Not looking for detailed analysis but just interested in people's general/overall opinions about "collecting" Smiths versus Colts.

And yeah, that takes in a lot of territory: 1911 styles, early guns ala SAA and Peacemakers, police guns, semi-autos ala 39 or 59 lines; long guns, etc.

I've been a pretty dedicated Smith fan, both pistol and revolvers...but nothing really rare, valuable, or museum quality, just decent shooter-grade representatives of 1920+ revolvers, most of the pistols, .38 sps. .38s&w, one Shield for carry, and 1 M&P .40 for bedside.

I'm getting a bit interested in Colts (acquired a Trooper Mk III, 1917, Police Positive in 38 s&w, and an Official Police in .38 special. Not sure if I want to spend any more in that direction or keep doing Smiths, so I'm interested in what people think. And I don't mind wise-a** answers, a little humor is a good thing.

I might ask the same question over on the Colt forum....but of all the forums (Sig, Walther, Beretta, Colt, etc.) I find the most considered, knowledgeable, best info anywhere comes from here.

One thing I can say on the Colt front is that complete package guns (box, docs etc) are going for $$ regardless of the gun. If you just want some nice shooters any of the 20th century revolvers (like the ones you have) are good guns to own. The SAA's and 1911's are in their own subsets for collecting and you best know what you are doing.

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Jim
Many K and N Frames

I'm a fam of S&W revolvers and have at least one from every decade going back to the 1880's. S&W semi-autos don't interest me that much.

For Colts I like their older semi-autos and revolvers. Their 1903's, Woodsman's and early 1911's are all works of art. For their revolvers I have a couple Officer Model Match's, a Police Positive in 38 S&W and a newer Cobra. My old PP in 38 S&W is a tack driver and the fit and finish of that gun would make most new guns jealous. I have a Woodsman that has such a good polish job you can see your reflection in it and that gun is over 80 years old.

I like both companies and think you're only doing yourself a disservice limiting what you buy to just one of them.

I'm not a collector, but have a few Colt 1911s and revolvers, mostly from the '50s through the late '60s. I'm unfamiliar with newer Colt revolvers, but many of the older ones (before the early '70s) seem to be more desirable, except maybe Pythons and Diamondbacks. I have a couple each of Pythons and Diamondbacks but have never really seen anything that makes these guns particularly special from a shooting / accuracy standpoint when compared with other revolvers, Colt or S&W.

Like S&Ws, I buy Colts to shoot. I bought all mine years ago when they were priced about like comparable S&Ws. That doesn't seem to be the situation now and I don't know why. Whether Colts are good buys at today's prices, ask a real collector. Keep in mind it's much harder to find a good Colt revolver smith than it is to find a competent S&W gunsmith.

Some years ago, I would have said that Colt revolvers are generally more accurate than S&Ws, but nowadays, I believe they are about the same and I shoot both brands regularly. Some say Colt's double-action pull is inferior to S&Ws double-action pull. That may be; I don't know as I usually fire all double-action revolvers in a single-action mode.

This rambling epistle is probably not what you are looking for, but perhaps someone with real insight will respond.

You can’t go wrong owning a Colt Woodsman 1st series. Prices are still relatively reasonable. The fit and finish are outstanding and they are so fun to shoot being very ergonomic (at least for my medium sized hand).

Fan of Smith revolvers.
Favorite's are Colt SAA and the 1911.
Avoided Colt DA revolvers.
Seems near every 4-5th one I picked up
off a table was out of time...

Never really "collected" either.
Just bought the ones that fit my likes.
Problem....they fit may other folks Likes.

If you like to shoot, buy Smith's, if you want the wife to have enough money to keep the pool boy after you are gone and she no longer has a pool, leave her a collection of Colts.

Nothing wrong with accumulating both. Both brands are iconic within themselves, both have earned their place in history.

