I was looking at LGS' website inventory today. There is a .32 Colt Police Positive for sale for $200. One picture, but it looks like it's all there, also looks like all the rust has been cleaned off between the cylinder and handle/hammer section, as it is pretty shiny there and not on the barrel, which looks like a 6" I suppose. It's definitely not somebody's safe dweller by all the visible scratches on it. If this thing seems to be in safe shootable condition, do yinz think it would be worth 2 bills if I can't talk him down any? Grips look original from what I've seen on this site...they're black, worn, and have a Colt insignia, at least the left side. They don't have a place to test-fire it, so I buy it I own it. Wonder what I should look at? Thanks. Jeff

As a fun gun, $200 would not be bad for a functional .32 PP. I'd check to be sure there are no timing issues with the cylinder first.

Thank you, DWalt. With the hammer cocked, I'm assuming very little to no play in the cylinder, and proper alignment on all 6 positions, same as my other revolvers. Yeah, it's just gonna be a fun gun, not a tack-driver, or anything close to that. I'll check it out and see; they're open Tuesday, and I think I have jury duty that day, if needed. I'll post pics if I get it. Have a great day, and Go Cowboys, Texans, STEELERS, whoever!

Make sure it is chambered for the .32 Colt New Police cartridge aka the .32 S&W Long. The older .32 Colt rounds are harder to find.

__________________
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go to Coltfever...gunsmithing. if it dont pass all the tests, stay away. hard to get them fixed. IMHO

Yes, make sure it is chambered for the .32 S&W/S&W Long (AKA .32 Colt New Police), not the .32 Colt (short or long) cartridge. The latter is obsolete and exceedingly difficult to find. Barrel will be stamped Colt DA .32 if it is chambered for the .32 Colt. If so, stay away. If the cylinder seems to lock into firing position on all chambers, there is probably no timing problem.

The cartridge case is the same for 32 S&W Long and 32 Colt New Police. You can interchange ammo, but Colt New Police ammo has a heavier flat nosed bullet. When I load 32 S&W Long that is what I use for plinking and small game hunting. 117 grain Flat Point bullet sized .314" (same bullet I use in 32-20!) For target ammo I use a full wadcutter or semi-wadcutter 90 grain bullet also sized .314".

Ivan

The ad says .32 Colt ACP...? I don't reload, so if it's some oddball .32, I guess it's not worth my time. I thank you all for the info. These different names & sizes, etc., of ammo really makes my head spin! I'm pretty sure their ACP was a mistake now that I asked about it. So, if it's in operating condition, I will ask for cartridges. Plain & simple: no bullets, no sale. Easy peazy!

My .32 Police Positive will fire both .32 S&W and .32 ACP rounds .

interesting. I've kind of been wondering if there was a revolver that would shoot 32 ACP properly that was made. I've heard people do it, but the accuracy can be all over the place. I bet the add is incorrect, and it is .32 something else, find out what is stamped on the pistol itself to know for sure.

Thanks, sir! But I'm really confused about all these different .32 sizes, shapes, lengths, etc. I would think all the .32 PPs would be the same? I'll find out now...for 2 bills I think if it's still there I'm gonna grab it just out of curiosity's sake.

.32 ACP can be used in any solid frame revolver chambered for .32 S&W Long. However, I have experienced occasional failures to fire due to excess headspace because the .32 ACP case semi-rim is somewhat thinner than the .32 S&W rim. My opinion is that using .32 ACP in place of .32 S&W Long is something that should be done only if .32 S&W/S&W Long ammunition is unavailable. And never for defensive purposes.

"But I'm really confused about all these different .32 sizes, shapes, lengths, etc. I would think all the .32 PPs would be the same?"
It can be confusing. However, .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, and .32 New Police (and to a limited extent .32 ACP) can be chambered and fired in any revolver chambered for the .32 S&W Long cartridge. As the diameter of the .32 Colt (short or long) chamber is too small to accept any other .32 cartridges, they cannot be used in any revolver chambered for the .32 Colt. On the other hand, .32 Colt cartridges can be fired in .32 S&W chambers but it is a loose fit. However, as .32 Colt cartridges are essentially unobtainable in shooting quantities, that is not really a consideration. It is impossible (or at least economically impractical) to reload for the .32 Colt. No other readily available cartridge case can be re-formed to the correct .32 Colt case dimensions, and no reloading dies for the .32 Colt are currently made (unless someone wishes to pay the $$$ for custom-made dies).

Again, DWalt, I thank you. And as my head spins, I stopped it long enough to decide to not buy the revolver...whatever bullet fits & fires in it! And I think I've decided to give up on my quest for a Ruger GP100 in .327 Magnum! I'm going to renew it, maybe, when I retire next year and have time to school myself on cartridges. You've saved me 2 hundred dollars! Appreciate all the help from you all! This was very helpful. I'm sure if I asked what was the atomic weight of hydrogen, someone here would know and tell me why!!!

1) H
1.008

The periodic table of the elements by WebElements

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Update: gun is a good tackle box gun...as a sinker! 'nuff said!