2017: Colt's re-entry into the revolver market

Hey guys, I hope that I haven't come across as negative in any way. This has been a great year for us firearms enthusiasts and believers in the 2nd amendment, and we should all be happy that the industry is experiencing a robust Renaissance. The market will sort out what products are wanted and which are not, and I am happy to see old and revered companies like Smith and Wesson and Colt doing well, and responding to the marketplace. I am also happy to see new companies like say, Magpul, doing so well, especially after their move out of Colorado last year.

My wish for the new year is that all of us firearms enthusiasts will come together as a united force against the Anti-freedom forces, and build on our successes.

I wish all of you a very Happy New Year!!!!!

Best Regards, Les
 
iPac said:
Yes, apparently the new Colt revolver is true. However, it is nothing really new. This 'Cobra' looks identical, and most likely is, to the DA revolvers they came out with in the '90s.
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Well, I see a distinct "step-down" in the barrel diameter just in front of the frame, and I see a slightly different shape to the trigger guard. So, to me, it does not look like the classic old D Frames, but that is probably because the classic old D Frames are all I have ever known.

Bottom line - there are still plenty of people who like a revolver for defense. The Colt D Frame has always had an advantage over the S&W in that it is just enough larger than the J frame to hold 6 cartridges.

Funny how things come around, isn't it?

When the Chief's Special (or is it Chiefs Special) came out, the "big deal" was that it was smaller than the Colt D Frame.

Then, along comes Massad Ayoob who almost preached the advantage of the D Frame as a back up to the K Frame service revolver as they will use the same speedloader, thereby allowing common loader for both guns, for that rare occasion when the "New York reload" (the Colt D Frame) runs dry.

Now, we are back to the idea of everyone wanting a 6 shot in the D Frame again.

The pendulum swings back and forth.

I have to say that I hope Colt has much success with this new revolver.
 
Has anyone ever seen a Colt " Model D lightweight revolver" ? This is supposed to be only one of two ever produced. It was made for Joseph Lorch and was sent to washington DC July 3rd 1953 and billed out to the Arms engineering expense account. This shows you Colt can make anything they want to at anytime. Nothing is ever textbook in the gun world.

New in the box just as it was shipped in 1953. Note - the typed tag with the specs is dated just a few days before the gun shipped.



 
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John:

You never cease to amaze me. That is a fantastic find!!! It must have an alloy cylinder in order to achieve that weight on the D frame, and with then unheard of "Target Stocks". What a cool revolver!!

As usual, thanks for sharing with us...

Best Regards, Les
 
I have an unfired Colt SFVI buried somewhere in the safe that hasnt seen the light of day in years ;)...every once in a while I think "Maybe I should sell that thing off " then I focus on something else and go "what was I just thinking about ?" BTW they say its OK to talk to yourself as long as you dont answer back.

One thing I do recall about the SFVI is that it reportedly had the lightest DA trigger of any production Colt revolver made and I do recall it being VERY light, almost too light.

Honestly a SS 6 shot snub compact revolver doesnt afford enough of an advantage over my Model 37 or Model 60 to cause me to be interested but its a step in the right direction for Colt revolver fans.

BTW IIRC the D frame was also used on the Diamondback series so if your are listening Mr Colt executive decision guy I WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED in a SS 4" copy of the old Diamondback in .22 lr caliber with 100% parts interchangeability with the older versions and priced at that same $600 mark ...
And Oh yeah no IL doohickies or plastic components.

Edited to add a pic of the SFVI for comparison
attachment.php
 
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Engine49guy said:
I have an unfired Colt SFVI buried somewhere in the safe that hasnt seen the light of day in years ;)...every once in a while I think "Maybe I should sell that thing off " then I focus on something else and go "what was I just thinking about ?" BTW they say its OK to talk to yourself as long as you dont answer back.

One thing I do recall about the SFVI is that it reportedly had the lightest DA trigger of any production Colt revolver made and I do recall it being VERY light, almost too light.

Honestly a SS 6 shot snub compact revolver doesnt afford enough of an advantage over my Model 37 or Model 60 to cause me to be interested but its a step in the right direction for Colt revolver fans.

BTW IIRC the D frame was also used on the Diamondback series so if your are listening Mr Colt executive decision guy I WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED in a SS 4" copy of the old Diamondback in .22 lr caliber with 100% parts interchangeability with the older versions and priced at that same $600 mark ...
And Oh yeah no IL doohickies or plastic components.
Click to expand...

