Any idea(s) why Colt revolvers, specifically Detective Specials, Cobras, and Agents are so pricey as compared to S&W revolvers? I've wanted to add one of these to my collection for some time, but except for those of the "bruised and battered" variety, the (to me) high prices they command help keep them out of my reach. Is it because they are no longer being made? Say what you will about the cylinder rotating the wrong way, as does the cylinder release, but I think they are a well-built, quality firearm. I'd appreciate any insights and/or advice.

Thank you,

Dave

YES
You're welcome.

Like land, they don't make them anymore.[exception, Hawaii's volcano] Nick

They are indeed quality guns, and I think the fact that they are no longer being made has people hanging on to them and commanding high prices when they let one go. I'd like to have one, especially a Detective Special. But the fact that the DA revolvers aren't being made and haven't been for some time would concern me about parts and service availability, especially availability of replacement parts.

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Oh well, what the hell.

colt has plenty of repair parts. they use them in house and don't sell them anymore.

The action parts of most Colt revolvers that used the old style V-spring lockworks are very expensive to make and fit. They don't lend themselves to modern manufacturing methods either.

The later Mk.III and V lockworks are less expensive , but don't make for as smooth a pull.

I don't like the way Colt triggers "stack" on their double action revolvers. I like Smith triggers better...

quick answer, supply and demand. I like them & the quality of the old bluing.

Like the man said, because they just don't make them like this anymore.

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OGCA Member.

It costs a whole bunch of money to stamp a horsey on a gun.......

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Even older, even crankier....

I believe they made a whole lot less Colt Revolvers than they did of comparable Smiths. Colts do not have the locks, are beautifully finished, well made, and hold an extra shot in the cylinder as compared to the 5 shot J Frames with only a scant 2 ounces more. The fact that they are not made anymore is another factor especially when it comes to certain models like the Dick Spl. & Python.

As far as revolvers are concerned I do like Smiths (pre 1996) a little more than Colts, but if I had to choose a Dick Spl. or a Smith with MIM parts and a lock, I'd GRAB the Colt!

There won't be any new Colt DAs.
You can buy a new SAA, or any semi-auto you prefer.
I have more Colts than S&Ws, and I am actually S&W man.

I guess it's because no j-frame looks this good....

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

I think nostalgia has something to do with it. And some is just dealers raising prices because they think they can.

The fact that something is no longer made doesn't mean that it's better. In fact, look to why it's no longer made. Cylinder timing issues as well as expense killed Colt DA's.
Most do not shoot to the sights and I found a couple that wouldn't, even with adjustable sights. Colt's labor problems were also a factor in ruining their sales.

I've owned some, but have no plans to buy others. Even finding a gunsmith who can work on them is hard today.

But I also no longer buy new S&W's. If I buy any more new DA revolvers, they'll be Rugers.

They use them for what, repairs?

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one of the resurrected

Colt's DA revolver production declined rapidly in the 1980s when their workers went on strike for four or five years. The workers union also declared a boycott on Colt products. By the time the strike was resolved Colt's were not competitive on a price/quality basis. My guess is that from 1980 to 2000 Colt's revolver production was substantially less than Smith & Wesson's. I do not know the numbers, but my guess is there are far fewer Colt's out there than Smith's. Rarity adds some to price.

Yer a sharp one there, dobe.

Because dey goooooood...................

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And dey is purdy too.



f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

Guy asks why Colt's bring more money, and in typical fashion, the S&W forum can't pass up an opportunity to belittle those awful Colt's. Sheesh guys, give it a break.

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Mark

Okay, guys, thanks for the inputs, observations, and photos. I think I've got it now.

Much obliged,

Dave

A very good case can be made that it is the Smith and Wesson that rotates the wrong way, and the cylinder release (and therefore the cylinder locking mechanism) is backwards.

These wer just about the only two positive things about Colts written in this thread that I can agree with, so in the interest of politeness I’ll part trails here and leave you to ride your ponies off down this thread. Giddy-up.

I like the trigger pull on the dick specials a lot better than the J frames, but they are a little big for pocket carry. On a belt I think they are just about the perfect carry gun, have a couple.

And there you have it.....along with the one reason one silver dollar is worth a million times more than another silver dollar: rarity.
Great picture, Sip.

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Halfway and one more step

But it's too pretty to carry!

Nah....I just use a soft IWB holster and one of my "carry grips."

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

And this confuses you?

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Even older, even crankier....

Maybe stabilizing rocking tables in the cafeteria.

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David Wilson

Tough question. I just like 'em.

