Colt vs. Smith and Wesson

That last post reminded us of a rather amusing pastime: starting arguments among gun enthusiasts.

Those that are not well-versed in firearms are perhaps unaware that there is an intense and often deeply-seated rivalry between gun owners who prefer Colt revolvers to those made by Smith and Wesson.

The Posse has often derived considerable amusement by letting drop some small remark belittling Smith and Wesson in favor of Colt at a crowded gun store or gun show.

It is something very much like the Chevy vs. Ford disputes one often sees on the back windows of pickup trucks.

Is there any substance? 

Yes, but not much.

Colt and Smith and Wesson are ancient competitors, having vied for the same markets for a century and a half.  Their revolvers are both excellent in terms of quality, but they do operate in slightly different ways.

Colt revolvers open by pulling back on the cylinder release; Smith and Wesson's push forward.

Colt is also reputed to have a stronger cylinder locking system.  Smith and Wesson can claim credit for inventing the .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum.

Colt pioneered the original black powder revolver.  Smith and Wesson patented the cartridge revolver with bored-through chambers.

And so on.

Several of our friends have also tried this out and it never fails to kick off a heated (but ultimately pointless) debate.

For the record, we're firmly in the Colt camp.

Comments

[bjbarron]

I own both, and I can't say that I prefer one over the other...more to the point, I'm a traditionalist.

I prefer the older designs, be it the 1911 or revolver. I recently sold a very nice shooting Kimber 1911 Stainless II because I couldn't get used to the polymer on a 1911. It just seemed wrong somehow.

Shooting a heavy, long-barreled, wheel gun in 38/357 is a atavistic joy...be it Colt or Smith. Everyone likes the feel of a big ol' Hog Leg...even my own Glock-crazy boys. Yeah, and not much can beat a 2" snubbie for concealment/firepower, either.

If I had to choose, I'd go with the older Colts or the newer Smiths. How's that for straddling the fence.

[Chris]

I own a Smith 686+ and a colt python. Both have 6 barrels. I prefer the 686, it is a stronger gun and they got the cylinder release on it right. The pull for the colt feels unnatural. I still like the colt but ill pick a smith over a colt anyday. "and the colts are way more expensive too"....

[Posse Incitatus]

We prefer the Colt cylinder release. Indeed, before we bought the King Cobra, we carefully tested the options and the Colt just felt right. It pointed well, the trigger was crisp and everything was as we like it.

Competing models by Smith simply didn't have that extra little something that the Colt did.

Thus it was our purchase of the King Cobra that made us Colt partisans.

[remat457]

Colt still makes revolvers? Seen many in a gunshop lately? More like Ruger vs. S&W now...

[Jeff]

I own a Python, love it. But if you would offer me a choice between them, I would choose S&W. Quality and the trigger is usually better.
S&W autos are of a mixed quality. As Posse says, Colt does not make many revolvers today, or autos for that matter. I am not that impressed with their new products, when I see them. S&W's quality is not what it used to be. I hear good things about the S&W1911 though.
I like my S&W 686, Model 10, 1917, and K22.

[dana]

The Colts revolvers don't lock up the cylinders before the hammer trips. The cylinders have to jump into correct position while the hammer falls. This causes misfires in my Colt Officers Model Match .22, and .38 in double action shooting.

Smith and Ruger cylinders are fully locked up before the hammer falls and they are more reliable.

Machining quality is equal in Smiths and Colts. I think the most beautiful revolver ever produced is the S&W 625 (and it's accurate too). The most useful is the S&W Centennial (940, 642, 640 etc). For me, S&W revolvers are the best available, bar none.

[Bob McGinnis]

Own both Colts and a number of S&W`s. All wheelies. By far, THE best revolver I have used in almost 40 years is the Colt Python.

[Jack "peg leg" Lot]

You S&W lovers are out of your minds. I will take a muddy rusted Colt over a tin Smith any day. You can't shoot nothing with one of them Smiths. My granddaddy at one blow up right out of the box. Give me a Colt!

