[treblig]

I have an 1862 pocket police Signature Series Colt that is absolutely perfect with its deep rich blueing and color casing and I really want to shoot it but I don’t want to bugger it up, that is tearing it down to clean it messing up the screws and all. I’m asking does anyone here shoots their signature series or second generation colts? Or should I just buy one that is beat up already and just keep this pocket police in its box?

[pghrich]

I would not shoot it, just buy a cabelas pietta for less than $200.00 you can have a lot of fun shooting and save the colt for looking and touching, pghrich

[Jim, West PA]

I used to have that 'collector' piece mentality treblig.Far too many pieces to count now.
That cleanin and inspectin all the time and not shootin 'em gets real old.
I then realized. What good is havin any guns that i aint gonna shoot ?
I had my fun with 'em ;)

Oh, and there's no need to be buggerin up screws if you got the correct screwc drivers.
( and eyes to use 'em )http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=171571&d=1347459327

[treblig]

Thanks Rich and Jim!!
And Jim what screwdriver sets have you bought for your Colts? The gunsmithing set from Brownells?

[Jim, West PA]

Yep, that's the one. But it was far less expensive 25 years ago.

[iLikeOldgunsIlikeNewGuns]

Think long and hard about who you'd be keeping it all pristine for :) then think about it some more... then shoot the dang thing and have incredible amounts of fun doing it!

[DoubleDeuce 1]

I have the 1862 Colt Police Pocket (not a Signature), and the Uberti Police Pocket. I shoot the Uberti and keep the Colt in a special place...:cool:

[72coupe]

This is the only Signature I own. It is not very new but it is unfired and pristine. I can't stand not shooting it. I guess the only reason I haven't is I don't have a mold for 58 cal minis.
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa170/72coupe/COLT025.jpg

[pohill]

These are both Signature Series .36. I shoot the white gripped revolver alot and recently shot the Custer .36. They are great shooters, smooth and accurate. But the value of the Custer Commemorative dropped about $200 after I fired it once (that is based on what I was offered for it when it was unfired. Collectors want unfired guns).
I would shoot it and then baby it. I actually think that the Custer is in better shape after I fired it and then cleaned all the factory gunk out of it.
Remember, they were proofed, so they were fired. But again, collectors do not think like that.

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m217/pohill/S4020001.jpg

[Fingers McGee]

I've got a pair of 2nd Gen C series 1851 Navies and a pair of F series 1861 Navies that have a few thousand rounds through them. The '51s were the first 2nd Gens I bought after seeing someone shooting a pair at a CAS match about 10 years ago. That started my addiction to 2nd gens.

Of course, I also have some NIB examples of them too.

[Old Fuff]

It's up to the gun's owner, but if it were mine I would look at the growing collector's value and then buy an ordinary Uberti reproduction (probably previously used) to shoot. Before too long an "as new" Colt might be worth two Italian reproductions. I doubt that Colt will license anybody to make more - if anyone is still interested.

[PRM]

Gotta laugh on this one. I bought my 2nd Gens about 30 years ago. They have been shot, carried, and shot some more. Never regretted enjoying them one minute. Yea - they are going to go up some in value, but keeping them mint, just means I don't get to do what I originally bought them for.

How much do you really think they will appreciate??? Even if they double or triple today's cost, that's not significant enough to keep me off the range with them. By the time they are ultra rare - won't matter anyway.

I say shoot them. Jerry Meacham did outfit mine with pre-ban elephant ivory. I could have bought a couple of "ordinary Italian reproductions" for the cost of those...Nope!!! Some experiences are priceless.

[Pancho]

Treblig, We can only suggest, only you know why you bought the gun. To save and savor as an investment or to shoot it. If it's second-hand and has been shot, shoot it. If it's new in the box.......buy a Uberti and shoot the crap out of it. Believe me whether it's a Colt or a Uberti you're going to have to fuss with it to make it shoot and not jam with capcrap. The modifications needed to make it shoot reliably will alter the value of a Colt alot.

[PRM]

When you talking about a used gun loosing its value, there are a lot of things that come into play. Mainly, how well has it been maintained. NIB Second Gens are selling for around $650. You will see some sellers mark them higher - but, research the one's that are selling.

One that has been fired, properly cleaned and maintained will still bring a premium price. You won't see $50 -$75 dollars difference in the selling price and with the right buyer - NONE. I had an offer on one of mine several years ago that was significantly above market price - just because of the serial range. People who want a Colt branded gun are always going to pay for what they want. That's not a slight towards other brands - its just a personal preference.

You start altering the gun significantly - you may have some issues if you ever wanted to sell it. All I have done to mine were to replace the original nipples with Trescos, and the original grips with ivory (still have the originals put back).

[treblig]

Thanks for all of the replies Guys!! I appreciate the input and the pics of some beautiful revolvers!!! I think my kids just made up my mind for me though, as they were looking at my Colt collection, I have a few Sig Series that I've been collecting over the years, they started fighting over which ones they wanted. I think I'll just keep shooting my Taylor's and Company '51 Navy and let the kids fight over them when I'm gone.

[CraigC]

I'll probably end up with a couple of 2nd or 3rd generation Colt percussion guns and they will be holstered and shot. The Colt's are nice sixguns and it's worth the premium to me to have real case colors in my holster.

[treblig]

I know what you mean Craig! Lou Imperato at the old Inver Johnson plant did such a beautiful job on those Signature Series Colts they are hard to resist.

[Old No7]

SHOOT IT!!!

Life is too short NOT too.

...and it'll outlast you & me shot, or unshot...

So... Go out and shoot it!!!

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/8975Colt_1861_Navy_01.jpg

Yup, I've shot mine...

Old No7

[iLikeOldgunsIlikeNewGuns]

^^^^^ THIS!

:)


With regular care and maintenance it'll last for generations.

[Old Fuff]

I think my kids just made up my mind for me though, as they were looking at my Colt collection, I have a few Sig Series that I've been collecting over the years, they started fighting over which ones they wanted.

Ah... What you need to do is get enough to satisfy both - or all as the case may be. :cool:

In some future year down the road, list in your will who is supposed to get what. Saves a lot of arguments.