I lament the extinction of Colt handguns.
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content
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Hello friends and neighbors // After helping tame the West, Colt ventured into the target market with the SAA.
By 1908, DOM of the Bisley Model shown, America had changed greatly.
Colt changed with it making this target version of the .45colt SAA with style.
IMHO one of their finest until the Python.
Notice the wonderfully short trigger pull.
By 1908, DOM of the Bisley Model shown, America had changed greatly.
Colt changed with it making this target version of the .45colt SAA with style.
IMHO one of their finest until the Python.
Notice the wonderfully short trigger pull.
content
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Hello friends and neighbors // Thanks for the nod to the Bisley, all the Credit goes to Colt of course.
I'm glad you have this in HG gen. discussion.
Because... in addition to keeping the SAA alive, at the same time, Colt was probing the market with the 1908 Vest Pocket .25.
First sold much like this 1911 DOM, with carefully drawn out instructions.
The Books, Yep, old news ,they are supposed to be period correct, pre 1910ish but they were updated around 1989, got to love the W.W.W., info is everywhere.
The Culpepers is in print today, this one is from 1883.
Mace's first print was 1909 this one is from 1923.
The others are about right for 1910ish.
I used to be interested in what folks were taught in school when the country was that young, or really over the years. My people have been living in the same area since 1683 so there is a lot to be interested in.
I'm glad you have this in HG gen. discussion.
Because... in addition to keeping the SAA alive, at the same time, Colt was probing the market with the 1908 Vest Pocket .25.
First sold much like this 1911 DOM, with carefully drawn out instructions.
The Books, Yep, old news ,they are supposed to be period correct, pre 1910ish but they were updated around 1989, got to love the W.W.W., info is everywhere.
The Culpepers is in print today, this one is from 1883.
Mace's first print was 1909 this one is from 1923.
The others are about right for 1910ish.
I used to be interested in what folks were taught in school when the country was that young, or really over the years. My people have been living in the same area since 1683 so there is a lot to be interested in.
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bikemutt
Member
I've been blessed to indulge my Colt revolver desires and now own none. The good news for me is the indulgence cost me nothing as they hold their price remarkably well. The seminal moment in my Colt ownership came when a King Cobra needed a small part which Colt declined to sell me since they had very few of them left. I was able to track down the part at great cost from someone who'd been shrewd enough to hoard them for some time.
I'm happy I got into them, and just as happy now that I'm out. It was a great ride.
I'm happy I got into them, and just as happy now that I'm out. It was a great ride.
Walking Dead
Member
I'm hoping that Colt makes a real comeback. I don't think you can make brand new antiques and stay relevant for ever. If you think about it where would Springfield Armory be without the Xd line?
JohnBT
Member
I hope the Croatians are making a lot of money off that deal.
The old V-Spring DA revolvers ARE antiquated.
They are not weak & flimsy, but the design is more complicated than a Smith or Ruger, and not as long-lived with regular use.
The design did not adapt well to modern technologies as the equally old Smith design did, or to advancements & refinements.
"The finest revolvers ever made" is arguable & depends on your definition of "finest".
I'd disagree, and I say that as an owner of many Colt products old & new, with the oldest being a 1917 & the newest an AR-15 from earlier this year.
I can admire the workmanship & the historical importance while recognizing that the older Colt DAs have simply obsoleted themselves.
After sitting for many years in the safe, I sold my minty Python because it was no longer practical to either shoot or keep it, and the money went on something that would be used.
Smooth trigger, but no more accurate than other revolvers I have, too pretty to ding up, and the handwriting was on the wall regarding future service possibilities.
The three Detective Specials, on the other hand (one of which I bought & carried for off-duty use in the 1980s), will remain.
I don't shoot them recreationally, but if I were to ever carry a .38 snub regularly again, it'd be one of those.
Spare parts availability & service are questionable in the near future, but I at least have spare guns.
