Colt Agent 38 Questions

[Huntolive]

I'm considering trading a GP100 w 6" barrel for a Colt Agent c. 1975.
Both in excellent condition
Colt has very nice deep bluing.

I have too many 357 and larger large frame hunting and target revolvers.
The GP100 6 inch is the one I shoot the Worst, not sure why, but I shoot my GP100 5" better, I don't see the sights well on the 6( weird, I know).

I'm not a fan of 38 special s that can't shoot 357, or snubbies, but gun look s nice and may be worth more.

Otherwise selling GP 6", Keeping GP 5 " forever!

Any info on the Colt Agent helpful

 

[Jim Watson]

Colt Agent is an aluminum framed .38 Special.
I have not heard of anybody wearing one out, maybe because it wouldn't be much fun.

 

[Gordon]

They will wear out with a LOT OF +p ammo. The blues ones with shriud are highly desirable and make a perfect defense carry piece Worth about $700-900.

 

[Gordon]

Damn , blues ones ( as opposed to later parkerized) and shrouded.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Make that trade

 

[bannockburn]

I'm considering trading a GP100 w 6" barrel for a Colt Agent c. 1975.

In a heartbeat...

 

[jar]

Check the timing before making the trade but if it locks up and times jump on it.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Check the timing before making the trade but if it locks up and times jump on it.

Yep, this.

And keep in mind that (unlike Rugers and S&W) Colts achieve full lockup when the trigger is pulled. Place your thumb on the cylinder while cocking and apply a gentle drag on it as it rotates.Then pull and hold the trigger. The cylinder should now be locked tightly. Attempt to wiggle the cylinder rotationally and fore and aft while continuing to hold the trigger. Repeat five more times.

 

[Huntolive]

Thanks Guys

 

[Huntolive]

This one is definitely shrouded and the ejector rod is also contained in a shroud and the bluing is very deep like black.
Is extremely clean looks like it's been fired very little based on the Barrel in cylinder conditions and it has a very smooth outer finish so I don't think it's parkerized the date looks like 1975.
I have confirmed with the guy to make the trade straight up. I paid 520 for the GP100 and very lightly used condition with box.
Unfortunately the cold comes without the box but he's giving me some old Smith & Wesson 38 Special ammo then they have some collectability in itself.
Based on what I describe this gun to be that wouldn't be parkerized right?
Wouldn't the parkerized finish be more rough and dull kind of like the parkerized finish on a 590 a1 shotgun? This one's like glossy smooth and Rich black. Looks like a 2 inch barrel.
Currently I have a little bit of an embarrassment of riches in the 357 department: nothing super fancy like a python
But several 5, 6, 7 and 8 in ones from Ruger and S&W and Dan W. So I don't see how this trade hurts me. Plus this will be only my second Colt, pairing up nicely with my new model 3 in king cobra

 

[dfariswheel]

Here's some short info on the Agent.

http://www.coltfever.com/Agent.html

Also check the Gunsmithing section there for my info on how to check Colt timing on the older action models.

A 1975 Agent would have the Colt bright blue on the steel parts and bright blue anodizing on the aluminum frame.
Later versions had a dull gray-black parkerized finish and anodizing.

After the heavy shrouded barrel was introduced in 1973 the aluminum framed Colt's were factory rated for "up to" 1000 rounds of +P .38 Special then the frame might need replacement.
It's recommended to do most of your shooting with standard .38 Special to avoid excess wear of the aluminum frame, then load up the +P for carry use.

 

[Huntolive]

Thanks mine looks like the second edition with exposed hammer with fully shrouded barrel and ejector rod and bright smooth bluing.
sounds a lot like exactly how one of our members described some of the very desirable ones earlier in this thread.
I should be completing the trade tomorrow

 

[SwampWolf]

The Agent (at least the original ones) was nothing more (or less) than a Cobra revolver with a slightly shortened grip frame. Cobras and Agents were some of the best EDC revolvers ever made imo: weighing the same as an equivalent Smith & Wesson J-frame but carrying 20 % more ammunition (six-shot cylinders vs five-shot ones).

 

[Tallball]

It sounds like a great trade to me!

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I would make that trade. Colt Agents are easy to carry. No hammer shroud on mine though.