The new Colt revolvers don't do it for me

[.38 Special]

When I was young and closed minded, I turned up my nose at the SRH. Thought it was hideous compared to the S&W N-frames I knew and loved. Then I started using one and totally changed my mind. No, it's not as sexy as an N-frame......

.....but it's beautiful in what it does and how it does it. For slaying critters of all sizes, there are plain few that compare. They're simply different tools for different jobs.

From a technical perspective, I'm not sure there is any better big-bore DA revolver than the SRH. God they're unlovely, though. I was in a shop handling a then-new SRH with the "target gray" finish and another fellow walked by, did a double-take, and then walked away with an expression like he'd just seen someone squeezing a dog turd. I had to laugh out loud, because I pretty much agreed with the sentiment.

 

[CajunBass]

you guy bet me to the QR code…

has anybody tried scanning the code?

I have. It's just the serial number. Nothing more. Used more at the factory than anywhere else I suppose as they scan the gun through the manufacturing process. Smith and Wesson used to do the same thing, maybe still do, with all the numbers and letters you'd find stamped inside the yoke, or under the grips that meant absolutely nothing to anyone, once the gun left the line.

Could Colt have hidden it? Probably not since it's being scanned by a machine I'm sure. A human can open the yoke to check the number. A machine can read the QR code only if it's where it can be seen.

I don't even notice it anymore.

 

[Old Dog]

I don't even notice it anymore.

Same here. I find it amusing that some who object to this marking, put up with stupid stuff on their firearms such as:


They could have stopped after saying to RTFM, but no, they go on to say where it's available... Yeesh.

Or (and I understand many desire these, but in the immortal words of the legendary Pres. Joe Biden, "C'mon, man!"):



Or this (not picking on Ruger, just an example of a "billboard" on a gun)


Or -- gasp! -- this:



Or even:


Have not even mentioned in this post "The Lock" (AKA the "Hillary Hole). My point is that on the internet, everyone comes aboard to criticize a brand they don't care for, due to usually one cosmetic feature they find offensive. If you're gonna talk about accuracy, durability, reliability, ergonomics, fine, but all the rest is just unnecessary noise in the form of subjective opinion.

 

[mcb]

I have. It's just the serial number. Nothing more. Used more at the factory than anywhere else I suppose as they scan the gun through the manufacturing process. Smith and Wesson used to do the same thing, maybe still do, with all the numbers and letters you'd find stamped inside the yoke, or under the grips that meant absolutely nothing to anyone, once the gun left the line.

Could Colt have hidden it? Probably not since it's being scanned by a machine I'm sure. A human can open the yoke to check the number. A machine can read the QR code only if it's where it can be seen.

I don't even notice it anymore.

Remember at any time the AFT can show up and ask to audit your "bound book", this includes a factory. Having machine readable serial numbers can really result in savings in both time and money when the AFT shows up at the factory. Not to mention just the usually daily book keeping as gun move down the line, for both the accountants, and the bound book.

 

[UncleEd]

For those totally offended by the "unsightly" embellishments on
their favorite or not so favorite firearms, remember all of them can
be covered with duct tape. That's why duct tape was invented.

 

[CraigC]

Gosh, Craig, if you could please give us some examples of this that you've read on this forum, please. Seems to me that most here (at least in the threads that I've bothered to read through) who've owned say, a Colt, that hasn't proven worthy, had issues or was just a confirmed lemon, have been pretty honest and forthcoming about the problems they've experienced.

And simply by virtue of someone (who claims to be an owner of a specific brand) chiming into a particular thread saying they've not experienced issues with their personally owned specimens, or otherwise had nothing but reliable performance from their guns, doesn't make them a "Kool Aid drinker."

Good Lord man, in 25yrs of online bantering, I couldn't tell you how many times I've been round & round with Colt Kool Aid drinkers. Here and elsewhere. If you can look at a late domestic USFA and a Colt and use the words "just a clone", you're not seeing or thinking objectively.

