[Colt38]

Diamondback: Quality differences(If any?)between \"D\" and \"R\" Serial Numbers?

I would like to get opinion's(From various, forum members)regarding, the overall quality differences(Either, mechanically-or, in the "Blued" finish(If any?))between Colt Diamonbacks, that were made in the D2800 versus, the R43000, serial number ranges?

At what point(1966 to 1986)did the Diamondback quality control, start to decline? If this is "True", was this "Decline" involving the mechanical aspect, of these guns-or, in the quality, of the "Blued" finish(Or, both?)? Please "Clarify" your answers? Thanks!

 

[dfariswheel]

Re: Diamondback: Quality differences(If any?)between \"D\" and \"R\" Serial Numbers?

One of the great "urban legends" of guns, is the idea that certain years of production are "low quality", and any gun made during that time should be passed over.

While you can make the blanket statement that quality has declined over the years, you can't really select a break point, and say buy one made before, but don't buy one made after that date.

In short, guns are NOT bottles of wine. There are no "vintages" in guns, where you could say "Oh, this is a 1973, it's GREAT", or "This is a 1975, it's junk".

EACH gun must be judged on it's own merits.
As I've said before, I've seen guns made during the "Good old days" that were messes, and guns made during "bad times" that were some of the best I've ever seen.

I once knew a gentleman who collected factory oddities: Guns that had mis-marks like lettering stamped upside-down, improper caliber markings, gross defects, and things that just shouldn't have made it out the factory door....but did.

One of the "prizes" of his collection was a Colt Officer's Model made in the "top quality" days of the 1930's, when quality at Colt was the best EVER.

This thing was new in the box, and had about everything wrong with it a Colt could have: Lousy blue job, defective polishing, out of time, barrel not fitted properly, etc. This thing just COULDN'T have gotten past the inspectors, but it did.

On the other hand, I saw a Colt Python made in the late 90's during the "awful days" that is one of the finest Python's I've ever seen, from every respect.

So, you can make blanket statements that the Colt's made in the 1960's were "better" than the guns made in the 1980's. But you SHOULD'NT base the decision on whether to buy or not on that.

If you do, you may wind up with a 1960's mess, and pass a 1980's treasure.

 

[manderson]

Re: Diamondback: Quality differences(If any?)between \"D\" and \"R\" Serial Numbers?

Sir, that is excellent advice, and it is also why it is difficult to purchase a firearm with 100% confidence over the internet without a visual inspection. What I question most of all is not the date of manufacture, but when a firearm has gone through a design change. For example, I have read that the S&W model 29-3 went through significant design changes that were intended to cut cost, and resulted in an inferior product which was not improved until much later with the 29-5. You have to do a lot of homework on this stuff.

 

[Majic]

Re: Diamondback: Quality differences(If any?)between \"D\" and \"R\" Serial Numbers?

What else was done to the M29-3 besides the elimination of the P&R and the lengthing of the cylinder?
The -3E had the endurance package added, but that was an improvement over the older weaker design.

 

[manderson]

Re: Diamondback: Quality differences(If any?)between \"D\" and \"R\" Serial Numbers?

Hey, wait a minute! This is a colt forum.
http://www.sixguns.com/range/SmithWesson44Mag.htm