Colt 2000 and H&R 732 (first handgun)

[T-Ray]

Ok, i'm at my grandma's, and first things first, she's got dial up so my posts are gonna be long and there's going to be a lot of time in between them.

so, i asked to see my great grandma's pistol, and i also said we bought a box of 9mm for me to try her gun out also, so she got out both (she couldn't remember what caliber hers was , so she got hers out first and she has a Colt "All American" Model 2000. She also told me it was a double action and had a long pull. I was like, wow that's nice (probably under 50 rounds through it and she's probably had it for 12+ years). We then pulled out my great grandma's gun. When she was pullin the box out, i saw a box of .32 s&w bullets, so i'm excited that it's more than a .22, b/c like i said, i'm addicted to recoil. So she gets it out and it's an H&R "Guardsman" Model 732 6shot .32 S&W 2.5" bbl blued d/a. My dad then proceeds to swing the cylinder out and it's still tight (probably from the fact that it too probably has less than 50 rds through it, and it's at least 25 years old) It was in like new condition, probably about 99% just b/c of it's age it can't be 100. So my dad and i take it out in a field and he shot the first shot, just to make sure it would fire and then i got to shoot the next 5 rds (that's all we had time for) i liked how it shot, but I kinda want a longer barrel and i need a bigger grip, one that at least goes 3/4 of the way down my hand . So we get back to the house and my grandma asked how it shot, and i said it shot really well and i really liked it. She then says that she might want to keep it and sell me her colt b/c she has trouble pullin back the slide to load it, and she doesn't think that she could even pull the trigger back b/c of her arthritis and how it's gotten worse since she's shot it (probably at least 6 years) i know she could pull the trigger on either one, but i doubt she could cock her colt, seeing as she tried to shoot a skunk a few years back and she jammed the gun b/c she couldn't pull it back far enough. So, i'm probably going to show her how easy it is to shoot the revolver, at least if she shot it s/a, and i'm going to get to shoot the colt tomorrow (bought a new box on the way down here). She and my dad will probably talk, and i'm more than likely going to end up buying one, and theres probably a good chance it'll be her colt.

My questions:
1. What's some info/feedback on the two different guns?
2. What's a good price to pay her for the revolver (99% overall)?
3. What's a good price to pay her for her colt (99% overall)?
4. How much is a box of .32 S&W (cheap remington or winchester type stuff)?
Keep in mind i don't want to rip her off, but she won't sell either to me for too much. Also keep in mind that they're both in like new condition. I'm on dial up so i can't really search the web.

 

[Trebor]

I hate to tell you, but the Colt 200O All American is generally considered a failed design.

There were some fundamental problems with the design that affected reliability.For example, I understand, but have not personally verified, that if you put any sideways pressure on the trigger while firing something in the linkage will move out of place and the gun will not fire. That's just one example.

In any event, the gun was not in production very long and parts and magazines are difficult to find.

If it shoots and runs OK, it would make an OK range plinker. If it doesn't run OK, I don't think it would be worth the cost or effort to repair,

I have no idea on the value, sorry. There may be some collector interest now that it's kinda scarce. Then again, considering the rep of the design, there may not be.

 

[bannockburn]

T-Ray

As Trebor already mentioned, the Colt AA 2000 was not exactly the breakthrough gun that Colt was hoping it would be. I believe the initial market for the gun was for the LE sector, with Colt hoping to take some market share away from Glock and S&W. Besides having numerous teething problems, the gun also suffered from having a rather heavy trigger pull; nearly 9 pounds with the take-up, and 12 pounds to trip the sear with a lot of travel in between. Other problems showed up which prompted Colt to make several modifications to the original design, including:

-a better chamber finish and a polished feed ramp

-an improved extractor assembly design

-a redesigned magazine follower and base plate

-a change from plastic to steel for the trigger rollers.

Even with all these later improvements, it was not enough to overcome the sales success of the Glock in the LE sector, and the AA 2000 was eventually dropped from production.

 

[DFW1911]

I hate to tell you, but the Colt 200O All American is generally considered a failed design.

I agree. One of my best friends bought one when they were first introduced and he's had nothing but problems with it ever since. He's kept it, but it sits in his safe: it's too unreliable for CCW / HD, etc.

I'm sure other members have had better experiences with it.

 

[T-Ray]

I hate to tell you, but the Colt 200O All American is generally considered a failed design.

I found that out in the second mag. Jammed every 3 rounds or so. I like the .32, could get into reloading for it, but my grandma says i can have it, but i'd have to keep it down there, so i'm thinkin i'll try to find a s&w or ruger or somethin like that in a .357 or .38 revolver. Minimum barrel length of 4". Preferrably under 36 oz. Any suggestions other than those? (i've looked at s&w's on the internet, but don't know what all ruger offers)
I'm tryin to stay under $600. Around 500 would be preferrable, but if i go s&w, i know i'll have to spend a little bit more.

 

[AFRetired]

The H&R is worth around $150-200, The Colt 2000 (failed design as it is) is worth about $650-700.

 

[AFRetired]

As far as a relatively inexpensive, reliable .357, try the 3" Ruger SP101. Probably find one just about new for about $450-500, great gun.