I have always loved the Colt "D" frame revolvers. I have a 3rd Issue Detective Special and two Diamondbacks.
I was out and about this morning and ran across a like new Colt Police Positive 4th Issue for sale. This is a later model made sometime after 1977. It has a shrouded ejector rod and oversize wood grips.
The gun is like brand new. Not a mark on it. Timing and lock-up are perfect. Asking price is $899.
I'm not that good with Colt prices, but this seems a bit high to me. What do y'all think? Buy or not?

But if it is in .38 Special and really clean someone will likely buy it. If it is in .32 long Colt or .32 New police then that is way high.

It is in .38 Special.

I love the feel of the police positives. I cannot see the sights for the life of me so I pass them by. 67 2/3 yrs old and corrective lenses to shoot with.

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Front sight and squeeze

From what you have written, it seems like you would be completely happy with it. IMHO, the older Colts are better built and therefor the only ones that appeal to me now days, so I wouldn’t hesitate to step up a little to own what I like when one becomes available. From that lens I would say you will regret buying it less than you would letting it go.

Way high in my opinion. You can buy a better S&W .38 spl for less.

This is a really cool revolver. Only made from 1977-1978. It is like a Detective Special with a 4" barrel. I found my 1977 at a gun show in Charlotte, maybe 8-10 years ago. It kills me to tell this story...but mine came with the original wood grips, like the OP posted. My idiot cat jumped into the gun safe and knocked the Colt off of a shelf. The original grip split when it landed.

Seems high to me - but what doesn't these days. I prefer the older models, like the 1928 Police Positive Special




I recently took it to the range with a few other pre-WWII guns:



They are fun shooters.


FYI - you can get a new Colt Cobra in .38 Special for less money, and a .357 Mag King Cobra for about the same price. This makes it an easy pass.

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

I have one from 1978, lowest production PPositive. I like mine,shoots as good as the Diamondback I have! Bought mine at auction pre covid, paid $425...nobody wanted it for some reason. but that was pre china flu

With inflation on the rise it might not be a bad idea to park some money in nice firearms at today's prices.


At least that is what I tell myself.

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Chris S.
Fort Lauderdale, FL

21C680E9-3017-4ADC-BBB8-6DADC7C5BD62.jpg


This one dates 1920. And is sideways for some reason.

I picked up two official police heavy barrels, pre-war for less than the price of yours. But if it is what you want get it…..life is too short.

.

I really like the gun, but I don't want to overpay. I checked ended auctions at GB. Very few of the 4th issue models sold and prices were all over the place. One sold for $500 and another for $1200. Found one listing on-line at $1150. No idea what a fair price should be. That's why I'm asking.
Besides, it'll probably be like many other guns I've bought. I'll shoot it a few times and then it'll get lost in the safe for years. But there is a pride in ownership.
I've also asked this question over on the Colt Forum. So far, no answers.

Then I would say go for it. They are really nice guns and we are seeing fewer and fewer clean ones around for sale as time goes by. And with inflation going the way that it is, you might be making a good deal. I have two of them and they are not going anywhere soon.

I think the price is about right if it is in excellent condition. These were only made in 1977/78 and while not exactly rare, they are rarely seen where I shop. Every bit as good as the diamondback in my opinion and perhaps less finicky. I'd negotiate a bit but probably wouldn't leave without it. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I have just one Colt Police Positive Special. It's a first issue gun and turns a century old this year...



Here it is compared to a S&W M&P from the same era (1923).

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Oooo, may I?
1977 PSS Nickel.
She's been around the block but still looks elegant with a certain style and grace, heh.
2014 $549+ tax. I think I've put 2 boxes of light 38s through her.

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^Cat looks like a burrito

I might try to weasel them down to 800, but I’d take it home.

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Rule of law, not a man.

I believe the gun in OP post is a Police Positive Special. A police positive has a shorter cylinder and did not come in 38 Special caliber. Oh, yes do buy it if you like it, the price may seem high but the quality is built in.

Seems like a lot of money but probably not "these days." I've been watching a bunch of S&W Model 65's on GunBroker lately and they are going for over $800 for the most part; some substantially more. That seems crazy too but it's apparently the going rate. That would make this Colt "worth" $900 I imagine. Inflation is a factor lately too.

