|
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
Forums10
Topics39,494
Posts562,063
Members14,586
| |
Most Online9,918
Jul 28th, 2025
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,409 Likes: 4
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,409 Likes: 4 |
When it comes to newer semi-auto models IMO S&W wins hands down. Their 3rd generation pistols have been rapidly increasing in price as collectibles as well as values as carry guns. I personally carry a S&W Model 4006 in 40 S&W and have found nothing newer that I prefer.
Jim
Third generation are nice guns that were designed to compete with SIG Sauer guns. New third generation S&W 5946 with night sights is only $599 plus tax. That is very reasonable price.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,814 Likes: 2
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,814 Likes: 2 |
My daily carry gun is a Colt 1911. I carry it daily, every day. I bought it new in 1956, from Krasnes Hardware in San Diego. It is on its 3rd barrel, wore out 2. It has never failed me. I do not own any "modern" production Smith and Wessons. I do own a number of non suffix Smiths which have also served me well. I have owned and sold Colt revolvers. I prefer Smiths.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 106
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 106 |
James M
That is a dandy 1903. On the Colt vs S&W debate. I own and shoot both often. I have been a little disappointed in recent production S&W revolvers excepting those from the Performance Center. The Colts I shoot are mostly autoloaders, the revolvers S&W. Even though they can be a little fragile when used in rough conditions I would have to say the Python is the best production revolver made. Smooth and accurate. My favorite revolver however is a well worn S&W 6" K frame. Too bad the gun companies have to spend so much time developing plastic.
I guess they have to in order to keep the doors open.
Swampman
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,814 Likes: 2
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,814 Likes: 2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,696 Likes: 226
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,696 Likes: 226 |
Fun gun in 38 Special  
USAF RET 1971-95 ![[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]](http://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/57865_80x60.jpg)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,438 Likes: 1
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,438 Likes: 1 |
Is that Colt going to be your retirement fund, James? I've never really collected guns as an investment but I will have to admit the appreciation over the last 30-40 years has been truly amazing! New in the box has always been a favorite condition for me and this is just one example. Jim
The 2nd Amendment IS an unalienable right.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,438 Likes: 1
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,438 Likes: 1 |
It would be virtually impossible today to manufacture and had fit and fin James M
That is a dandy 1903. On the Colt vs S&W debate. I own and shoot both often. I have been a little disappointed in recent production S&W revolvers excepting those from the Performance Center. The Colts I shoot are mostly autoloaders, the revolvers S&W. Even though they can be a little fragile when used in rough conditions I would have to say the Python is the best production revolver made. Smooth and accurate. My favorite revolver however is a well worn S&W 6" K frame. Too bad the gun companies have to spend so much time developing plastic.
I guess they have to in order to keep the doors open.
Swampman It would be virtually impossible today to economically manufacture hand fit and finish pistols and revolvers as was done in the past. This is one of the primary reasons older examples in nice condition are so prized. Unfortunately examples such as the boxed Colt 1903 I've shown above will probably never be shot which is fine by me as I have other examples. Keep in mind there can never be more originals and attrition continues to take it's toll. You should have seen the large pistol collection I was asked to assess after it had been underwater for more than a week as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Polluted salt water can and will take a serious toll quickly. Jim
Last edited by James M; 03/25/17 10:10 PM.
The 2nd Amendment IS an unalienable right.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743
Sidelock
|
|
OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743 |
Very nice '03 James. My '03 is not near so nice & not in the box As I recall it was made in the 20's & is still very reliable, though I have not shot it a lot. This is actually the only original Colt I currently have. I have several of the Italian reporo beginning with a Patterson & continuing through the SAA. These all seem to be pretty well made & close in detail to the originals. The SAA of course had to have a safety, Uberti put it in the hammer which is mostly unnoticeable & works well though I would still recommend loading only five
Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,438 Likes: 1
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,438 Likes: 1 |
Here's one more example from my own collection. A later 1903 cased with a highly engraved 1908 25acp model. A letter from Colt indicated that the engraving wasn't done by the factory but that the pistol was shipped to Arizona in the 1920s to a gentleman with a Hispanic name. It is speculated that the engraving was done by one of the Mexican engravers known to have worked in the area at that time. The engraving is much finer than the pictures shows. Jim 
Last edited by James M; 03/26/17 08:10 AM.
The 2nd Amendment IS an unalienable right.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,720 Likes: 1357
Sidelock
|
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,720 Likes: 1357 |
Ted, at 8-10 paces that lesson might be taught with a brick. Handguns, carry guns, create a opinions like women...Some like blondes, some don't. I think the 357 is a marvelous cartridge, but I thought we were arguing makers, not calibers. Had the 1911 been available when I rode with Hoods Texans in the war of Northern Aggression, it would have been my choice. Alas, it was not. I deplore your tendency toward violence but respect your choice in pistol makers, poor as it is. My point was both Colt and S & W produced great revolvers in the modern era, and both were offered in the most excellent .357 loading. I really can't find fault with models from either company, post WWII, anyway. You would have forgotten all about a 1911 for riding if a H & K PK5 in an elastic belly sling was available. Ditto an AR platform with optics. What era you want to compare? I'm not riding with anybody on horses, and I can conceal the 360 in board shorts at the beach, and, yes, I have done it. A 1911, not so much. I'm solidly in the camp that states the first rule of gun fighting is, "have a gun" so the small revolvers are my choice. No violence intended, just sick humor that leads all the way back to have a gun. Carry the 1911 in good health. Best, Ted
|
|
|
|
|
