I almost pulled the trigger on a like new PPS until I talked
to a few people that know more than I do. They were saying the trigger/firing setup on the Colts weren't nearly as good as the Model 10/15 guns are. The PPS they said also had timing issues?

I own a nearly new 38 Detective Special and have had no issues with it

I have treed a really nice Model 10-5 that I think I'll be much happier with...or will I?

Like to hear some thoughts on this

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Tom

I can shoot a model 10 relatively well @ age 64. I have not been able to focus on a PPS sights for ten years or so. It is getting more difficult to find smiths well versed in Colt repair. I think you did well.

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Front sight and squeeze

Given revolvers of equal condition I would say either one is a good choice. I’ve seen fewer Colt’s over the years.

Problems are usually caused by Bubba getting into the actions to slick ‘em up.

The Police Positive Special has the same lockwork as the Detective Special so there is that. If you like the feel of the Smith better, then it sounds like you have made a choice. Most folks don't shoot enough to wear either one out.

The PPS is built on a smaller frame than the M&P series, so you're not really comparing the same guns. The PPS weighs something like 8 or 10 oz. less depending on barrel length

It comes down to your personal preference. Like how you like the grip, feel of the gun, or the sights as mtgianni mentioned.

Quality-wise, there is no difference. That "trigger/firing set-up" and "timing issues" stuff is scuttlebutt usually dispersed by folks who want you to think they know more than they do. I've been hearing that for decades; I've also shot Colts and Smiths for decades and not broken one or needed a gunsmith yet.

Assuming it is indeed in like-new condition, the PPS, just like the 10-5, will long survive you. Don't overthink and pick whichever feels best.

The model 10 is a little larger and heavier but in a nice way. I think the Model 10 is more robust and less prone to what used to be standard revolver maintenance on a Colt, repair of timing. I like both.

I own a Colt Official Police, and several M&P/10's. All great shooters; however the Colt trigger stroke is a different feel than the Smith, due to lock work designs. The Colt is an "E" fame, about midway between a "K" and "N".

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John

There is nothing wrong with a Colt PPS. If it's in good shape now you can shoot standard pressure 38s in it from now until you are old and gray and have no trouble. If you start shooting +P or +P+ ammo you may develop timing issues sooner with the PPS than you will with the 10-5. But if you want to shoot that kind of high velocity ammo you need a 357.
I say get both guns.

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"I gots to know"

I almost bought a Colt .32 PP, a dainty little gun. I passed because of ammo cost, but it would have been a fun little piece.

This is a Police Positive and not a PPS but you can see that the frame in slightly smaller than a Smith 10-5 K frame. The PPS has a longer cylinder and frame to accept the longer 38 special cartridge, pretty much the same size as a Detective Special I believe.

Attached Images

policepositive.jpg (100.6 KB, 98 views)

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"I gots to know"

An Official Police or other E-frame Colt would be the correct comparison to a Model 10. The D-frame Police Positive is just a little bigger than a J-frame.
I gotta hand it to Colt, they did make some nice revolvers back then.

Isn't the Official Police slightly larger than the K- more like an L frame?

Either way, I have two OP's and they both have the smoothest, sweetest trigger of any revolver I have personally fired. One of these has a problem with cylinder throw-by that has been to a Colt guru twice and still doesn't work. Supposedly not just any gunsmith will know what to do with the Colt.
Given the choice again- and for the money I've spent on this second OP, I should have gotten a 10-5.

I had a PPS which worked just fine but the grip just didn't fit my hand at all. The OP is larger and feels better to me.

The S&W lock work is more durable and easier to repair than that of the
Colt. Finding a gunsmith that could actually repair an older small frame
Colt would probably be a challenge. The smaller frame older Colts seem
less durable than the larger frame models like the 1917. The model 10
S&W is a much better revolver in my opinion if you want to use it for
a shooter.

I will post pics when I get the Model 10 in, I think you guys are right here and how the gun feels in your hand should be the determining factor. I have handled Model 10s and they do feel right in hand. Like one dude said get em both and I may well do that in future given the cheap (to me) price points on both.

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Tom

Wow...was all I could say when I got it
Gun hasn't been shot much if at all
Fits great, going to range tomorrow

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Tom

I have always liked the way Colts feel in the hand but their internals are definitely less robust than the S&W's, especially the hammer block and the cylinder stop.

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Richard

You did very well. That 10-5 looks as fresh as the morning dew!

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"I gots to know"

Thanks, it's a sweetheart and somewhat rounds out my vintage Smith Revolver roundup.

.38 Special Model 10-5
.357 Highway Patrolman Model 28-2 6"
.44 Cal 4" Model 29-3

...and the one that started all this off for me

1980 Colt Detective Special 38

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Tom

I have and shoot a Colt 32sw revolver.
It is smaller in size even though it was made in 1925.
Very poplar then with Police Chiefs.
Ammo, 32S&W Long, is easily found an costs me 7 Dollars for a box of 50.
I expect knockdown power is minimal,but easy to pull the trigger until one is satisfied with the results..

You will love the 10-5. I wish I hadn't sold mine to an old friend in need of a house gun when she moved to the country.

I like the balance of the standard barrel revolvers.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I own and have shot a 1957 Colt Cobra, a 1941 and 1967 Colt DS and two Model 10-5's. All shot fine but I prefer the Model 10's.

I also like my Chiefs Special more than the Colts but wouldn't have a problem shooting any of them.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

I have a PPS made in 1911, it does have a heavy trigger but it is extremely smooth in DA. Early Colts were not designed to be pulled gradually but swiftly in DA. Mine the sight does not move at all during the pull. The SA is unreal light, and the gun for being so old the lockwork is on the money, and it locks up like a bank vault.

The PPS is a DS with a 4" bbl. If you like one you'll like the other. Being almost a j frame size its much lighter to carry. Mine fit well and for some reason I could shoot it very well. Taught me not to sell any gun you can shoot until you get one you can shoot better!!!

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Well done > well said

I would compare the Model 10 to the Colt Official Police rather than the PPS.

For the majority of users, there will be no problems with the Colt revolvers. The Colt DA mechanism is different and more complex than S&Ws, but it holds up well. I personally have never seen an "out of time" Colt, but they may exist. The cylinder lockup (alignment of barrel with chamber) on a Colt is tighter than S&Ws, and that is part of the Colt's design. The PP and PPS frames are smaller than the K-frame S&W. The Detective Special is simply a PPS with a short barrel. Many gunsmiths don't know the tricks of working on a Colt DA action (as they have no experience with it), but there are still some who do. Probably the most significant problem with the Colt revolver is limited parts availability and high cost. The Colt Official Police is slightly beefier and larger than the S&W K-frame, as it was originally designed around a slightly larger cartridge, the .41 Long Colt. And it is the same frame (with slight variations) used on the Colt Army Special, Officers Model, .357, Trooper, and Python. Internal parts are interchangeable among them.

Wow!! Where do you get 32 S&W ammo for just $7.00 for a box of 50?? I'm having a hard time finding them in most of my LGSs, and when I do, they are about three times that much per box... factory loaded, of course. I doubt I could buy reloads at $7.00 a box!

Froggie