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Bought my first COLT today-Questions, questions...
salzo
Member Posts: 6,396 ✭✭
Just got back from a round at the local gun shops. I have been wanting to get a .38 revolver-mainly 'cause my wife cant handle my .40. I do not know much about Revolvers(or any hand guns for that matter) but I have looked enough in the gun books, and in the gun shops to get an idea on how much things go for.
So anyway, I saw a Colt police positive in 38 with a six inch barrel, that was marked down from $325 to $225. Was thinking about it, but really wanted a 4 inch barrel.
Wentr to the next gun shop, and took a look at his revolvers. Some nice guns with good prices, but nothing is jumping out.
Then I saw it; A Colt POLICE POSITIVE with a 4 inch barrel, 38 caliber. $95. The gun isnt pretty, with the bluing pretty worn, and a coulpe of chips on the grips. But there was no rust, no major pitting(a couple of small specks), and the rifling looked crisp. I figured with that price, there must be something wrong with it. The gun dealer assured me nothing was wrong with it, and unless it is marked "as is"(which it wasnt), I could take it back and they would fix it. I looked at the cylinder and action, everything looks OK, but again, I am kind of a novice to this, so I am not sure.
1.)I bought the pistol, but would like to have suggestions as far as what to look for.Any specific tests or things that I can check out on my own. Just want to make sure it is safe.
2.) I am pretty certain I do not have a collectors item, and am not too concerned about appearance-but I am wondering if I should leave the finish the way it is(most of the blue is worn) or if I should have it refinished. As long as the finish(or lack thereof) will not cause problems with the gun(corrosion, etc..) I think I will leave it the way it is.
3.Does this particular model have interchangeable barrels. Another words, if I want to put another barrel on it, can I take the existing barrel off and have another one put on.
4. Anything I can do about the sights. It has a front sight,that you lign with a groove on the top of the receiver. Are there anuy options as far as adjustable sights, etc.
5.From what I described, how did I do? He assured me the gun was safe and worked, but that price seems low to me.
Thanks for any imput, and feel free to pontificate as long as you would like.
"The powers delegated by the proposed constitution to the federal governmentare few and defined, and will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace negotiation, and foreign commerce"
-James Madison
So anyway, I saw a Colt police positive in 38 with a six inch barrel, that was marked down from $325 to $225. Was thinking about it, but really wanted a 4 inch barrel.
Wentr to the next gun shop, and took a look at his revolvers. Some nice guns with good prices, but nothing is jumping out.
Then I saw it; A Colt POLICE POSITIVE with a 4 inch barrel, 38 caliber. $95. The gun isnt pretty, with the bluing pretty worn, and a coulpe of chips on the grips. But there was no rust, no major pitting(a couple of small specks), and the rifling looked crisp. I figured with that price, there must be something wrong with it. The gun dealer assured me nothing was wrong with it, and unless it is marked "as is"(which it wasnt), I could take it back and they would fix it. I looked at the cylinder and action, everything looks OK, but again, I am kind of a novice to this, so I am not sure.
1.)I bought the pistol, but would like to have suggestions as far as what to look for.Any specific tests or things that I can check out on my own. Just want to make sure it is safe.
2.) I am pretty certain I do not have a collectors item, and am not too concerned about appearance-but I am wondering if I should leave the finish the way it is(most of the blue is worn) or if I should have it refinished. As long as the finish(or lack thereof) will not cause problems with the gun(corrosion, etc..) I think I will leave it the way it is.
3.Does this particular model have interchangeable barrels. Another words, if I want to put another barrel on it, can I take the existing barrel off and have another one put on.
4. Anything I can do about the sights. It has a front sight,that you lign with a groove on the top of the receiver. Are there anuy options as far as adjustable sights, etc.
5.From what I described, how did I do? He assured me the gun was safe and worked, but that price seems low to me.
Thanks for any imput, and feel free to pontificate as long as you would like.
"The powers delegated by the proposed constitution to the federal governmentare few and defined, and will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace negotiation, and foreign commerce"
-James Madison
Comments
Boomer
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."NRA Life Member
Why does man kill? He kills for food. But not only for food; frequently, he must have a beverage.
If you bought a POLICE POSITIVE .38, you get a short-cylindered revolver chambered for .38 S&W, a very low-powered cartridge. You cannot use .38 Speical ammunition in the revolver as you could had you bought a POLICE POSITIVE SPECIAL .38.