Been a fan of the S&W's for years and have gathered up quite a few. I especially like the post-war guns up to about 1960. At least until recently, they've been fairly reasonably priced compared to Colts and they are great shooters. Having said that, though, I've always had a 1911 or two around, and I find myself gravitating more and more in the last couple of years to post-war Colts, both revolvers and autoloaders. I don't have as many as I have Smiths at this point but I have collected several single actions and a couple of boxed, unfired 1911's in the 1945-1965 period. Now I find I've got an eye open for a military single action .45 - may never find a decent one that I can afford but it doesn't stop me from looking. Both brands have fans and detractors. I think both are pretty good investments these days. I guess the best I can say is get what you like regardless of brand. Good examples of either will hold their value and give you lots of enjoyment in the meantime.

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Everybody could shoot

I have far more Smiths in my small collection of around 46 handguns everything from the model 1 second issue up to my 1972 29-2 nothing really fancy, or rare. I have 4 Colts a 1900 38 Rimless a 1903 32 Auto a Vest Pocket 25, and a New Army Navy 38 Double Action. I have had a few Police Positives through the years just never warmed up to them hard to explain. Colt automatics on the other hand if they didn't cost as much as they do I would have more. I would love nothing better than to have at least one 1st Generation Single Action Army , or a Frontier Model of the same generation. The Snake guns never really interested me maybe its just the price of them I don't know. I know I seldom look very long at them the gunshows compared to the amount of time viewing Smith revolvers. At the prices the snake guns command I wonder how many younger collectors are getting into them.

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Randy

I've thought about buying some Colt Double Action revolvers here in Australia and start collecting alongside my S&Ws. I do already have a Colt Detective Special (3/4 gen). There's a couple of things that concern me though. Firstly it's the lack of knowledgable gunsmiths here in Australia that would have worked on them previously. Also there is the lack of spare parts. Here's nowhere near the number of used Colt DA revolvers on the market here in Australia compared to S&Ws.

The Colts and S&Ws co-exist peacefully in my safes.

." And I don't mind wise-a** answers, a little humor is a good thing."

From what I get out of these answers & opinions, according to response #6, about every 25 to 20% of the time, when you pick up a Colt DA, you have that Rolling Stones' song "Out of Time" running through your head!
(I couldn't resist).
I kinda have to agree with reddog81, among some other responses. I have zero Colts and I don't know why! Maybe Santa will find something in that family to bring me for Christmas. I like revolvers, but I seem to always hand the used revolver back to the man behind the counter. Sticker shock is real! Seems like the ones < $700 are in poor shape looks-wise. I guess an original shooter-grade Python could be on my bucket list, along with a 1911. This would involve tapping into my annuities or hitting the lottery. If one comes my way, it'll be tempting.
Redcoat3340, after all that babbling, I say buy anything to your heart's content! Then your heart will be content.

I got into Colts just last year, which unfortunately coincided with going overseas for several months and returning to a poor job market. Not much of a gun fund right now.

I think there's a lot of value in the prewar revolvers. Postwar, outside of the Match revolvers and most of the snake guns, not much interest. The sintered part guns starting in the 60s just don't turn my crank. I'm looking for a clean 2nd gen SAA and would love to run across a prewar New Service in .357...

I think it's fun to try and collect both, but there are many more areas in the Colt world where you really need to bring a wheelbarrow full of cash just to play. For now I'll stick to the old DAs which aren't all that sought after.

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Psalm 27:2

Everyone should have at least one Colt Revolver in the accumulation especially if you have an interest in Police Revolvers.

1956 Colt Official Police alongside S&W Model 10 (nickel). I carried the Model 10 4" nickel like the one in the picture from 1976-1981 as a uniform officer.

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When I started, I couldn’t afford collecting Colts, so I collected S&Ws & Rutgers.

I’ve since picked up a few Colts, but the are still disproportionately valued compared to the Smiths, just never understood.

