Posted: 1/23/2012 9:18:58 AM EDT
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I have several Colts –– a couple of Pythons, a couple of LAwman MArk 3's (fixed sight version of the Trooper) and a Det Special I have read over and over how Colts are difficult to work on and its better just to send them back to Connecticut if they ever need any work. So my question is does this just apply mainly to the older designs like the Python and the Det Special , ––- or does it apply to all Colts , modern designs as well, (modern designs meaning firearms like the MArk 3, King Cobra and others which have coil springs instead of leafs) I recently bought a Smith model 66 because i was getting paranoid to shoot my Pythons too much for these reasons, –– funny thing is, the Colt trigger action is so ingrained in me that i can even shoot my basic Lawman's better than the Smith . The Smith aggravates me, so if the newer lockwork was not as much of a liability, i would be tempted to purchase a King Cobra that i could shoot with impunity and pass the Smith on to someone who will appreciate it more than i do |
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It all depends on what you start shooting with or shoot the most with.
I grew up shooting both Colt and S&W 1917s. They were cheap in the late 50s and early 60s. I prefer a S&W over a Colt because it's much easier to work on the S&W. I think the big difference is because of the springs in them. The S&W has a leaf spring for a main spring and the Colt a v shaped main spring. But you are right, there is a big difference in the way the trigger feels between the two makes of revolvers. |
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It's the older Colt action that's so complicated and has such tiny working surfaces.
The newer Colt's like the Mark III, Mark V, and King Cobra are remarkably simple actions with surprisingly few parts. There's still some things unique to them you need to know to work on them, but as Long as you understand that unlike the older Colt's, the newer guns are repaired by replacing the part with a new one. The old models could often be adjusted to correct problems, but the sintered steel surface hardened internal parts on the later models can't be. This can create it's own problems if the new part you order doesn't fit correctly. Colt had bins full of parts the assembler picked from when building the gun. If a part didn't fit, he just picked another part from the bin. Gunsmiths don't have bins full of parts and has to order one. If it doesn't fit, he has to send it back and try again. Colt will be repairing Pythons for a LONG time so don't be afraid to shoot them. Don't abuse them and take care of them and they'll last a life time. Years ago, a cop was usually issued a revolver in the academy and carried it for an entire 20 year career. Funny how when the Colt Official Police was carried by the majority of cops, we never heard much about the "weak" Colt action and the guns wearing out. |
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Thanks for the responses fellas ––- i'll quit worrying about it too much . I don't shoot as much as Jerry Miculek or anything, maybe a 150 rounds combined through several wheelguns every month or so . Probably about as much as an old time copper who just had to hit the range occasionally to stay relevant
I'm not quite old enough to be a curmudgeon yet, but at the low volume that i shoot, i dont want to have to re-learn how to shoot a double action revolver. The stacking Colt trigger lends itself well to staging it and when done properly, gets great double action accuracy  ––
I found out the hard way the S&W trigger does not work that way   –– first time i tried to stage it like a Colt, it just pulled on through and went off - on a big silhouette, the shot went center of mass, but the resulting reflex shot as the gun was recoiling sent one in the head. It looked like almost a perfect execution of the Mozambique drill, but i assured everyone who asked that it was not intentional . After a little more time with it, i understand why people like the Smith trigger more in general, but for me its exactly like Dan said –– the Colt is what i started out and learned with so its a hard habit to break
I'll shoot the Pythons somewhat sparingly, but mainly to keep the finish looking sharp ––––- but good to know i can shoot 'em as much as i want within reason. Still entertaining getting a stainless King Cobra as a "knockaround gun" though –– guess you can never have too many guns 
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