Big ol' .38/40 Colt New Service

[sigp220.45]

There it was, under the glass in my local Cabelas.

I looked at it, put it back, obsessed over it for a night, and went back. I pitched them $400, they said NO. I held tough for 3 seconds, and said: $450? and they said OK. With my GI Joe discount it was $425. Seems like a decent price, but I haven't kept up with what these go for. I have one other New Service - a .45 Colt 7 1/2" but I got it when I was 14 (46 years ago).

Its the first model, made in 1903 per the serial number.

It hasn't been refinished. Some blue is left, but it is mostly brown.

Its my first .38 WCF.

Some of the markings are faint, but they are there.

Stocks are nice, and numbered to the gun.

Of course at Cabelas I was buying a pig in a poke. No way to check the action until I got it out of the store and got that cheesy lock off in the parking lot, and then no returns on used guns. Oh boy - the action would barely turn. I didn't want to force it, so I came home and gave it a good cleaning. The innards were dry as a bone and sticky, but it cleaned up well and now has a smooth action. The bore and chambers are good. The lanyard ring is missing but the base for it is there.

Now to find some ammo. None to be had at Cabelas.

I love it. There is something about these plain old guns that makes me feel like they would jump out of a holster on their own and shoot a sassy bandit out the saddle.

 

[Texas Star]

No ammo at Wal-Mart, either!

I wonder who polished off the checkering on the extractor rod.

I wouldn't have bought a gun in that condition. But I hope it works for you. You probably know the power is about on par with .40 S&W. Reloading the bottle neck cases may prove difficult, with a high rate of ruined cases.

You presumably have, Sixguns, so let Elmer be your guide, keeping in mind that some powders may have changed and he loaded hot much of the time.

That gun was made between 1897 and 1905, so I'd load carefully. The frame was improved in 1905.

 

[krsmith58]

A wonderful piece of pre war history . i probably would have bought it too . I don't have the knowledge of most of the other forum members but I think it's great . I like it a lot . Kenny , Texas

 

[Drm50]

I don't know what the bug a boo of loading 25/20-32/20-38/40 & 44/40 is all about. I didn't know about it and have been loading them for years with no problems. When loading cast you just have to have the correct amout of bell in case mouth. If not you will deform the case. I've done it myself but once you see what you have to do its not a problem. R

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I had about 2000 44-40 brass (1000 Star-line & 1000 odds and ends)

First time I loaded a batch, everything went fine and smooth. The second time, Constant shoulder bulge, or worse, up to total collapse! I went to seat and crimp in two steps, and by the 3rd. reloading went to the dreaded Lee Factory Crimp Die. 44-40 was the only case I routinely used the FCD on (although I own 10 or 12 different ones, I don't usually need one!) Until I went with the FCD I would stick every reload in a detached cylinder to make sure they chambered, about 10% were in need of reworking. With the FCD I ended up stopping the chamber testing, as it became a waste of time.

Starline says their 38-40 neck walls are .0062" thick. 32-20 & 22 Hornet are .010" and I thought they were thin!

I think you may really want to order a Lee Factory Crimp Die, when you get your other dies (My loading die set in 44-40 is RCBS, but I inherited a friends "Old West" die sets when he died and there is a regular Lee set in there (without FCD), aside from being on the short side I don't see any problems with them.

Ivan

 

[ColbyBruce]

Reeves Ace Hardware in Clayton, GA probably has ammo for that gun; and they ship.

That is a neat old Colt.

 

[KEN L]

THAT, my friend, is a thing of beauty, Congratulations!
And ignore the comment made about the ejector knob, it isn't true.

 

[RobertJ.]

I see a candidate for a custom snubby!

 

[Wyo]

I wanna know how come you didn't take home that nickel plated Python in the case right underneath the New Service?

 

[6string]

Congratulations on a fine catch.
To me, the New Service and SAA are Colt's finest revolvers.
The 38-40 is a great cartridge, lending itself to cast bullet handloading. It's idiosyncrasies are well worth the effort.

For the reloader, it's one to take your time with, and watch the details. It's probably not the best choice for the progressive press, high volume guy looking to drive JHPs like the daylights.

Also, what beautiful patina! In some ways, nicer than a mint condition bluing. Thank goodness nobody refinished this baby! Personally, I'd give it a good hand rubdown with a soft cotton cloth and some camellia oil.

And, the price! Wow! What a score.
I hope I get this lucky one day on a New Service.

Jim

 

[sigp220.45]

I wanna know how come you didn't take home that nickel plated Python in the case right underneath the New Service?

I had 3200 reasons!

 

[vonn]

Looks like a good one to me!

 

[BearBio]

When I made a "commemorative" set to remember my grandmother (Native American), I wanted 41 LC (one of my favorite cartridges) but the gunsmith refused (I think he didn't have the right reamer), so we agreed upon 38-40 and he did a OM Vaquero for me==I already had an 1892 short rifle take-down in great condition. Had both case-hardened and engraved==Sheephorn grips from Grashorn and a matching Bowie. A de-constructed Outlaw rig from EPS and some Indian penny conchos finished it up! Always get comments at the range!
I love the caliber!

 

[Watchdog]

What a great old gun. Congratulations on your latest find.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Major congrats on that one.

 

[Muley Gil]

The .38-40 ballistics was what the gunwriters wanted for a duty revolver. Elmer, Bill and Skeeter felt that a 180 grain bullet at about 1000 fps in a straight wall cartridge, chambered in a midframe handgun would make a great combo for the average LEO. They got the .41 Magnum instead.

The funny thing is that the .40 S&W comes awful close ballistically.

Back in the late '70s, early '80s I found a 7 1/2" .38-40 New Service in about 98% condition. Unfortunately, bullets, dies and brass were extremely hard to find and expensive to boot. Wound up swapping for a Colt Police Positive Special in .38 special. That NS would have been worth big bucks today.

 

[bmcgilvray]

Great ol' New Service in on of my favorite cartridges.

The Colt New Service is my favorite Colt revolver of all time and I always like seeing 'em on forums.

 

[BigMuddy]

I'm extremely jealous. Would love to have a New Service and 38 w.c.f. Would be my first choice. I've loaded thousands of them for my SAA's and Winchesters. I am sure you can get ammo from Black Hills and Ultramax.

Congratulations!!!!

Dan

 

[sigp220.45]

I finally got to the range to see if this old boy would shoot.

Ammo was HSM cowboy loads, LFN 180 grain at around 900 fps.

Single action at 20 yards - with my old eyes and these tiny sights this was about the best I could pull off.

It was certainly fun to shoot. I'm on the hunt for some dies now.

 

[2152hq]

Great old Colt NS!

I picked up a near duplicate at a show a couple weeks ago but in 45Colt.
7 1/2" bbl. Grips are worn more and you have to really look hard for any orig blue! Same early/ 1st style frame. I think mine is a 1907 mfg. Needs a bit of timing work! but I was glad to find it. Nice smooth action.
Lying in a bed of plastic frame semi autos

Nice shootin' there !!