Rediscovering my roots

[BSA1]

Over the years I have owned and discarded many handguns. It goes without saying that with hindsight being 20/20 I regret letting some go. The first handgun I owned was a K-Frame S&W and I carried one for several years. But the sirens song lured me away and into other guns.

Last year I happened across a well used Model 10 at a very good price. Alas shortly after my purchase it developed serious enough mechanical issues that required a trip back to the factory for repair so my great buy turned out to be a so-so buy with probably slightly more money invested in it than what it is worth. But what made it worth it to me was it was like meeting a long lost friend. Just like bread and butter that Model 10 is a perfect fit for me and I wonder how I ever forgot about it.

Yesterday I took another step back and rediscovered another long abandon wheelgun. While at Cabelas yesterday I found a Colt Police Positive Special 38 Special 4" barrel in 98% condition. I handled it remembering it's slightly smaller size than my beloved K-Frame and then handed it to my wife. She snapped the cylinder shut and quickly and smoothly dry fired it two times double action.

I have previously posted a couple times my quest for finding a S.D. handgun for my wife. She has weak wrists and carpal tunnel and lacks strength to shoot a handgun double action. She finds the Model 10 to be too heavy for her so her current S.D. is a Taurus 22 mag. fired single action.

So for her to quickly and smoothly snap off the gun double action twice was amazing to both of us. The smile on her face told us we have finally found the perfect handgun for her and a deal was quickly made with me probably overpaying for it. But like with me rediscovering the Model 10 I cannot measure my joy in finding a handgun my wife can shoot as it was designed for.

When the weather breaks we will make a trip to the range to ensure all functions properly and it fits her as well as it did in the store. We will test it with Hornady Critical Defense and Federal Hydra-Shoks and make a choice between the two.

My wife's final comment was if I going to sell her 22 mag. I told her that due to the ammo shortage over the past year I was going to keep it and may even start packing it myself on occasion.

I continue to find my needs better met by 50+ or is it +++ year old designs and this only wets my thirst for more oldies.

 

[Ky Larry]

I have a Colt Police Positive .38 Spl 4". It was made in 1932. Both double and single action is smoother than any revolver I own, except my Python. It's a joy to shoot old Colts and S&W's.

 

[BSA1]

It's a real shame that Colt ceased production of the D frames. In my wife's case it's slightly smaller size makes all the difference in world. Who would have thought?

My favorite all around cartridge is the 32-2O. A Police Positive in that caliber would just about make a perfect packing pistol.

Oh I should mention that the gun along with coffee mug she found on the way out takes care of my Christmas presents for her this year. I'll tell our adult kids to buy some premium 38 ammo for her X-mas and she will be a very happy pistol packing mama.

Then with her birthday coming up in April I'll probably pay for her to take a concealed carry class.

(After 34 years of marriage I have learned to plan these things out well in advance).

 

[Hometeached1]

Glad you found a good one! Hope you and your wife enjoy it for many years. I've been looking for a detective special that I don't have to sale a kidney to get, for over two years... Oh well. Guess I should have never held one, no it was worth it for that five minutes.

 

[Hardtarget]

I think you proved how true the advise of many here on THR. When the question comes up re: "what gun for wife" most are urged to "let her try lots of different guns...she'll know when the right one comes by."

Seems like ya'll found the right one! Good for you!

Mark

 

[BSA1]

Hardtarget,

Actually I was the one that picked it out. She just affirmed the wisdom of my choice.

Sometimes much to the surprise of others including THR husbands do know what is best for their spouses.

(I know it is rare event for husbands being right but strange events do occur).

 

[Old Fuff]

You didn't identify the date-of-birth of your recent find, but the discovery of both the smooth trigger pull and advantages of the slightly smaller/lighter Colt platform were well known a generation or two ago. Part of your wife's improvement is because of the Police Positive/Police Positive Special's smaller handle that better fits small hands.

Fortunately much if not most of the gun buying public has not discovered these revolvers, which can often be found at attractive prices. This is especially true of the Police Positive, that had a shorter cylinder and frame and came chambered in .38 S&W or .32 S&W Long.

 

[BSA1]

Old Fuff,

You are right on about the smaller size. I was looking at it for myself but when I realized it was smaller and lighter than my Model 10 I saw it as a perfect match for my wife.

Lets keep the Police Positive and Specials a secret until I can find one in 32-20.

The older I get the more and more I like the older guns.