Colt Army special
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BSA1
member
Condition, condition, condition.
Condition is everything when buying old guns. It is impossible to give a unseen value. I would not bid on it unless I have the chance to handle and inspect it first.
The 32-20 is my favorite cartridge. However the expense of factory rounds and the lack of stores that stock it make it a reloaders cartridge. Contrary to what you may heard or read, including here on THR, it is not a hard cartridge to reload. The bottleneck case requires some extra care when sizing so you will not reload a high volume of rounds quickly. Brass is easily available along with bullets.
But for me I will not give more than $400.00 and it would have to be in excellent condition. The Army Special is not a particularly comfortable gun to shoot.
Condition is everything when buying old guns. It is impossible to give a unseen value. I would not bid on it unless I have the chance to handle and inspect it first.
The 32-20 is my favorite cartridge. However the expense of factory rounds and the lack of stores that stock it make it a reloaders cartridge. Contrary to what you may heard or read, including here on THR, it is not a hard cartridge to reload. The bottleneck case requires some extra care when sizing so you will not reload a high volume of rounds quickly. Brass is easily available along with bullets.
But for me I will not give more than $400.00 and it would have to be in excellent condition. The Army Special is not a particularly comfortable gun to shoot.
GBExpat
Member
$400, tops, for a VG/EXC-condition pistol sounds about right to me, too ... although I disagree with how comfortable the .32-20 Army Special is to shoot.
Now, the Colt Police Positive Specials with their tucked-under grips are uncomfortable to shoot.
I have 6 .32-20 revolvers (one an Army Special) and reload for them (Trailboss & lead).
FWIW, all 4 of my Colts sport .313" max groove diameters so .314" bullets are ideal.
Now, the Colt Police Positive Specials with their tucked-under grips are uncomfortable to shoot.
I have 6 .32-20 revolvers (one an Army Special) and reload for them (Trailboss & lead).
FWIW, all 4 of my Colts sport .313" max groove diameters so .314" bullets are ideal.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Check the barrel. Some early ammunition had a tendency to stick in the barrel, and an unwary shooter might fire another shot. Many 32029 revolvers have bulged barrels. If in doubt, push a tight patch through the barrel.
Driftwood Johnson
Member
Howdy
The Colt Army Special is the same basic gun as the Official Police. The Army Special was made from 1908 until 1927. In 1927 the name was changed to Official Police in order to attract more sales to law enforcement departments.
The frame is a bit larger than a S&W K frame, such as the Model 10.
Not difficult to shoot, just bigger.
I'd post a couple of photos, but Photobucket is giving me fits again.
The Colt Army Special is the same basic gun as the Official Police. The Army Special was made from 1908 until 1927. In 1927 the name was changed to Official Police in order to attract more sales to law enforcement departments.
The frame is a bit larger than a S&W K frame, such as the Model 10.
Not difficult to shoot, just bigger.
I'd post a couple of photos, but Photobucket is giving me fits again.
Good info. Thanks
BSA1
member
I think the 32-20 and Colt Police Positive go together like bread and butter. But I do agree about the small factory grips.
Anyway O.P. it is a rule that you have to post a picture of your gun if you buy it.
Anyway O.P. it is a rule that you have to post a picture of your gun if you buy it.
GBExpat
Member
That they do.
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