Why are Colt revolvers so expensive?

[HOUSTON RICK]

All my handguns are S&W's, but I understand the appeal of Colts. Almost everyone wants one. I would prefer a S&W 686 plus.

 

[M3Stuart]

I was going to say: 'cuz they don't make them anymore - as several already have.

I stumbled upon a Colt DS type II with a 3" barrel a couple years ago in pristine condition. I thought about making it a CCW, but that little, unsupported, extractor rod scared me away from doing that. So I traded it for a mint condition 34-1. Great trade! I've put a zillion rounds through that 34-1.

 

[XAVMECH]

Old school

Yup, they are a bit on the rare side. This is the only one I have seen with the Colt hammer shroud. Of course, I'm not that much a Colt collector.... Well worn, but still buttery smooth action.

 

[semperfi71]

I prefer a S&W to a Colt for a double-action revolver because the Colts do stack and the S&Ws do not.

The S&W is easier to create a smooth action for.

The S&W, if shot truly a lot, might outlast a Colt.

All of my S&W fixed sighted double-action revolvers have shot to point of aim so far save one.

All of my Colt fixed sight double-action revolvers have not, save one.

My Colt SAA's are running about 2/3 shooting to point of aim.

Colt does not have a lot of parts for the older double-actions. Not really does most anybody else.

It is very difficult to find a true gunsmith who can work on a Colt double-action. But I believe it will be as difficult in the future to find one who can work on a S&W.

But...Colt's have a lot of history (as does S&W) and I like the lines of the Colt's (as I do S&Ws).

And the Detective Special is, to me, the iconic "snub-nose", regardless of the facts, and the Chief's Special is a latecomer (although superior I think).

So I own several variations of both brands.

 

[sipowicz]

Hard to argue with any of the above!

 

[Cdog]

Like divorce, many believe they're a bargain at any price!

Perceived value. Something priceless in your eyes may be worthless in mine.

I'm no collector, so the old Colt's hold little personal interest for me. That's not to say that at the right price I wouldn't buy one.

 

[feralmerril]

I like my colts. I have more smiths.

 

[zoom6zoom]

A very good case can be made that it is the Smith and Wesson that rotates the wrong way, and the cylinder release (and therefore the cylinder locking mechanism) is backwards.

I learned this in the (almost) most embarrassing way possible. Had to do our yearly firearm qualifications, and we were told at the last minute that we would have to qual with department issued guns. No more carrying personally owned firearms like my S&W M19.

So I'm handed some beat up Colt at the range, the first command given is "load two rounds"... and when the command to fire is given, yup.... click, click, click, click, BANG!

Sergeant just grins at me and says, Smith guy, eh?

 

[feralmerril]

You get right down to it, I always thought the push straight in button clyinder release on the rugers made more sense than either colt or smiths. On all three I have the same beef: If I was a manufactor, I would have the ejector head on the rod MUCH bigger as many times I have had sticky cases due to my sloppy reloading or whatever. All the manufactors are guilty of this, that or I am the only huge exception in it.

 

[shouldazagged]

You get right down to it, I always thought the push straight in button clyinder release on the rugers made more sense than either colt or smiths.

I agree. And for all the hellacious expense of the Korth, that weird release next to the hammer seems an odd piece of design.

 

[mkk41]

How about that crane mounted cylinder release on the Dan Wesson?

 

[zoom6zoom]

How about that crane mounted cylinder release on the Dan Wesson?

That one actually is very easy to use. I always wondered why it was there, and asked Seth Wesson about it at a show we were working together. Once he demonstrated it to me, pushing on the latch with his thumb while pushing the cylinder open with the other fingers on the same hand, made perfect sense.

and I would assume that locking the cylinder at the front also may have a minor affect on improving accuracy as well.

 

[Old Unk]

Have owned a few..sold or gave all away..more to do with me than The Pony..only my original HBAR is still in the family..son loves..I couldn't shoot a carry handle mounted scope in my dotage.

Never broke a Colt..or Ruger..or S&W.. or Kimber or.. CZ..I do take care of my tools.

Best.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

For me it's a bit of a family thing...when I carry my DS I feel closer to my dad in NY...

Sip:

I envy your relationship with your dad, and I admire your relationship with your son.

God bless you and yours.

Regards,

Dave