What would you choose out of the two and why?

[Rajat]

The Smith & Wesson .32 with a 3" barrel as seen here: http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson_Model_30 AND here http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/166 ... sandw-long

OR

The Colt Cobra .32 with a 3" barrel as seen here: http://www.coltforum.com/forums/photos- ... res-2.html AND here:http://www.varidecicognani.it/en/produc ... cial_.html
Worth mentioning (if it really matters) is that the Colts frame is made of Aluminium alloy.

Which would you pick out of the two if all other factors such as age, cost and condition remain the same? Reasons and advice would help.If neither, why?

Thanks.

[TC]

Rajat,

It is is for everyday carry for self defense and regular shooting I would choose the Smith because it should certainly cost less (quite less in the Indian market right now) than the Colt.

If it is for occasional use and more an investment then I would pick up the Colt because in the coming years it would cost more. However I must mention that the craze for "foren" handguns has come down drastically in recent years and unless a weapon is in near mint condition with original box , accessories, papers etc it is really tough to find a buyer. Moreover, although I find no flaw with the alloy used in the Cobras (unlike Erma etc) people in India do have reservations.

Hope I could explain

TC

[Rajat]

Thanks TC, I appreciate the inputs.

Both weapons are in near mint condition but without any box, accessories and papers. The price levels are similar too. Was a bit concerned with the alloy frame but upon researching did not find much data or any complains, although in the same period Colt had introduced a alloy frame revolver for the air force but it had to be withdrawn due to problems related to the frame hence the concern.

Noted the point regarding the value of the colt.

What other options are available in India if one wishes to go for something better than the not so refined IOF in the same calibre? What is the reason that these foreign guns are not so popular in india anymore?

Coming back to it again will there be much of a difference in performance or durability between the two? Thanks.

Any one here who has owned or fired any of the two?

The S & W is similar to a Model 30 if not one.

[BowMan]

Just to add something, one needs to be very wary of these so called 'Mint Condition' weapons available with dealers. If the weapon does not show any honest wear then chances are it has gone through a refinish. Boxes and other accessories if offered should be numbered to the gun. Else they add little value to the gun. But not to say there are no genuine examples out there. There is usually nothing wrong with refinished weapons but then they should be priced accordingly.

[timmy]

I do like Colts. If you aren't going to shoot it much, but carry it a lot, the alloy frame will be fine and will carry nicely.

The S&W is a nice gun, as well.

3" barrel is very nice.

If you can afford the difference and the condition is the same, I would go for the Colt. Just my opinion, of course.

edited to add:

Coming back to it again will there be much of a difference in performance or durability between the two?

The S&W will have a durability advantage over the alloy-framed Colt, if you are shooting large amounts of ammunition on a regular basis, say, like a policeman who went to the range once or twice a week for practice. On the other hand, if you care for your gun, and you are not flipping the cylinder closed as in a gangster movie, or you are not pumping hot loads through it, a Colt alloy frame revolver should be quite durable.

I am assuming here that you are looking for something to carry. Even if you are running a couple of boxes of ammo through the weapon a month, if you are treating the weapon with respect, you should not run into a problem.

[TwoRivers]

Just to add something, one needs to be very wary of these so called 'Mint Condition' weapons available with dealers. If the weapon does not show any honest wear then chances are it has gone through a refinish. Boxes and other accessories if offered should be numbered to the gun. Else they add little value to the gun. But not to say there are no genuine examples out there. There is usually nothing wrong with refinished weapons but then they should be priced accordingly.

No American gun would have boxes (cardboard?) or accessories numbered to the gun. The box will carry a sticker with the model and serial number, but it's just a cardboard box. Only on the American collectors' market will an original box add a bit to the value. And pre-1968 they did not necessarily carry the gun's serial number.

[TC]

No American gun would have boxes (cardboard?) or accessories numbered to the gun. The box will carry a sticker with the model and serial number, but it's just a cardboard box. Only on the American collectors' market will an original box add a bit to the value. And pre-1968 they did not necessarily carry the gun's serial number.

+ 1

However, Bowman does have a point when he talks of refinished weapons. I have seen a few extreme specimens.

