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07-31-2012, 04:35 PM
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Colt Diamondback .38 sp vs S&W 14-2
This month I inherited a Colt Diamondback.38 special made in 1972. It has a four inch barrel and ventilated rib. In your opinion how does this .38 Sp. compare to my S&W 14-2 with a six inch barrel and shipped in 1967? Quality-wise and accuracy?
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07-31-2012, 04:49 PM
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The Diamonback is really a Detective special frame and a much smaller gun IMO,
I have both and find the 14-2 to be the more robust design of the two.
Parts and availability 14-2, amount of people that know how to work on them goes to the 14-2 as well.
More exotic of the two Colt, More expensive Colt.
If I could buy one of the two and they both costs the same I would buy the Colt as its the better investment,
The 14-2 would probably be the more accurate revolver with a 6" barrel and about half the price.
If its strictly being purchased to shoot my vote goes to the S&W.
Incidentally they both are made in .22lr versions as well.
Last edited by Engine49guy; 07-31-2012 at 08:33 PM.
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07-31-2012, 07:21 PM
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In 98% or better the Colt is valued at or above $1000. The 14-2 closer to $600. For shoot-ability, the 14-2 wins hands down in my book.
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07-31-2012, 09:25 PM
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The S&W is, and always has been, a superior revolver in design and remains a better value. The Diamondback is, indeed, a fine gun but will not shoot any better than the Smith and will hold up less well over time/use.
The Colt is like a beautiful, shallow woman...enticing one to part with money after being mesmerized by her beauty. Really nothing great in the long run though.
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07-31-2012, 10:43 PM
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Those old Colts are a pain in the butt to work on.
I have an older detective special and a cobra from the 50's which are the same gun with shorter barrels and fixed sights. The lockwork on those older colts from my experience is more "fragile"
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07-31-2012, 11:37 PM
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You inherited a valuable gun there, the model 14's are considered one of the most accurate revolvers and prices have been rising.
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08-01-2012, 09:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Collects
If you want a balanced set of opinions, ask the same question over at Coltforum.com, and watch the fireworks. lol
Colt and Smith & Wesson are both fine old American premium gun brands. Which one is best? Is Chevy better than Ford? Of course.
Diamondback values are escalating at phenominal rates now. The value depends on many factors.
What caliber is it? What barrel length? What finish? Which stocks? How rare is this configuaration? Do you have the box and accessories and papers? Serial number range? The financial value of the gun depends upon all of these factors. PHOTOS! We need photos! Detailed, closeup, macro-lens high definition photos of all parts of the gun. Condition, Condition, Condition. Nobody can accurately assess your Colt or your S&W without that information.
With that information, the helpful experts here and, for the Colt, at Coltforum.com (many frequent both Coltforum.com and Smith-Wessonforum.com), will be happy to tell you anything you want to know about your fine guns.
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Dang. Wonder where my early Diamondback in 38 with 2 1/2 barrel with box.
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08-02-2012, 12:45 AM
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The S&W 14-2 is a great revolver and you can still get it serviced and parts are easy to find. The Colt is a great revolver but harder to maintain and get parts for are not so easy to get.
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08-05-2012, 03:48 PM
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It's a lot easier to get a better trigger pull on a Smith than a Colt.
Having said that, I still like Colts, and Smith turned out a better revolver product when they had more competition.
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08-05-2012, 04:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gkitch
The Colt is like a beautiful, shallow woman...enticing one to part with money after being mesmerized by her beauty.
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You say that like it's a bad thing. 
These two revolvers are designed for different purposes, so valid comparisons are hard to make.
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08-05-2012, 05:47 PM
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Funny thing about most Colt collectors(my son is one) is that they love to talk about their guns and values but seldom shoot them "because of lowering the value". I had a .22 diamondback for 27 years and sold it for a profit and purchasesd a S&W 617. A better gun IMHO. Still have a Python.
You have inherited a high dollar revolver. I believe as others that your 14 is a more accurate and a better gun overall.
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08-05-2012, 09:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnyakima
This month I inherited a Colt Diamondback.38 special made in 1972. It has a four inch barrel and ventilated rib. In your opinion how does this .38 Sp. compare to my S&W 14-2 with a six inch barrel and shipped in 1967? Quality-wise and accuracy?
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My wife shoots both a Diamondback 38 and .22 with 4 inch barrels as well as K/L frame Round Butt Smiths, normally 3 inch. She enjoys and does well with both but tends to carry a Colt Detective since it "feels better" to her with her small hands. So in her case it its a matter of size. Enjoy both for what they are...great pieces of American lore.
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08-05-2012, 10:23 PM
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I love them both
Revolvers Colts are for collecting (but I shoot mine)
Smiths are for shooting
Hank
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08-06-2012, 03:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gkitch
The Colt is like a beautiful, shallow woman...enticing one to part with money after being mesmerized by her beauty. Really nothing great in the long run though.
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Ain't never heard it put quite like that! 
I bought a new, nickel plated D-back along about 1973 or 74. One of the first new handguns I ever bought. It was a purty thang, sho'nuff. Don't remember what I traded for. Way back then, there was a lot of prestige in owning a Python. Not so much for a D-back. I wanted a Python. It seems like a Python cost nearly twice what the D-Back did.
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Last edited by redlevel; 08-06-2012 at 03:42 PM.
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08-06-2012, 04:20 PM
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These are always interesting debates.
Colts are timed and lock up differently than Smith and Wessons. They actually use the hand and stop to lock up, and excessive wear on the hand of the revolver, will cause them to go out of time, and usually will cause further damage to the internals. The reality is, if you periodically check your Colt revolvers and have the hand replaced, as it's a normal wear item, it will never breakdown. Here's a nice discussion from top Revolversmith Grant Cunningham on the "delicate nature" of Colt revolvers. Is the Colt Python "delicate"? | Revolvers, Personal opinions, Gunsmithing | GrantCunningham.com
Since I have no interest or use for 6" barreled revolvers, I would say the Diamondback.
I don't really have a dog in the fight, I like revolvers. This morning I had a GP100 on, this afternoon a K-Frame, and tonight maybe a D-Frame. I like them all and accept that they all have limitations and require additional work to keep functional. I also like to drive a sports car everyday.
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08-06-2012, 11:05 PM
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Always a matter of personal preference when it comes to S&W or Colt revolvers. I have several Colts, including a .22 Diamondback and a Python, but I have always preferred my S&W's for shooting. S&W actions just feel more natural. My dad on the other hand likes the feel of a Colt action.
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08-06-2012, 11:33 PM
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Quality? Toss up.
Shoot-ability? S&W due to larger frame and longer barrel.
Accuracy? From a machine rest likely a toss up. From the hand the Smith will likely perform better for the same reasons cited above.
Cool factor? Colt.
Monetary value? Colt.
Which would I choose to own? Both.
If I had to pick only one? I don't live in that world. I like both and I own both.
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