Colt revolver info

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MosinT53Hunter

MosinT53Hunter

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Hi all, been thinking I might see about getting an old vintage revolver, because I am that kind of guy.

The ones I am mulling over are the Colt Cobra 38. Special (1960's area) or the Colt Police Positive Special in 38. Special.

Is there anything to look out for on these, besides their age and condition? I know the Cobra is an aluminum alloy frame and the other is steel, but is there any other pros and cons to these?
Yes, no +P in either of these as well, just regular factory ammunition.

Thank you in advance. :)
 
These are Colt small "D" frame revolvers.
These were not rated for any +P ammo until about 1973 , when Colt changed to the heavy, shrouded barrel design.
After that, the aluminum framed models were rated for up to 1,500 rounds of +P, later changed to 1,000 rounds, and the steel framed models were rated for up to 3,000 rounds.
After those round counts were reached, the gun needed to be returned to Colt for inspection and possible frame replacement.

Since Colt no services these revolvers or has any parts, limiting +P ammo in the factory rated models is recommended.
Since the older models were not +P rated, shooting +P is not recommended at all.
With that said, if you were to load an older model with +P ammo for defense actual carry, it's not going to blow the gun up if you have to use it.

Choice depends on whether you want a 2 inch barrel or a 4 inch, and on whether you'd find an aluminum framed gun easier to carry.

When buying a Colt, inspect the timing to insure it's not worn and would need service.
Factory level and factory standards pistolsmithing for the Colt's is available from Frank Glenn in Arizona and Spartan Gunsmithing.
My instructions for inspecting the timing is on the Gunsmithing section of the Colt Fever site, well down the page.......

http://www.coltfever.com/GUNSMITHING.html
 
As was stated above, should something go amiss service is few and far between for the older Colt revolvers. I love the guns, but I would be really wary if they seem worn at all.

Hopefully you’ll find a nice one that calls to you that’s in great shape. :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
Howdy

I have a soft spot for Police Positive Specials.

The little one all the way on the left is a Police Positive Target 22. The rest are all Police Positive Specials, all are 38 Special except for the one in the center of the photo which is a 32-20 Police Positive Special. Yes, it has the same long frame and cylinder as a 38 Police Positive Special, so it is one too.

Police%20Positive%20Specials%2002_zps3lkvasrc.jpg




Frankly, I don't shoot them a whole lot, I just like having them. I'm lucky, this bunch all time well. Frankly, for lots of shooting with vintage revolvers I will always choose an old Smith and Wesson rather than a Police Positive Special.

The Smiths are easier to work on and parts are more readily available.
 
I had an old COLT Cobra and it was a very nice revolver until I shoot it. Even with wadcutters, it was a miserable gun to shoot. I put a pair of PACHMAYR grips on it and everything with fine, but now the gun was too bulky, so I sold the gun.
NOTE: The new COBRA'S come with a steel frame making them a lot heavier and wide rubber grips.

If I were going for a 4 inch Police Positive, I would put the PACHMYER grips on it from the start and consider it a good gun for a hip carry or car gun.
I had a COLT Viper (aluminum frame with a four inch shrouded barrel) and put PACHMYER Compacts on it and it was fine with standard pressure ammo, but a bit of work when using +P.

Jim
 
MosinT53Hunter said:
Hi all, been thinking I might see about getting an old vintage revolver, because I am that kind of guy.

The ones I am mulling over are the Colt Cobra 38. Special (1960's area) or the Colt Police Positive Special in 38. Special.

Is there anything to look out for on these, besides their age and condition? I know the Cobra is an aluminum alloy frame and the other is steel, but is there any other pros and cons to these?
Yes, no +P in either of these as well, just regular factory ammunition.

Thank you in advance. :)
Click to expand...
One thing to consider with a prewar Police Positive is that the grip frame is quite close to the trigger guard, making it a knuckle buster for folks with mid to largish hands. I just sold my really nice example because of this, it was actually painful just shooting target .38 loads-
20191029_191949.jpg
Postwar D-frames such as the Cobra have slightly more generous ergonomics. The Army Special/ Official Police are just a bit larger, and IMO, much more comfortable as shooters-
20190811_123100.jpg
Notice the extra space between the grip and trigger guard.

