A cool Colt snub found in pawnshop

[AirCommando]

I've recently started acquiring some Colts. I've found that most of the time they are more expensive than S&Ws for the most part. I walked out the door of a local pawnshop yesterday with this Colt Agent, early 1983 vintage, like new condition, for $350.






This is a parkerized version, really cool!

[pete950]

you did real good on that Colt.

[A10]

Very cool! I would have grabbed that one in an instant!

[AirCommando]

Yep! I kind of pulled a fast one on the young guy that really didn't know that it was original. I convinced him that it must be some kind of aftermarket finish, that it should be shiny blue and have a Colt Pony, which must have been buffed off.

[JcMack]

Originally Posted by AirCommando

Yep! I kind of pulled a fast one on the young guy that really didn't know that it was original. I convinced him that it must be some kind of aftermarket finish, that it should be shiny blue and have a Colt Pony, which must have been buffed off.

Nice gun. Probably built during the Colt strike, by replacement workers. I had one just like it. Good goin on buffaloing the young guy.

[A10]

I'm surprised they didn't want to charge extra for it being chambered in a SPECIAL CTG........

[hannstv]

I had one exactly like that, my sister borrowed it in 1986. I guess I can expect it back any day now.

[oldman45]

Originally Posted by hannstv

I had one exactly like that, my sister borrowed it in 1986. I guess I can expect it back any day now.

Your sister did not tell you that she pawned yours? Now you going to have to buy it back from Air Commando. I hear he only wants $700 plus tax, shipping, handling and advertising cost.

[AirCommando]

Originally Posted by JcMack

Nice gun. Probably built during the Colt strike, by replacement workers. I had one just like it.

I could not find it @ proofhouse, so I called Colt Customer Service. I knew it was post '82, and gave him the SN as 120946. That is a 1961 date. I told him the 1st digit is kind of weird, it looks like two close together straight lines. I sent him a pic of the #. Turns out (with the Colt Forum's help) that it is a "skinny W", so the Colt guy emailed me back it is early 1983.

[rimfired]

Ya stole it pardner! Nice piece! I had a pristine Commando from the same era I gifted my son two Christmases ago.

[CQB27]

Sweet belly gun! I like that parkerized finish. Excellent find, you made quite a deal.

[AirCommando]

Thanks guys!

Here is what I'm talking about..


I really think this gun is new, unfired. The cylinder was like it had never been turned! No box, though.

[sipowicz]

Funny how we have to try and pull a fast one just to get it at a fair price...

[jimmyj]

YOU are aware this is a SMITH AND WESSON FORUM??? (LOL)

[Gasman1972]

I want to be happy for you but I can't appreciate this:

Originally Posted by AirCommando

Yep! I kind of pulled a fast one on the young guy that really didn't know that it was original. I convinced him that it must be some kind of aftermarket finish, that it should be shiny blue and have a Colt Pony, which must have been buffed off.

Karma's a bitch.

[faol]

Nice pistol! I actually got one of the same vintage and it's big brother the Colt Peacekeeper in .357 w/ 6" barrel. The finish wasn't usual Colt; but it's tough and it fools youngins into thinking they're refinished!

[AirCommando]

Well, when I was evaluating the gun, I was really thinking that, at first, that it was what I told him, a refinish. I had my prescription sunglasses on, and didn't bring my clear glasses because I wasn't really thinking I would find anything. I couldn't even read the markings of what it was! So, he read the markings for me. It wasn't until he said it was an Agent that I remembered they did make one like it. So, I just never let on to him that I changed my mind about it, but I sure wasn't going to offer more than he agreed with!

They wanted $399 + tax for it. It's not like I cheated them out of 1/2 it's value! Plus, it was only about the 5th or 6th gun I bought from them, and they wanted me to be happy!

[faol]

Yeah, back in the 80's, this was Colt's attempt at a "Value" Line. The finish was done in a matte black and was a little rough compared to their normal finishes. But, the guns themselves were not built any differently and are of excellent quality.

[feralmerril]

Years back I found some mismarked nice steaks. I cant remember the exact price but it was marked something like .40 cents a pound instead of $4.00s a pound. I loaded up and picked the dumbest looking cashier to try my luck. I could hardly belive my luck!
I bought it because my folks were comeing out on vacation to see me. Now my dad and mom were very strong christians. I made the mistake of telling dad about buying it as we were eating it. My dad just looked at me and commented, OH? Is it worth your soul?
I never forgot that.

[M14sRock]

Originally Posted by Gasman1972

I want to be happy for you but I can't appreciate this:



Karma's a bitch.

It sure the hell is. Selling a piece of one's soul for any price, let alone $50? No thanks.

Nice Colt though.

[Badkarma 1]

A Colt Agent...it don't get any better than that! Dale

[TheHobbyist]

I'll "take it", for $375.00 pending initial 3 day inspection period--of course.

In all seriousness, that's a fine looking specimen; please ensure to give a range report.

[AirCommando]

I think it's neat that the screws are blue steel, the frame is aluminum alloy, and the entire gun finish matches. Not like on some alloy frame guns you can tell the difference in finish.

[Mickey D]

I'll take it.