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Ordnung muss sein
SWHF #789

OP there is a Police Positive Special in .38 spl in a local online only auction that closes later today. Current high bid is $285. Something to think about before you plunk down $900 for the one you’re looking at.

By the time of the later 3rd generation Colt D frames the .38 S & W chambering was long gone; the earlier Police Positive Special indicated the .38 Special version but by the 1970s it was just called the Police Positive. Not that it isn't special too.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Nope, two different guns and chambered differently with different frame dimensions, barrel markings, and cylinder length. Police positive model was not chambered in 38 special or 32-20. Police Positive Special was on the roll mark of the newer and slightly larger more powerful guns. Police Positive production 1907-1947, and Police Positive Special production aproximetly 1907 to 1995.

Well....? Did ya or didn't ya?

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Bought one some years back identical to what the OP's considering for about half the asking price here. Maybe I was just right time, right place lucky, but yeah, $900 seems a little steep.

I went back and looked at it again today. Its at the local Bass Pro Shop. I did find a couple of light scratches on top of the barrel. There is a very light turn line. But otherwise the gun is perfect. It does indeed have the longer stocks.

However, there was only one person working the counter and it took forever to get it in my hands. NICS was running about an hour or more. So that kinda soured my mood.

At first the clerk said that there was no haggling. But finally got to talk to the used gun manager. He went to check his records and about a half hour later said that $810 was as low as he could go.

IDK. I still think the price is too high. I have absolutely no need for it. Just something that I'd like to have. I think I've about talked myself out of it. I'll give it a couple of days and see how I feel about it then.

I have exactly the same revolver and hand load target loads for it. I can tell you that it shoots everything very well. Handles nicely and the sights are good for my 65 year old eyes. If I lived in a carry State, it would be on my side. Sorry I can't tell you about the value but like most things, a bit expensive but worth it if you're going to shoot and enjoy it. There are other options in that price range so you'll need to decide what's important to you. Best of luck.

$810.00 would be about right for a pair of these old small frame Colts in my opinion. And then only if you checked them out throughly for timing issues. I’ve picked up many over the years at gun shows for a close look. I don’t think I ever looked one over that wasn’t late on carry up. And yes I do know that they complete rotation with trigger pull but the small frame Colts with their small parts seem to especially prone to wear and timing-lockup problems. Flame away if you want because I do freely admit to not being a genuine Colt revolver fan.

Well, it seems that I can resist anything but temptation. I went and bought it this morning. Maybe I paid too much, maybe I didn't. But that's a problem for my heirs to figure out.

Anyway, here's the actual gun. Those are reflections, not wear. The gun is a solid 98% with only a very light turn line.







And here it is with a few D frame friends. Yeah, I like the "D" frames.







But this brings up new questions. I've seen several references that these guns were only made in 1977-78. Yet the serial number dates to 1979 according to Colt's data base.

Just how long was the 4th Issue made?
Just how scarce are they?

Congrats on buying it, enjoy it. Don't worry about making others happy, just make yourself happy!

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

A rare Colt in really good condition for $810! Anybody who thinks it's worth less than that hasn't been keeping up with the market lately.

You never pay too much, you may buy too early. I have used this philosophy many times.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

Many of us have used this logic, numerous times!

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Congrats. Nice looking piece.

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BTDT, Got The T-Shirt

Great score! That’s going to be a great shooter.

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Rule of law, not a man.

Hey, great. Glad that you bought it. Good one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Love that police positive special Grayfox. I think that that is the neatest of the pps configurations.Good for you on buying it.I hope you enjoy the heck out of it.

I have one. Bought is a couple years ago for $500 ish. That said that is actually a fairly scarce variation. Was only built for a couple of years and I don't think they sold very many of them. $810 would be a little rich for my blood but the market is what it is right now.

There has always been some confusion on the nomenclature. Way back when Colt had the Police Positive and the Police Positive Special. The PP was for the short rounds, the PPS for the longer ones, like 38 Special. By right the fourth gen pistols should have been called Police Positive Special for some reason Colt just went with Police Positive.