Hmm. Unlike Miller or Last Dollar, I'm not old enough to have participated in the Uncivil war 'twixt the states, but, I have burned a fair amount of ammunition through both S&W and Colt wheelguns, of much later vintage. What passed for a lowly police department issue gun from either maker, back in the early 1970s, is considered high revolver art now-think Trooper MKIII or Model 27.
My model 27 went down the road, still have the Trooper, in that same most useful loading of all time .357 magnum. I can't say I liked one gun more than the other, but, I didn't need two hog legs in .357, and somebody gave me more cash than I paid for the Model 27. He would have done the same with the Colt. My CCL gun is a S&W 360PD Chief's Special Airweight, also in the same most useful loading of all time. I have been keeping my eyes open for a Detective Special in .38 for a few years, but, haven't found the right gun yet. I will. Federal Hydra-Shoks in .38+P, loaded in any of the above, will spoil the whole afternoon for anyone they happen to run into. I had a girlfriend who would walk the path with me grouse hunting, who was hassled one time, and after that event, I would strap the Trooper on her when we went.
End of that problem. Later, she bought her own Python, and became pretty smooth with it. You go, girl.
Any time you'd like me to demonstrate how good either make can be Last Dollar, you can stand 8-10 paces from me, while I pump a few demonstration rounds into you. It might change your opinion of how good they really are. To this day, .357 magnum enjoys a reputation of stopping gunfights in one shot that isn't enjoyed by any other caliber. Including .45.
I'm not terribly interested in what worked better in the civil war when the discussion turns to handguns, but, when I carry, a modern revolver from either maker is what a CCL gun should be, IMHO. Simple, concealable, accurate, dependable, and of one piece design.
One could do much worse.
Best,
Ted