Boy, you're no fun. For many of us at our age(s), all we have left is our romantic notions, nostalgia, and our foolishness. And some of us like buying "the story." Why else would someone buy an SAA or a 1911, anyway?

Did you read what you quoted???

I prefer stainless and all my revolvers are stainless because of maintenance, increased corrosion resistance, and I can easily keep them looking brand new even after being scratched and being taken in and out of holsters thousands of times. Just not worth it to me to lose all the pros of stainless exclusively just for vanity reasons.

Vanity has nothing to do with it. We like what we like and my affection for stainless steel is dwindling. The so called pros of stainless are no loss to me.

 

[silicosys4]

Its not even "Colt Hate". I just look at the aesthetics of the new Colt revolvers, and I think to myself "for $800-$1300 I can have a pretty nice vintage Colt (or S&W) that looks like it was designed and made with a soul instead of an algorithm.

 

[CraigC]

Its not even "Colt Hate". I just look at the aesthetics of the new Colt revolvers, and I think to myself "for $800-$1300 I can have a pretty nice vintage Colt (or S&W) that looks like it was made with a soul instead of an algorithm.

I wrestle with that every time I look at a new DA revolver. My only Colt DA's are 100yrs old.

 

[Styx]

Vanity has nothing to do with it. We like what we like and my affection for stainless steel is dwindling. The so called pros of stainless are no loss to me.

You are correct. We like what we like, and my comments was about what I like. It had nothing to do with what you like nor was it an attack on what you like. You like the looks of blued revolvers over stainless. More power to you. Lighten up Francis.

 

[Barmcd]

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.

Tell me about it. Changing the headlight in our Jeep Cherokee taxed me both in the wallet and the back. The bulb cost $145 and you had to turn the steering wheel to the right stop and pull the left wheel well loose to reach it.

 

[Barmcd]

The discussion about the QR code sounds a little like the keyhole discussion with new Smith & Wesson Revolvers.

 

[Styx]

The discussion about the QR code sounds a little like the keyhole discussion with new Smith & Wesson Revolvers.

Yea, that's been mentioned as well as the owners manual on Ruger revolvers. I reckon people will overlook and be more forgiving when it comes to a firearm they're a fanboy of, but at the same time will be highly and sometimes overly critical and may even nitpick when it comes to everything else.

It's historically has been S&W vs Ruger revolvers and fanboys on both sides bashing the other's product. Now since Colt has gotten back into the game, it seems that that those who really like S&W revolvers really don't like Colt revolvers, and Rugers seems to be getting a break from the versus battle.

 

[SterlingBullet]

Only think I don't care for are the QR code and the crap rubber grips. They should send a set of checkered wood with them as well.

When I bought my blued 44 Redhawk around 2002 the stainless gun was over 100 dollars higher

I have colt, Smith, Ruger, freedom and Taurus. And some older revolvers from others.

For current production id put colt well above smith. Ive sent back more smith revolvers that didn't work new or with low round counts than all other brands combined.

All came back in 2-3 weeks working fine. But that's still pretty sorry manufacturing.

I work on both new and old and restore older ones. Id 10:1 rather work on anything 2000 and up over any of the old ones. Sure small and big block chevy, FE, Cleveland, 335 Ford and LA Mopar have fewer parts but far less feedback too. And parts you get now suck too. Late 80s and early 90s domestics are particularly bad because you had the electronic parts.... but no obd2 interface to communicate with it. Lol have to backprobe wires and jump this out and unhook this and watch resistance and such.

Ive said a million times....Most of the old guys who always told me as a kid how they kept their old cars running with a matchbook and pliers but can't work on the new stuff......once they got their old midlife crisis cars off their youth back......still bring me those to fix as well.

It appears you have been able to keep up with the technology. That is an impressive ability. Far and away above my poor talents.

 

[Old Dog]

Did you read what you quoted???

