[Croyance]

I found a Colt Woodsman in my area for about $525, serial #115XXX. The bluing around the muzzle is work, but otherwise good. It feels excellent in my hands.
From the price I can see it is not first generation. At Proofhouse (http://www.proofhouse.com) I see it was made in 1952, but what generation does that make it?
Was there a point when quality fell off? It there a place I can find instructions on fieldstripping? Anything to pay special attention to when buying or handling?

Thanks.

[Jim Watson]

Side-button magazine catch like a 1911?
It is a Second Series.

Go to http://www.colt22.com/
and left menu on Takedown/Assembly then click
http://www.colt22.com/armay53.html

Note that it has a magazine disconnector, as used on later pocket models, unlike other Woodsman versions before and after.

[paul45]

1952 would make it a 2nd series, it should have brown plastic grips, should also have a "S" suffix on serial number. Total production 146,000. 4 variations...Sport model with 4.5 in.barrel...Target model with 6in.barrel...Match Target with 4.5in. or 6in. heavy barrel.

[sm]

http://www.colt22.com/

[Brian Williams]

They are great guns, and I love mine, it would be in any pack that might be needed during a survival situation.

[farscott]

... it would be in any pack that might be needed during a survival situation.May I ask why the Woodsman over a Ruger Mark II in a survival situation? My personal choice is a Ruger Mark II lower stuffed with Volquartsen parts paired with a Tactical Solutions alloy upper and my suppressed upper.

Is the Colt that much more accurate? Or is there something else that makes the Colt more suitable? I have limited exprience with the Woodsman, not having handled one in over fifteen years.

[XavierBreath]

I own both Woodsmen and MKII's. For me, they are equally accurate. The Series 1 Woodsmen are great for teaching people with small hands. They require good magazines. Good (factory) magazines are expensive.

In a survival situation, I would prefer the MKII myself. I feel it's more durable, and will shoot much longer with no cleaning.

[Brian Williams]

A Colt Woodsman 1st series is a much finer gun than a Ruger MKII, it is much lighter, slimmer, easier to take down and just as accurate without all the aftermarket parts.
While it is lighter, it feels more solid in my hand and even with the 6" barrel it is smaller than my old Ruger. Besides, JMB worked on the design team and it is a Colt, not a ruger.