Pocket Pony

BC38 · #1 02-26-2021, 08:42 PM

Just bought this little 32 Pocket Positive today.
I've seen and heard of Police Positves in both 32 and 38, but never heard of a Pocket Positive until a local guy advertised this one for sale.

Wearing a set of Jay Scott faux ivory laminate stocks, and probably only 50% of its original finish. Mechanically pretty tight for a 100 year old gun.

This makes my 6th Colt. 3 semis and 3 revolvers. All shooters.

It is in BGC "jail" at the moment so the only pics I have are these from his ad. The other side looks about the same though.

Anybody else have one of these?

My research indicates the "32 Police CTG" is Colt's way of designating S&W 32 long without putting S&W's name on their guns...

BC38 · #2 02-27-2021, 01:52 AM

Wowee! over 100 views and 8 likes but no replies?!?
That must be a first!

STCM(SW) · #3 02-27-2021, 02:13 AM

Nice but not a S&W 32 long.....

Rudi · #4 02-27-2021, 02:30 AM

They made Police Positives in .22LR as well, IIRC. A nice looking piece.

BC38 · #5 02-27-2021, 03:44 AM

As I understand it the Police Positive is the same gun with a longer barrel.
The "Pocket" part of Pocket Positive denotes the shorter barrel. Or so I have gathered.

BC38 · #6 02-27-2021, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STCM(SW)

Nice but not a S&W 32 long.....

True, but it is a Colt that is chambered for 32 S&W Long ammo, at least according to what I've been reading.
If that is incorrect and it is actually chambered for 32 Long Colt, I'll probably just end up reselling it. I don't need to add yet another caliber to my bench - and the Long Colt brass is expensive stuff.

tops · #7 02-27-2021, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC38

As I understand it the Police Positive is the same gun with a longer barrel.
The "Pocket" part of Pocket Positive denotes the shorter barrel. Or so I have gathered.

I have a 4 in. .38 Special and looking at the picture your gun has a more rounded grip than my gun. I assume in addition too the shorter barrel it also had a smaller grip. Larry

tops · #8 02-27-2021, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC38

True, but it is a Colt that is chambered for 32 S&W Long ammo, at least according to what I've been reading.

I think you are correct. The barrel would be stamped Colt DA if it is for the old Colt .32. Larry

BC38 · #9 02-27-2021, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tops

I have a 4 in. .38 Special and looking at the picture your gun has a more rounded grip than my gun. I assume in addition too the shorter barrel it also had a smaller grip. Larry

I may be wrong about this, but I believe the 38 special is a different frame altogether. At least the 6-shot version would be. This little 32 is the size of an I-frame S&W. Very comparable in size to my 32 HE.

I think the 38 special is more the size of the S&W K-frame isn't it?

I don't know that much about the nomenclature of Colt frame sizes, but I think the 38 special is a D-frame (maybe)? At least that is what I think I have seen the Detective Special described as being - a D-frame.

Not sure what they call the smaller frame, but I'm pretty sure that is what this one would be - the frame size smaller than a D-frame.

BC38 · #10 02-27-2021, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tops

I think you are correct. The barrel would be stamped Colt DA if it is for the old Colt .32. Larry

That makes sense. I have an old Colt New Army chambered for 38 Long Colt and the barrel is stamped Colt 38 DA.

The good news is that cut down 38 Special brass works in that one so I don't have to try to find some expensive obscure brass to make loads for it. With its straight-bored cylinders I could even use full length 38 Special brass with lighter powder charges. Lead HB bullets work best for that one because they obturate enough to engage the slightly larger bore/rifling better than hard cast flat base bullets.

If this one were chambered for 32 Long Colt there wouldn't be any easy substitution like that. Being chambered for 32 S&W Long is what makes this one a viable and worthwhile addition for me.