Quandry

Tom327 · October 12, 2007, 03:56 PM

I was poking around the local gun shops today and two revolvers caught my eye--both the same price, $350, both in very, very good condition:

A blue Colt Lawman MKIII- 2";
A stainless S&W Model 67- 4".

The S&W is a great gun, but then, they're not making any more Colts.

If you could only buy one...

Wolf Lies Down · October 12, 2007, 04:10 PM

--
-Both .357, I assume.

If I could only buy one, I would buy the Colt.

I have never been a S&W fan except for their J frames and their older revolvers.

The only way the Colt could be better (to me) is to have a 4" or 6" barrel.

Snap it up.

Wolf Lies Down

HammerBite · October 12, 2007, 04:38 PM

If the situation is such that ready repairability is not an issue I would get the Colt.

BillCA · October 12, 2007, 04:56 PM

At the same price, I'd select the Colt if it was in 95% or better condition.

The problem with Colt wheelguns is that it's getting harder and harder to find someone who knows how to work on them. Some will claim they can, but few really know their business.

The Model 67 is a .38 and the stainless version of the S&W Model 15. As such, it's a superb shooter in a well balanced, sturdy design. I have one and it's a favorite range gun as well as a home defense gun.

apr1775 · October 12, 2007, 10:31 PM

I'd say the Colt. The Smith is a great one too, but as you said, they aren't making any more of the Colts. If you plan on being hard on it, get the Smith. If you can afford it, get both, they'll hold and likely increase their value.

dispatcher · October 13, 2007, 02:43 PM

Just my oppinon here.
I have had only one Colt revover (Detective Special) in the 80's. Beautiful revolver that shot very well until it broke. I was unable to find anyone that could make it right again. This was just one experience, but it did cost me time and money.
Since then I have owned several Smiths (all prelock), shot the fool out of them with no problems. If I ever have $800-$1000 thow away money I wouldn't mind buying a Python just to have it, but I guess I see the Colt as a polish and look at gun, while the Smiths are shooters.
Apologies offered to all you Colt guys out there- like I said "just my opinion".

Tom327 · October 13, 2007, 10:47 PM

Choices are extremely personal, and I can't really justify mine other than to say I'm not a collector but a shooter, and the S&W 67 is more likely to serve me at the range.

Besides, no one has bought the Colt, yet.

Here's a picture (my first attempt)--we'll see how it shows.

Thanks to all who replied,

Tom

gvf · October 14, 2007, 04:14 AM

There are people around who work on Colts, including Colt - and from what i hear latter is not an arm and a leg. Little goes wrong with a properly maintained revolver. When they do, they can be easily fixable generic problems, that any gunsmith can work on -

I suggest Colt Forums, specifically the Revolver Forum, for info on the Lawman. There are knowledgeable people here about Colts of course, but those people specialize on Colts and are often very informed about questions you have, including repair. There's plenty on the Lawman.

http://www.coltforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?Cat=0

PzGren · October 14, 2007, 07:10 AM

This is a very personal decision, as it has been already established in this thread, to be used as a shooter the S&W M67 will serve very well and the stainless will most likely be a plus. As an investment it may be different.

I shoot mostly D/A and prefer a well tuned S&W over Colt and Ruger. I have sold all my Colts but a Python - and keep that mainly for sentimental reasons.

Tom2 · October 14, 2007, 08:33 AM

I bought a NIB Colt Det. Spl. about 10 years ago. Barrel was rusty inside and still looked frosted after I cleaned it out. Took it to dealer for refund. But one thing I noticed on some Colts is that they don't point for me like the Smiths, the angle of the grip is different, even with aftermarket grips. Still I am suprised that the Colt was selling for the same as the Smith, if it was in nice condx. I have had Colt revs and may again but the prices are getting to where they are not purchased on a whim anymore.

October 12, 2007, 03:56 PM	#1
Tom327 Member Join Date: December 21, 2006 Posts: 23	Quandry I was poking around the local gun shops today and two revolvers caught my eye--both the same price, $350, both in very, very good condition: A blue Colt Lawman MKIII- 2"; A stainless S&W Model 67- 4". The S&W is a great gun, but then, they're not making any more Colts. If you could only buy one...

October 12, 2007, 04:10 PM	#2
Wolf Lies Down Member Join Date: October 1, 2007 Location: California Posts: 53	A Quandry No More... -- -Both .357, I assume. If I could only buy one, I would buy the Colt. I have never been a S&W fan except for their J frames and their older revolvers. The only way the Colt could be better (to me) is to have a 4" or 6" barrel. Snap it up. Wolf Lies Down

October 12, 2007, 04:56 PM	#4
BillCA Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, Ca Posts: 7,015	At the same price, I'd select the Colt if it was in 95% or better condition. The problem with Colt wheelguns is that it's getting harder and harder to find someone who knows how to work on them. Some will claim they can, but few really know their business. The Model 67 is a .38 and the stainless version of the S&W Model 15. As such, it's a superb shooter in a well balanced, sturdy design. I have one and it's a favorite range gun as well as a home defense gun. __________________ BillCA in CA (Unfortunately)

October 12, 2007, 04:38 PM	#3
HammerBite Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2006 Location: Northern VA Posts: 429	If the situation is such that ready repairability is not an issue I would get the Colt.

October 12, 2007, 10:31 PM	#5
apr1775 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 418	I'd say the Colt. The Smith is a great one too, but as you said, they aren't making any more of the Colts. If you plan on being hard on it, get the Smith. If you can afford it, get both, they'll hold and likely increase their value.

October 13, 2007, 02:43 PM	#6
dispatcher Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2005 Location: DFW area Posts: 312	Just my oppinon here. I have had only one Colt revover (Detective Special) in the 80's. Beautiful revolver that shot very well until it broke. I was unable to find anyone that could make it right again. This was just one experience, but it did cost me time and money. Since then I have owned several Smiths (all prelock), shot the fool out of them with no problems. If I ever have $800-$1000 thow away money I wouldn't mind buying a Python just to have it, but I guess I see the Colt as a polish and look at gun, while the Smiths are shooters. Apologies offered to all you Colt guys out there- like I said "just my opinion".

October 14, 2007, 04:14 AM	#8
gvf Junior member Join Date: July 31, 2006 Posts: 1,226	There are people around who work on Colts, including Colt - and from what i hear latter is not an arm and a leg. Little goes wrong with a properly maintained revolver. When they do, they can be easily fixable generic problems, that any gunsmith can work on - I suggest Colt Forums, specifically the Revolver Forum, for info on the Lawman. There are knowledgeable people here about Colts of course, but those people specialize on Colts and are often very informed about questions you have, including repair. There's plenty on the Lawman. http://www.coltforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?Cat=0

October 14, 2007, 07:10 AM	#9
PzGren Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2001 Posts: 866	This is a very personal decision, as it has been already established in this thread, to be used as a shooter the S&W M67 will serve very well and the stainless will most likely be a plus. As an investment it may be different. I shoot mostly D/A and prefer a well tuned S&W over Colt and Ruger. I have sold all my Colts but a Python - and keep that mainly for sentimental reasons.

October 14, 2007, 08:33 AM	#10
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,644	I bought a NIB Colt Det. Spl. about 10 years ago. Barrel was rusty inside and still looked frosted after I cleaned it out. Took it to dealer for refund. But one thing I noticed on some Colts is that they don't point for me like the Smiths, the angle of the grip is different, even with aftermarket grips. Still I am suprised that the Colt was selling for the same as the Smith, if it was in nice condx. I have had Colt revs and may again but the prices are getting to where they are not purchased on a whim anymore.