Colt Mustang for CCW?

[supmayn]

I'm currently looking for both a Colt Detective Special and a Colt Mustang. I have recently come across a nickel mustang at a local shop selling for $750.00. The pistol is in "excellent" condition. Is this price fair? I mean, preferably, I would like one NIB, but for a nickel plated mustang that is not even "as new", or LNIB, it seems a little steep.

Furthermore, which Colt (at fair prices) is better for a CCW weapon that will double as a shooter as well, dick special, or mustang?

 

[romma]

Sounds steep for not NIB. I have seen and held what you are talking about for $500. And That was here in CT from a small dealer that isn't cheap. For $750 or a little more, you should be able to get a NIB with an extra mag and manual.

 

[camper]

That seems high, but I've seen them in a local shop for that price. It was a pocketlight. For almost half that price you can get an NAA 380 Guardian. Double action only and a heavier trigger. I've got two Mustangs, but they hit the range most of the time or the safe, mostly the latter. I did not like to carry in the pocket cocked and locked with only a thumb safety so I carried it with a round in the chamber, hammer down and safety on. If I had to use it, there were two functions to execute prior to firing. Safety off and hammer back. Parts are also getting scarcer. Look at the Khar PM9, the P3AT, or the LCP. Don't mean to sound negative, but the Mustang is more a collector's piece than a carry piece these days IMHO.

 

[MMMike]

The Mustang is a great little gun, but $750 seems a bit high.

I got an excellent shape SS plus2 for $450 about a year ago.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Well since their not made any more and every body now wants one The price is about in line. I saw a nickle go a couple mo back for that price here in Ky.
I don't carry mine much any more but they are a nice carry pistol. Most carried them hammer down with chamber loaded. Their very easy to cock on the draw They also have fireing pin block.
To buy or not Well they won't be going down in price and their no longer made . Your choice

 

[Texastbird]

My wife has a SS Mustang and its a great little pistol. But I think for that price, and I have seen some going for some pretty insane prices around here too, you would be better off to get a new Ruger .380 and a bunch of ammo to practice with. Leave the Mustang to the collectors.

 

[jimk66]

Colt Mustang

Hey, I have a Colt MKIV SS Gov Series 80 380 auto and a SS Colt Pony Pocketlite and I sure don't know where you guy's are getting your prices, but around here they go $800 and up. Last month at the gunshow you couldn't find Mustang, Pony or Gov 380 in good shape) one for under $875.
They're great little pistols and the Pony is double action that is fun to shoot and very safe to pocket carry.

Regards,
JimK

 

[supmayn]

what's going on with your frame there on the pocketlite pony? I've never seen one with a black frame before. also, is the pony the same size as the mustang?

so then you would say a nickel mustang in excellent condition is priced correctly at 750?

 

[Gunz]

$750 for a nickeled Colt Mustang is whatever the region and the market will bear to pay.
I would not pay that much for one. I would hold out and give myself a limit of $500 max. even if they do not make it anymore.

For $750, there are better guns for CCW.

For $350, one can find a splendid J-Frame.

 

[bannockburn]

supmayn

Prices for Colt .380s in general have continued to escalate rather sharply in recent months. Colts that were going for between $500 to $600 LNIB, I now see going for $700 to $800 LNIB. I guess I don't understand that while Colt would address the CCW market with something like the Defender and the New Agent, why they wouldn't try to bring back the Government .380 line as well. Certainly it seems like the consumer interest and demand are there for it.

 

[rcellis]

Man. I paid around $500 for my Mustang a few years ago - thought I had let my emotions get the better of me, paying so much for a little .380; now my emotions are preventing me from cashing in. <grin> I just really like the Colt Mustang.

 

[KyJim]

$750 is not out of line. I've seen them from $650 to $850 for blue and stainless. Whether they are really worth it is another matter. I've got a stainless I've pocket carried for 20 years or so off and on. Conceals very well and is accurate. I am thinking about retiring it in favor or a Ruger LCP at some point.



As for why Colt quit making them, I've heard two stories. One is that there was a suit by Kahr over patent infringement (this maybe involves the Pony). The other is that Colt management at the time was playing kissy face with some of the liberals and discontinued the Mustang because it did not fit the image they wished to project.

I suspect Colt has not started manufacturing the Mustang again for two reasons. First, machinery and re-tooling costs. Second, possible liability. The Mustang is a single action pistol with a safety on the frame but no grip safety. I feel perfectly comfortable in carrying mine, but I suspect Colt might be concerned about whether a single action pistol with only one safety is really safe. This is just a guess.

 

[ak-kev]

I love mine too. I carry them as often as I can. I cant find anything to complain about on mine. The price is about in line with whats available here in central Fl. I was without a Mustang a year ago. When I handled one though, I quickly searched one out and made sure I got one.....or two I wish I could afford another one, but I cant justify it.

 

[bannockburn]

KyJim

From what I've heard, the possible Kahr lawsuit involved the Colt Pocket Nine design, and not the Pony. I would agree that the cost of retooling might be a problem, but there are certainly new manufacturing techniques and materials they could use which would hold down start-up costs. And your probably right about the inherent liability of any SA auto design, but that doesn't stop anyone from making M1911s either. Even if this were a factor, why not bring back the Pony, a very viable DAO pistol with proven track record? Or the third option, sell the rights and whatever else you may have for the gun (tooling, R&D, parts, etc.), to another company.