Whoo-hoo, got a NEW Detective Special .32

[Otony]

and in California no less! A few days back, I posted that I wanted to find a clean Colt Detective Special here in California. Since it isn't on our infamous approved list, I can't bring one into the state, but I could buy one in a private party transfer from a California owner.

The day I posted, simonp advised me to try Contra Costa Collectible Firearms, in Walnut Creek. I did, and my wallet is lacking, as we started paperwork today. They have (had) two on consignment. A nickled .38 that is freckling from poor storage, and an unfired .32 Colt New Police! .32 Colt New Police translates to .32 S&W Long by the way.

The .32 is a 60's production gun, and very obviously unfired. Crisp and minty, as the ads say. Even the grips are good, undented and well fitted.

Since I just wanted a representative piece, I figured why not buy a CLEAN one. Unfired is clean, eh? Sadly, the box is not present, so I am going to commit the unthinkable, and shoot it myself. Life is too short, ya know what I mean? I figure recoil with a .32 will be non-existent, or minimal at best. Makes for one heck of a kit gun in this old boy's opinion.

P.S.: Edited to add, tomorrow is my birthday, so this is my indulgence.......

 

[Old Fuff]

While Detective Specials in .32 caliber are not rare they are scarce. If the one you found is truly unfired I’d give it some thought before I shot it. If you plan us use the gun (carry it, house protection or whatever) by all means practice with it. But for the mentioned purposes I can think of some better choices. The Detective Special is becoming a collectable and prices have been going up, and I believe they will continue too do so. A mint, unfired one would be at the top of the list, box or no box (although a boxed example would be worth somewhat more). If I was in your shoes I’d look at the gun as a good investment and keep it as such.

 

[Otony]

I have no need for it as a protection piece, there are plenty of other choices here in the stable, most being better suited.

As well, it isn't a first choice for a kit gun. Got that covered as well, as I do have a Ruger Vaquero .32 Magnum built on the small Single Six frame. It is as good a kit gun as my .22 Single Six (maybe better), or my soon to be owned Bearcat.

I simply enjoy old iron, and .32's. However, it simply doesn't compare to any of my revolvers, most of which are single actions of one sort or another. It doesn't compare because it is so, um, classic, light years ahead in its Colt-ness. And I certainly realize its worth, especially unfired. But I haven't had a double action .32 this nice since selling off my Webley, and I doubt that I will buy another.

Senseless as it may seem, I believe I am going to keep AND shoot it. It isn't an investment for financial return, it is an investment in pleasure, and it sure would please me to plink with it.

Imprudent? Perhaps. Satisfying? YOU BET!

 

[Standing Wolf]

...I am going to commit the unthinkable, and shoot it myself.

There's nothing unthinkable about it. I'd shoot it myself.

 

[Old Fuff]

Given your perspective I see no reason you shouldn't shoot it. In effect you will make those that are unfired more valuable while you enjoy the one you have. I suppose that in the long run everyone will be happy.

My first comments were made to be sure you understood the reasons not to shoot it. You obviously understood the pleasure to be gained if you did use it.

Over many years I have purchased some guns for the express purpose of keeping them as an investment, and in many cases I have enjoyed a much better return then I would have if I'd bought more conventional things such as stocks or bonds.

On the other hand I have also bought guns to use in various shooting contexts. They also have given me a lot of pleasure and/or insured my personal safety in ways that more then returned the original purchase price. Admitedly guns are met to be shot, and a good shooter is a thing of joy. But over many years of both shooting and investing I have had my cake and munched it too. Someimes you can play both sides of the coin.

 

[Otony]

Old Fuff,

I actually appreciate your comments very much. You are giving good advise, and it isn't falling on deaf ears, I assure you.

I have played the investment side of things over the last 35 years of owning firearms, as well as the fun side. Made some money both ways, broke even a few times, lost a bit here and there.

Now I am close to retirement, as well as starting a new family (yeah, I know, a bit late for the latter) and I am realizing that there likely will be a more pressing need for diapers, braces, and school clothes, rather than .32's, fine doubles, and single actions. I figure I can still afford decent bourbon though! So, I better get some goodies now, while the getting is good, 'cause after retirement from the Feds, my salary from the church isn't going to be a big improvement.

But, heck, at least I can shoot that doggone .32!

 

[Jim March]

Heh. Me, I'd be sorely tempted to have the cylinder reamed out to 32H&RMagnum and turn it into a carry piece .

 

[Otony]

I beg you, Jim, don't put those thoughts into my mind.

AGAIN!

 

[Jim March]

Hey, it'll still fire 32S&W/32S&WLong just fine .

 

[ruger357]

Those old Detective Specials are nice. I just bought one a few weeks ago after looking for quite a while for a second generation in good shape. It is in .38 special and was made in 1962. Went to the local gun shop where I bought it and on the shelf he had the .32 DS like new with box for $495. Gotta quit walking in that place.

 

[Old Fuff]

Otony:

Ya' don't need to feel guilty, just enjoy it. Under the circumstances I see no reason to not.

You could have it rechambered to .32 H&R Magnum, but since the bullets are available I'd simply handload hotter .32 S&W Long cartridges. If you are going to shoot it very much you'll find the habit is expensive if you opt for factory Magnum rounds. For "plink & play" .32 S&W long is much more afordable.

