Smith Colt Smith Colt Smith Colt Part 2:
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Jim Watson
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Gussied up special editions are seldom worth as much money as standard guns.
A Trooper will do anything a Python will except catch dust under a ventilated rib.
A Detective Special has that all important shot, the sixth one. (Advertising line vs S&W Terrier and Chief.)
A New Service is a BIG manly revolver.
A Police Positive Target is a cute little thing a bit more substantial than a S&W Heavy Frame Target (.22-32). So many that turn up are in .22 WRF which is an occasional specialty item from CCI. I guess all the .22 LRs and .32s are more closely held for their common ammo.
A Trooper will do anything a Python will except catch dust under a ventilated rib.
A Detective Special has that all important shot, the sixth one. (Advertising line vs S&W Terrier and Chief.)
A New Service is a BIG manly revolver.
A Police Positive Target is a cute little thing a bit more substantial than a S&W Heavy Frame Target (.22-32). So many that turn up are in .22 WRF which is an occasional specialty item from CCI. I guess all the .22 LRs and .32s are more closely held for their common ammo.
Anchorite
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Jim hit it out of the park with his response.
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Mark_Mark
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they has a Trooper .22 LR target, but I missed it by a few hours. Perfect condition too. The .357 has the best DA/SA action ever held! so nice but a few surface spots
UncleEd
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If I favored Colts, the Trooper hands down depending on
quality of timing/lockup.
quality of timing/lockup.
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Mark_Mark
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That trooper is smooth like silk! almost too smooth, hammer cocks back effortlessly
UncleEd
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In revolver bullseye shooting of yore, they were fired in single
action and the Colt was a marvel in cocking so as to not
disturb the sight picture. (The other side of the coin was that
S&Ws were preferred in double action shooting games.)
Riomouse911
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The .45 Colt New Service would be on my radar.
The rest are cool, too, but the NS rises to the top for me.
if the commemorative is priced less than a similar condition corresponding model I could look at that. If it is priced at a premium, no.
Stay safe.
The rest are cool, too, but the NS rises to the top for me.
if the commemorative is priced less than a similar condition corresponding model I could look at that. If it is priced at a premium, no.
Stay safe.
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Mark_Mark
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Mark_Mark
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The dealer said the commemorative adds nothing to the price. I like the size of the barrel.
Riomouse911
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Jim Watson
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Mostly, yes.
At one time there were three related guns, the Trooper .38, the Three Fifty Seven, and the Python.
I THINK (but don’t have the references or the guns to be sure) that the Trooper .38 had its firing pin on the hammer like the Official Police and the 3 5 7 had a frame firing pin like the Python. They then rolled the 3 5 7 into the Trooper lineup and I figure it took the frame firing pin with it.
Coltforum says the Three Fifty Seven was better fitted and finished than Trooper and Python got the most care of any.
UncleEd
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See Jim Watson's comment, posting No. 3.
whisler
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New Service in 45 LC for me.
NIGHTLORD40K
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Prior to 1961, "E" frame .38 Troopers had the firing pin integral with the hammer. Post '61centerfire Troopers, and all Three-Five-Sevens and Pythons were "I" Frames with frame-mounted firing pins.
The difference between the Trooper, Three Five Seven and Python were the barrel, top strap contour, external finish, and internal fitment.
If you get the Trooper, you will not be disappointed. I love mine.
Assuming the timing is good, grab the Detective Special too. Having no collector finish left would make it a great carry gun.
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Mark_Mark
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love the lack of finish on the Detective special. Timing was good but the ejector was slightly bent. Bore look good, but was leaded and needed a serious cleaning!
That Trooper is is about the smoothest DA i felt on a gun! the recoil shield look good too. Doesn’t look all shoot out. That gun would definitely be a shooter!
NIGHTLORD40K
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I was wondering if it was bent or just an artifact of the camera lense.....
Im pretty sure a competent smith could straighten it. Even if it needed replacement, the price is good enough to allow for the work.
NIGHTLORD40K
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The problem with the .22 WRF is that all the ammo made in the last 50 years (and sporadically at that) uses .22 Magnum jacketed bullets. The Colt revolvers used standard .22 LR barrels and were designed for externally lubricated lead bullets. As a result, they are too tight for jackets and its not unknown for them to strip the jackets resulting in an obstructed bore..... similar to what happened with the old .32-20s.
As a result, modern .22 WRF ammo will usually be marked "For Rifles Only" to disuade folks from shooting them in old Colts.
The only safe way to shoot those .22 WRF Colts is to have the cylinders bored and sleeved for .22LR or to make sleeves using drilled out WRF (or Magnum) cases into which the LR cartridges will slide.
I went through that whole mess, and while doable, is just too much of a pain when there are enough proper .22LR Colts out there anyway.
As a result, modern .22 WRF ammo will usually be marked "For Rifles Only" to disuade folks from shooting them in old Colts.
The only safe way to shoot those .22 WRF Colts is to have the cylinders bored and sleeved for .22LR or to make sleeves using drilled out WRF (or Magnum) cases into which the LR cartridges will slide.
I went through that whole mess, and while doable, is just too much of a pain when there are enough proper .22LR Colts out there anyway.
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Jim Watson
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I didn’t know. Reason enough to steer clear. Although my neighbor the gunsmith cut off the heads of empty WMR cases to make sleeves to shoot LR in a Magnum single action that came his way without the extra cylinder.
Nice.
I picked up this Colt Officers Model Match in .22 LR because someone converted it to .22 Mag, and not well.
I had to polish out all of the chambers so cases would fall out. My gain though, and it shoots very well.
I have the rear sight for it, came with it. I added some aftermarket grips that look good and work well.
Yea, I was thinking about .22 WMR.....I'd still like to have that Colt.
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Mark_Mark
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Looks like a common thing to do to old Colt In .22 WRF. to sleeve it. They even have one sleeve for sale.
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Mark_Mark
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If anybody want to buy any of these guns, PM me and I’ll give you their contact, these guns are very plentiful out in the PNW. This shop ships to FFL’s! very rare for a small shop to do thatYea, I was thinking about .22 WMR.....I'd still like to have that Colt.
my brother told me, these old Colts and Smith would be snagged up very quickly in Arkansas and are rarely seen.
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Mark_Mark
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It was bent slightly. Me and the dealer was guessing it was some big fellas belly waist gun. That’s why there no finish left and the ejector got bent. I personally love the patina! mabey offer $300 and bend it back myself