Elsewhere, the OP & the Trooper .357 will most likely remain unfired. I find them much more interesting than the Python was, and more representative of Colt in the "good old days".
Working DA revolvers come from other companies.
I can appreciate Colt's history without worshipping it.
Denis
They are not weak & flimsy, but the design is more complicated than a Smith or Ruger, and not as long-lived with regular use.
The design did not adapt well to modern technologies as the equally old Smith design did, or to advancements & refinements.
"The finest revolvers ever made" is arguable & depends on your definition of "finest".
I'd disagree, and I say that as an owner of many Colt products old & new, with the oldest being a 1917 & the newest an AR-15 from earlier this year.
I can admire the workmanship & the historical importance while recognizing that the older Colt DAs have simply obsoleted themselves.
After sitting for many years in the safe, I sold my minty Python because it was no longer practical to either shoot or keep it, and the money went on something that would be used.
Smooth trigger, but no more accurate than other revolvers I have, too pretty to ding up, and the handwriting was on the wall regarding future service possibilities.
The three Detective Specials, on the other hand (one of which I bought & carried for off-duty use in the 1980s), will remain.
I don't shoot them recreationally, but if I were to ever carry a .38 snub regularly again, it'd be one of those.
Spare parts availability & service are questionable in the near future, but I at least have spare guns.
Elsewhere, the OP & the Trooper .357 will most likely remain unfired. I find them much more interesting than the Python was, and more representative of Colt in the "good old days".
Working DA revolvers come from other companies.
I can appreciate Colt's history without worshipping it.
Denis
Denis-
You just saved me making almost the identical post. Colt fans are in denial about it, but the pre-MK III cylinder timing simply does not hold up well.
I've owned a number of Colts, but now stick to Ruger and older S&W's, pre 1995 or so.
You just saved me making almost the identical post. Colt fans are in denial about it, but the pre-MK III cylinder timing simply does not hold up well.
I've owned a number of Colts, but now stick to Ruger and older S&W's, pre 1995 or so.
GuitarsAndGuns
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Never understood why some S&W/Colt fans feel the need to disparage the other brand. There is nothing wrong with loving both, I know I do. Besides, Colt is far from extinct. In a recent interview with the president of Colt in American Rifleman, he said that Colt is planning on releasing more new revolvers, as well as expanding into the polymer handgun market, partly to compete with others for government/police contracts.
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I'm a Smith, Colt, and Ruger fan.
I recognize the strengths of all three, and their weaknesses.
I choose the best from each for specific applications.
The old Colt DAs are simply not the "best" among the three makers, overall, in my estimation.
On the other hand, I own no 1911s from either S&W or Ruger.
Denis
I recognize the strengths of all three, and their weaknesses.
I choose the best from each for specific applications.
The old Colt DAs are simply not the "best" among the three makers, overall, in my estimation.
On the other hand, I own no 1911s from either S&W or Ruger.
Denis
content
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Hello friends and neighbors // I have and enjoy many of the S&W and Ruger offerings but if you handed me this .36cal. 1851 Navy, an 1861 DOM, before going into a Civil War battle I would not argue in the least. No Rugers to compete with but S&W did have the Model 2, "Sherman Gun".
I doubt this Navy will be shot again but it still indexes well and pulling the trigger drops the hammer every time.
I doubt this Navy will be shot again but it still indexes well and pulling the trigger drops the hammer every time.
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jimbo555
Member
I have a police positive special built in 1939,carried by my Grandfather proffesionally and in my family since new. I have no idea how many rounds have been thru it but I know its never been to a gunsmith and it still locks up tighter than anything new at the gun store!
content
Member
Hello friends and neighbors // In the early 1900s Colt did have many of the Gov. and L.E. contracts.
In 1939, the Port Moody P.D.,Canada (best info I can find) outfitted themselves with the "new", safer ,drop proof, Colt Police Positive in the more powerful .38 Colt New Police Cartridge(.38sw).
Allowing them to carry all six rounds safely for the first time!
IMHO they also got a work of art.
