I know this is the Smith & Wesson forum, but I need some Colt info. I have an opportunity to purchase a Colt Official Police and I need to know if it is more like an N frame or K frame Smith. This is a long distance transaction so I don't have it available to compare. If it is more like an N frame Smith, can it take Heavy Duty loads or standard .38 loads? Thanks for your help.
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Colt frame size
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I don't know how Colt designates the size but I have one in 4". It is about the same size and weight as a K frame (I also own a Model 13) and if it is in good shape, an excellent gun. I carried one during my rookie year in LE.
Alpo
Member
Pretty sure the Official Police is the same size gun as a Python. That would make it closest to an L frame.
The OP is the same frame as the Python, Old Trooper, Officer's Models, and 357. It is called the I-frame. It should handle any modern limp wristed +P you want to put through it,
Physical size,,a touch larger than a K,,smaller than an N.
Colt used to designate it a '.41' size frame when it was the Army Special model. That was the largest caliber it was chambered in (.41 Colt).
They've been made a long time. Mid 1920's to the late 1960's IIRC.
I wouldn't put the same heavy stuff through a pre-war OP that I might trust shooting in one made in the 1960's.
But that's just me.
The other guns in the 357 magnum calibers that share(d) the same frame size most probably have additional heat treat and maybe even different steel alloys for the major parts for the higher pressure cartridge.
Kind of like a Model 10 and a Model 19.
Colt used to designate it a '.41' size frame when it was the Army Special model. That was the largest caliber it was chambered in (.41 Colt).
They've been made a long time. Mid 1920's to the late 1960's IIRC.
I wouldn't put the same heavy stuff through a pre-war OP that I might trust shooting in one made in the 1960's.
But that's just me.
The other guns in the 357 magnum calibers that share(d) the same frame size most probably have additional heat treat and maybe even different steel alloys for the major parts for the higher pressure cartridge.
Kind of like a Model 10 and a Model 19.
Alk8944
US Veteran
This size frame was originated by Colt in 1892. It went through a few improvements, finally becoming the Army Special in ca. 1906. It was basically unchanged until the Python was discontinued in 1996. There were several designations during this time, but basically the same frame.
