Colt Agent

The Agent was just a Colt Cobra with shorter grips. The grips were flush with the bottom of the grip frams and the Gun weighed 15 ounces.

The Cobra was just an aluminum framed Colt Detective Special. It weighed 16 Ounces.

The Detective Special was/is a damn fine gun and it weighs 22 ounces.

All three are built on the Colt D frame.

The Earlier guns had a fully exposed ejector rod. If this is one of those then make sure it's not bent. They also had slim checkered grips.

The later ones had a shrouded ejector rod and redesigned more hand filling grips (except for the Agent which kept the slim grips). They were originally discontinued in the early 1980s but the Detective special was resurected a few years later and finally evolved into the Colt Magnum Carry

A steady diet of +p ammo is not recommended with the Cobra or Agent. But a few every now & then is OK.

All are excellent guns.

As to the price, it's all a matter of condition.

Is that one of the unpolished Agents of the 70's-80's? They have an ugly finish but are fine inside.

There is nothing like an early model Colt Agent. Weighing
in at only 14 ozs. unloaded and having a 6 round cylinder,
makes this one of my favorite CCW pieces. Too bad, I sold
mine for a small profit!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

The onliest Agent I had is one of the unpolished ones. Since these guns are ugly (but the stronger late model style) I sent it to a Colt master smith, now deceased, who smoothed it out and bobbed hammer. Then I had Robar put their Rogaurd teflon finish on it. This gun shoots like a Python (2" at 25yds) and has a 5.5lbs DA pull like one!I carried it for back packing for a decade. My CHP son now uses it as his bug. He CAN qualify with this 14oz gun(actually 16 oz on late models like this) with Rem 158grain LSWCHP load.

I'd pay $300 for it if it's in good condition. It's not the sturdiest gun in the world, but agreeably light and compact, and both I've look over closely were very well made.

I have one of the polished barrel-shrouded Agents (made, I think, in '76). It's terrific for carry. I would buy the gun you describe at that price.

Hello. While I don't carry this older Agent, I do shoot it now and again. Mainly, I just like it as a representative from other times....




Best.

HOW OLD IS MY COLT AGENT?

I have been to http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html , which says that a Colt Agent with serial numbers between 26150LW and 33899LW dates to 1954.

But mine says W 3201X ("X" of course not being the real, last number in the seriation) on the frame and cylinder crane--not "12345LW," as the site above lists it.

In other words, on my gun there is no "LW" on the right side of the numbers--there is simply a W, and it is positioned on the left side of the numbers.

The finish on mine is flat black (blue?), the grips are checkered walnut with goldish medallions, and the front site is a ramp rather than a "half moon" type.

It shows what seems to be a lot of holster wear, with the port ("left") grip being darker than the starboard ("right") one--as if the port grip has absorbed a lot of body oil and/or moisture.

The ejector rod is fully enclosed under the barrel by a shroud.

Does anyone know where or how to positively identify the age of my little banged up gem (any books or sites that can help)?

If not, can anyone supply an educated guess, along with the explanation behind it?

(I paid $250.00 for it at the end of 2006 in L.A. County, CA. And I paid $375.00 for a mint condition Det. Special around the same time--to be picked up soon.)

Thanks.

If it's unpolished, it's just like the one I have. I paid $275 and about 90% finish, I don't feel I overpaid. It's a wonderful gun, a bit punchy with LSWCHP +Ps, but it shoots all right. I strongly recommend Pachmyr Compaqs for the gun, as the lighterweight make recoil a little more intense than it's all steel Detective Special cousin.

-Rob

Use the search function here at THR, and look at my very early POLISHED
2nd issue Colt Agent. It's a solid 98+ per center, and I only gave $120 for it~!

The barrels that fully enclosed the ejection rod (well, not fully, they have to swing to the side ) came out with the 1972 version, so it may be that young. Then again, it may have been rebarreled.

Bart Noir

Proofhouse records only go up to 1979.

W 3201X was made in 1983.

The numbers that year ran from W20370, to W45038.

I am glad to run across this thread. I have a Colt Agent, which was tucked away in a box from 20 years ago. I remembered when I found it that it got put away because it needed some loving care. Curious about the date as the serial # under the plate is W015??. I cannot read the markings in the hinge, what are they supposed to be or represent?
Thanks y'all
bob klein

I bought one new in 1974 and carried it for a time. It is a nice carry piece becuase of the weight although a Detective Special is not that much heavier and is easier to shoot accurately. The Agent shot well enough although I do not remember the grouping. I sold it in 1976 to a retired LEO and went with a S&W Model 10.

If I had the opportunity you describe I would buy it.

I have a newer one, with the shrouded ejector rod, as soon as I can get holster for it it is going to become my small carry piece. I cannot think of a better vote of confidence in it.

Be sure to check the condition of the frame that is under (6 o'clock) the barrel threads. I have several of these neat little revolvers, but one of them developed a cracked frame at the aforementioned position. I have never used any ammo other than Winchester Factory 147 gr. Full Wadcutters (X38SMRP), so it must have been a fault in the frame. This pistol was one of a very large order we put together with a local police dept. back in the early 80's, and I have never heard of problems with any of the others. I would not hesitate to buy another one if it looked sound.