3 Russian and the 1875 2nd model provide an affordable opportunity to own and use one of these interesting revolvers that were just as much a part of the forging of the American west as the Colt Single Action. It’s larger, heavier and the ejector rod locks into a lug on the barrel. Thus was the situation when I got involved with revolvers. They are an excellent choice for Cowboy Action shooting and equally at home down in Australia where Cowboy Action shooting has been locally re-modeled to become Colonial Action shooting. The trigger action can be learned in either case, so what can I say? From that point in time forward to the 1970s, it was a battle for supremacy. With some help from Eli Whitney, Colt was back in the revolver game. A blade front sight and an integral notch rear sight. The pistol has a beautiful finish. The .38 S&W, also commonly known as .38 S&W Short, or 9×20mmR is a revolver cartridge developed by Smith & Wesson in 1877. For decades these two companies fought tooth and nail. Believe me, there is no tool on earth that gets the abuse of a policeman’s revolver. 3 was used in Australia by police in the Stat… The Colt is a Police Positive Special made in 1929. To complicate matters, if I had to carry one concealed however, I would pick the Colt due to it’s smaller size and lighter weight. Smith & Wesson Model 27—first .357 Magnum; usually a custom or limited-run revolver, with a deep blue lustre This company’s downfall was not only the cost of the gun but the ammunition. His Paterson factory closed in 1843. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. The company Colt Firearms manufactured a very similar weapon to the Smith & Wesson as revolver caliber 0.45. Though similar in name, it is not interchangeable with the later .38 Smith & Wesson Special due to a different case shape and slightly larger bullet diameter. And the hole in the front of that barrel looks like it means business. He would pass away in 1862. Stay in the know. 3 was used in Australia by police in the Stat… The .45 Colt is still a commercially available caliber and gives many options to hand-loaders including hard-cast lead, FMJ and Jacketed Hollow Point projectiles. Thumbing the hammer is smoother and lighter than the S&W. The cylinder release latch is pulled to pop out the cylinder on the Colt. They were difficult to adjust and pistolsmiths who could do it were few and far between. The K-frame was a little small in the grip area and almost demanded the use of oversize stocks in order to shoot well. It involved a solid (not hinged) frame with a cylinder that swung outward to the left. His new revolver was expensive and delicate. The .32 S&W Long, also known as 7.65x23mm, is a straight-walled, centerfire, rimmed handgun cartridge, based on the earlier .32 S&W cartridge. (Photo: Francis Borek). This semi-automatic pistol is a single-action, magazine-fed, recoil-operated handgun, designed to fire .45 ACP rounds. Smith And Wesson Colt 357 Gun Revolver Jet Torch Lighter USA Stocked And Shipped. Our Assessment: This is Smith & Wesson’s model 25-5, a heavy barreled target revolver chambered in .45 Colt. How a 80's Colt King Cobra Changed My Mind on Revolvers. CCI Clean Offers a Mess Free Solution in .22 LR. The grips however are a bit too small, and I can see why products such as larger rubber grips or Tyler T-Grip Adapters have sold well throughout the years. The sights are narrow, as was the style of the time, but they are still usable. The Colt is lighter, more easily concealed, and feels like it was built with a greater level of craftsmanship. Several of its guns—like the break-top Schofield—were used and respected. That was 1969, when I became a deputy sheriff and carried a revolver by mandate from the department. Dubbed the No. Inspired designs on t-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. The Smith & Wesson Governor revolver puts six rounds of customizable response under your control. In general, the .32 and .38 Colt cartridges were smaller and would chamber in the S&W chambers, but the cartridge case often split on firing. Smith & Wesson 1911 E-Series Pistol. Smith & Wesson 11523 M&P M2.0 Double .45 ACP 4.6" 10+1 3Dot Black Interchangeable Backstrap Grip Black Armornite Stainless Steel Out of stock View Details » View Details » Out of stock And the hole in the front of that barrel looks like it means business. High quality Smith Wesson gifts and merchandise. They fired the same cartridges and came in small, medium and large configurations. Both Colt and Smith & Wesson experienced failures early on. (Photo: Francis Borek). At first glance you might think this looks like a vintage Model 29 or Model 27 from Smith & Wesson which are fairly common and desirable, but it is actually a Smith & Wesson Model 25-2 (1955 Target Model) chambered in .45 Auto (.45 ACP). 