Best Generation of Colt Woodsman for Shooting?

[Swifty Morgan]

I'm wondering if there is any reason to prefer a particular generation of the Colt Woodsman. I don't mean for collectability. I mean for actual use.

I used to shoot a generation 3 with my grandfather. When he died, it disappeared. Funny how that happens. I would like to have one for myself.

I don't like the magazine release on the generation 3 Woodsman. I prefer a button on the side of the grip, as in generation 2. Thing is, there may be a good reason for the generation 3 modification. If so, I would like to know what it is.

Since resale value is worth considering, I have another question. Are black grips less desirable than brown, and if so, would it hurt the value of the gun to replace the original black grips with brown ones from the same period?

 

[dogtown tom]

I've been collecting Woodsman and variants since 1975.

For use as a "shooter" there is little difference between Second Series and Third Series. But being that the Second Series is more desirable as a collectible you may find that prices will be higher.

As a practical matter, magazines for Third Series are cheaper, but can be modified to work in a Second Series.

Swapping grips isn't permanent. Just buy a second pair.
If you go to sell that Woodsman a collector will always want it as original as possible.

Best website for Woodsman info: http://www.colt22.com/index.html

 

[Swifty Morgan]

One of the best replies I've ever received here. Thank you.

I am torn between getting exactly what I shot with my grandfather or getting a magazine release that seems less crazy. Of course, one IS permitted to own more than one Woodsman.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

My Woodsman is a First Generation, made in 1938, and so accurate it scares me. I don't mind the heel magazine release -- I'm not going to do a combat reload with a Woodsman, and it positions my hand where I can control the magazine and not drop and damage it when reloading.

 

[Swifty Morgan]

Would you say the heel design is superior or that you have just gotten used to it?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Would you say the heel design is superior or that you have just gotten used to it?

For a woods gun, it's handy. With a button magazine release, it's easy to simply drop the magazine -- which is why a lot of M1911 mags have bump pads.

 

[Rudolph31]

I have a 1934 Woodsman. It’s a beautiful gun but I have to admit I enjoy shooting my Ruger more. It just fits my hand better.

 

[Swifty Morgan]

Now I'm trying to decide which barrel length I'd like. I suppose shorter makes more sense for a hunting sidearm.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Now I'm trying to decide which barrel length I'd like. I suppose shorter makes more sense for a hunting sidearm.

I used to think that, based on my experience with a 7 1/2' barrel Blackhawk. But I find my Woodsman with the 6 7/8" barrel carries very well and the longer sight radius is an asset in squirrel hunting.

 

[SwampWolf]

Which model(s) of the Woodsman series was most used in Bullseye competition? I'd like to get one to complete my battery of Bullseye-oriented handguns.

 

[balexander87]

I received this example from my Grandfather after he passed. Dates sometime in 1928. As far as I know, it has been in the family since new. This one is for sure a shooter. It was clearly carried and used heavily with wear to the bluing bear the muzzle and some chips in the finish on the right side of the slide, but she still runs and shoots just fine. I’ve only put a few rounds through her so far, but I’m looking forward to plinking and squirrel hunting later this year

 

[Patocazador]

I have a Targetsman that I bought new in the late 70s. It has a thumb shelf on the left grip that I thought would help me shoot it more accurately. However, my Ruger Standard model is more accurate .. at least in my hands.

 

[Hanshi]

I have a Woodsman Sport Target 4" that I bought new in the early 1970s and still have. While never being a collector, I always bought .22LRs to shoot. The little Colt fits like a dream and has cut its squirrel hunting teeth multiple times. It's the finest example of a holster .22LR pistol I know of and I own several pistols in that caliber. The push button magazine release, IMHO, is preferrable but wouldn't influence the model I'd choose.

 

[Speedo66]

I bought a Match Target, early gen 3 made in 1957 and in excellent condition, in 1985 for the princely sum of $275. Great shooting gun.

Anyone have a ballpark figure on value? A spread, med. to excellent, would be great.

 

[Swifty Morgan]

It's hard to believe how much Woodsman prices have gone up since I started this thread. A couple of weeks ago, I started looking for a gun again, and it looked like guns that used to sell for $750 were now listed for $900-$1100.

Found myself a beauty on Gunbroker. It looked like such a nice deal, I bought it, even though it was 3rd generation instead of 2nd. When I picked it up from the FFL, it looked so nice, I had to look it over to make sure it wasn't a new pistol. Cost: $750.

Now my problem is that I'm afraid to shoot it and get it dirty.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

View attachment 840990

I received this example from my Grandfather after he passed. Dates sometime in 1928. As far as I know, it has been in the family since new. This one is for sure a shooter. It was clearly carried and used heavily with wear to the bluing bear the muzzle and some chips in the finish on the right side of the slide, but she still runs and shoots just fine. I’ve only put a few rounds through her so far, but I’m looking forward to plinking and squirrel hunting later this year

Of course that gun is set up for Standard Velocity ammo -- unless it has had the high velocity mainspring housing installed.

 

[IdaD]

Mine is a first generation and it's a super slick little gun, very accurate. It's been in the family since new as far as I know and I have no idea what it's worth. Doesn't matter, really, because I'm not going to sell it.

 

[PapaG]

I like my second model best as it closely mimics the 1911 controls with the thumb safety, slide release and mag release. 4" sport model.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I've had a 2nd generation woodsman target model sense 1968. No way would I ever part with it.

 

[helitack32f1]

Just my 2 cents but If I wanted a Woodsman primarily for shooting, I would first see what I could get for the least money, they are all fun. I have bought most of mine at used sections of gun shops and lucked into a nearly unfired one at a gun show but it was slightly expensive but worth every penny. Next, I would say get the 3rd generation because that is what you shot with your grandfather and they may be a little less expensive to purchase as well as less painful to shoot as far as loosing collectability. And, it has the mag release where it belongs. I would also say that the 2nd and 3rd generations have a more comfortable full grip.

I've owned a total of five but sadly 'm down to three.

 

[balexander87]

Of course that gun is set up for Standard Velocity ammo -- unless it has had the high velocity mainspring housing installed.

Absolutely. It still has the original mainspring housing. SV is all it will ever see.