Colt Commando vs S&W Victory model

[risingsun212]

[THBailey]

Just FYI- Both the S&W Victory and the Colt Commando came in both 38 S&W (AKA 38/200) and 38 S&W Special. Two quite different rounds.

[Paulie Lugnuts]

My experience is the S&Ws are more common, so all things being equal, I'd get the Colt.

[Jess B. Guy]

I have both. Get both. History.

[SkyHawk]

I have both. Get both. History.

This!

[TrappedinCalifornia]

From the American Rifleman by Bruce Canfield... America’s Military Revolvers

...By April 1942, S&W was in full production of Victory Models, and by the time production ceased, some 900,000 were delivered to the U.S. government. Many were carried by Navy and Marine aviators (such as the one reportedly carried by “Pappy” Boyington on this month’s cover) and others were supplied to plant guards and other security personnel. It has been verified that some of the Victory Models were carried into combat by Marine Raiders. In December 1944, a hammer block safety device was added to the Victory Model after an accidental discharge aboard a ship that killed a sailor. The serial number prefix was changed to “VS” on subsequent production guns to indicate that change. A 2"-barrelled version was also produced but in very limited numbers...

In addition to the Victory Model, the government procured more than 45,000 .38 Spl. revolvers from Colt during the Second World War. It was a slightly modified a version of the Official Police with a 4" barrel, parkerized finish and plastic stocks given the somewhat fanciful “Commando” name. The Commando was in production from 1942 through early 1945 and was distributed primarily by the Defense Supplies Corp. to guards and other non-military personnel. Issue of the Commando revolvers to military personnel was limited. A 2"-barrelled version was made in limited numbers and was referred to as the “Junior Commando” in government records...

From a 'collectible' standpoint, there are fewer Colt revolvers running around out there. However, bear in mind that given the greater number of Victory models, many have been tweaked over the years for a variety of reasons. With that said, the Smith and Wesson was more likely to see combat than the Colt. At least in theory. According to this piece...

...Little is known about the role of the Colt Commando during World War II as a variant of the Official Police revolver. According to gun historian Charles Pate, “Many more [Commandos] were used by the military than is commonly known.”...

From a shooting perspective, I was (and still am) an S&W fan; at least the Pre-Lock varieties. But, I've come to enjoy older Colt revolvers.

As others have suggested, if they are both available and if you can afford both, then get both.

[Sauermonkey]

I vote victory!