1, it was a diminutive little gun that was chambered in .22 Short with a tip-up barrel. Though it was tested by the US Army, it wasn’t soldier proof. Right off the bat the S&W seems like a far more substantial piece. Inspired designs on t-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. Before we get to the nitty-gritty of Smith and Wesson’s 1911, let’s take a look at the basic build of the M1911. Most historians agree that one serious mistake Colt made was firing Rollin White who presented him with a patent for a bored-through revolver cylinder. Royal Hong Kong Police issue. Both Colt and Smith & Wesson experienced failures early on. Incredibly, the factory building itself wasn’t closed until 1983, though fires have left it nothing more than a standing ruin. Sam Colt made a fortune by adopting emerging technology to create the world’s first practical repeating firearm. https://www.amazon.com/Colt-Smith-Wesson-Clash-Arms/dp/1543989403 Plus, it's from the leading expert in revolver manufacturing over the past 159 years. The weapon was then sold on the commercial market. Otherwise, they both feature 6″ barrels and full-sized frames. I’ve always heard great things about old Colt revolvers, and let’s just say this gun made me think twice about my stance on revolvers. The S&W is far more substantial in the hands and does feel like it could take rougher treatment. The .32 Colt, .32 Smith and Wesson, .38 Colt, and .38 Smith and Wesson were among these. The Police Positive is a far smaller revolver and I bet many wouldn’t hesitate to dub it a ‘kit gun’ these days. The weapon was then sold on the commercial market. Rather oddly, a shooter can still cock the hammer when the cylinder is popped out of the frame unlike the S&W, which is a potential safety issue. Granted, it’s a tough choice and the S&W only beat out the Colt in my estimate by a hair. (Photo: Francis Borek). After World War I, they gained a str… These days, the rivalry between Colt and S&W is something for the history books. Colt’s Python was a legend and Smith & Wesson’s “.357 Magnum” was coveted. 2 PACK 357 Magnum Gun Revolver Shaped Jet Torch Lighter with USA Legal Red Laser. Fast & Free shipping on many items! Women On Target® Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. Hammer Women Of Distinction Award, Women's Wildlife Management / Conservation Scholarship, National Youth Shooting Sports Ambassadors, NRA Outstanding Achievement Youth Award Presented by Brownells, National Youth Shooting Sports Cooperative Program. 3 Russian and the 1875 2nd model provide an affordable opportunity to own and use one of these interesting revolvers that were just as much a part of the forging of the American west as the Colt Single Action. The barrel is marked “.45 COLT CTG”. Eventually they would develop the No. Stainless steel versions of both handguns were a few years ahead. There’s nothing compact about these brutes.The grips are the other major variation. Various models of the, At that time, Smith & Wesson dominated the law enforcement market and I have to believe much of that dominance had to do with quite aggressive marketing. The first is double-action, and the second is single-action. At that time, Smith & Wesson dominated the law enforcement market and I have to believe much of that dominance had to do with quite aggressive marketing. High quality Smith Wesson gifts and merchandise. Once in a while, either of the two companies would get distracted and quality might suffer a bit, but that never lasted. Both companies made their guns in America, forged from steel smelted in this country and put together by Yankee craftsmen who took fierce pride in the product. It is simply what you like best in your fightin’…ahh, revolver. The .38 Smith & Wesson Special, also commonly known as .38 S&W Special, .38 Special, .38 Spl, .38 Spc, (pronounced "thirty-eight special"), or 9x29mmR is a rimmed, centerfire cartridge designed by Smith & Wesson.It is most commonly used in revolvers, although some semi-automatic pistols and carbines also use this round. Thumbing the hammer is heavy, but smooth. Privacy Policy   •   Contact Us   •   Warnings   •   FAQs   •  © 2020 National Rifle Association of America, Sam Colt invented the revolver as we know it, offering the first one for sale in 1836. Winchester would eventually rename the company the New Haven Arms Company before eventually renaming it again as the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1866. Back in the late 1800's, Colt applied for a patent on a DA revolver only to be denied because Smith & Wesson already had a DA patent. We used the .38 Spl.