Like em' too

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

Here's the Trooper MK-III that I bought new in box for $270 in June 1991. I think the MK-III was superseded by the MK-V in 1982. I was looking for a cheap .357 and this was much cheaper than a new S & W at the time, plus it was nickle plated. I remember getting home from the gun show and having to clean off caked on preservatives from the barrel. It sat in a box a long time before I bought it. I'd rather have a 4" Smith M-66, but my $270 was well invested.

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I hate to say it, but the bluing on a pre-WWII Colt cannot be rivaled by any other commercially made handgun in history. Their single action pull is fantastic and they're simply beautiful guns. I don't care for the trigger stacking so I don't shoot mine much, but by God they are lookers.

As to the Pythons, I don't understand why people pay what they do for those. A Model 19 carries much better, and a Model 27 looks better and shoots better.

casual- because they were the last of the handfitted guns with old type of action that required the handwork. pricewise,they were always the most expensive,hence fewer of them. pythons also have a tapered bore than results in fine accuracy. the trigger issues are such that if you are used to a smith trigger,the colt is different. when the bullseye shooting was the only game in town,colts held all the records for revolvers. I could go one but you get the idea. btw, I now have more colts than smiths.

Just curious...both of these grips fit my hand perfectly...so from a strictly aesthetic point of view, which looks best to you? I kind of lean towards the rubber on this generation DS and wood and an insert on the earlier unshrouded model.

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

I like the old school approach in the top picture. Just sorta looks right....

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Even older, even crankier....

Sip,
Wood and steel.

Here is a Pawn shop save.
Little Colt Police Positive Special in 38sp 1968 mfg.
Colt SAA some scratched up at the factory.

I think smith J and K frames look better than the original Colt Dick Spcl. Pythons look pretty cool though.

For me it's a bit of a family thing...when I carry my DS I feel closer to my dad in NY...

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

I can understand that reason, although my dad was never a gun owner. His eyesight was too poor for shooting.

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Oh well, what the hell.

All my handguns are S&W's, but I understand the appeal of Colts. Almost everyone wants one. I would prefer a S&W 686 plus.

I was going to say: 'cuz they don't make them anymore - as several already have.

I stumbled upon a Colt DS type II with a 3" barrel a couple years ago in pristine condition. I thought about making it a CCW, but that little, unsupported, extractor rod scared me away from doing that. So I traded it for a mint condition 34-1. Great trade! I've put a zillion rounds through that 34-1.

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But then, what do I know?

Yup, they are a bit on the rare side. This is the only one I have seen with the Colt hammer shroud. Of course, I'm not that much a Colt collector.... Well worn, but still buttery smooth action.

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I prefer a S&W to a Colt for a double-action revolver because the Colts do stack and the S&Ws do not.

The S&W is easier to create a smooth action for.

The S&W, if shot truly a lot, might outlast a Colt.

All of my S&W fixed sighted double-action revolvers have shot to point of aim so far save one.

All of my Colt fixed sight double-action revolvers have not, save one.

My Colt SAA's are running about 2/3 shooting to point of aim.

Colt does not have a lot of parts for the older double-actions. Not really does most anybody else.

It is very difficult to find a true gunsmith who can work on a Colt double-action. But I believe it will be as difficult in the future to find one who can work on a S&W.

But...Colt's have a lot of history (as does S&W) and I like the lines of the Colt's (as I do S&Ws).

And the Detective Special is, to me, the iconic "snub-nose", regardless of the facts, and the Chief's Special is a latecomer (although superior I think).

So I own several variations of both brands.

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Have guns...will shoot'em.

Hard to argue with any of the above!

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

Like divorce, many believe they're a bargain at any price!

Perceived value. Something priceless in your eyes may be worthless in mine.

I'm no collector, so the old Colt's hold little personal interest for me. That's not to say that at the right price I wouldn't buy one.

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GOA
USA Shooting Supporter

I like my colts. I have more smiths.

I learned this in the (almost) most embarrassing way possible. Had to do our yearly firearm qualifications, and we were told at the last minute that we would have to qual with department issued guns. No more carrying personally owned firearms like my S&W M19.

So I'm handed some beat up Colt at the range, the first command given is "load two rounds"... and when the command to fire is given, yup.... click, click, click, click, BANG!

Sergeant just grins at me and says, Smith guy, eh?

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Certified AR-15 / SIG Armorer.

You get right down to it, I always thought the push straight in button clyinder release on the rugers made more sense than either colt or smiths. On all three I have the same beef: If I was a manufactor, I would have the ejector head on the rod MUCH bigger as many times I have had sticky cases due to my sloppy reloading or whatever. All the manufactors are guilty of this, that or I am the only huge exception in it.

I agree. And for all the hellacious expense of the Korth, that weird release next to the hammer seems an odd piece of design.

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Oh well, what the hell.