I am old enough to recall when gun shops actually had new Cold handguns for sale. Double action revolvers in various calibers were available, like the Detective Special, the Cobra, the Agent, Police Positive Special and Official Police among others. Of course the 1911 was always present in various configurations as was the Single Action Army.
Now, Colt is pretty much out of the civilian handgun business. Oh, they still make some 1911s and SAAs, but compared to the old days the selection is extremely limited and the prices are very high for what do offer and the DA guns are dead and gone.
Here are a couple of my Colts. Maybe someday Colt will be bought out by someone interested in making guns again.
I bought my first semi-auto handgun in Feb. of 1973. A Gov't Model Series '70. Paid $135 for it. Two years later I added S&W K frame sights (that's what we did back then) and ivory stocks that set me back $32.50. Earlier this year I sent the gun off to have it engraved.
In the early 1970s I bought a Trooper Mk III 357 Magnum. I think I paid $180 for it new. Never cared for the Mk III action and sold it to purchase a Python. Seems like I paid around $300 for the Python. Added a Diamondback 22. If I recall right the retail was about $245. Both were stolen in 1986. I picked up a 38 D'back and another in 22 on the same day in 1999. Paid $165 for the 38 (showed some holster wear) and $325 for the 22 (looked new).
Around 1987 or so I spotted a 44 Special Colt SAA at a local dealer. I had wanted a 44 SAA for a long time. I paid $575 for it which I thought was a little high but I wanted it. The 44 Special was seen far less often back then than was the 45 Colt. The ivory stocks were a gift from my wife around 2000.
Got this Officers Model 38 at a show in 1990. Seller was asking $200 and I didn't quibble. Shows some finish wear but it is smooth as silk.
This one came off Gunbroker 3 years ago for $375. I love the early target stocks.
My most recent Colt purchase is this Army Special in 32-20. Serial makes it 1934 which is after the Army Special was supposed to be out of print but apparently some were being made in 32-20 for a few years after the model was officially ended. Barrel is cut to 3" and I'm sure it was cut due to being bulged. About one of four 32-20s I have seen had bulged barrels. No idea why. I figured it was worth the $195 asking price. I call it the "Detective Special on Steroids."
Now, Colt is pretty much out of the civilian handgun business. Oh, they still make some 1911s and SAAs, but compared to the old days the selection is extremely limited and the prices are very high for what do offer and the DA guns are dead and gone.
Here are a couple of my Colts. Maybe someday Colt will be bought out by someone interested in making guns again.
I bought my first semi-auto handgun in Feb. of 1973. A Gov't Model Series '70. Paid $135 for it. Two years later I added S&W K frame sights (that's what we did back then) and ivory stocks that set me back $32.50. Earlier this year I sent the gun off to have it engraved.
In the early 1970s I bought a Trooper Mk III 357 Magnum. I think I paid $180 for it new. Never cared for the Mk III action and sold it to purchase a Python. Seems like I paid around $300 for the Python. Added a Diamondback 22. If I recall right the retail was about $245. Both were stolen in 1986. I picked up a 38 D'back and another in 22 on the same day in 1999. Paid $165 for the 38 (showed some holster wear) and $325 for the 22 (looked new).
Around 1987 or so I spotted a 44 Special Colt SAA at a local dealer. I had wanted a 44 SAA for a long time. I paid $575 for it which I thought was a little high but I wanted it. The 44 Special was seen far less often back then than was the 45 Colt. The ivory stocks were a gift from my wife around 2000.
Got this Officers Model 38 at a show in 1990. Seller was asking $200 and I didn't quibble. Shows some finish wear but it is smooth as silk.
This one came off Gunbroker 3 years ago for $375. I love the early target stocks.
My most recent Colt purchase is this Army Special in 32-20. Serial makes it 1934 which is after the Army Special was supposed to be out of print but apparently some were being made in 32-20 for a few years after the model was officially ended. Barrel is cut to 3" and I'm sure it was cut due to being bulged. About one of four 32-20s I have seen had bulged barrels. No idea why. I figured it was worth the $195 asking price. I call it the "Detective Special on Steroids."
