First COLT: A Report

[doc540]

Blue, .38 snub, Detective Special, worn finish, factory rubber grips...nothing really special.

But I bought it from a forum member who'd bobbed the hammer and did a trigger/action job on it. It arrived at my local FFL today, and I headed straight to the range.

Never owned or shot a Colt before, but within a dozen rounds I was able to shoot it more accurately than my Smith M36. The Smith is a fine, beautiful, dependable, and accurate gun. I'll keep it in the nightstand forever and I'd trust my life to it.

I'd heard and read about the Colt action and accuracy. Now I've experienced it first hand.

Bad guys beware, 'cause I'll be carrying a Colt.

[asleepatthereel]

Looks well taken care of to me. What I look for in a used gun, other than the obvious mechanicals, is the finish. If its just worn, no big deal. It means it was used as intended. Now if it has pits and scars where rust used to reside, that tells me the gun hasnt been well taken care of. A little bluing will fix the worn finish, but pits and such are there to stay. No telling what the inside looks like on a pitted gun. Looks like you got a shooter. Congrats.

[Doug.38PR]

I love Colts. I have a Colt Python, A prewar Official Police, a postwar Official Police and yes...a 2nd generation Detective Special.

That Detective Special is my second favorite gun in my whole collection.

As you said, ACCURATE.

Excellent choice.

[lawrnk]

I like the hammer job

[doc540]

I like the hammer job

Yessir, he did a fine job on it, didn't he?

I was able to cycle it safely using single action today. The checkered crown worked really well both cocking and de-cocking.

[TDDude]

Nothing matches the pure mechanical simplicity and genius of a Colt Python.
It's 48 years old and is still as tight and quiet as the first time my dad let me hold it back when it was only 8 years old.



And yes, I still have the original grips and box.

My son is 10 and he didn't even know I had it. I pulled it out of the safe because I was talking about this old pistol I had that was my dad's service revolver. He never met his grandfather as my dad passed away many years before my son was born so his grandfathers stuff that I have interests him quite a bit. Since the Python was my dad's service pistol when he was in the Texas DPS as a trooper back in the late 50's my son wanted to see it. He held it and with no prompting from me simply said, "Dad, this is BEAUTIFUL".

I could have cried but I just said "Yes, son. It is."

What else is there to say?

[Doug.38PR]

NICE Python to you dad too. Texas Rangers (DPS is an offshoot of the Rangers) are still at their best with their Colt Revolvers

Here's my Python


Ya know, doc540, you should consider getting you a Colt service revolver of some kind. A Python, Official Police or Trooper. It would go well with your Detective Special.

[dukalmighty]

I noticed somebody's booger hook inside the trigger guard

[CompVest]

Maybe aiming at something he is willing to distroy?!

[pedalman]

I picked up a used Colt Police Positive .38 Special for a house gun some years ago. I've probably shot more rounds through it than the previous owner. For $150.00, I think I did OK.

I will be qualifying for my CHL with my autoloader, but I would have no qualms in carrying my Colt. Since it is a later model, I keep +P loads in it.

[Doug.38PR]

Police Positive's a nice little gun. One day I'd like to get me a prewar version of it. Had a good chance to get one about 4 months ago at a show in the Geo. R. Brown Convention Center for $300. I had that much with me and would have bought it. NICE smooth action. BUT, I was committed to getting a S&W M-15 for a knock down drag out gun that I could use and abuse at the range. And found one for $295.

BTW, in each of the two shown pictures the gun was checked thoroughly before handling and was not pointed at anyone at any time during handling. Thoroughly to me means: Opening the cylinder, visually checking each chamber not once but twice and in addition to that I hit the ejector rod two or three times to be sure (where your eyes can decieve you, the ejector star cannot) AND if ammunition is in the gun, I not only unload it, but county each bullet individually as I take it out of my hand and are sure there are 6 rounds.

[dukalmighty]

I love pythons i owned a 4" blue used i paid $350 for,and a 6" stainless steel i bought in 1983 for $671.00 new,I have thought abought buying another one but prices are really high,and a 2" python is over 1000.00,so i may be buying a smith or taurus snubby