Love S&W, but carry Colt?

SmithSwede · Nov 12, 2023

I’ve long felt a bit strange about this. Who else is in this boat?

I’m a huge S&W fan. My all-time favorite handgun is an old 4 screw K-38 6”. And I’ve shot a ton of ammo through various Model 15s and 19s. I dote on my 6 1/2” pre-Model 24 in .44 Special.

But what is the no-joke, serious, daily carry, always within arm’s reach, potentially life-saving handgun? Either an old Colt Detective Special or an early 1950s Colt Agent. The J-frames just don’t do it for me when it comes to a shootable snub. So I love S&W for fun, but carry the Colts.

CH4 · Nov 12, 2023

I like, have and carry both makes. A few of my favorite Colts in my carry rotation are a 3rd issue DS, 2.5” DB and 3” Python.

RMFnLA · Nov 12, 2023

If you are a revolver guy Colts make lots of sense.

If you want a modern autoloader it’s hard to beat the current Shields.

Onomea · Nov 12, 2023

I go back and forth between an S&W 640-1 and a 1958 Colt DS. Been mostly carrying the DS these past months.

I like 'em both, in general, Colts and Smiths. Been mostly shooting a 4" Three Fifty-Seven at the range since this past summer, though occasionally shoot my 4" M18 for ammo savings. Did a couple of days with an M67 and an M10...

Even bought a Ruger, my first ever, back in June or July.

I guess I'm just promiscuous.... Can't help it...

SnidelyWhiplash · Nov 12, 2023

When a LEO and restricted to revolvers I carried a Smith Model 64 as my issue sidearm on-duty. It was a superb revolver that I personally chose when a shipment of them was delivered. Off-duty I would carry a Colt Detective Special or more often a Colt Cobra.

Besides the extra round capacity the size difference was negligible…the Colt’s cylinder was something like 1/10” bigger diameter. But the bigger reason was I have never warmed up the the Smith J-frames…the triggers always seemed too heavy and I never shot one that hit point of aim in my hand…possibly a result of the heavy trigger.

haywood · Nov 12, 2023

I’ve had two Detective specials and one agent. I can’t tell you why but, I just didn’t like them. I’ve had Ruger snubs Taurus snubs Rossi snobs. I like my Smith and Wesson J frames the best.

Old cop · Nov 12, 2023

I was issued a Detective Special and it saved my life in a 1974 gunfight w/armed robbery suspects. My first off duty gun was a Cobra purchased new in 1968 & I still have it.

SGT ROCK 11B · Nov 13, 2023

SmithSwede said:
I’ve long felt a bit strange about this. Who else is in this boat?

But what is the no-joke, serious, daily carry, always within arm’s reach, potentially life-saving handgun? Either an old Colt Detective Special or an early 1950s Colt Agent. The J-frames just don’t do it for me when it comes to a shootable snub. So I love S&W for fun, but carry the Colts.

I agree with you.

As a cop I carried a Colt Detective Special as my BUG even after we got 9mm pistols and later the .45 ACP.

SGT ROCK 11B · Nov 13, 2023

RMFnLA said:
If you are a revolver guy Colts make lots of sense.

If you want a modern autoloader it’s hard to beat the current Shields.

You apparently have not tried a Glock. When they came out in America 35 years ago I did not like them. But their Gen 3 is exceptional.

Krogen · Nov 13, 2023

I love S&W revolvers. But love and practicality don't always mesh. Just ask my ex-wife! From a practical standpoint, I carry a Sig. Previously a P228, more recently a P365.

ruger 22 · Nov 13, 2023

I really like the extra round of the Colt snubs but overall I prefer my EDC 649-2.

SAT66 · Nov 13, 2023

I carried the Detective for years as a BUG while on duty!

WardenRoss · Nov 13, 2023

FWIW....

During the heyday of double action revolvers I traveled and shot competitively on our Dept's pistol team.

Hundreds of competitors and matches. Serious competitors too. Cost was no object.

In all those years, I never saw a Colt on any range. I can recall only one Ruger.

Take it with a grain of salt. But it's a fact.

,

Marshal Tom · Nov 13, 2023

l have been on here and posting for a long time now. I am a long time revolver shooter and started off in that realm. I carried a 1911 for many years in my LE career and now carry and shoot many of the 9mm polymer striker fired pistols. I often think about multiple assailants etc with car jackings, Gas station situations etc. I feel that I need

to carry something with a bit more capacity than a J frame with only 5rds. I do run to the store with one in my pocket now and then buy mostly think that those that carry a 5 shot J frame today are those who think that they will never need a gun and carry that way!There are just to many higher capacity auto's that shoot better. I teach and see it all. JMHO.

Greyman50 · Nov 13, 2023

Have many S&Ws but carry LW Colt Commander and have for many years. Admit if just going “ down the street” carry J frame or Colt Agent….

Inland7-45 · Nov 13, 2023

I have three 2” model 36s. One is an SB the other are RB. They all have good DA pulls and I can shoot them well. My other snubbie is a Colt Cobra made in 1968. I have had the gun since the late 70’s. It is as easy to carry as a J Frame. It is only slightly larger than a J Frame and holds that additional round. The sights are a little easier to pick up. The action on mine is very slick and only slightly heavier than my J Frames. For me it is just as easy to shoot as a J Frame.

Both are great guns.

heeter3 · Nov 13, 2023

I too carried a DS as my off duty gun when I came on the job in 1974.Later in dicks I carried a DS or a 442.Today I rotate between colts and smiths for my daily carry and it has worked very well for me in retirement.

THE PILGRIM · Nov 13, 2023

Own about 30 Smiths. No Colts.
Been know to carry Kahrs, Rugers, Glocks and SIGs.

Sgt. Buzzard · Nov 13, 2023

Had a DS 55 years ago. I finally gave it up when I realized I had a S&W double action trigger finger. There is a difference. Trained exclusively with S&W revolvers and happy I did. Why else would I be here?

NYlakesider · Nov 14, 2023

I love my S&Ws of course and have a few J frames. With that said my normal everyday carry is a Ruger LCR.38. Like a Smith it is 5 shots.

I have a very nice older Dick Special and Cobra and I have tried both a couple times as a pocket carry.

Still using the LCR all things considered it is a good carry piece.

Love S&W, but carry Colt?

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