Rajat,
The craze / demand for foreign weapons is going down because of their scarcity, absurd prices and of course the rising number of re-re-refurbished weapons and lastly, the entry of brand new weapons procured through unfair means in recent years that can land unsuspecting buyers in trouble.
These issued have been discussed in detail on this forum and you can find the threads in different sections.

With the IOF offering options that are not only affordable but even customizable to some extent it is only too natural that a law-abiding citizen will prefer to stick to the 'sarkari' pistol or revolver. Not too many people would actually want to dish out pots of money to buy a handgun that he will probably never need to use in a life threatening situation. And, should such a situation ever arise an IOF pistol or revolver will do the same job. Certainly, a .32 slug coming out of a Smith will not have more killing power than one leaving the barrel of an IOF gun.

Lastly, one should also take into account the fact that transactions made over foreign weapons are almost always unaccounted for.... In today's economy dishing out 12 or 13 lakh INR for a Walther PP and not asking for a proper receipt is not everybody's cup of tea. Too many, and that includes me, it would make more sense to put that money into a secured investment plan or, simply a long term deposit.

It is ONLY the pride of possession that has made many of us hang on to our old foreign guns and look for "new" replacements though fully aware how old they are. We even pay an insane price for a 40 year old Smith knowing fully well that the same model in exactly the same condition may not even sell for 100 USD at a pawnshop in Dallas (Just remembered Pawn Stars on History). This phenomenon can only be explained by what my dear friend Abhijeet once told me during a long conversation.... "The value of a gun is only notional"

Just my two pennies

TC

[dany]

Very wel said tc da..

[dany]

Itz always better to buy a brand new scorpio thn a 30 to 40 yrs old land cruiser tht too giving triple itz original price..cz r soo overly priced tht one can hav a vacation in th Republic nd buy back a brand new cz pistol...

[Rajat]

Bowman,
Agreed. Point well taken. Thanks.

Timmy,
This is the information I was seeking. Had you not added to your reply I would have put up more questions for you to answer
The second part has provided precise information to my query. Value your advice and opinion. Thanks!

TC,
Thanks for the detailed explanation. I agree with you. The prevailing prices in India do not really make any sense overall and adding to this are doubtful condition and origins of the guns. The only problem being that there really is nothing in between the two (IOF & the foreign weapons) to bridge the big gap created by the prices as well as quality.

However, this really is not a concern here and the reason I have shortlisted and focused specifically on these two models is because the owners of these guns are personally known and have owned these for a long time. If we proceed with it the deal will be based on more of an "exchange" thing.

Thanks guys!

[TC]

You are welcome Rajat.... Now go ahead and make your day (even if is not a 629 )



TC

[Rajat]

[BowMan]

No American gun would have boxes (cardboard?) or accessories numbered to the gun. The box will carry a sticker with the model and serial number, but it's just a cardboard box. Only on the American collectors' market will an original box add a bit to the value. And pre-1968 they did not necessarily carry the gun's serial number.

Could I disagree with you there TwoRivers?

At least in the case of Smith & Wesson Special Permanent cases are seen from from 1852 to 1900s. In most cases there were special order items from the factory or were added by the distributor after the gun had left the factory.

S&W shipped most of its guns in cardboard boxes starting with the 'early two piece cardboard boxes' in vogue from 1852 to 1880s. These I believe were not numbered.

Then came the 'hinged lid boxes' from 1870 onward.

This was followed by many diffrent iterations of cardboard boxes and in all cases the serial number of the gun was lettered in pencil or grease pencil. I believe this was changed in 1983 when S&W went over to the printed label containing information like serial number, model, finish, barrel length etc.

Accessories are not numbered but they can be period matched and what is usually offer in the Indian market is cheap aftermarket stuff made to look like the original.

[TwoRivers]

Of course you may. But presentation pieces from 1852 to the 1900s are hardly what the topic seemed to be about. At least not on this forum. As to accessories, if the gun had adjustable sights, a small screwdriver; and a bore brush. Neither numbered. Nowadays hand guns come mostly in plastic cases, with a mandatory lock. Also not numbered.

[Sakobav]

Well said TC timmy et al..