[luis]

why do you say the s&w is a stronger gun than the colt python

[luis]

i tought that the colt python was stronger cause it bigger popularity, and answer this question please:
when shoting a 6 inch colt python and a 6 inch s&w 357 magnum wich has more power, using the same kind of bullets

[Posse Incitatus]

Both have approximately the same power. The discussion was about which locking mechanism for the cylinder was stronger. Some say Smith, some say Colt, but the fact is that both weapons are well-made and have excellent reputations for reliability.

[William]

I really get a kick out of reading these comments. Being an avid shooter, and with a revolver collection nearing 100 pieces, I will throw in my two cents for what it is worth. Both Colt and S&W make excellent weapons. I think allot of the criticisms mentioned on firearms are hearsay from your friends girlfriends brothers cousin who has a friend who's fathers sons best friends fathers uncle had a problem with the gun. Then we hear nit picking by the 20 to 30 year old enthusiasts who knows it all, this is better then this, this is better then that, people don't remember what the firearm were designed for, they were made to kill or immobilize plain and simple, then evolved into an ever popular sport. I look for a rock solid reliable revolver, not which one will look better with this finish, these grips, yada yada yada, nonsence Then you have the person that will look at revolvers costing $1,500-$2,500 which is what the Colt Pythons are currently bringing for an unfired piece, or some of the old style belt slingers costing far more then that, and of coarse the ongoing argument of cast frames and forged. Is any gun worth it, can you justify paying 2-3,000 for a revolver just because it may be hand made, I don't think so!!! I have both colt's and S&W'S, some of which have 25,000 rounds each through them, and with relatively no issues except a Python going out of time on one occasion.
Most people are not going to put 25,000 rounds through there revolvers, although some do.. As far as I am concerned, I prefer revolvers over semi's, you know with a revolver, every time you pull that trigger back, its going to go bang, and are not bullet brand sensitive. With revolvers, you’re not constantly bending over to pick up the spent brass. A good J-Frame is very concealable and downright sneaky. A good round is .357/38 special. I love the .38's, they are very inexpensive and a big hunk of metal moving at a slower rate, a very effective round for close encounters, which is what a CCW is all about. You shoot to kill or injure a person, if more then 30' away, you’re going to have some serious explaining to do!!!! I am very biased when it comes to manufacturers, I do love Colts, Smith and Wesson, even some Rugers, however I am not fond of Taurus, and foreign models. I firmly believe in supporting America, and American products, not putting our hard earned money in the pockets of people that reside over seas. I am not fond of the newer revolvers with internal locks, to me another mechanism which will eventually be prone to failure. Which is the best gun, the one that fits your hand comfortably, and the one that gets the job done reliably when you need it. Have a great day all, and God Bless America and all she stands for...

[Jim Davis]

I like poodles and pink teacups! I flit around in my tutu dancing ballet while my limp wrist hangs gently at my side. Last night I sang "Bad Girls" along with Donna Summer. I carry a Remington Derringer in my garter.

Jim Davis
Reno, NV

[Mojave Green]

I own a Colt KC 4" SS 357, and a S&W 5 1/2'' 38 (I dont know the model for sure) I think a police special. The KC shoots 38 ammo like crap, but put a Mag in it and you can drive nails. I never liked shooting the Smith, it just does not feel comfortable in my hand, and the fixed site is hard to aim. The trigger pull on the Smith is longer and harder than the Colt in double action. Single action pulls are very simular. All this said, I dont think any one could say one is better than the other unless they were an expert and shot all models and paired each model to and equal one on both sides. With the guns I own I like the Colt better, but I am not compairing apples to apples either. My cousin had a Smith 41 Mag that I loved to shoot, he sold it like a dumb ass to some one other than me. I hate the fact that Colt does not make these guns anymore. It's just plain unAmerican. We Americans need and like rivalry. I prefer Fords, but I might buy an new Camaro to see how it fits.

[David Perry]

I have a S&W and I think very highly of it, but I would not hesitate to purchase a Colt. This S&W just happened to be a bargain. I have shot both thru the years and think them about equal. I do have some Colt replicas that I bought from Cowboyprops.com that are excellent in details. Just my 2cents worth.