The Annoyed Man
Member
I own a Colt Government in .380 which is shown below (please pardon my fingerprints on the finish). I purchased the pistol in California for $310.00 plus assorted taxes and fees back in 1993. It was used at the time, but in superb condition. I've kept it pretty much in the condition in which I bought it. I've put probably fewer than 500 rounds through it since buying it. This particular pistol is a 150th Anniversary Edition, and has a gold colored medallion of the "prancing pony" on each grip panel. Other than having recently replaced the wire spring which sits underneath the slide release lever on the left side (it had gotten a little bit bent somehow and would not go back in properly), this pistol is all original.
I've been trying to find out what it is worth online, and I'm a little surprised at what I've learned so far. I've seen several like it today (including one 150th Anniversary Edition) for sale on the web for prices of $700 or a little higher (sample offering).
I guess my question is, do people actually pay that much money to own one of these pistols? I've been told that, since they are no longer in production, they've become desirable, but since I've owned this one for 14 years, it just doesn't seem that extra special to me.
It is a very small and flat pistol making it easy to carry (although I don't have a lot of confidence in .380). However it is not particularly accurate, making it better for close up and personal work. Oddly, it seems to prefer Federal Hydra-Shoks to FMJs, which seems particularly fortuitous as it lends some authority to what is otherwise a kind of anemic cartridge.
I've been considering selling it to fund the purchase of a Sig P232. The reason is that the Sig has a decocker with a double action first pull, making it a somewhat safer pistol to carry - even though it is marginally bigger than the Colt. I would prefer something more powerful than a .380, but I don't know what's available out there that is as small as a good .380 carry pistol. What do you all think? I would appreciate the input.
I've been trying to find out what it is worth online, and I'm a little surprised at what I've learned so far. I've seen several like it today (including one 150th Anniversary Edition) for sale on the web for prices of $700 or a little higher (sample offering).
I guess my question is, do people actually pay that much money to own one of these pistols? I've been told that, since they are no longer in production, they've become desirable, but since I've owned this one for 14 years, it just doesn't seem that extra special to me.
It is a very small and flat pistol making it easy to carry (although I don't have a lot of confidence in .380). However it is not particularly accurate, making it better for close up and personal work. Oddly, it seems to prefer Federal Hydra-Shoks to FMJs, which seems particularly fortuitous as it lends some authority to what is otherwise a kind of anemic cartridge.
I've been considering selling it to fund the purchase of a Sig P232. The reason is that the Sig has a decocker with a double action first pull, making it a somewhat safer pistol to carry - even though it is marginally bigger than the Colt. I would prefer something more powerful than a .380, but I don't know what's available out there that is as small as a good .380 carry pistol. What do you all think? I would appreciate the input.