In 1939, the Port Moody P.D.,Canada (best info I can find) outfitted themselves with the "new", safer ,drop proof, Colt Police Positive in the more powerful .38 Colt New Police Cartridge(.38sw).
Allowing them to carry all six rounds safely for the first time!
IMHO they also got a work of art.
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AZ Desertrat
Member
Would love to see the double actions produced again....oh well...maybe some day....
bikemutt
Member
I'll be first in line if they do, talk is cheap though.
Chuck Dye
Member
Maybe I am not "up" on things, but I never cared for the Bisley, either the original Colts or the Ruger imitations. I just don't think it was the best Colt could have done in making a target revolver. Instead it was an attempt to cash in on the then-current target shooting interest by adapting the old SAA for a role it was never meant for and didn't do very well.
At that time, Colt had the handgun world by the tail and could have done so much better. Needless to say, I would love to have a bushel basket full of NIB Bisleys (or Patersons, or Lugers, or....), but that doesn't mean I like them, only that I would like to have that much money.
Jim
At that time, Colt had the handgun world by the tail and could have done so much better. Needless to say, I would love to have a bushel basket full of NIB Bisleys (or Patersons, or Lugers, or....), but that doesn't mean I like them, only that I would like to have that much money.
Jim
seeker_two
Member
Question: If Colt started making new DA revolvers on their new CNC machinery, how many people here would complain that the new ones weren't worth the wait?....
Guillermo
member
I am with you, but even if such were not the case, surely they would have gone the way of S&W, a mere ghost of what they once were.
I would rather no new Colt revolvers than one filled with injection molded parts like a Smith or a Taurus.
Then you'd better hope there will be no new ones.
Colt won't even buy new hands for the Python action to keep existing guns going, you think if & when new DAs come they'll be all forged & hand-fitted parts? Not hardly.
I personally find it sad that such an historic piece of American automotive manufacturing classicallity as the Model T was so "carelessly cast aside", and I'd buy a brand new one tomorrow if they'd build one to original specs & quality, but Ford had to move on and so did the rest of the world.
That's just life & you can't blame Colt for dropping the guns that were no longer making money for them.
"Careless" had nothing to do with it, Colt had & has no more obligation to keep unprofitable products going indefinitely for a limited fan base than Ford did.
Denis
Colt won't even buy new hands for the Python action to keep existing guns going, you think if & when new DAs come they'll be all forged & hand-fitted parts? Not hardly.
I personally find it sad that such an historic piece of American automotive manufacturing classicallity as the Model T was so "carelessly cast aside", and I'd buy a brand new one tomorrow if they'd build one to original specs & quality, but Ford had to move on and so did the rest of the world.
That's just life & you can't blame Colt for dropping the guns that were no longer making money for them.
"Careless" had nothing to do with it, Colt had & has no more obligation to keep unprofitable products going indefinitely for a limited fan base than Ford did.
Denis
Guillermo
member
of course
But one can blame them for being incompetent
Boy, to read these Internet forums one would think that every I frame Colt with the V spring is worn out and out of time. I must not be doing it right because I have yet to encounter one that was malfunctioning.
Made in 1968, fired countless thousands of times, and locks up perfectly.
Made in 1964, fired countless thousands of times, and locks up perfectly.
Made in 1956, fired countless thousands of times, and locks up perfectly.
Made in 1949, fired countless thousands of times, and locks up perfectly.
Made in 1931, fired countless thousands of times, and locks up perfectly.
Made in 1909, fired countless thousands of times, and locks up perfectly.
Made in 1968, fired countless thousands of times, and locks up perfectly.
Made in 1964, fired countless thousands of times, and locks up perfectly.
Made in 1956, fired countless thousands of times, and locks up perfectly.
Made in 1949, fired countless thousands of times, and locks up perfectly.
Made in 1931, fired countless thousands of times, and locks up perfectly.
Made in 1909, fired countless thousands of times, and locks up perfectly.
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