10-4 on the plastic parts, see my post 80 above, about my newly (about 3 years ago) Colt all steel Commander .45 with a PLASTIC mainspring housing!!! At near a thousand dollars. BTW, I sold the gun. Also had what looked like nicely checkered rosewood stocks, which looked like they had been dipped in clear plastic. Yikes. Sure, I could have easily replaced the MS housing, and gotten some properly finished stocks, everyone makes them. But why, for a gun in that price range should we immediately have to go aftermarket for what should have come from the factory? And besides that, the gun was nicely machined and finished, and worked quite well, right out of the box, with everything I tried in it, but it just bugged me that they would cut corners like that. I would have gladly have paid a few extra bucks to have had it come from the factory with a metal MS housing, and please leave the clear plastic off the stocks... But that's just me.

So we'll just have to see where this goes.

Best Regards, Les
 
Msrp 699 ? I wouldn't expect too much. Cheap gun are cheap for a reason. But at that price they will sell,,, look people buy Kel-Tecs and shields and LPC's and are happy. They buy for a price point not so much for the stellar product.
 
Anybody have any information on Joseph Lorch ? I own several guns that were sent to him.
 
John, there is a significant amount of info on him out there...

Here's a guy with some info, that wants to exchange info with others: Joseph Lorch Research Project - Tapatalk ......

Here's an old thread here on the forum... http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...her-reg-mag-history-swca-foundation-info.html ....

Here's a link to his photograph at the Libray of Congress: Joseph Lorch, H.C. Walford, F.J. Pullan of Sheffield, Eng. & A. Walford at W.H., [i.e., White House, Washington, D.C.], 5/8/25 | Library of Congress

Hope these links lead you to some good information...

Best Regards, And Happy New Year!!

Les
 
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les.b said:
John, there is a significant amount of info on him out there...

Here's a guy with some info, that wants to exchange info with others: Joseph Lorch Research Project - Tapatalk ......

Here's an old thread here on the forum... http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...her-reg-mag-history-swca-foundation-info.html ....

Here's a link to his photograph at the Libray of Congress: Joseph Lorch, H.C. Walford, F.J. Pullan of Sheffield, Eng. & A. Walford at W.H., [i.e., White House, Washington, D.C.], 5/8/25 | Library of Congress

Hope these links lead you to some good information...

Best Regards, And Happy New Year!!

Les
Click to expand...

Les, I greatly appreciate this information, I'm just trying to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. Thank you again for taking your your time to help me. John Fugate
 
I'm really excited about this. It's like old times... The competition between Colt, S&W, Ruger, ...and hey even Dan Wesson is building revolvers again. 2017 is going to be good.
 
I'm happy to see Colt back in the DA market, and I'll probably buy the first one of these I see.

Today was the official info release day, so there are lots of photos and videos online now.

Looks like a nice gun - stainless, six shot, V-spring, user-replaceable front sight, +P rated. According to a Colt employee on another forum, grips from previous models will fit it. MSRP of $699 is sadly reasonable these days.
 
824tsv said:
I could care less if you are a fan or not.
I just delivered the news that most of you said would never happen.
Click to expand...

I too was a naysayer but I'll reserve my apology till the time comes that it's on the selves;until then it's vaporware.

If it reaches the shelves what will the actual selling in big box stores price level off at in the weekly ads if the MSRP is $699.99?

IL,MIM,2 piece barrels,plastic parts,rubber grips,frame mounted firing pin????
 
COLT'S NEW COBRA 2" 38 SPECIAL REVOLVER

While it's a bit late to the Prom, Colt has just released it's new and updated version of the iconic Detective Special. It has undergone many changes (many positive) and is slated to be for sale in a week or so. While I am not a fan of the new fangled front sight, Colt is going to offer the more traditional ones including night sights very soon and will easily swap out with an allen wrench I believe. The Rubbers it comes with make the gun comfortable to shoot however it also hinders pocket carry mode. From what I understand the older style Dick Spl. grips will fit and so slapping on a vintage set of wooden grips should not be a big deal.

Can't wait to actually see and shoot one and the best part is it is forged, all steel and has NO I/L. The sixth shot makes it a viable option and the SS finish should make it quite durable. Apparently the innards resemble more of a Smith design than one of the older Dick Spl's, but I have not actually had one apart so I can just go by what I have read.

At a list price of under $700, they should actually be selling in the low to mid $600's (not terrible for what it is).



American Rifleman | The Keefe Report: Colt Cobra—A New Factory Double-Action Colt
 
Based on what I've seen, the K6S blows the new Cobra out of the water in every category, at least on paper. The Colt might cost a bit less, I would rather save up and buy the higher quality piece.

Too little, too late, Colt.
 
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