 

[Otony]

Old Fuff,

Not only do I reload for .32 H&R Magnum, I also have dies for .32 S&W Long, and another set for .32 S&W Short!

Hot .32 Longs will do just fine, I see no need to further devalue it by rechambering to .32 magnum.

Does make one wish Colt still made this, eh? I would take another in both .22 magnum and .32 magnum, right now!

 

[Old Fuff]

Well now .........

A man after my own heart. I suggest you keep your eyes open for a Colt Police Positive (or Police Positive Special) with at least a 4 inch barrel. These are generally inexpensive in relative terms because most of today's buyers aren't interested in them, and unlike the Detective Special they haven't attracted much collector interest. I occasionaly find decent examples chambered in .32 Colt N.P* for $200.00 or less. They make great shooters for informal target work and are easy to pack around.

Course don't tell anyone else about this .......

* .32 Colt New Police is identical to .32 S&W Long.

(Edited to add) Numrich/Gunparts Corp. has new .32 Police Positive cylinder assembly's rechambered to .32 H&R Magnum. Conversion is easy without messing up the original one.

 

[Kentucky Rifle]

THAT will be a "fun-gun"!

I had no idea that Detective Specials were even manufactured for .32 long. I'd shoot it too! About a month ago, I began to look around at my "stuff". Guns I'd collected & knives I'd never used. We have no children to leave my nice "stuff" to--so, I've started to fire those guns and carry those knives. I'm 54 and I want to get some personal enjoyment from these things while I still can. After that, I'll start giving them to you guys with the knowledge that they will be treated *properly. If there's anything I'll be able to take from this world to the next, I figure it's going to be a memory. And, I figure a memory like that will be golden.

KR

 

[Otony]

Old Fuff,

Keep looking for the Police Positives, one of those would be good for me to have as well

BTW, I already looked for the .32 Magnum cylinders a day or so back with no luck. Where at Numrich did you find 'em?

 

[Gordon]

Uh , why couldn't a PP .32 Mag cylinder be fitted to a DS? My days of loading hot 85grain .32S&W long hand loads for my Officers Model Match and S&W model 31 are over I think. You can get more effect with less risk and pressure with the easier to work with .38spl. I think I would like a .32 Cobra though. I have a .22 Mag Diamond Back that also fills same niche.Congrats on a great find.

 

[Otony]

You could fit it Gordon. Of course, one thing to be aware of is the fact that Colts like the Detective Special/Police Positive, Official Police/Python, heck all DA Colts, are a bit more of a hair puller when it comes to fitting and timing.

I'm just going to load warmish and enjoy.

If ever you decide that .22 Mag Diamondback needs to leave the house, PLEASE email me. It is as good as sold

 

[Old Fuff]

The Colt Police Positive (and less seldom seen, Pocket Positive) had a shorter cylinder and frame then the later Police Positive Special and Detective Special. The shorter cylindered guns were chambered in .22 RF, .22 WRF, .32 New Police (same as .32 S&W Long) and .38 New Police (same as .38 S&W). The longer Police Positive Special/Detective Special were chambered in .32-20, .38 Special, and after the Police Positive was discontinued, in .32 New Police. Obviously it gets a bit hard to keep things straight sometimes.

The .32 cylinders, rechambered to .32 H&R Magnum, that Numrich/Gunparts Corp. have are the short ones for the Police Positive, not the Police Positive Special/Detective Special. Now that I look I don't find them, maybe they sold out.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Hey if you keep talking about this without pictures, big brother will get mad at you.

 

[BluesBear]

 

[Old Fuff]

Ah think "Blues" is dropping me a hint .....

At the moment I'm tied up with work. Anyway, when I get the chance I'll try to post some pictures - either on this thread or a new one on Colt Police Positives vs. Police Positive Specials. Honestly, I didn't think anyone gave a hoot, but now I'm finding there is more interest in these guns then I thought.

 

[mec]

 

[Old Fuff]

Thank you "mec."

What you see pictured is a Police Positive Special - the model that had the "long" cylinder. It was usually chambered in either .32-20 (.32 WCF) or .38 Special. In 1927 Colt put a 2-inch barrel on the same gun and called it the Detective Special. I believe the example shown dates from the 1950's or early 60's.

The "short" cylindered Police Positive was discontinued in 1943. Following World War Two Colt reintroduced the Police Positive Special, but dropped the .32-20 version and added the .32 Colt New Police (.32 S&W Long) and .38 Colt New Police (.38 S&W) to the list of available cartridges along with the .38 Special.

Standard finishes were Blue or Nickel plate. Barrels came in lengths of 4, 5, and six inches.

These are handy little guns. When carried in a IWB holster you see no more them if it was a Detective Special snubby. But draw it and you have a whole different ballgame.

 

[mec]

1949 or 50 by the number.

 

[Old Fuff]

mec:

I think you have one of the "best of the breed." The late 1940's and 1950's were the best of times for Colt. After that things started going downhill. I have a Police Positive (short cylinder) made about 1922 and when I get a minute I'll post a picture to show the difference between the two guns.