Colt Detective Special vs. S&W 60?

[IvanW]

I've posted this on another web site's forum, so some may see it both places. I appreciate any responses!

I was poking around a LGS yesterday and saw they had a used DS and a used S&W 60-15 (I think it was 15) in the case. Each listed at $375. The DS has an ejector shroud and rubber grips. There appears to be a bit of bluing wear on the front of the cylinder, but otherwise looks to be in good shape. The S&W is a 3" model for .357 with an adjustable rear sight and doesn't seem to have any appreciable wear.

I hadn't been planning to buy anything, but the price on these got me thinking that one or the other might be a good deal that perhaps I shouldn't pass up. I'd probably lean more towards the DS for CC, but I've always thought a .357 would be nice to have, though this one with a 3" barrel would not be for pocket carry.

Any opinions about whether either of these is a good deal for the money or which one to take if I would buy one? Lastly, does anyone know the weight of the DS? THe S&W is listed at 24 oz. on their web site and the DS feels heavier than that.

Thanks for any responses!

 

[imjin138]

I have a good friend who carries a S&W 36 he carried a Colt agent for a while but on rapid fire it would skip so he felt he could not trust it. i trust his judgement so i went for the J frame Smith too.

 

[Peter J.]

In my opinion, for the price, I would go with the Colt. Colt is not much larger than the 36, and you get an extra shot (5 vs. 6) $375 is a very nice price for a Colt DS now-a-days if it isn't beat up.

 

[H Richard]

If that is really a 60-15 for $375, I'd jump on it. That's the fairly new 3" Pro mod. with comp barrel and new grips. They are great guns. and .357 in it isn't hard on you with the comp and redesigned grips.

 

[Texas Star]

Colt cylinder timing wears much faster, and the guns are less likely to be sighted correctly.

I'd buy the S&W, but would look for a pre-lock model.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

I really like Colt revolvers but S&W revolvers are more likely to be in better condition and stay in time much longer. The J frame is probably more durable.

 

[HayesGreener]

Detective vs Chief

The cylinder on the Colt rotates the wrong way!

 

[Raider]

Colt DS. The grip fits my hand and I like the extra shot.

Charlie

 

[pred]

both, And which one you like the least, Sell off and the one gun you keep costs even less for you.
Peter

 

[Zilmo]

both, And which one you like the least, Sell off and the one gun you keep costs even less for you.
Peter

Good answer.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

The cylinder on the Colt rotates the wrong way!

That depends on which way you're looking at it.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Why, just do like ol Ugly Bob here would do. Buy both, keep both!

 

[canoesota]

I have shot both guns and I like the model 60 with the 3” barrel. You can CC a 3" model 60, and you’re going to get a little more horsepower with the longer barrel. I also like the longer site plane and adjustable sites. The Smith is going to be more fun to target shoot with! I do like the price of both guns, and Colt’s are great guns also!

 

[sigp220.45]

I'd get the Detective Special. An old school blued six shooter at that price is too cool to pass up.

 

[Joed49]

In my opinion get the Colt. I prefer a Colt over S&W in almost every situation. Yes, the timing will become an issue on a Colt faster then on a S&W. But, it may not have a timing issue in your lifetime. One of the reasons I prefer the Colt is because of the timing. The DS has the double lockup which Colt was famous for, the S&W does not. The Colt also has an extra shot as it fires 6 to the 36 which fires 5.

The double lockup of the Colt is about what a Triple lock was for S&W. It was expensive to produce and that's why Colt revolvers generally were more expensive.

Another reason I wouldn't choose the 36 is it is a .357 mag. S&W had trouble with K frames firing that cartridge and now they offer a J frame to fire it? Where's the sense of that?

I've also owned a 36 and a DS. No contest in my opinion, I still have the DS but not the 36.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I've posted this on another web site's forum, so some may see it both places. I appreciate any responses!

I was poking around a LGS yesterday and saw they had a used DS and a used S&W 60-15 (I think it was 15) in the case. Each listed at $375. The DS has an ejector shroud and rubber grips. There appears to be a bit of bluing wear on the front of the cylinder, but otherwise looks to be in good shape. The S&W is a 3" model for .357 with an adjustable rear sight and doesn't seem to have any appreciable wear.

I hadn't been planning to buy anything, but the price on these got me thinking that one or the other might be a good deal that perhaps I shouldn't pass up. I'd probably lean more towards the DS for CC, but I've always thought a .357 would be nice to have, though this one with a 3" barrel would not be for pocket carry.

Any opinions about whether either of these is a good deal for the money or which one to take if I would buy one? Lastly, does anyone know the weight of the DS? THe S&W is listed at 24 oz. on their web site and the DS feels heavier than that.

Thanks for any responses!

For $375.00 (assuming it is in the condition you describe), I would take the Colt.

 

[sipowicz]

I know this should not factor in, but the 3rd gen DS is the coolest, sexiest snub ever made. I carry a 442 since it's only 15 ounces and works great on my ankle, but if I were only belt carrying and looking into the 20 ounce plus category, it would be the Colt...

 

[j38]

There's no question in my mind, I would pick the DS. It's one of the all-time, classic snubbies - and it has a 6th shot. Mine is every bit as accurate as any S&W snubby I own.

Good Luck with your decision,

Jerry

 

[stiab]

I would rather have any vintage Colt DS than any S&W with the lock. I don't know for sure the 60-15 has the lock, but a previous poster says it does. The SA and DA trigger on the DS will not be as good (in my opinion) as the S&W K frame, but it will be better than the J frame. As to the S&W lasting longer, I believe that is purely hypothetical, as most guns don't get shot enough for the Colt to wear out quicker.

 

[IvanW]

Many thanks to all who responded to my post!

I decided to see if either gun was still at the LGS today and both were. I decided to go with the Colt because it seems to be in great condition and as several people have pointed out "they ain't makin' 'em anymore." It is solid as a rock (no cylinder play when locked up), everything appears very clean and the trigger is smooth as glass. It is better than my S&W 638 that I have had worked on. I am planning to take it to the range sometime in the next few days. At 27 oz. it's bit heavier than my 14 oz. Bodyguard (weighed on the same scale), but I'm looking forward to carrying it.

I haven't cleaned it up yet, but I've tried attaching a pic, so hopefully it will come through (never posted a pic before). Thanks again for all responses!