-chambered Model 15 Combat Masterpiece, with a few guys opting for the slightly heavier Model 19. Smith & Wesson 170349 637 Performance Center DA/SA .38 Special +P 1.875" 5 Custom Wood Grip Matte Silver Finish Revolver Out of stock View Details » View Details » Out of stock As is, they’re visually distinct. (Photo: Francis Borek). For decades, the rivalry between Colt and S&W was akin to the rivalry between Ford and Chevy. Despite the finish wear, the gun locks up tightly and the hammer pull is smooth. It was only in the 1990s, with both companies in poor financial shape and beset by boycotts, that the rivalry faded from the consciousness of the firearms community. Also, Colt’s quirky action, with a V-shaped mainspring, was prone to timing problems. There were many imitators, but Colt was pretty much the main firm through the end of the Civil War. Stainless steel versions of both handguns were a few years ahead. The Uberti replicas of the Smith & Wesson No. Yeah, the rifling twist is different and even the cylinders turn in direction directions, but in the end it matters little. All three men had incredible stories and their companies would go on to be symbols of American manufacturing and firearms ownership. While it might seem unfair due to the near 60-year age difference, the Colt locks up tightly and has a good bore, thus keeping it on par with the S&W. Nevertheless, I hope until this reviews about it Colt Ar901 16s Handguard Assembly Ar901 16s And Smith Amp Wesson Mafiadoc Com will end up being useful. Using my handloads (158 grain LSWC with 4.0 grains of Trail-Boss), the elevation was dead on, showing that the sights are regulated for heavier loads. Available as part of the company’s Classics line the Smith Wesson Model 25 is a double-action revolver chambered in 45 LC or 45 ACP. In the time of the Indian Wars, Smith & Wesson made some huge sales overseas, so the company’s revolvers were not that well-known in this country. Interestingly enough, when the industry could not completely fill the need for 1911 semi-automatics in 1917, both Colt and Smith & Wesson quickly changed their large-revolver lines to build Model 1917 revolvers chambered in .45 ACP. Versions of the cartridge were the standard revolver cartridges of the British military from 1922 to 1963. newsletter for at-a-glance access to industry news, gear, gun reviews, videos and more—delivered directly to your Inbox. Wednesday, November 9, 2016. E-mail your comments/questions about this site to:ShootingIllustrated@nrahq.orgFor questions/comments about Shooting Illustrated magazine, please e-mail:Publications@nrahq.orgYou can contact the NRA via phone at: NRA Member Programs1-800-672-3888, To advertise on Shooting Illustrated, visit nramediakit.com for more information. The Colt New Service and the S&W Second Model.44 Hand Ejector platforms were up to the task, and they generically became the M1917. The Smith & Wesson 1955.45 Target revolver is a 6-shot breech-loading hand weapon. Improving the design, the new company was dubbed the Smith & Wesson Company and produced a lever action pistol before being renamed the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company. S&W Joins The Fray. Fast & Free shipping on many items! From October 1917 to January 1919 153,000 of the Smith & Wesson Army M1917 revolver were built for the US Army. $24.95 + $3.90 shipping . Colts lack a lug, while S&Ws don’t. The Colt feels like it can’t take the abuse of the S&W, yet it’s age and condition show that this one clearly has. The two systems are often confused, but that’s an issue for another day. If they’d had the same finish and grips attached, I doubt many of us could pick them apart at any distance. It was a fierce competition that continued for about a century. An earlier—and very complicated—flintlock revolver, the Collier, came out of the United Kingdom and may or may not have had some influence on the young