My Pick For Two Of The Best Handguns Ever
The Colt Single Action Army
![[image]](images/uploaded/202602051658106984cc2244275.jpg)
The S&W Model 10
![[image]](images/uploaded/202602051659326984cc745cc93.jpg)
These are just my opinion and no one need agree with me.
However, apparently quite a few do at least in part. For instance, S&W has produced more than 6,ooo,ooo Model 10's making it one of the most produced handguns in the world.
--
Ele era velho.
Ele era corajoso.
Ele era feio.
My Pick For Two Of The Best Handguns Ever
by Hoot 
, Diversityville, Liberal-sota, Thursday, February 05, 2026, 12:05 (46 days ago) @ JimT
Can't find an issue with your choices although I've never owned a 'real Colt'. The HB model 10 I used to have was the first revolver, and the third gun, I ever bought with my own money. I ended up giving it to my oldest son for a birthday gift one year. There are many other Smiths here spanning several generations but I still kind of miss that one. Production of 6 million...wow!
Edit: That is one pretty Colt by the way. I love the sheep's horn.
I gave to my daughter when I moved to Mozambique.
I visit it once in awhile. 
--
Ele era velho.
Ele era corajoso.
Ele era feio.
I gave to my daughter when I moved to Mozambique.
by Hoot , Diversityville, Liberal-sota, Thursday, February 05, 2026, 13:57 (46 days ago) @ JimT
OT: We went to the post office yesterday and ended up chatting with a woman in front of us who did(?), had friends who did(?) missionary work in "east Africa". She knew where Pemba was and corrected me when I said Mozambique. No more details as it was a short chat. Made me think of you and Twyla though.
I have to agree with you!
I have a 6” Mauser Luger in 7.65 Parabellum that also warms my heart when it is fondled
Overall, the SAA reigns supreme though, and the one pictured is really quite phenomenal.
My personal Model 10 is a rather unique configuration, and it took me almost 50 years to acquire one.
Otony
I would like to see a picture of the Model 10 if possible.
Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo! Photo!
--
Ele era velho.
Ele era corajoso.
Ele era feio.
Yeah! What Jim said!
by Paul 
, Friday, February 06, 2026, 07:53 (45 days ago) @ Otony
Let me know if you need assistance posting one.
The best two!
by Slow Hand , Indiana, Friday, February 06, 2026, 17:32 (45 days ago) @ JimT
edited by Slow Hand, Saturday, February 07, 2026, 16:49
My two favorites are the one I just got and the one I’m looking at next!
But seriously, I cannot argue with your choices. I have long said that the K frame smith is about the best ratio of power to size. And honestly A short barreled .45 SAA pretty much fits the same description. Add in the shootablily, packability and ruggedness of both designs and you’re good to go!
A picture of the Model 10
It is not too terribly different from what was sold here, but the entirety of production went to Europe and South America
It has a 3” tapered barrel, rather than the heavy barrel seen in the US. It also has a square butt, the majority of production was configured that way, but there were some round butt variations produced.
Mine was repatriated from Germany
![[image]](images/uploaded/20260207000102698680bebec3d.jpg)
I have the original factory grips, but these make me feel more entertained, lol!
Short barreled .45
Like this?
![[image]](images/uploaded/202602070004146986817eb8b0a.jpg)
That's a slick looking rig! nt
by Paul , Friday, February 06, 2026, 18:22 (45 days ago) @ Otony
...
THAT is a handy little popper! (nt)
.
--
Ele era velho.
Ele era corajoso.
Ele era feio.
Now that is a neat Model 10!! Thank you! (nt)
.
--
Ele era velho.
Ele era corajoso.
Ele era feio.
Nice!
by Hoot , Diversityville, Liberal-sota, Friday, February 06, 2026, 18:35 (45 days ago) @ Otony
I "think" there's a 3" in The Pile. I'll have to dig it out and look at the differences.
I like that too!
by Hoot , Diversityville, Liberal-sota, Friday, February 06, 2026, 18:38 (45 days ago) @ Otony
I have a couple of the Cimmaron(?) Thunderers here...one in .45 Colt and the other in .44 Spl. Somewhere along the way, I picked up a decent shoulder holster for a 3-1/2" SAA. I need to get it all out and sport it somewhere....
If those two had a pup...
by Sarge , Central Misery, Saturday, February 07, 2026, 07:22 (44 days ago) @ JimT
edited by Sarge, Saturday, February 07, 2026, 09:19
It would be the converted Model 58 a kindly old collector handed me in 1972, along with a half box of Winchester 45 Colt factory loads. He'd had it converted and wanted the POI checked at 25 paces. It was about six inches high and four inches left.
I was 16 years old and took this as a high compliment, old Dale and I had shot together some before. I didn't understand the craftmanship necessary to conjure it up in 1972. But I knew it was Excalibur- and nothing on two or four legs better cross me, while I had it in my hands.
Short barreled .45
by Slow Hand , Indiana, Saturday, February 07, 2026, 16:51 (44 days ago) @ Otony
Well, I meant a 4 3/4” but I do like the sheriff’s models too. I had birdshead shorty back in the day and I packed it quite a bit.
If those two had a pup...
by Slow Hand , Indiana, Saturday, February 07, 2026, 16:52 (44 days ago) @ Sarge
That sounds like a great one to have. Back then and still today!
A picture of the Model 10
by Slow Hand , Indiana, Saturday, February 07, 2026, 16:55 (44 days ago) @ Otony
I do love a 3” K frame. I have a 3” Model 65 that worked on any years ago. I don’t shoot it very much anymore but I have plans to change that when it warms up a bit.
I also have an older round butt M&P project that I cut to 3”. It needs some final cleanup, front sight adjusted for height and then reblued.
Good choice...nt
by Creeker , Hardwoods, Saturday, February 14, 2026, 21:09 (37 days ago) @ JimT
.