I changed my opinion around 1990. I was teaching skeet at a major Southern University. Our skeet range was on the old police shooting range.
Although they had a new one, the old one was still heavily used. Sometimes between classes, I would sit in the stands and watch various cop outfits requalify.
After just about every round of shooting, a cop would bring his disabled revolver to the rangemaster where it had to be cleared. It was usually something like an empty getting caught under the extractor star.
They were using what appeared to be S&W revolvers. After around a year they went to Glocks. I noticed there were far less malfunctions with the Glocks.
At this same time there were lots of used .38 revolvers at dealers. I bought an excellent Colt Official Police. It was the slickest, most accurate revolver one could want. Very close to perfection. Only cost $100.
It is a very fine action, "slick" would be a good word to describe it.
I used to hang out on the Smith & Wesson forum, and the term that is used for Colt's there is "off brand". Guy's would do a post saying: Hey, I got a nice off-brand! And then have a picture of a nickle plated Python that you knew they must have paid $2000. for. I always found that a cute term, and have taken to referring to Colt's as "off-brands" ever since.
For me they are. I have several S&W revolvers in various frame sizes and configurations, and one Ruger Blackhawk, but no Colt wheel guns.