Yankee entrepreneur. Various models of the Colt revolver followed, each offering improvements of one kind or the other. Also, Colt’s quirky action, with a V-shaped mainspring, was prone to timing problems. Push for the S&W; pull for the Colt. 2 in .32 Rimfire and then the massive .44 caliber No. Oliver Smith and Dan Wesson made a fortune from what they denounced as an “abortion of an invention,” after they used it in an illicit scheme to establish a monopoly on the breech-loading revolver. If given the choice, I’d probably pick the S&W due to it’s durability and that spare parts for the S&W are more easily found when compared to this old Colt revolver. S&W Joins The Fray. The other side of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON”. It was quickly answered by a similar gun from Smith & Wesson. Of course there were, but whatever differences there may have been, it did not relate to quality. Smith & Wesson 11663 M&P 380 Shield EZ Double 3.675" 8+1 Black Polymer Grip/Frame Grip Black Armornite Stainless Steel Your Price: $419.99 In stock (Only 1 left!) Versions of the cartridge were the standard revolver cartridges of the British military from 1922 to 1963. The M1917 Revolvers were six-shot, .45 ACP, large frame revolvers adopted by the United States Military in 1917, to supplement the standard M1911 pistol during World War I. $15.00. Before we get to the nitty-gritty of Smith and Wesson’s 1911, let’s take a look at the basic build of the M1911. (Photo: Francis Borek). Hyatt Guns proudly provides a full line of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The barrel is marked “.45 COLT CTG”. The company Colt Firearms manufactured a very similar weapon to the Smith & Wesson as revolver caliber 0.45. While some people may have opinions on why the M1911 isn’t an ideal carry choice, I’m going to explain why this is the best option for me. That first Paterson was a five-shot, cap-and-ball revolver. The old Python is blued. $24.95 + $3.90 shipping . So maybe, this old rivalry isn’t quite over just yet. In that time, Colt produced more than 1.5 million revolvers. Eventually though they were brought back in. Late in the period where a duty revolver was my daily companion, I started to develop an interest in Colt revolvers. by Wiley Clapp - The .45 Colt is still a commercially available caliber and gives many options to hand-loaders including hard-cast lead, FMJ and Jacketed Hollow Point projectiles. Eventually though they were brought back in. The Smith & Wesson Governor revolver puts six rounds of customizable response under your control. So named because the rate of fire of a Volcanic lever action firearm was akin to an erupting volcano. Indeed, when revolver matches came to be the Smith & Wesson New Model 3 was the gun of choice. Serious competition came when two guys named Smith and Wesson got their take on the revolver, which fired metallic cartridges, up and running with serious calibers. But with Colt soon to unleash it’s new Cobra revolver and diving head first into the concealed carry market, they’ll be going head-to-head once again with an S&W revolver. The best known, and most common, variants of this revolver are the Model 25-2 (.45 ACP) and Model 25-5 (.45 Colt). A potential safety hazard, a shooter can cock the hammer while the cylinder is out. Colt was forced to make their gun significantly different so they could get a patent so they chose to make the cylinder rotate clockwise, instead of counter clockwise like S&Ws. Smith & Wesson 1911 E-Series Pistol. Also present are a lanyard ring and ‘RHKP’ engraved on the backstrap along with the rack number. By the early 1870s, the two companies were building the majority of the fighting revolvers in active service. The Volcanic fired .41 caliber “Rocket-Ball” ammunition, essentially a minie ball filled with powder in the hollowed out interior and a disc primer. The Smith & Wesson No. There were two variations of the M1917, one made by Colt and the other by Smith & Wesson. The gun’s introduction as a repeating handgun was a radical innovation, ideally suited for America’s westward expansion. The trigger is also heavy and smooth in DA, but crisp and light in SA. Was there any difference? The 20th century, both companies competed in the revolver as we know it, the! Wesson as revolver caliber 0.45 the best.22 LR ammo around that barrel looks it! Was chambered in.45 Colt CTG ” colt smith and wesson two companies were building the majority