Colt Agent

[Fat Boy]

Liking at possibly buying a Colt "agent" in .38 special. This is the parkerized finish with plain wood grips. Asking price is $550
I would be buying this as a ccw gun. I feel like Colt made good quality and the material in it was good in its day as compared to modern materials and the Colt would carry 6 rounds as opposed to 5 in a j-frame . However the Colt will have several years on it and some metal fatigue could be happening
Looking for your thoughts on this idea
Thank you-

 

[jimbo555]

I have a 1955 cobra in my carry rotation. I stick to standard pressure 38's it will probably outlive my children. I also have a police positive special made in 1935 that my grandfather carried. It's never been to a gunsmith and locks up tighter than anything you can buy new today.

 

[The Alaskan]

I'm with Jimbo on this one. I don't carry CCW or train for self defense, but I'd buy that in an instant, and wouldn't hesitate to use it for your plans. I've got my Dad's Police Positive Special, made in 1930, and it, too, locks up tight as a drum and is pinpoint, one-whole accurate.

 

[popeye]

I think the gun you're looking at is the model with the underlug barrel. They are not the quality of the 50's, 60's, 70's Agents and Cobras. These were made during a period when Colt was on strike and mgmt. and new hires were knocking out the guns. $550 is top dollar for one of those. Check where the barrel meets the frame for cracks. Check the timing thoroughly. I bought one just like it last year and the bolt had to be replaced. Colt has no parts. There are some guys making parts for these guns but they're rough and have to be fitted by a gunsmith willing to work on Colts. I've had problems with S&W alloy model 38's and 37's. Cracked and sprung frames. I've got one Det. Spec. left, no more alloy Colts for me.

 

[bannockburn]

fat Boy

I had one of those "economy class" Colt Agents (made during the labor problem years), and it wasn't very good. Fit and finish were marginal at best and the cylinder crane wasn't centered properly so that the cylinder became jammed up against the forcing cone of the barrel before all 6 rounds were fired.

My best advice is to check this gun out thoroughly before you buy it.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have a couple of those later Agents. One has an ok finish. One is horrible. They do make nice carry guns, though. However, I would never give $550 for one.

 

[Old Fuff]

At the time Colt's quality at best was... variable. They went through a period of labor unrest, strikes and employee turnover as management that seems to have been totally ignorant about how important they're skilled help was, let them go so they could be replaced with less expensive new hires.

The revolver you are considering is one that sometimes shows up with issues because besides what is stated above, they were trying to make it to a preconceived lower price point.

Which means if you consider buying one you need to judge it as an individual example. Personally If I was going to buy a D-frame model (Detective Special, Cobra, Agent) I would pay slightly more to get one where the above considerations didn't apply.

Also do keep in mind that factory is no longer servicing these guns because they don't have parts, and very few outside gunsmiths are qualified to work on them. While they aren't prone to get out of order or break internal parts, the fact is that getting one repaired can be an expensive ordeal.

 

[Hondo 60]

$550 for a Colt agent is a decent price.
But if money's an issue you can probably get a S&W for $350-$400.

I wouldn't give an ounce of concern to metal fatigue.
If it were of a cheaper nature, like a Taurus, Rossi or Iver Johnson, maybe, but not a Colt, S&W or Ruger.

 

[Old Fuff]

I wouldn't give an ounce of concern to metal fatigue.

Metal fatigue is unlikely, but a larger issue - given when this particular revolver was made - could be sub-par fitting of the internal parts, which is critical.

Given its post-World War Two history, not all Colt's were created equal.

 

[popeye]

IMHO alloy frame revolvers are made to facilitate ease of carry via the weight reduction afforded. They are not range guns and tend to be uncomfortable to shoot. Ideally you should have a second gun of similar size in a steel frame version to practice with. Colt recommended the alloy guns that are "+P" rated (in the case of D Frames like Det. Specs., Cobras, Agents with underlug barrels) be sent to the factory for inspection after 1000 rds. of +P for alloy, and I think, 2500-3000 +P for steel.

 

[Jeff White]

I carried a Colt Agent as a BUG for several years. I never worried about the finish. It was made with a parkerized finish for a reason. I can't imagine paying $500 for it. IIRC they were about $189 MSRP brand new.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Colt's cheap entry revolver now used at $550 I think not at my house.
I can buy a good S&W model 36 or 49 for less and have a way better pistol.
Colt not worth that much even for 1 more shot.

 

[olafhardtB]

Check out the Armscor 206 for about $200 brand new. I am hearing good things about them.