[Shade00]

Well, the past two weeks or so, as I've cleared some old stuff out on Ebay, I decided to reinvest a little into some guns. So I picked up a couple locally and online. Here's the first, which I am absolutely in love with (even though I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet:

Colt .357, the Python's daddy. This baby is AWESOME! It's the biggest handgun I own and it feels great. Doesn't look too shabby either. ;) I have the original service stocks, but got a good buy on these imitation pearl guys. I also have a Tyler grip on the way for it, which should enhance its looks and functionality. Hoping to shoot her soon.

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/6875/357ahc1.jpg

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/5666/357bbw1.jpg

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/6184/357cmp2.jpg

As you can see in the third picture there is some thumb wear around the pony on the sideplate. As an aside, will a Python sideplate fit the .357? I was considering finding a replacement nickel sideplate (or having another sideplate nickeled) and just dropping it on in place of this one. Aside from the thumb wear, there are a few dings and light scratches here and there, but other than that, she is in great shape. Mechanically as tight as can be and timing is spot on. Bore and cylinders are super shiny.

Next is a Diamondback .38 I had on layaway for a little while. She is definitely a shooter, as she shows some cosmetic wear. Looks like some holster wear and surface rust here and there. Like the .357, though, she is rock-solid mechanically. Since she's not a collector piece by any means, she may be a candidate for refinishing one day.

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/3651/dbackhl7.jpg

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/205/dback2lp7.jpg

Finally, although not a pony, I picked her up today and she's just terrific; a S&W Model 36, no dash. 3" pinned barrel, not recessed. Nickel finish. Flat latch thumbpiece. Case color on the trigger and hammer are pretty good. Serial number puts its birthdate sometime between 1957 and 1962. I can't see that this gun was shot much. The bore is flawless, and the cylinder is beautiful. Needless to say, I'm happy with this one, and she can stay in the stable with the ponies. :D

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/5443/36rv4.jpg

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/2258/triotn8.jpg

[Starter52]

Those are three beauties to be sure.

I' have seen Colt .357 revolvers in blue but Ii have never encountered a nickel Colt .357 revolver. If yours is factory original I'd say you have a scarce gun there. I have two .357s in blue and they are fantastic guns. The grips on yours look nice on a nickel revolver. I have an identical pair of grips for my nickel Python.

FYI your .38 Spl Model 36 isn't "recessed" because S&W didn't recess the chambers of their .38s. Magnums and .22s only.

Nice guns.

[strat81]

Careful with that Smith, the Colts in your stable might trample it. ;)

Great pics!

[Shade00]

Thanks for the info Starter52. I have no idea if it's factory nickel, but if it's not, someone did a truly incredible job. I believe they were produced in nickel, as there is a picture of a nickel example in the Standard Catalog of Colt. I gotta say I think I love the gun that much more because it is nickel. :) I got the grips so I can have something that at least approaches a BBQ gun... The service stocks are actually in decent shape, but someone put three notches in each side of them at the bottom.

Thanks for the compliments, both of you. I'm proud of these guns. And don't worry, the Smith will be getting backup sooner or later. ;)

[DistantHorizon]

Nickeled Colt is good lookin' to say the least. All interesting guns, but that one's a standout.

[dfariswheel]

Unfortunately, Colt side plates are not interchangeable, they were individually hand fitted at the factory.
After fitting, the revolver was polished with the plate in place.

That makes it near-impossible to install another plate and have it fit properly.

[Shade00]

I see. Well it looks like the only option would be to have that sideplate refinished. Thanks for that info dfariswheel. While I knew that a great amount of hand fitting went into the rest of the gun, I did not know that applied to the sideplate as well.

Thanks for the compliment, DistantHorizon. She sure catches my eye. :)

As a followup, I was actually looking for a Python, but quickly realizing that I couldn't afford one; then I happened upon the .357. I think I will be ok without a Python for a little while...

The only other serious to-buy for me in the near-future is a S&W .22 Kit Gun, either a M34, 43, or possibly even a 317. I could see trading a gun for a Model 442 for some carry use, but other than that, I am fairly happy with the guns I have now (and will have as soon as some others arrive). Of course, that will probably change in a few days when I see something else I want, but for now... :D

[Will5A1]

Very nice, you done good, but save those Pachs for shooting, they deserve some nice looking wood. I really like that Diamondback, thanks for postings the pics.

[Shade00]

Pachs are about the ugliest things you could do to a gun. I have some new kicks on the way for the Diamondback and a Tyler grip waiting in the wings. I am still looking for some nice grips for the S&W, but I haven't found any that I like for a square butt J-frame. But... the Pachs do feel really great for shooting.