I'm actually more accumulator/shooter than collector, but I gathered a dozen decent Colt's along with my EDC which has always been a S&W J frame snubby (Model 36, 60,637). Along the way the fit, feel and desire to own more Smiths K and N frames won out over holding onto the Colts.

The prices realized from the Colt's more than funded very decent Smith's, so my collection grew pretty much by leaps and bounds, blued steel and walnut being my favorites, some stainless right at second place, and once I acquired a Model 39-2, that was pretty much it...now I like the S&W semi's as well as my BHP, and even more than the old WWII Colt 1911A1, which brought enough to get 4 Model 39's had I desired.

So...gone are the 5 pictured, Colt 1944 1911A1, 1969 OMM 22, 1969 OMM 38, Model 1903, and the Crown Jewel, a 1976 Python, previously my only 357 Magnum revolver. I now have several S&W 357 wheel guns, and they handle, carry, shoot nicer than anything I've ever shot.

Also gone are Colt 25 Auto, Frontier Scout, Peacemaker (in 22 WMR) and a second series Woodsman, but all have been replaced by S&W's that are so nice that I don't miss the Colts at all.

The other BIG thing that keeps me pretty much a S&W fanboy is this very Forum. I realize there is a Colt Forum, and a Garand Collectors forum and there are nice folks there too, but I just feel I get a tremendous lot more bang for my buck right here at SWCA Forum!

Good luck on your choice. I agree you can do both and both are iconic great guns, but you gotta have money as the days of pawn shop and LGS underpricing have disappeared in these days of Internet.

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

If you are going to collect Colts, be careful of counterfeit boxes. There’s a guy that sells them on auction sites and represents them as real.

Unscrupulous and unknowing Colt sellers buy them and put together a complete package when they want to sell a gun that is missing a box.

I’ve got plenty of Colts, but just about all but one are shooter grade without the box.

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

I think we all gravitate to a position that makes us happy as an individual.
S&W and Colt's have earned their place in history and developed a substantial following among collectors. My opinions should be of little or no practical value to you, as what floats your boat may not float mine.
As for me, I have a substantial amount of Colt's semi-auto handguns in the safe heavily weighted towards the 1911 and 1908. Revolvers are by far mostly S&W, with a few outliers, none of which are Colt's. I have owned a bunch of Colt's revolvers over the years, but none have moved me enough to give them a permanent home.
It's all personal preference and habit I guess. Going back about 60 years, my first revolver was a K-22, and my first semi-auto was a USGI 1911. I'm glad all of our passions differ a bit, otherwise we would all be chasing the same things and it would be tough to get what we want at a reasonable cost.
Unending arguments could be made based upon which brand is 'better'. They are both good. Collect what moves you! My latest passion is the J-frame Chiefs Special - why? Somehow they move me, and they look great sitting next to my 1917's.

I have owned several Colt revolvers over the years but I'm down to one, a 4 digit Commando. I also really liked my 3.5.7. but it went to a mechanic friend of mine that really wanted one. I've always said, "Colts are made for looking at, Smith & Wessons are made for shooting", generally speaking.

My collecting interests bounce back and forth between Smith and Colt DA revolvers. Lately I've developed a fascination for Smith DA breaktops.

As others have noted, high condition collectible Colts generally require a lot more bread than their Smith counterparts, and unfortunately the money involved draws scammers and bottom feeders like a dogpile attracts flies.

There is an entire cottage industry around counterfeit boxes, hang tags, brochures, and the like (The most notorious being a fellow that operates out of TN, but he is NOT the only one involved). As the collectors become more proficient in recognizing fakery, the fakers improve their wares.

The Python market is particularly risky for eager collectors with money to spend, but that haven't done their homework.

I like what JH1951 said. Myself, I like both S&W and Colt.

I have never owned a Colt yet, just never ran across one I liked.
I like the 44 S&W Special so levitate toward that Cartridge. I really
like the New Frontiers, but they are really scare now.

The Best to you and your Endeavors.