An old Police Positive is fun to shoot, and, in my opinion, you should just honor its long service by using it as you found it. "You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" comes to mind. If you wanted an adjustable-sight revolver, you should have bought one on the many Smith & Wesson's so equipped, which are much less expensive than Colt revolvers with adjustable sights.
It is, in fact a 38 smith and Wesson, and not a 38 special. I was looking for a 38 because the home defense weapon I have is a .40s&W, and my wife cant handle it. I realize this is not the ideal self defense weapon, but it will certainly be better for my wife than what we have. I liked the purchase just because it was pretty cheap(even if it is "about right" I have not been able to find something priced this low).Was not sure if it was exactly what I wanted, but at that price, figured it couldnt hurt. However, I realize I will have to get something else for the wife, that might be a bit better for defense. Just another excuse to buy another gun.
I took it to the Smith he said it is safe, he said I did OK and it will make a good "bureau(sic?) gun"-bought myself a box of cartridges, and now I am off to the range-let you know how it goes.
"The powers delegated by the proposed constitution to the federal governmentare few and defined, and will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace negotiation, and foreign commerce"
-James Madison
if your going to be a savage, be a headhunter
AlleninAlaska
http://www.outdoor-o-rama.com
He who dares not offend cannot be honest.
-- Thomas Paine
Rameleni1
Just want to point out that as I stated earlier, I am a novice on the pistol thing.
I asked certain questions, because I do not know the answers. These implications of "wanting to make a silk purse out of a sows ear" and other variations of the sort are kind of off point. I do not want to make a "silk purse out of a sows ear", I am well aware of the fact that I bought a $95 gun, and it will have limitations as all guns do-but I do not know anything about the pistol, and I am just asking questions about its capabilities. If the gun cant have some other type of sights put on-that is fine-I was merely asking a question. No need to go down the "well if you wanted a gun with adjustable sights you should have bought one" road.
"The powers delegated by the proposed constitution to the federal governmentare few and defined, and will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace negotiation, and foreign commerce"
-James Madison
Enjoy that revolver..handload for it,if necessary.Point of aim can be adjusted by different loads.Forget the 'spend 500 bucks crowd'..go back and read about the old masters,who hit what they shot at ...with fixed sights...rejoice in the FACT that there ain't nothin' to be jarred loose or lost..in a fighting,fixed sight revolver.
Shoot it,and enjoy..nothing wrong about it for your wife,if it's tight and safe,either.
God,Guts,& GunsHave we lost all 3 ??
Boomer, wishing he had an original royal blue 4" Python.
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."NRA Life Member
I still would not reblue anything because I much prefer original finish, not matter how worn, to a "redone" finish. I recognize not everyone agrees with me on that point, but I feel very strongly about it. It is also impossible to duplicate the "blue-blue" Pre-War Colt finish, which looks like blue satin as opposed to the almost black color of current "blue" guns. (If this PP is old enough, it could have originally had the almost black mirror finish of early PP revolvers, along with fire blue screws, which is also impossible to duplicate.)
God,Guts,& GunsHave we lost all 3 ??
Complete Refinish of Firearm
Hard Chrome $200.00
Color Case Blue $200.00
Nickel $200.00
Royal Blue $185.00
Standard Blue $155.00
Dull (Matte) Blue $145.00
Stainless $155.00
Bright Stainless $185.00
Parkerized N/A
Alloy (Lightweight) $200.00
(Defender) $200.00
Rifles (Without Sear Block Only) $225.00
Again, I am not suggesting you do it. It is up to you what you want to do.
Boomer, my Promethean temperament creeping out again
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."NRA Life Member
I took it to the range today, and it is a nice shooter. Very accurate, and it had no trouble going through the paper
;
"Sometimes the people have to give up some individual rights for the safety of society."
-Bill Clinton(MTV interview)
Boomer
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."NRA Life Member
Boomer
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."NRA Life Member
I think you done good! I say that because you were happy with the price and the gun, or you wouldn't have bought it. For the purposes you described, it will work; and probably work as well as a $500.00
pistol.
I bought an old 303 Enfield rifle awhile back for $100, and everyone told me it had a wandering zero. I've shot 3 boxes of ammo thru it and hit my target everytime! Best $100 I ever spent, and I'd bet that yours will be too.
I believe in spending the least amount of money to get the job done, and since I keep my guns don't give a damn about resale value.
If they look decent, shoot good and don't cost much -- what else is there?