Colt Equivalent to S&W Standard Catalog???

Redcoat3340

Redcoat3340

Member
Silver Supporter
Joined
Feb 17, 2014
Messages
1,441
Reaction score
1,762
Location
Washington State
Wondering if there is a Colt equivalent to Supica & Nahas Standard Catalog?
I'm taking a bit more interest in Colts and would like to learn more; not so much about the SSA or 1911 but about their other "regular" pistols and revolvers.
I can't afford collector's items or originals, but I can afford shooters, and would like to find out about the whole Colt line although I'm somewhat conversant with 1911s and not really interested in "cowboy" type revolvers.
I have a 1917 .45acp; 1903 .32acp, 38S&W Police Positive and just traded for a 357 Trooper Mk III. I'd probably like to add one or two more, but not sure what to look for yet.
(I will be doing a bunch of internet research, but I thought I'd ask here, and I will be asking over at the Colt forum.)
 

Attachments

  • 0618181653_HDR.jpg
    0618181653_HDR.jpg
    101.1 KB · Views: 41
  • 0621181711_HDR.jpg
    0621181711_HDR.jpg
    73 KB · Views: 42
  • thumbnail (1).jpg
    thumbnail (1).jpg
    161.7 KB · Views: 42
Register to hide this ad
Yes there is:

Standard Catalog of Colt Firearms by Rick Sapp

[ame]https://www.amazon.com/Standard-Catalog-Colt-Firearms-Rick/dp/0896895343/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=[/ame].
 
Last edited:
Nothing that compares in quality and scholarship.

There is a “Standard Catalog of Colt Firearms”, but hardly anyone uses it as a reference because it is by all accounts unreliable and incomplete.

R.L. Wilson’s books are very dated standard references. At least in my field of interest around the years of WW II, Wilson’s data have turned out to be simply made up, so while his books have nice pictures, I wouldn’t rely on much else.

With the SCSW, as S&W enthusiasts we’re really fortunate.
 
That Rick Sapp book is horrible. It's worse than having no reference at all since it will lead you into making expensive mistakes. There is no one book on Colt's that works well for all models. You have to own several books that are specific to your interests.
 
kwill1911 said:
That Rick Sapp book is horrible. It's worse than having no reference at all since it will lead you into making expensive mistakes. There is no one book on Colt's that works well for all models. You have to own several books that are specific to your interests.
Click to expand...

I agree with your last sentence.

But why is this book I mentioned horrible? Not that I have ever relied on 100%, just curious.
 
Because it is full of errors and misleading information. I'd give you some examples but it was so bad I threw it in the trash. I could have resold it but would have felt guilty passing it on to someone else.
 
When I expanded my interest into older Colts about seven years ago, I was ready to order the Sapp book. Fortunately I asked on the Colt forum first and got a long string of opinions like Kevin’s. I didn’t order it. In all the years of being active on the Colt forum since, I have not seen it referenced even once. Compare that to the SCSW being quoted in every other thread here.

That’s why I said above “by all accounts”. In contrast to Wilson’s books, I haven’t read the thing, but the evidence appears persuasive.
 
Last edited:
Oh wow... seems like I didn't do my due diligence on my research, sorry. Guess that's why the Colt bug never really bit besides the 1911. I have been schooled!
 
I bought a copy of the Standard Catalog of Colt thinking it would be the equivalent of the SCSW. It was clear within a few minutes why it was heavily discounted. :(

Definitely a project for another author to tackle but it is a really big one to take on.
 
I have a copy of the Standard Catalog of Colt, and like others have stated, it is lacking. I wish Beretta, Colt, and Ruger had Standard Catalogs with the same level of accuracy and the detail of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. For Beretta and Ruger, the R.L. Wilson books are great but dated. Most of my best information on Colt and HK have come from online resources. Jim Supica and Richard Nahas have set a high standard with their work.
 
Last edited:
Begin with, A History of the Colt Revolver, 1836-1940, by Haven and Beldan. Autos are included
.
An old book, but thorough, very heavily illustrated and with documents and history.

I think reprints are around at reasonable prices.

You should find and buy, The Handgun by Geoffrey Boothroyd. You'll find it VERY useful. And you should have Elmer Keith's, Sixguns.

All are basic for understanding not just Colt, but handguns in general.
 
824tsv said:
Only if you are looking for information on Colt revolvers.
Click to expand...

There are better and more specialized books available specifically for Colt autopistols. Some criticize Bady's book "Colt Automatic Pistols" for supposed inaccuracies but I have always found it to be useful, even though a little dated. Serven's book "Colt Firearms" has considerable information, but is also dated and lacks fine detail.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top