Hi,
I do own a Colt Pything 6" in Royal Blue and wow, what a revolver. I just haven't tried another revolver factory or smithed that can match it (not to say there isn't, just I haven't experienced it).
The Colt action is less sturdy as the S&W even if you shoot .38's out of them. Not so the .38's, it would be the volume of .38's given that you're going to do practical comp with it.
I forget what it was that was prone to wear over mega rounds, but my impression was that the ejector star that allows the rachet to rotate to the next round (forget the part name) is prone to wear off.
And when you get a breakage, try and find the part for it. Colt doesn't even want to look at you unless you are Government. So you probably need some expert gunsmith to make you the part. US as a source, not sure but what a pain?
For high volume shooting and practical, I would go with something like a Smith&Wesson which is tough. Ok, outside of the fact that the notch is on top of each cylinder (we're talking .38's and not super magnum loads).
Wait a minute, you're talking about a 4" prohib right? so price is probably 4 to 6 bills versus 1200 for a > 4 ". In that case go for it and have fun cause at 4 to 6 bills your looking at a S&W anyways. Then just buy a couple of 4 " pythons and use one for parts.
Hope this helps
on-ca
p.s. I really love Colts, but Colt's business strategy is soooo stupid and will be their demise. They are so anti-civilian that if you look at all the gun mags over the last 10 years, there is no mention of Colt.
Any article on the AR-15 lists all makers (Armalite, Bushmaster, DPMS, Eagle,...) but doesn't list Colt. Any article on the 1911 and you hear Kimber, Wilson, Springfield and even Dan Wesson but nothing on Colt.
When there is military cutbacks, guess who will be SOL without the civillian sales to make up the shortfall? Colt
When the new generation of kids who grow up on Armalites and Kimbers become military brass, guess what they will buy? not Colt.
When "Colt" disappears from the public mind because they've been so snotty to civilians, guess what civilians will buy? not Colt.
Net result? Colt will go the way of the Do-Do bird because they are unable to create a sustainable business model.
End of Rant.