These are also more robust mechanically and some of the least pricey vintage Colt wheel guns too.
 
Last edited:
NIGHTLORD40K said:
One thing to consider with a prewar Police Positive is that the grip frame is quite close to the trigger guard, making it a knuckle buster for folks with mid to largish hands. I just sold my really nice example because of this, it was actually painful just shooting target .38 loads-
View attachment 872952
Postwar D-frames such as the Cobra have slightly more generous ergonomics. The Army Special/ Official Police are just a bit larger, and IMO, much more comfortable as shooters-
View attachment 872953
Notice the extra space between the grip and trigger guard.

These are also more robust mechanically and some of the least pricey vintage Colt wheel guns too.
Click to expand...

Things to consider. Now, what of people with small hands? Yes, that refers to me, its hard to find a good fit with a lot of revolvers, or handguns in general unless they are single stacks.
 
Driftwood Johnson said:
Howdy

I have a soft spot for Police Positive Specials.

The little one all the way on the left is a Police Positive Target 22. The rest are all Police Positive Specials, all are 38 Special except for the one in the center of the photo which is a 32-20 Police Positive Special. Yes, it has the same long frame and cylinder as a 38 Police Positive Special, so it is one too.

View attachment 872551




Frankly, I don't shoot them a whole lot, I just like having them. I'm lucky, this bunch all time well. Frankly, for lots of shooting with vintage revolvers I will always choose an old Smith and Wesson rather than a Police Positive Special.

The Smiths are easier to work on and parts are more readily available.
Click to expand...

I love your collection! Really neat.
 
@MosinT53Hunter,
Since it seems you will be shooting this revolver you might want to rethink buying a Colt. While it's true they are great revolvers to shoot they can no longer be serviced everywhere. The factory no longer has replacement parts and every year we have fewer Smiths who know how to work on them.

While Colts are reliable guns every gun eventually needs work which could put your gun out of service.

Why not buy a Chiefs Special, a snub nose M&P or even both? :evil:
 
ArchAngelCD said:
@MosinT53Hunter,
Since it seems you will be shooting this revolver you might want to rethink buying a Colt. While it's true they are great revolvers to shoot they can no longer be serviced everywhere. The factory no longer has replacement parts and every year we have fewer Smiths who know how to work on them.

While Colts are reliable guns every gun eventually needs work which could put your gun out of service.

Why not buy a Chiefs Special, a snub nose M&P or even both? :evil:
Click to expand...

I have thought of that too, too many choices out there. Darn that Gunbroker, tempting me with so many deals...sigh...its a tough world out there..
 
The photos of the older Colts really bring back some memories for me! Back when I was just a little tad my mother took me to visit some folks up in Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee, the town of her childhood and early teen years. We visited many old rural homes, and the scene was about the same for each home. There was a chair near the window of the front room. Next to it was a round pedestal table, and on the table was the coal oil lamp, a Bible, and atop the Bible, a Colt Police Positive revolver.

From 'way back in my memory!

Bob Wright
 
Try fondling one before purchasing. The pointy tip of the sharply curved trigger on the older Colts bites my trigger finger. Even dry firing became uncomfortable. I no longer own any old Colts. Here's hoping you will not have that problem.
 
OP, those aren't "old" guns. Anything made after WW II is a "new" gun.

I do have to concur that finding anyone who has knowledge to work on the New Service models is a challenge and parts are scarce. Then, there the New Armys.
 
Starter52 said:
I would choose the steel framed Police Positive Special in a minute over the Cobra.
Click to expand...

When deciding between the two, I think it depends very much on what the gun is being used for. I'd choose the alloy-framed Cobra/Agent in a minute over a steel-framed Colt if I wanted a lightweight revolver for EDC. A six round capacity from a revolver that weighs the same as a five round J-frame Smith & Wesson has much to offer when being carried concealed for self-defense.
 
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