Why yes, yes I did. And given your comments in the other currently running thread about Colt products, I don't understand how you can, on the one hand, deprecate folks for "buying a story" and implying that some purchase firearms out of "romantic notions" while then noting that you have your own... At some level, what particular brands we choose to buy and/or collect is a personal thing, and being human, we tend to romanticize things, wax nostalgic, indulge in pure sentimentality. I've always owned Chevys, in part, because my Dad and his dad before him did. Are they necessarily the best trucks or cars on the road? Are there better motor vehicles, made be less popular automakers, available for less money. Of course. At this point, I still appreciate that we have choices. But I won't denigrate you because I think your motives for buying your preferred brands are less pure than mine.

The discussion about the QR code sounds a little like the keyhole discussion with new Smith & Wesson Revolvers.

Yea, that's been mentioned as well as the owners manual on Ruger revolvers. I reckon people will overlook and be more forgiving when it comes to a firearm they're a fanboy of, but at the same time will be highly and sometimes overly critical and may even nitpick when it comes to everything else.

What we can say is that a QR code consisting of a handful of slight indentations on the frame cannot possibly cause the gun not to fire when the trigger is pulled -- while, although there's been but little anecdotal evidence and only a few documented cases, we cannot say the same about The Lock on 2001 and later production S& W revolvers. So, there's that. (Full disclosure: I've purchased a few S&W revolvers with The Lock.)

 

[cfullgraf]

I've never hated Colt revolvers, they, historically, have been too expensive for my tastes. The Python and Anaconda that I bought a couple years ago are the first Colt revolvers that I bought. They are still too expensive but I'm alot more capable of purchasing them these days.

I've decided that SA revolvers and I do not get along so I have abandoned the desire to get a Colt SAA. I'd love to have a 44-40 model, but... Nothing wrong with the revolvers, they just do not fit my likes and desires. That does not mean I think others should not buy one, it is there choice and kind oif fits in the Ford vs Chevy debate.

I do have some Ruger revolvers including a few single actions and DA/SA revolvers. I like shooting the DA/SA revolovers even though I think they are frumpy looking. My 22 RF Single Six and 327 Fed Mag Single Seven are great revolvers.

I'll admit, I'm an S&W fanboy but I'm interested in another manufacturers' guns if they have something to offer that I cannot get from S&W.

Now, when it comes to 1911's, I'm a 1911 junkie. I definitely like Colts. The current examples are not as richly finished a my 1980 Mk IV Series 70 1911 or my mid-1950's 38 Super but they shoot a well. I have more Colt 1911's than any other 1911 manufacturer, including the couple that i assembled myself.

Now an aside to the thread on servicing autos these days, I race a 1984 Honda Civic in SCCA H Production class. Parts are getting hard to find for the car so I recently bought a 2017 Honda Fit B Spec race car to modify to H Production specs. Geeze, the engine on the Fit has more sensors than Carter has Liver pills. I'm in for an education.

Sorry for the side track.

 

[cfullgraf]

As far as the QR code on the Colt revolvers or some of the roll markings on Ruger or S&W revolvers, it is what it is.

The Ruger dissertation on the barrels of their firearms is less to my liking than the QR code.

But, if the firearm is a good shooter, who cares. I'm not looking for wall ornaments.

 

[Styx]

you guy bet me to the QR code…

has anybody tried scanning the code?

I have. It's just the serial number. Nothing more. Used more at the factory than anywhere else I suppose as they scan the gun through the manufacturing process. Smith and Wesson used to do the same thing, maybe still do, with all the numbers and letters you'd find stamped inside the yoke, or under the grips that meant absolutely nothing to anyone, once the gun left the line.

Could Colt have hidden it? Probably not since it's being scanned by a machine I'm sure. A human can open the yoke to check the number. A machine can read the QR code only if it's where it can be seen.

I don't even notice it anymore.

There's a few threads on the Colt forum that state they scanned the code, and the code gives the:

1. Model Number
2. Serial Number
3. Manufacture Date

If that's the case, IMHO I think it's pretty cool that all that information is listed right on the gun itself. That's more useful than lawyer talk and internal locks especially if buying used being that Colt sell blems. I'll have to scan mine when I get around to it. Now I'm intrigued.

