which old "cop" revolver?

[wnycollector]

I am looking to add a .38 revolver to my collection. I love the look of the old police revolver's with the pencil barrel. I can't decide between a S&W Military&Police or a Colt Official Police. Can I get some feedback on pro's and cons of each? Also, have I overlooked a maker or model of this type?

 

[Starter52]

I own five "K" frame revolvers with adjustable sights and I like them all, but for fixed-sights guns I prefer to shoot my Official Police. The "I" frame Colt just has a more solid feel to it.

Really it's a matter of personal opinion.

 

[ARTiger]

I have own(ed) both a pre model 10 and an Official Police. Both are excellent guns . . . the S&W was slightly more accurate (or I just shoot it better personally) and I like the sight picture better. The Colt is crafted a hair better if you were to take both apart and look at the metal finishes throughout. It's a tossup - I couldn't choose one as clearly better than the other.

Get both. I still have my Colt and sold the S&W, for no real reason other than to clear room . . . I have regretted it ever since.

 

[armoredman]

Smith Model 10

 

[Will5A1]

Get a Model 10 or pre-10 M&P, everyone should have at least one. Don't pass up a Colt Police Positive, different frame than the Colt OP and not as many of them around but they are a classic.

 

[Iggy]

Well, I'm and old cop *FAP!!* and I had to furnish my own weapon.. I got a NIB Mdl 10 for $65.00. If the gun store had a Colt at a similar price, I would have faced the same problem you do.

I growed up, so to speak, with S&W's so that is one I would choose, but I sure wouldn't turn a Colt down if I had a shot at one.

 

[bakert]

Got to agree with all that picked the model 10. This well used one is still tight and still gets carried at times.

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

The Colt and the Smith are both classic police revolvers. My advice, get one of each.

 

[Croyance]

If both are available, the Model 10 is easier to find, so get the Colt first. It has been used all over the world and by so many police departments you won't ever have to worry about finding another.

 

[tasco 74]

my wife's dad was a town cop her when i met her... made for some inventive makeout sessions....... anyhow.... she iherited her dads carry piece when she was older.. it's a colt det spl snubbie .38...... is good and tight still and cute as hell......... i reload lighter .38 spl loads for her and she shoots it sometimes when we go to the range......... that said i owned a s&w model 13 as my first handgun and loved it...... i'd try for one of each too.........

 

[Jim K]

For a collection, I would go with the Colt for a number of reasons. For a practical shooting gun, the S&W wins hands down, due to the many timing and other problems to which Colts often are prone, and the expense of repair if/when something does go bad.

Jim

 

[Dienekes]

I suppose both, but I have always preferred the Smith, not least of all for the DA.

The interesting thing is that if old M&P/Model 10s had even the minimal amount of care, they just get smoother and smoother. I have one sitting here now from the late 40s that had a (non-factory) reblue somewhere along the line. Between holster wear and polishing it's like a bar of soap now. As the old line goes, you could rub the gun all over your face and not leave a mark.

Plus the cylinder-barrel alignment is still right on and it shoots to the sights.

It's not my carry piece, but with the right load I would have no problem with using it for that. Just a great old classic with lots of bare steel showing.

 

[cheygriz]

When I first started out in LE, I had to furnish my own. I carried the service revolver my father had carried as a deputy, a pre model 10 S&W M&P with 5 inch pencil barrel.

Later, I switched to a S&W model 28 Highway Patrolman with 6 inch barrel.

Loved 'em both!

But right now, I would get the Colt first, purely for economic reasons. There are plenty of Smiths still floating around, but the Colts are getting scarce.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

You have overlooked one of the most significant "cop" revolvers ever manufactured.

The Colt Police Positive.

 

[Croyance]

Colt prices have been going up - leading may to be safe queens in the hands of collectors. That happens when a gun sells for a few car payments. In the right parts of the country, Model 10's are relatively cheap.

 

[joneb]

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=52035&d=1169778114
I've been thinking of trading this mod 10 of for something else, but it's kinda like gum on a shoe it just keeps sticking around

 

[Thirties]

These are two of my old cop revolvers . . . a 4" SW model 10 pencil barrel, and a Colt Detective Special. both are 1960's era. As you can see, I've given them names.

 

[Jkwas]

I'm partial to this one myself. 3in. Mod 10-7 police trade-in from Australia.

 

[SaxonPig]

Considering that either a shooter-grade Colt Official Police or a S&W Military & Police can be had for $150-$200 why not get one of each?

I just got this OP (c.1967) off GunBroker for $165 complete with neat-o customized stocks.




About 5 years ago I snagged this .38 Special M&P from a pawnshop for $85. It was shipped for police use in 1942.

 

[tasco 74]

thirties that sipowitz colt is just like my wife's .......... gowd they are cute!!

 

[Jack19]

Saxon, that M&P is a thing of beauty.

 

[clang]

With some looking you can get either a COlt OP or S&W 10 in shooter grade for $200 or less. Why decide on only one?
1922 Colt Police Positive Special ($165):

Sorry, but don't have any pics of my Official Police or pre-10 right now.

Old Detective Specials will probably run significantly higher.

 

[c1ogden]

Why not one of each?

 

[trainwreck100]

I really like Smith's, but preferably stainless (I like all pisotls to be stainless, seems like they'd be more suited to the elements and lots of shooting) but, I've never shot a Colt other than an old Targetsman .22. If I was looking, I'd pick whichever came up as a good deal first (then look back and regret it later when a better deal shows up).

 

[Cosmoline]

I love these firearms. They're about the best deal going in handguns today. Of those I've owned:

Colt Police Positive Special: Light in the hand, exceedingly accurate. Somewhat funky trigger pull like all Colts. Strange backwards innards that are hard to repair, at least before the Mk III era version. Underrated.

Colt OP: A little bigger than the PPS and better known. Very accurate. Mine had a trigger somewhat stiffer than the PPS. Get them while you still can.

Colt .357. This is the ancestor of the Python but is often sold at Trooper prices for those who don't know better. It's a pleasure to shoot. Mine unfortunately had bad timing, though in hindisght I probably should have gotten it fixed and kept it.

Colt Trooper Mk. III. Nice magnum, but a bit on the heavy side. They used to go for the same price as M27's, but these days the sticker is headed north.

S&W 10: Solid and dependable. Easier to repair than a Colt. Many variations. Heavier than a PPS.

S&W 13: Sweet K-Frame magnum. A little hard to control with the high end loads.

S&W 19: The Combat. Awesome revolver, but the adjustable sights kept getting snagged on the draw. Overall I liked the 13 better.

S&W 28: A more realistic version of the 27. I found the frame too large and clunky, though.

Ruger Security Six: A real sleeper and my overall favorite of the magnums. It's slightly beefier than a K frame but not as clunky as the NT frame. It was originally sold as the slightly less expensive patrolman's sidearm to compete with the Smiths.