Catherine: thanks! I've been drooling over so many guns here for a while that I figured I finally might have something droolworthy. :)

[Gordon]

You will never match that nickel on the side plate and it will be very obvious. I would certainly live with the slight mar on that gorgeous .357.

[Shade00]

The only outfit I was considering for the job was Colt... if they couldn't do it, then nobody could. But I will probably just leave it as is.... I'm kind of partial to it now anyway...

I must have some kind of disease... saw a stainless steel Ruger Security Six in great shape today (a little bit of dirt here and there, but nothing a cleaning wouldn't take care of) with 3 speedloaders and a leather holster for $260... having a hard time not picking it up...

[slick6]

That is a real nice Colt 357! Following, are some pictures of the only Colt 357 I ever found-still NIB. I have the original mint colt service grips-but, I just dolled it up with the grips shown in the pictures.:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/shootit/f05a76c4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/shootit/8a538493.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/shootit/9b78bf91.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/shootit/04d5104a.jpg

[Shade00]

Very nice gun! It's been said before, but I'll say it again: the 357 is a really underappreciated revolver. I will not be passing over any that I find down the line. Thanks for sharing the picture!

[bannockburn]

Shade00

Very nice work there; certainly a winning Trifecta in my book. I especially like the look of the Colt 357 in nickel; something about it just makes it look old school and modern day at the same time. I even like the faux pearl grips. Thanks for sharing your new stable additions with us.

[capttom]

Those two Colts have me salivating! Great buys.

[Ala Dan]

as it looks like your E-bay sales paid off really well, my friend~! ;)

Nice look'in trio of shoot'in irons- Enjoy. :D

[Shade00]

Thanks guys! The funny thing is that I was just clearing some old stuff out on Ebay.

The 357 really does have one foot in Colt's pre-war designs and one foot in the post-war world. It's got the same design as the original Trooper. The important thing to remember about it is that behind the barrel (frame, cylinder, etc.) it's (at least cosmetically) virtually identical to the Python. The only real difference is that the barrel lacks the ribbing and underlug. The 357 is supposed to have action like the Python's; unfortunately I don't have a Python, nor have I had time to shoot the 357, so I can't pass judgment on it. But others who have have said the same thing...

I'm thinking about finding some imitation pearl grips for the little S&W and getting some custom leather made up so it and the 357 can sit on both sides of me. :)

[Shade00]

The Diamondback got some spiffy new kicks all around, with some skip-checkered walnut grips and a Tyler grip. The .357 looks even snazzier with a Tyler grip.

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4697/newkickstx9.jpg

But lo and behold, the old timers get jumped by a young punk. They're a bit surprised to see him...

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4377/newtriogk5.jpg

The Police Positive MK V. A very sweet gun! It's in such great shape, I'm going to have a tough time shooting it. ;)

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8333/ppmkvgs0.jpg

http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/126/ppmkv2xt3.jpg

[Matt-J2]

I can't explain it, but that Police Positive is 12 different kinds of sexy with a dash of 'hell yeah' thrown in.

[Shade00]

It's hard to explain, isn't it? There's something in the simplicity. She's almost immaculate. The dragline on the cylinder is extremely faint. Otherwise, I'd say she'd never been shot. I'm very pleased, though.

New pics of the S&W to come as soon as I get the grips in the mail - also, another gun to be added tomorrow. Hopefully I can start locating some Tyler grips for my J-frames. D&J Gun Repair is out of stock on those.

[Shade00]

Sorry to keep posting to my own thread, but these sickly revolvers just keep wandering up to my house, and they need a place to stay...

Early production S&W Model 60. Few nicks here and there, and somebody felt the need to put square butt target grips on her, but other than that... love it! Oh yeah, original box and papers too.

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/4041/mod60ry3.jpg

P.S. - I apologize for the hideous carpet. My wife and I haven't had the time to rip it out yet.

[TimboKhan]

Right.... "haven't had time"...

You can be honest with us here, man. It came down to carpet or new guns, and you chose new guns. We can dig it, but just remember it might come down to carpet or new wife at some point...

:neener:

[capttom]

I can't believe that PolPos Mk V! How gorgeous can one gun be? I saw one today at Gunsamerica for $500. I'm seriously trying not to get it; it would wreck my summer finances. It brings to mind a Colt Viper I bought when they'd just come out. Such a beauty, handled great, and seems like I paid less than $200. I miss that pony!

[Shade00]

Hey now, the guns are separate from the floors. ;) My wife and I are both in school, and she is about to graduate; since she does not live with me (only until August) we haven't been diligently working on updating this place. We've done a lot of stuff, but the floors in the office have been forgotten for now.

capttom, give in to the temptation. I did. And see what happened? By the way, I would absolutely love to have a Viper. One day... when I have a dollar tree...