 

[CraigC]

You are correct. We like what we like, and my comments was about what I like. It had nothing to do with what you like nor was it an attack on what you like. You like the looks of blued revolvers over stainless. More power to you. Lighten up Francis.

Dude, you quoted me, so I responded, Francis.

Why yes, yes I did. And given your comments in the other currently running thread about Colt products, I don't understand how you can, on the one hand, deprecate folks for "buying a story" and implying that some purchase firearms out of "romantic notions" while then noting that you have your own... At some level, what particular brands we choose to buy and/or collect is a personal thing, and being human, we tend to romanticize things, wax nostalgic, indulge in pure sentimentality. I've always owned Chevys, in part, because my Dad and his dad before him did. Are they necessarily the best trucks or cars on the road? Are there better motor vehicles, made be less popular automakers, available for less money. Of course. At this point, I still appreciate that we have choices. But I won't denigrate you because I think your motives for buying your preferred brands are less pure than mine.

That's easy. My heart dictates I buy an 1860 or an SAA. My brain dictates that they are not Colt products. The student in me dictates that I still have at least one of each.

 

[cfullgraf]

View attachment 1172718

I'd have trouble with an orange frame. It is just not right.

My race car in the late 1970's-early, 1980-s was "International Truck, City of Omaha Orange". It is similar to McLaren orange or safety orange on many emergency vehicles in the United States. I loved the McLaren cars of the 1970's Can-Am series races.

I live in University of Tennessee country where the orange here is weird unto itself. Not enough red in the mix, too much "yellow".

But, getting special color frames has some appeal for some folks.

 

[Mark_Mark]

There's a few threads on the Colt forum that state they scanned the code, and the code gives the:

1. Model Number
2. Serial Number
3. Manufacture Date

If that's the case, IMHO I think it's pretty cool that all that information is listed right on the gun itself. That's more useful than lawyer talk and internal locks especially if buying new being that Colt sell blems. I'll have to scan mine when I get around to it. Now I'm intrigued.

wonder if you scratch it off, that would be considered “tampering” ?

 

[Mark_Mark]

Dude, you quoted me, so I responded, Francis.



That's easy. My heart dictates I buy an 1860 or an SAA. My brain dictates that they are not Colt products. The student in me dictates that I still have at least one of each.

I love clones! Affordable, plentiful, & Fun!

 

[Styx]

wonder if you scratch it off, that would be considered “tampering” ?

I doubt it because the actual serial # is still on the receiver.

Dude, you quoted me, so I responded, Francis.

Yes, with a defensive response.

 

[CraigC]

I live in University of Tennessee country where the orange here is weird unto itself. Not enough red in the mix, too much "yellow".

Ugh, I hate UT orange. I don't care anything about football, so that probably makes it even worse. Now Hugger Orange, that was a nice one!

 

[CajunBass]

There's a few threads on the Colt forum that state they scanned the code, and the code gives the:

1. Model Number
2. Serial Number
3. Manufacture Date

If that's the case, IMHO I think it's pretty cool that all that information is listed right on the gun itself. That's more useful than lawyer talk and internal locks especially if buying used being that Colt sell blems. I'll have to scan mine when I get around to it. Now I'm intrigued.

That's funny because the three I've had only showed the SN. Well...let me rephrase that. Two of the three. I'm not sure I've ever checked the third and newest one. The other two were both early models on with a S/N less than 3000, and the other is just over 5500. I wonder if they started to add information later, or if I just don't really know how to scan it.

 

[Styx]

That's funny because the three I've had only showed the SN. Well...let me rephrase that. Two of the three. I'm not sure I've ever checked the third and newest one. The other two were both early models on with a S/N less than 3000, and the other is just over 5500. I wonder if they started to add information later, or if I just don't really know how to scan it.

It's just what I read on the other forum, so I wonder too. The thought of scanning mine never crossed my mind. I never thought much about the code or its existence until this thread, and a handful of member complaints about it. It's not typically made a big deal of or even brought up elsewhere.

When I get a chance to scan mine, I'll report back with what it says.