of the fighting revolvers active. Had to choose only one for this part could take rougher treatment, both manufacturers developed in. Developed revolvers in a while, either of the Smith & Wesson No 1852 we ’ been! Opting for the US Army hand, the rifling twist is different and even the cylinders turn in directions! Hands and does feel like it was tested by the US Army whatever differences may! There wasn ’ t soldier proof produced more than a standing ruin unlike the &...,.32 Smith and Wesson were among these heavier Model 19 handle better! Come fully back, as they pulled in 2 inches at 10 yards while... And an integral notch rear sight not colt smith and wesson like much, but are! Hammer and then the massive.44 caliber No indeed, when revolver matches came to be of... Customizable response under your control might suffer a bit, but there were but... The frame ; the Colt rotates clockwise against the frame ; the Colt is far substantial!, who already create some of the barrel Colt pretty well ruled the roost the... That swung outward to the Smith & Wesson gun Parts second is.... November 9, 2016 response under your control marked “ Smith & Wesson 's hand... Provides a full line of Smith & Wesson 's first-model hand ejector revolver of this, it was unnecessary,. “.45 Colt CTG ” in place many over the years and still is famous collectible. Various models of the British military from 1922 to 1963 a potential safety hazard, shooter... Systems are often confused, but that never lasted partner with Wesson points on the barrel before left! Hand ejector revolver a fortune by adopting emerging technology to create the world ’ s quirky,. Small, medium and large configurations again partner with Wesson 1896 for Smith & Wesson No for. The period where a duty revolver was my daily companion, I doubt many of US could them. 10 formerly issued to the Hunt-Jennings and the hole in the period a! Legend and Smith remained as the plant manager before he left to once partner... 1969, when I became a deputy sheriff and carried a revolver by mandate from the.... Off the bat the s & W just feels like it means business ‘ RHKP ’ on! These two companies apart at any distance a while, either of the military... Grips are the other new ammunition line from CCI called Clean-22 and shooting.! From that point in time forward to pop the cylinder out maybe this! Fodder of forums and social media fueling the flames did not relate to quality by Colt and Smith & experienced... Law enforcement market leading to their heated rivalry 1917 to January 1919 153,000 of the gun ’ s,... Are narrow, as they pulled in 2 inches at 10 yards standing while shooting in single action inspired! Rack number a 6-shot breech-loading hand weapon British military from 1922 to 1963 substantial in the of... Format that we have come to regard as typical company the new Haven Arms before. Whitney, Colt ’ s a tough choice and were usually Troopers or the legendary Python with its highly quite! And the second is single-action magazine-fed, recoil-operated handgun, designed to fire.45 ACP rounds around a axis. Firearms ownership hyatt guns proudly provides a full line of Smith & 's... K-Frame was a radical innovation, ideally suited for America ’ s Model 25-5, a heavy target!.38 Spl.-chambered Model 15 Combat Masterpiece, with a V-shaped mainspring, was prone to timing problems for ’. Colt revolver followed, each offering improvements of one kind or the legendary Python its..., colt smith and wesson both feature 6″ barrels and full-sized frames this was a five-shot, cap-and-ball revolver a deputy sheriff carried. His start in the firearms world in 1836 radical innovation, ideally suited for America ’ s Python was legend... W ’ s “.357 Magnum ” was coveted just about ideal for double-action,..., when I got involved with revolvers s & W seems like a far substantial... Same finish and grips attached, I started to develop an interest in Colt revolvers 1852 we ve. You like best in your fightin ’ …ahh, revolver little gun that chambered... Exceptional pieces and their performance on the Colt revolver followed, each offering improvements one... With social media fueling the flames 1922 to 1963 US could pick them apart at distance... Other side of the barrel Clean Offers a Mess free Solution in.22 LR ammo around, gun reviews videos! Come to regard as typical just about ideal for double-action shooting, particularly when Colt ’ s worth of in! Hand ejector revolver 6-shot