[pilgrim6a]

Where are you going to get ammo?
.38 SPECIAL CTS. Must be an odd load. Where do you get CTS.s ?
All mine are .38 S&W SPECIAL CTG.

[whitecoyote]

Very nice. You did well.

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

A very nice condition Agent. Looks to me as though it may just have seen daylight for the first time in decades. It doesn't appear to have been fired much, if at all. Best of luck!

Cheers;
Lefty

[sipowicz]

Originally Posted by Gasman1972

I want to be happy for you but I can't appreciate this:



Karma's a bitch.

Maybe...but when desperate people walk into a pawn shop needing cash, they are always offered about 20 percent value and are told to take it or leave it...in my opinion he was just giving a little of it back to them...

[JcMack]

This may be an example of a just prior to "pre strike" gun. All these Agents I've seen (including the one I had) were factory equipped with smooth, uncheckered stocks. Colt guys call the post '66 DS, AGENT, COBRA "butchered frames" I like them because of the availability of stocks, and you can put short Agent stocks on them.

[squidsix]

I have the prettier twin to yours, the Cobra. Very handy little piece.

[hannstv]

I only wish I was smart enough and quick witted enough to best a pawn shop! Most make a living preying on folks in a time of distress. Not many are the kindly uncle type.

[cussedemgun]

Originally Posted by hannstv

I only wish I was smart enough and quick witted enough to best a pawn shop! Most make a living preying on folks in a time of distress. Not many are the kindly uncle type.

Most, if not all shops have a code for "bottom dollar price" that is usually on the price tag. You can bet your sweet hinie the shop did not lose money!

Common practice is for the owner/manager to set a minimum price that all will go by. The clerk may act/appear young or inexperienced but believe me only a FOOL would truly leave an incompetent to deal away his goods & license.

No matter the line of dialog involved for the dicker, bottom line is you got what you want & the shop got what they require (just not as much as they would like) for the sale. Look on the shop's price tag, what appears to be stock numbers or a mix of number & letters is probably their bottom dollar code. Learn to read that code & you'll be in for many more 'value' buys.

[Sprefix]

NICE COLT. How you got it is your business. She is a beauty. Great score at the price paid. Judge not lest ye be judged....or something like that.

[sipowicz]

Originally Posted by squidsix

I have the prettier twin to yours, the Cobra. Very handy little piece.

And I have his pretty but heavier sister...

[AirCommando]

Originally Posted by JcMack

This may be an example of a just prior to "pre strike" gun. All these Agents I've seen (including the one I had) were factory equipped with smooth, uncheckered stocks.

I just saw Colt catalogs for 1983 & 1984. In the '83 catalog, they're listed with checkered stocks. In the '84 catalog, they're listed with smooth stocks.




Terry

[Stevens]

Got one like it in my nightstand, only difference I see is no checkering on the grip of mine. It is a very good fit for my hand, points naturally.
I bought it new in about 1986.
Steve W

[MFPD 10MM]

That is a very nice Colt Agent. Great price too.

[truckemup97]

Originally Posted by sipowicz

And I have his pretty but heavier sister...

Fat girls need love, too.

[sipowicz]

I'd love to get pair of those commando grips..they look cool...

[GKC]

Years ago, I had a Colt DS that I bought new...and had to sell when needed tuition money. I've always wanted another one, but I want a new one, or ANIB. I haven't come across any, and I can't say I've been actively searching.

The only problem is, can you find a gunsmith who can tune a Colt revolver anymore? I've heard they are few and far between.

One of the local gun shops here has one (Agent) for $450...it looks to be in very good condition, but the question of who could work on it (if it ever needs it) gives me concern about buying it.

[A10]

I hear the Colt shop still does work on them, a few folks on the Colt forum have sent their Pythons in for tuneups and reblues. They'll even recut the lettering after the polish it. I have heard mixed reviews on the quality of the reblue, though.

[CQB27]

Originally Posted by AirCommando

Thanks guys!

Here is what I'm talking about..


I really think this gun is new, unfired. The cylinder was like it had never been turned! No box, though.

"Boxes, we don't need no stinking boxes"

That snub was made for toting! I really like the deep blue Colt's, but that thing is a BEAUT!

[joeintexas]

My rule of thumb has always been, if both sides are happy its a good deal. Congrats on the new colt.

[Frizzman]

I remember when those came out. I thought they looked like a rough and cheaper version of the Det. Spl/Cobra/Agent but would have bought one if I had had the money. The better finished one's were way too expensive for me as a new, city LEO. I changed my mind later because I realized the nice, polished finish would be wasted on a working cop's revolver...Did you get it by deception?...I don't know but I agree that pawn shops usually put the screws to people in tough circumstances so I don't feel too sorry for the seller. The business should know what the items they sell is worth. If you used that tactic on a private seller, I would view that as underhanded. I tried to trade at a local pawn shop around here once and they tried to convince me that my gun was junk and the one they were selling was made of gold. They made a practice of trying to put the screws to anyone who walked in there...Nice find!

[26Ford]

All I can say is WOW!!! I can probably say too, that this would go for at LEAST $600-$700 here in South Florida. GOD bless you Sir, 26

[AirCommando]

Thanks for all the nice comments, guys. I appreciate it.

Terry