A Slice of History
The Colt Woodsman
Before we launch into the technical specifics, it’s crucial to appreciate the historical context that birthed these two remarkable firearms. Colt, always striving for perfection, approached the .22 LR market with distinct goals. The Woodsman and Huntsman, while sharing a common lineage, arrived on the scene at different points in time, serving varied purposes within the Colt product line.
The Colt Woodsman, introduced in the early years of the twentieth century, stands as a testament to Colt’s commitment to excellence. Its elegant lines, meticulous craftsmanship, and exceptional accuracy quickly earned it a reputation as a premium target pistol. The Woodsman was designed to compete with the best target pistols of the era, a statement of Colt’s ambition to deliver the best in class. Over time, the Woodsman evolved, with several distinct models emerging, each refining the design and catering to different shooting disciplines. Some of the most recognizable variations include the Sport Model, known for its shorter barrel and emphasis on portability, and the Match Target, a more refined version with adjustable sights and a heavier barrel, perfect for competitive shooting. The Woodsman’s influence on the .22 LR pistol world is undeniable, setting a benchmark for accuracy, reliability, and build quality.
The Colt Huntsman
The Colt Huntsman, arriving on the scene later, served a somewhat different role. Positioned as a more accessible alternative to the Woodsman, the Huntsman was designed to attract a broader market. While sharing the fundamental platform and cartridge with the Woodsman, the Huntsman offered a more streamlined and cost-effective approach. It was aimed at the general recreational shooter, the plinker, and the hunter seeking a dependable .22 LR pistol for small game. The Huntsman, even with its utilitarian focus, maintains a strong link to the Woodsman lineage, offering an equally reliable shooting experience.
The Look and Feel: Design Philosophies
The visual contrast between the Colt Woodsman and the Colt Huntsman is readily apparent. This difference extends beyond mere superficiality; it reflects the different design philosophies informing each pistol.
The Colt Woodsman’s Aesthetic
The Colt Woodsman exudes an air of refined elegance. Its design incorporates flowing lines, often accompanied by checkered walnut grips, and a finely polished blued finish. The overall impression is one of meticulous craftsmanship, reflecting the premium nature of the pistol. The grips feel comfortable in the hand, inviting the shooter to engage with the firearm. This design aesthetic served not only to deliver a pleasant shooting experience but also to present an exceptional pistol to the discerning shooter.
The Colt Huntsman’s Aesthetic
The Colt Huntsman, while not lacking in charm, embraced a more practical, utilitarian approach to aesthetics. The finish is often a matte blue or a less highly polished finish, prioritizing durability and ease of maintenance. The grips are often made of plastic or a less ornate material, offering a solid grip and focus on functionality. The Huntsman is designed to be a workhorse, a firearm ready to be used in the field, with a design that prioritizes reliability and robustness over outright visual flair.
The weight and balance also contribute to the different feel of each pistol. The Woodsman, due to its higher-quality materials and more intricate construction, often feels a bit heavier, adding to its overall stability and accuracy. The Huntsman, while still well-balanced, tends to be a touch lighter, making it a bit more nimble and potentially better suited for rapid shooting.
Engineering and Construction
The construction of the Colt Woodsman and Huntsman reveals significant differences in the materials used, the manufacturing processes, and the overall attention to detail.
Frame and Slide Construction
The Colt Woodsman frequently features a steel frame and slide, materials chosen for their durability and resistance to wear. The internal components are generally meticulously machined and fitted, resulting in a smooth action and exceptional reliability. The quality of materials used, the precision of the machining process, and the craftsmanship of assembly, all contribute to the high perceived value of the Woodsman.
The Huntsman’s Build
The Colt Huntsman, while also relying on quality components, often incorporates a greater use of aluminum in the frame, making it lighter. The manufacturing processes tend to be a little less labor-intensive, allowing for a lower production cost and selling price. Though not as meticulously finished as the Woodsman, the Huntsman’s construction remains sound, the quality is suitable for its intended purpose, and its design prioritizes reliability.
The barrels of both pistols are generally of good quality, delivering the accuracy expected from a .22 LR firearm. However, the Woodsman often featured a slightly more refined barrel profile, potentially contributing to even greater precision.
The difference in frame materials, manufacturing processes, and overall attention to detail translates directly to a distinction in the value of the pistol. While the Huntsman remains a solid, reliable gun, its manufacturing focus on value over detail results in a lower price.
Sighting and Control Considerations
The sights and controls play a vital role in the shooting experience, and the Colts differ in these aspects.
The Woodsman’s Sighting System
The Colt Woodsman often features adjustable sights, allowing the shooter to fine-tune the point of impact for various distances and ammunition types. Some models boasted target-style sights with a more precise sight picture, further enhancing their suitability for competition. The Woodsman sight system provides greater adjustability and control, making it easier for the shooter to achieve pinpoint accuracy. The magazine release, typically located at the base of the grip, is easily accessible and operates smoothly. The safety is typically a manual thumb safety.
