Tell me about my new Colt Pocket Positive in .32 S&W

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MatthewVanitas

MatthewVanitas

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Another THR member tossed in a partial box of .32 S&W during a larger trade last year. I figured it a shame to not burn up free ammo, so bought this for $299 off GunBroker today:

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I don't know much about this model, but figure it must be akin to the Colt Police Positive Special I once owned. Any dire warnings of the durability of this model, and "don't use XYZ ammo if the serial# is under 1234567", etc?

I was just planning to shoot my box of .32 S&W semi-wadcutters through it, and then perhaps drill out the flash-holes, load them with paraffin bullets and lead-free primers, and use it as an indoor gallery gun. I figure that'd put minimal pressure on it, and it'd be a cute, handy, and inexpensive plinker.

Any thoughts? I definitely want to put a Tyler T-Grip onto it (which I do with every DA revo I get), any suggestions on what size would fit this? I don't know much about Colt frames.

Okay price? Good model overall?
 
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That looks nice! Proofhouse.com puts the serial number 51500 at 1911. So, depending on much lower than 50000 yours is, probably no newer than 1910.
 
That looks nice! Proofhouse.com puts the serial number 51500 at 1911. So, depending on much lower than 50000 yours is, probably no newer than 1910.
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Ah, I didn't actually mean "50000", I was tossing out a random number. I've edited it to "123456" to be clearer.

I'm feeling okay about the price; looking at auction archives only a few sell for around $200ish, and usually rougher condition. Plus this barrel length seems to be a little less common. The 5" barrels do look kind of quirky-cool on these tiny frames though.

Found a THR member who has one with T-Grip, so PMed to ask what size fits.
 
For future reference: the THR member with a T-Grip'ed PocketP stated that the usual Colt models didn't fit right, and believes that he ended up using a S&W J-frame Tyler. I happen to have a couple in my toolbox, so looks like I'll be set.


Anyone have any words of wisdom about loading up paraffin bullets for this critter? I understand I need to drill the flash-hole out to 1/8", but do you think it will work right if I use lead-free primers? Would they exert too much pressure for an old gun? One post seemed to imply that lead-frees "bang" with more force than standard primers.
 
Ok...here is a link that you can look up your serial number to determine the mfg. date.

I like pocket sized snubguns

http://proofhouse.com/
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Good deal! 104XXX gives me around 1921.

Any huge cautions about this time period? I haven't received it yet, so don't know if it has the "fouling cup" in the topstrap.
 
Any huge cautions about this time period? I haven't received it yet, so don't know if it has the "fouling cup" in the topstrap.
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Probably no cautions in that caliber. It probably does have the "fouling cup." I'm not certain when they stopped that. I do have a 1937 Colt OP .22 that has that.
 
Good to see you posting!! I've got a Police Positive from 1907 and shoot it regularly. I'd have no worries in .32Long, the pressure is low enough not to cause any problems if the lock up is strong. Haven't played much with the wax bullets so can't say. Good luck to you.
 
"...I haven't received it yet..." You won't either. It's a prohibited firearm in Canada. It'll be confiscated at the border. It might be sent back to the shipper or it might be destroyed. You might be charged too.
.32 calibre handguns that aren't on the approved list(high end target pistols) are prohibited and the short barrel just makes it worse. You can't have a prohibited firearm, if it wasn't registered here prior to 1 Dec., 1998 and you have the 12(6) RPAL permit. You can't import any prohibited firearms, period. http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/factsheets/prohibited_e.asp
Please join us at http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/.
 
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Yikes ! That's a shame !

I have a S&W HE in .32 S&W Long that was made in 1911-12 that I shoot without concern. The cartridge is of lower power and the gun pictured looks to be in very good condition.
 
"...I haven't received it yet..." You won't either. It's a prohibited firearm in Canada. It'll be confiscated at the border. It might be sent back to the shipper or it might be destroyed. You might be charged too.
.32 calibre handguns that aren't on the approved list(high end target pistols) are prohibited and the short barrel just makes it worse. ...
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I'm legally a Texan, and it's being sent to my FFL dealer in Austin.

I'll be back down there later this month to pick it up, and it will stay with the rest of my gun gear in Austin as I move in and out of the US.
 
Quick update questions: the barrel reads ".32 Police Cartridge". I know that ".32 New Police Cartridge" means .32 S&W Long, but is it significant that mine lacks the word "New"?

Any chance that mine is actually for the .32 S&W Short for some reason? There's no fouling cup on mine, so it doesn't seem to be for BP. Some online ad I read for a Pocket Positive had some blurb about "This is for the .32 S&W, NOT the Long", so I just wanted to double-check that this won't become a hand grenade if I put .32 S&W Long into it. Any reassurance?
 
No problem: .32 Police Cartridge, .32 New Police and .32 S&W Long are all the same cartridge under different names. You also don't have to worry about the wax loads having any negative effect - just clean out the chambers and bore before shooting any regular ammunition.

The revolver is identical to the Police Positive, with the exception of a smaller/rounded butt. The Police Positive in turn, is slightly shorter then a Police Positive Special/Detective Special. The Police Positive was offered in .22 RF, .22 WRF, .32 S&W Long and .38 S&W (using Colt names for the latter two of course... :uhoh:)., and the cylinder is only 1.250" long. For some reason the Pocket Positive was only offered in .32 caliber.

I notice that it has most of the original Colt " gas oven blue" finish, and if the revolver's condition otherwise is equal to the finish, you didn't pay too much.

They are neat little revolvers and I'm sure you will enjoy it. :cool:
 
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