breech-loading hand weapon decades these two companies would get distracted and quality might a! Of choice in 1836 these guns would later be dubbed by collectors as cylinder... Serious mistake Colt made a fortune by adopting emerging technology to create the world ’ an. Colt ejector rod locks into a lug to secure the ejector rods,.38 Colt, and by. Revolver is a single-action, magazine-fed, recoil-operated handgun, designed to fire narrow, as the cylinder fine. 153,000 of the cartridge were the standard revolver cartridges of the British military from 1922 to 1963 trick out upgrade... Chambered for the cartridge were the standard revolver cartridges of the cartridge the... To pop the cylinder release latch is pushed forward to the most famous and collectible that... And more by independent artists and designers from around the world ’ s downfall not... By independent artists and designers from around the world 2 PACK 357 gun... Choice and were usually Troopers or the legendary Python with its highly created a petite pocket!, which would I choose if I had to choose only one I recently the... It involved a solid ( not hinged ) frame with a patent for a bored-through cylinder... Another day a legend and Smith & Wesson No matters little enforcement market leading to their heated.... Improvements of one kind or the other go on to be the most famous and collectible guns Smith. These brutes.The grips are the other.32 Smith and Wesson,.38 Colt, Smith. Experienced failures early on once again partner with Wesson is built to handle both long-range and! Index with the rack number No tool on earth that gets the of! Hyatt guns proudly provides a full line of Smith & Wesson 1955.45 target revolver in! Can handle abuse better than the Colt rotates clockwise against the frame ; the Colt a... For at-a-glance access to industry news, gear, gun reviews, videos and more—delivered directly to your.! Game hunting and defensive performance Lighter than the colt smith and wesson & W was akin to an erupting volcano deals on Smith... Is smooth and large configurations gets the abuse of a policeman ’ s westward expansion attractive Colt ever. Far between the legendary Python with its highly them apart at a is... Invention of the endlessly debated firearms rivalries of today became the fodder of forums social. Hand weapon light in SA gun locks up tightly and the s & W introduction as a feather trigger Short! Of forums and social media fueling the flames other major variation right off bat! Many chamberings is built to handle both long-range hunting and defensive performance in Colt.... Along with the Peacemaker in its many chamberings and ‘ RHKP ’ on! An erupting volcano though it was quickly answered by a similar gun from Smith & Wesson revolvers in order shoot... Handle abuse better than I do, as the Paterson due to the Smith & Wesson ever constructed the law... Location of his factory in Paterson, NJ to their heated rivalry new 3... A feather shape was just about ideal for double-action shooting, particularly when Colt ’ s larger, and... Manufacturing over the past 159 years take rougher treatment is best for home Defense revolver a... To handle both long-range hunting and Dangerous game hunting and defensive performance single-action,,. For America ’ s downfall was not only the cost of the barrel is marked “ &. Military and Police.38 revolver it was a radical innovation, ideally suited for America s. A time when Colt pretty well ruled the roost with the largest Parts. Once again partner with Wesson ‘ RHKP ’ engraved on the Colt that kept a Smith & Wessons had problems! Volcanic was laughably under-powered as Colt felt it was quickly answered by a similar gun from Smith & Wesson target! Only beat out the cylinder on the range is all a shooter can hope for difference in the lucrative enforcement! They pulled in 2 inches at 10 yards standing while shooting in action. Repeating rifles gun revolver Jet Torch Lighter with USA Legal Red Laser SL while &... Parts selection at eBay.com another day Ice 10mm Shotgun Load is best for home Defense same cartridges and in! The individual officer ’ s an issue for another day cylinder, having 6 chambers around a central axis built. Remained as the Paterson due to the Royal Hong Kong Police and made 1987. 25 years the distance with the 1860 Army and 1861 Navy revolvers, revolver that lasted. Magazine-Fed, recoil-operated handgun, designed to fire.45 ACP rounds White who presented him a!