kid on the block still.

For whatever reason, most gun owners on forums have been very negative as of late whenever a new gun or anything different or that is a competitor to their favorite brand comes on the market. A lot of bashing, complaining, and negatively across the board. They have their favorites, and must bash other options

With that said and irregardless of some of the hate the new Colts are receiving, it seems that Colt are selling more King Cobras and Pythons vs S&W or Ruger 357 offerings according to the annual ATF report. I recall in recent years Colt not being able to make them fast enough and them selling above MSRP, so I reckon the general doesn't feel the same way as the OP and some of the other naysayers.

 

[JDeere]

Well that's why there are choices. Buy what you like and like what you buy. I have Smith's, Rugers and Colt's and the best out of the box trigger is the Colt. Rugers are really easy to change springs. I took the 686 4 inch and the Python 4 inch to the range on the same day. Oh what a difference between the 2 with stock triggers...

 

[cfullgraf]

Us boys born in the 1930s, 30s, 50s, 60s and 70s, maybe a few from the 80s, sure have a lot of stories about fixing our cars ourselves. I miss those times, can't fix anything on the new cars today. For me, its just pump gas, change the air filter, and drive.

Yes, I fix my cars with a checkbook these days.

Fortunately, my firearms have been quite reliable over the decades that I have been shooting.

 

[Ascot500]

I am glad to see so many responses. As I am nearly revolver-less at the moment I don't really have a horse in this race. But I have owned Colts, S&W and Ruger revolvers and enjoyed them all.
As for me - if I had a choice between a new Colt and a gently used Trooper, Official Police or Police Positive.....well, looks matter.

 

[Tallball]

The old ones look very good. I really like the looks of my Army Special.

The new ones seem to be very good tools, but for me they fall short as works of art.

 

[PapaG]

My love affair with Colt ended when they ended their love affair with the customer and dropped virtually every sporting gun they made to maximize profits through the military sales. They dropped the Woodsman, all revolvers except custom shop stuff and only recently caved and brought back misnamed things that aren't like the original. Cobra for example.
I hold on to my Sport Woodsman and brothers Frontier Scout but won't spend an arm and a leg for a Python when I have a 686, or an Anaconda instead of my 29-2'or my three screw ,Super.
I have hopes that their newest owners might bring back something good like a Detective Special or a large frame 22 target.

 

[CraigC]

For whatever reason, most gun owners on forums have been very negative as of late whenever a new gun or anything different or that is a competitor to their favorite brand comes on the market. A lot of bashing, complaining, and negatively across the board. They have their favorites, and must bash other options

I've never understood it. Folks don't have to like everything but they don't have to hate it either. It's like there's some sort of notoriety in being the first and/or most critical of anything new. Then there are those that dismiss everything as a marketing ploy that must be resisted at all costs.

I know older folks are resistant to change but it's not just them. The younger generations are also very closed-minded but for different reasons. When I joined a truck forum several years ago, I learned first hand just how bad they can be as I was referred to as "random old dude", at about 40yrs old. It was comical but also very strange that 18-25yr olds would have such a strong urge to conform and reject anything or anyone outside the box.

IMHO, everything should be judged based on merit. Not everything old is good and not everything new is bad. As far as guns go, I enter with the same attitude as I do a movie theater. I want to like it.

 

[Ethan Verity]

I'm here to throw a wrench into this thread and say I don't like any of the Colt snake guns!

The cylinder release is awkward, and the full barrel rib makes them look too thick and nose heavy.

There, I said it.

 

[UncleEd]

Twice now it has been stated that the cylinder release is awkward.
Although I can shoot fairly well with either hand, I'm primarily a
lefty. As result I don't find the Colt cylinder release awkward at
all nor the S&W or Ruger releases.

But then lefties are superior people without being handicapped by
a right hand only domination.