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SD social distanc'n since 1889

When I started into handguns I bought Rugers SAs. 1st a Single-6 then a SBH. This was early 60s, I was young teenager and the only reason I bought Ruger was price vs Colt. I had no interest in DA revolvers. Until I shot m17. I did buy Pythons and Diamondbacks but at time I was much more hunter & shooter. Got solid into S&W DAs in late 60s and never looked back.

I have both and like them equally except for the prices Colts demand. Smiths revolvers seem to be almost half the price in some cases. My pre-29 and Python will go to my grandson along with a couple of 1911s. If your considering 1911s be very careful as there are so many mix masters being advertised as "all original" You cant go wrong with either. There is just something about revolvers be it a Smith or Colt that brings a smile every time I pull one out the safe!

Two WW II revolvers side by side. the Colt, SN: 6715, was produce, I believe, right after a large OSS order. The S&W Victory (all matching, including stocks) shipped May 1943 to the U.S. Navy, Norfolk, VA.

When it comes to collecting these old war horses I think it is a toss up. That's my opinion.

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A single-track focus gets boring after a while.

A S&W revolver was the first handgun I ever fired (a Model 37) and owned (a Model 19), and will likely be the last to go (a Model 36, or if that gets too heavy, a 360sc). But in the decades between I‘ve had periods “collecting” everything from old topbreaks of all brands and replica Civil War muzzleloaders to German police guns, and carried cocked-and-locked 1911s and various Nines.

For the last several years I’m more into older DA revolvers, and since I’m more of a historical rather than a technical or investment collector, that means S&W or Colt is not a choice I need to make. And I’m still branching out occasionally; just bought a Luger, just because I never had one. Life is short

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For collecting, craftsmanship, historical reference and holding their value, I go with the Colt's.

For shooting, using in the woods, actually carrying, I use the Smith's.

I know there are many Smith's that are works of art themselves. I've just found I prefer the Colt's in that respect. Plus, I've won the lotto a few times with historical value on some of my Colt's. The only Smith's I've been lucky enough to have increase in value, were a few models from the late 90s/early 2000's that just, by luck mostly, ended up becoming "collectible". My 686+ Mountain Gun for example. Had I known what they would bring in demand 20 years later, I would've bought all three that they had on the shelf that day back when I made an impulse buy.

I'm basically a Colt hater. I don't spend a lot of energy vomiting out Colt hate but I am capable of it when pressed. Above, the first series Woodsman was mentioned -- I am also a tremendous fan of the Woodsman and all of it's variants. I cannot agree that the First Series is the one to chase however, if actually shooting is part of the equation. Magazines for the first series make owning and loving a First Series a very expensive affair.

I owned a nice 1928 Woodsman that got sent along because of the difficulty and expense of getting more than just the one magazine. I would suggest that folks chase a Second or Third Series instead.

Beyond the fact that the Woodsman pistols are sublime and inspiring, Colt made soooooo many that they don't cost an arm and a leg to get one.

If it's all about collectibility and value and investment, I really don't have strong opinions here.

I do own several Colt 1911s and am very pleased to own them. I have never owned a Colt S/A, because they never caught my interest. I have always preferred S&Ws to Colt in D/A Revolvers.
The Innards of a Colt D/A seemed too delicate. Out of Respect for Colt Re Releasing their Double action Revolver, I ordered a newly Released Cobra, I was shocked to see the new design. The sear spring looked like it was cut from a Tuna Can. It quickly was disposed on GB. My 2nd choice is Ruger. They are not as Artsy as the Smith but they are built like a Brick Outhouse. I own several Redhawks, and like them.

I own S&W's to shoot, IMO they're superior in that dept. S&W people tend to buy & shoot good guns & are priced accordingly. I only buy Colts if they're cheap, in great shape & I can sell them @ a profit. Colt collectors are a bit weird - if it's not pristine it's nothing... unless it has provenance it was owned by a hero & is still 100% original. Guns used by hero's often needed repairs so that's borderline silly.