Colt Cadet/22 vs Woodsman

[Fleetwood_Captain]

I've found a lot of threads comparing Colt Woodsmans to Ruger MK1/2 and other 22 target guns. But I haven’t seen much on the internet about Colt vs. Colt. I fell in love with the Colt 22 because it reminded me of the Nintendo Zapper.

After shopping around, I noticed that you can buy universal magazines that work for both the 2nd/3rd gen Woodsmans and the Cadet/22, and oddly enough, are cheaper than the proprietary magazines. So it got me thinking about how the classic Woodsman stacks up to the short-lived Cadet/22.

I know there is a world of difference in aesthetics, but is there really much of a difference in reliability and accuracy between the two?

 

[The Bushmaster]

I wouldn't know, but I do own a second generation Woodsman...And will not part with it..

 

[Fleetwood_Captain]

anyone else want to toss in their two cents?

 

[dogtown tom]

The magazines work in both models because the Cadet was designed to use 3rd Series Woodsman mags.

The Cadet (name later changed due to trademark infringement) was Colts attempt to sell a .22 that didn't cost as much as a Woodsman to manufacture.

***I'll rephrase my earlier comment regarding the quality of the Cadet vs. Woodsman- the Cadet is fine. The design made use of less expensive manufacturing techniques than the extensive (& expensive!) machining a Woodsman required. One advantage of the Cadet is that it was available in a more durable finish than standard Colt blue.

 

[Hunter0924]

I have a later Colt .22 (after the Cadet name was changed due to infringment) and she has been 100% reliable since day 1.
It is not a bad pistol at all and I believe the quality is there.
I also like the Woodsman but see nothing wrong with the "Cadet".

 

[GrandmasterB]

I've had my Colt Cadet for 15+ years and it is a great pistol, very accurate and one I won't part with. Can't speak for the older Woodsman, but I bet they are mighty sweet too.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

My First Model Woodsman was made in 1938 and is the most accurate pistol I own. I regularly shoot 1 3/4" groups at 25 yards from a modified weaver grip.

 

[capttom]

I have a Colt Target Model that I bought new, same as the Cadet/.22 but for a 6" barrel and nicely adjustable sights. It's a very good target grade .22. It's striker fired and has nothing in common with the Woodsmen (except mags and name), which has an internal or shrouded hammer. In design, the Target and Cadet/.22 are closer to a High Standard, I believe. I don't like the stylistic use of a round barrel and a flat sided receiver because it looks funky to me where the two abut. That isn't enough to make me want to sell the pistol, though. It's fully comparable to a Ruger or Buckmark.

I also have a 75 year old Woodsman sport that I cherish. The fact makes me a sentimental fool, no doubt.

Both will put a 40 grain pill where I want it. Maybe the best distinction : One is a tool, a very well made and efficacious tool, the other an heirloom.