[Cosmoline]

I've got a problem, I know. I knew it when the gun store owner gave me a shocked look when I had him swap out my Colt PPS for a perfectly good--indeed, excellent--S&W Model 36. I just couldn't love the Smith. The Colt's grip is basically made for my big, short-fingered hands. It aims automatically. When I tried to grab the Smith and aim, I ended up with the revolver pointing in all sorts of odd directions. Yet I know perfectly well that the Smith has a thousand times more aftermarket stuff, from holsters to laser sights. ANd I know it's much easier to fix. And more modern. And probably stronger. And cooler. My PPS is just about as old-timey as you can get, and not really in a good way. No LEO would be seen with one, at least not this side of the Bolivian hill country. Short of packing a lemon squeezer for a CCW weapon, I couldn't get any worse. It's not tactical. It's so not tactical it isn't even funny. A team of ninja swat boys would probably fall over laughing if they saw me with it. Yet here I am, with a Colt Police Positive Special in my jacket.

Is there a support group?

[Cosmoline]

And you know what's really sad--I am actually thinking of a Iver Johnson lemon squeezer as a backup revolver.

[dfariswheel]

From the early 1900's to the early 70's the Colt PPS was right up there with the "state of the Art" DA revolvers.

In those days, a LOT of bad guys that crossed cops died with PPS bullets in them, and they WEREN'T laughing.

True, most departments went to larger framed revolvers with all the "target" bells and whistles, but most of them were still .38 Special.
A .38 out of an old PPS will do exactly what a .38 will out of a brand new 2003 revolver.

You are not underarmed, and the PPS will do as good a job as the most modern "Krell Metal" wonder revolver.

Old doesn't mean "No good". The 1911 is old too. Wanna get shot by one?

[Standing Wolf]

Hate to burst your bubble, friend, but there's nothing wrong with those good old Colts, nor anything the least bit weird about a.) owning them; b.) shooting them, or c.) carrying them. They'll be serviceable long after today's super-dupers are scrap iron—or scrap plastic, as the case may be.

[Old Fuff]

Ah …. Cosmo.

About that Police Positive Special.

You haven’t hit bottom yet. How about a Police Positive …. Without the “Special?” You know, the shorter frame that took the .38 S&W and .32 S&W Long cartridges. Colt of course couldn’t call them that so the same rounds with slightly flattened points were called .38 or .32 Colt New Police.

Knew a man that sometimes carried one. This gentleman was a senior officer in Her Britannic Majesties’ Army - The SAS to be exact. I think that most of our tactical types have heard of them. While he never talked about it, some of his associates informed me that he knew his way around weapons of all kinds and his opinions were based on experience of the serious powder burning kind. He was not one who was much interested in games.

His little Colt was as smooth as glass. He carried it in a high-ride Threepersons holster made by Sam Myers in El Paso, Texas. He could repeatedly hit rather small objects in a remarkably short time, and anyone who watched him shoot never made cracks about the man or his choice in hardware. He pointed out that his revolver was almost as compact as “the other one,” but held six, not five cartridges and had a handle that was big enough to get ahold of without being too big. When slipped inside his waistband it simply disappeared.

Now …. About that comment concerning lemon squeezers ….

You are getting a bit close too home. I sometimes …. but that’s yet another story.

[Parker Dean]

I have noticed much the same response the other day when I went around some gun shops here in town.

When I said I was looking for revolvers, I got a shocked look.

Then when I said I was looking for Colts they looked at me like I grew three heads.

[Brian Dale]

Y'know, not fifteen minutes ago, I was reading Ultraman's "Anti-Stupid Protection" thread, about ways to keep yourself from selling or trading a cherished gun, in the Handguns: General Discussion forum here. When I read, What if I had a package of Carnation Instant Stupid Mix for breakfast one morning in a time of financial need? I thought about my Police Positive Special, because that's what happened to it. It was the first revolver I'd ever bought for myself, and my first Colt. It had a stamp from a South American police force, not too far this side of Bolivia, and it had been carried a lot and shot quite a bit. I liked the steel D frame and 4" barrel, and Colt was the only name for me. Nobody I've been around makes fun of Dick Specials. My Dad always carried a Cobra (an alloy-framed DS, for any readers without the addiction). I couldn't hit well with a Cobra; the PPS was just right. I'll never see that one again, but I'll take my time and keep my eyes open. I'll see if I can get one that's been carried a lot and shot a little. And I'll shoot it a lot. Carry it? Of course!

If there's a support group, I belong there. If you hear of one, I'll go -- as long as there's no risk of being cured.

[Penman]

The prime requisite of a defensive handgun is reliability, and after that it's a matter of preference and faith. I'd rather have a good shooter with a wheelgun beside me than a range commando with the newest auto.

[Majic]

And when that M36 run out of steam, that "ol" Colt still got one more round to shoot. Now that's tactical!!!!

[Brian Dale]

{SETTING: Good guy has chased BadGuy into dark alley; BadGuy is behind cover.}

Good Guy: BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! - Pause -

BadGuy: (Having thought: "Stupid old cop with that dinky old snubbie - well, he ain't no cowboy, and that ain't no six-shooter -")

"Ha! That's FIVE outta your little Smith! I'm gonna fix you with my wondernine now, y'old fool!"

BadGuy steps out from behind cover, raises nine ...

Good Guy: BLAM! - (as BadGuy topples over) - "It's a Colt ..."


{Edited by Happy Bob to correct poor typing}

[Coult D]

It's been said by others better...but basically

It's not the hunk of steel in your hand its the compuction of man that gets the job done or not.

[Johnny Guest]

I wish I had back some of the Police Positive Specials, Detective Specials, and Cobras I let get away from me in years past - - -:(

I can't decide which would be better for day-in, day-out carry - - A three-inch Detective Special (Call it a shorter, round butt PPS) or a three inch Cobra. The DS handles a steady diet of heavier loads better, but a Cobra can ride there, forgotten, until time of need.

I'm down to one small Colt right now, an old model Agent of which I'm very fond. It is a little scanty in the handle area, but it is excellent for side pocket carry. I have my scouts looking for at least one additional D-frame.

(No, friends, I have NOT forsaken my everyday Commander - - I just like the old style stuff sometimes. :D )

Best,
Johnny

[Cosmoline]

Thanks for the support! I'm happy with my choice. I got to the compound last night, walked out to the little pistol range, drew and nailed a can at 25 yards, first shot out. That's the revolver for me!

[Dr.Rob]

Saxon I DEMAND you remove that Colt Viper pic. Its pornographic. (And its making me drool.)

I spend a lot of time on GunBroker and GunsAmerica shopping for THE right old Colt 38 to add to my collection. My First rvolver was a Colt 1917 New Service Army .45acp. My last revolver was a Colt Magnum Carry.

I feel your pain.

Really I do.