The Huntsman’s Sighting System
The Colt Huntsman often features fixed sights, offering a simpler and more rugged sighting system. These sights are well-suited for general plinking and small-game hunting, as they provide a good sight picture without the need for complex adjustments. The magazine release, located in the same position, is equally easy to manipulate. The safety design is generally the same as that used in the Woodsman.
These differences in sight design reflect the intended use of each pistol. The Woodsman, with its adjustable sights, is well-suited for precision target shooting, while the Huntsman’s fixed sights are better suited for general recreational shooting.
The triggers on both models function well, but the Woodsman’s triggers are often finely tuned, resulting in a smoother, lighter trigger pull. This difference can have a significant impact on accuracy, particularly for shooters accustomed to higher-quality triggers.
Shooting: Experiencing the Difference
The proof is in the shooting. The Huntsman and the Woodsman deliver distinctly different experiences on the range, or in the field.
Accuracy and Performance: Woodsman
The Colt Woodsman’s reputation for accuracy is well-earned. With its carefully designed sights, comfortable grips, and finely tuned trigger, the Woodsman is capable of impressive groupings at moderate distances. Shooters often comment on the smooth cycling of the slide and the overall feel of quality. Experienced shooters will often find themselves easily achieving tight groupings.
Accuracy and Performance: Huntsman
The Colt Huntsman provides a more straightforward shooting experience. While not quite as refined as the Woodsman, the Huntsman is still more than capable of hitting its target. The Huntsman is reliable and easy to manage. Its fixed sights, while less precise than the adjustable sights of the Woodsman, are more than adequate for general plinking and small-game hunting. It is a gun which welcomes all experience levels.
The recoil of both pistols is minimal, owing to the .22 LR cartridge. The .22 LR is known for its negligible recoil.
Collecting and Pricing Considerations
The collector’s value of these pistols is heavily influenced by their historical significance, rarity, condition, and the desirability of specific models.
The Woodsman in the Collector’s Market
The Colt Woodsman is highly prized by collectors. The value of a Woodsman can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on the model, condition, original packaging, and overall rarity. Pristine examples of the Match Target or other high-end models can command premium prices. The rarity of a particular model, its overall condition, and any original accessories can dramatically increase its worth. The Woodsman’s lasting legacy as a high-quality target pistol ensures its appeal for collectors.
The Huntsman in the Collector’s Market
The Colt Huntsman, being a more common and less expensive model, is generally less sought after by collectors, but can certainly be collected. The Huntsman’s value is generally more modest, making it an excellent option for shooters on a budget. The value is primarily influenced by the condition of the gun and any original accessories it might possess. The Huntsman provides a good option for the collector who does not wish to spend a great deal of money to start collecting.
Weighing the Advantages and Disadvantages
Understanding the pros and cons of each pistol is essential for making the best decision.
Advantages and Disadvantages: Woodsman
The Colt Woodsman boasts several advantages. It is a classic design with a rich history, renowned for its accuracy, has exceptional build quality, and offers a refined shooting experience. The disadvantage is its higher cost, the potential difficulty in finding certain models, and the limited availability of replacement parts.
Advantages and Disadvantages: Huntsman
The Colt Huntsman also offers numerous advantages. It is more affordable, readily available, reliable, and easy to maintain. A disadvantage is that the design is less refined than that of the Woodsman, and it may have less collector value, though it remains a fine pistol.
Making the Right Choice
The best choice between the Colt Huntsman and Woodsman depends on individual needs and preferences.
For the Collector
For collectors, the Woodsman is the clear choice, a valuable investment. The model’s historical significance, rarity, and inherent quality make it a worthwhile acquisition. The Woodsman will bring both pleasure and lasting value.
For the Shooter
For shooters looking for a reliable, accurate .22 LR pistol for plinking, small game hunting, or recreational shooting, the Huntsman offers excellent value. Its affordability, dependability, and ease of use make it a great option for all shooters.
The Huntsman is the ideal starting point for anyone looking to experience the Colt brand.
Concluding Thoughts
The Colt Huntsman and the Colt Woodsman represent two distinct chapters in the story of Colt’s rimfire pistols. The Woodsman embodies the pinnacle of Colt’s craftsmanship, appealing to collectors, competitive shooters, and connoisseurs. The Huntsman, designed to be more affordable, offers a fantastic shooting experience for a wider range of shooters. Whether you’re drawn to the historical elegance of the Woodsman or the practical appeal of the Huntsman, you’re certain to own a piece of firearms history. Both pistols are testaments to Colt’s legacy. Choose the Colt that best fits your needs, budget, and appreciation for the timeless art of firearms.
