Colt Pocket Positive (mfr 1915) and Modern Ammunition

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Snowdog

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Tomorrow I'll receive a Colt Pocket Positive from 1915 that I've purchased using my C&R.

It appears to be in great shape, including the nickel plating. I'll post pictures when I receive it.

I understand it's chambered for the .32 Colt New Police which is a .32 S&W Long.

Are these revolvers up to the use of modern ammunition? I have a couple hundred rounds of .32 S&W Long and about the same amount of .32 S&W (short).
 
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Most modern 32SWL are loaded for the older guns. I have a S&W 32 HE from the 20s I shoot all the time with basic handloads.
 
Your modern factory ammo should be fine in that gun Provided the gun is tight and timed properly . By 1915 all the Colts were ok for normal level nitro loads . Want to see it ! My slightly earlier Pocket Positive was actually stamped from factory ".32 S&W" on he barrel ! Year before they came up with .32 New Police ! It is second one from top in picture .
P1020215_zps4319d15c.jpg
 
Tomorrow I'll receive a Colt Pocket Positive from 1915 that I've purchased using my C&R.

It appears to be in great shape, including the nickel plating. I'll post pictures when I receive it.

I understand it's chambered for the .32 Colt New Police which is a .32 S&W Long.

Are these revolvers up to the use of modern ammunition? I have a couple hundred rounds of .32 S&W Long and about the same amount of .32 S&W (short).

I have a couple of New Service Revolvers from that time period and yes, you can fire standard velocity smokeless ammunition, but....

My New Service revolvers are of dead soft metals, not heat treated. I remember finding a citation when Colt and S&W started heat treating things, like cylinders, frames, and what I remember it is after this period. Your Police Positive is made of the same, crappy WW1 metals, not heat treated, and therefore, you must not in any way attempt to hot load your 32 S&W Longs.

I have a S&W in 32 S&W Long, and I made the assumption that Aquila had pressure gauges and loaded the ammunition I purchased to pressures safe for these old pistols. I am going to say, based on velocity (which we know is not pressure) to keep loads around 2.0 grains Bullseye with a 100 grain lead bullet. That will be close in velocity, and I assume pressure, to the Aquila ammunition. I show a slighter higher load for comparison.

S&W No. 3 Hand Ejector 3.25" barrel

98 LRN Aguila Factory
19-Mar-06 T = 51 °F

Ave Vel =665.9
Std Dev =17.52
ES =69.38
High =697
Low =627.6
N =32

Horrible leading.


100 gr LBBFP .313" 2.25 grs Bullseye SS Brass WSP
19-Mar-06 T = 51 °F

Ave Vel =693.3
Std Dev =20.71
ES =103.9
High =721.8
Low =617.9
N =32

Elevation good, Windage left, Mild recoil


100 gr LBBFP .313" 2.5 grs Bullseye SS Brass WSP
19-Mar-06 T = 51 °F

Ave Vel =768.2
Std Dev =16.97
ES =62.06
High =807.3
Low =745.3
N =17

Elevation good, Windage good, Mild recoil, prefer this to 2.25 grain load
 
Below are the images provided in the auction for the Colt. It comes with a neat display placard. The description describes the revolver as having an action that is "nice and tight" with perfect timing. The only imperfection mentioned is a small chip on the pearlite handles. This is not my first Colt but it is my first Colt revolver.

pix688261421.jpg

pix393975036.jpg
 
Thanks for the replies. I was under the impression that factory fodder would be safe as the .32 S&W/Long's ballistics are on the anemic side.

Thanks for that reloading data, Slamfire!
 
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