Colt no longer makes revolvers....Need a revolver

F

Ford

New member
Did Colt drop there line of revolvers? Except for the Western style. I can't find a mention of them any where on the web site.

My wife is in need of a .357mag/.38 special revolver. She is limited to a S&W, Colt, or Ruger with a barrel no shorter than 2.5 inches and no longer than 4 inches.

If this helps ammo that she is authorized to shoot is Federal .38 147 grain +P+ Hydra shock hollow point (shouldnt that be 148 grain ? ), Winchester .38 125 grain Supreme Expansion Talon +P hollow point, and Winchester .38 125 grain Silver tip hollow point +P

Thanks for any suggestions
 
I so that's a real shame. Those Pythons from the custom shop were *really* sweet. Damn, shoulda bought it......

Doland
 
Ford, a S&W 586 or stainless 686 is a workhorse. I've abused mine for the last 15 to 18 years, and it still shoots great. Rugers seem to be good guns, but I have a real problem with Bill Ruger's attitude toward motorcyclists, so I have to say I'm not impartial on that brand.

Dick
 
I agree with monkeyleg. My 686 is wonderful. I've shot Ruger .357's, and own some Rugers in other calibers. They are supposed to be durable, but the trigger action was not as good as the S&W.
 
Ford:
You might want to check out the SS S&W model 640, I bought one for my wife and she loves it.
Just my 2 cents. :)

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"Lead, follow or get the HELL out of the way."
 
Colt issued a statement and dropped all DA guns, revolvers and autos, about 5 months ago. The only revolvers left are the SAA and the Cowboy, both SA.
 
Why look for trouble? COLT doesn't make them cause they can't sell them.There are great revolvers on the market much better than any COLT made recently.S&W or RUGER should be able to fill your needs just fine. :)
 
First, I have all three major makes of revolvers and like them all. But, as an armorer it is my opinion that the toughest and most durable and reliable revolver is the Ruger. No screws to work loose like on the S&W or Colts. They absorb a lot of abuse. There's an agency in TX which dragged the older Speed Six around the sage brush (no, nobody was wearing it at the time). After untying the gun, it was picked up and tested by firing. All six rounds fired without hiccup. That's tough.

While the old Speed Sixes aren't made anymore, the smaller framed SP101s are just as durable and can easily handle those +p+ loads your wife envisions. Some of those older Colts and S&Ws won't take a sustained hot load and if you do get one of the latter, contact the factory before you try using those loads.

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Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt
 
I was kind of in the same boat, wanted a revolver, but didn't know which one. It came down to the Ruger and S&W. I was told time and again that the Rugers have a stronger frame, and the S&W have a smoother trigger. I decided that triggers can be smoothed, but frames can't be strengthened. I'd go with a GP-101, or SP-101, in .357 to get a little more margin in dealing with the +P+ loads. Of course, as always, this opinion is my own and it's up to your wife to decide which one fits her best. I don't think she can make a wrong choice between the two.

Eric

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Does the "X" ring have to be that small?
 
Maybe now is not the right time to buy a Colt anyway. I bought one in November, a Mustang Plus2. The slide gradually stopped locking back on an empty mag, and after about 75 rounds it wouldn't lock at all. I sent it back to the factory for repair, and I still don't have it back. In fact, my gunshop called them last week and they haven't even started working on it. :mad: Go with something else.

Regards,

Ledbetter
 
Got a Colt Detective Special myself. Mostly I carry my Glock 26. But sometimes I go back to the revolver. One reson for keeping is the operation is simple and the wife understands the mechanics of it better. What's wrong with a good used revolver. Plenty out there, take your pick?
 
One thing is important to consider, perhaps the most important, is fit. I have larger sized hands. My GP-100 fits perfectly as does my S & W 19 with Houges. However, a Ruger P-90 is just a bit too big. Most womens' hands are smaller than mine. Will they fit on a GP-100 or 686? Maybe the SP-101 would be a better choice.
 
m60.jpg

S&W Model 60

Check out the Smith & Wesson Model 60 with adjustable sights and 3" barrel (catalog #102430) is a sweet little wheel gun and would seem to fit your wife's requirements. I saw one at a show last month for $350 NIB, I've wanted one for a long time and should have bought it.

ksp831b.gif

Ruger SP101

Ruger SP101 with 3 1/16" barrel (catalog #KSP-331X) is super strong, but doesn't have adjustable sights. I paid $325 when I bought mine 6 years ago.

There are lots of fine revolvers to choose from, IMO these two should be on your short list. -- Kernel
 
Go with the Ruger SP-101. Load it with the most potent 125gr +P load you can find. Keep in mind that the SP-101 only carries 5 cartridges though.
 
Colt is still, as far as I know, making the Python through their custom shop.

You can always find a high-quality used one.

(I have a Python, and it is an exceptional gun, but for the money, the new S&Ws are better.)
 
The old .357 magnums are pelnty strong and there seem to be lots on the used market due to the popularity of the glock and other semi autos.

By the way back in 1950-60's the .357 was built to handle 158 gr bullet at 1600fps.

I have a 27-2 circa 1966 and when I called the factory they said no problem these guns were built to handle 158gr at 1600 fps.
The 27-2 in mint cond only cost me $350
I also bought a 686-8 + 4" SS to beat around since the 27-2 is too nice.

NIB 686+ 4" $399 in my area.


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Master Blaster
 
Walt Sherrill - About the Python, that's what I thought until two months ago. I was buying a new pistol and told the salesman I wanted something new to shoot against my father's 6" blue Python. While I was filling out the paperwork for my purchase, I asked the cost of a new Python and was told they were no longer made. I even asked about the Custom Shop. Nope. He's a long-time employee of this very large distributor/retailer, seems to know his stuff and has never given me bad advice. He estimated a $700+ retail value for my dad's 10-year-old gun. John
 
Ford, It appears yor wife has a police or security job with specific handgun requirements. My suggestion is a S&W K Frame with a 3 inch, or 2.5 inch, barrel. A six shot revolver is best for the mandatory qulification shoots, and these barrels are long enough to provide adequate sighting plane for qualification shoots. Most important, the overall length is such that shorter persons, such as myself and many females, can sit in cars without the holster bottoming on the seat and pushing the gun butt into their ribs. In other words, a shorter gun makes for more comfortable carry. Rugers are excellent also, I just like S&W better. My personal choice is the S&W Model 66 with a 2.5 barrel (some special runs with a 3 inch barrel occur and they are maybe the best). Chris
 
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