Bought My First Colt

[Kingspoke]

I bought my first Colt ever! A 1937 Officer's Model Target with heavy 6" barrel, to go along with my 1937 Outdoorsman. Well at least that is the only story, I can come up with, lol!

My FFL who is a Colt Cool Aid drinker, sends me an auction link and tells me it would be a great gun to start a Colt collection with, lol, again. I'm a dyed in the wool Smith guy, so there's no way after decades of Smiths will I become a "Colt Guy". Both great American guns!

Anyhow it should be interesting to compare side by side, shooting both. The Colt has the perceived advantage of the heavy (optional) barrel, hand fitted and finished action.

Whatta you guys think?

 

[Kingspoke]

Some more pics

Here's a few more pics for comparison.

 

[Troystat]

Shooting those will be a fun comparison, I doubt there is much difference in quality (both being top notch revolvers). Let us know how they shoot.

 

[les.b]

Congratulations, those are both wonderful revolvers. Thank you for sharing them with us. I think that you may have to resign yourself to a new addiction. Though there are differences, both are the product of the golden age of American industrial craftsmanship. There will never be anything like them again, ever. Current production handguns are certainly adequate, and the metallurgy may even be better, but those two guns that you show are hand fitted and are like Swiss watches.

Beautiful.

Best Regards,mLes

 

[Bakebfr480]

Good lookin' Colt!

 

[Watchdog]

I like that Colt a lot, especially the checkered backstrap. I wouldn't give a lot of thought to "comparing" the Smith and the Colt. Both are excellent examples of gunmaking when true craftsmanship was the rule, rather than the exception.

 

[turnerriver]

I predict you will enjoy shooting that Colt. As everyone else has said they’re both great guns.
Regards,
turnerriver

 

[Kingspoke]

Shooting those will be a fun comparison, I doubt there is much difference in quality (both being top notch revolvers). Let us know how they shoot.

Thank you! Will do! I'm pretty excited to experience shooting both side by side. Of course, I'll love them both no matter what my experience is, as they both have a classy presentation and quality.

 

[Kingspoke]

Les, well said! The craftsmanship and history are so attractive to me, but did you have to add that part about a new addiction!

 

[Kingspoke]

Thanks for all the observations and comments guys! All appreciated! I will add to the thread when I take them to the range.

It's always very exciting when you get a new member to the collection, and this one will be a totally new experience. I have great appreciation for American handgun craftsmanship. I also really love these pre war revolvers.

 

[lkabug]

Les recently acquired a Colt also, that's OK. Adding a quality Colt won't erase the memory banks of your S&W knowledge.
Let us know how the range trip goes.

 

[Kingspoke]

Good lookin' Colt!

Thanks! The previous owners sure took great care of this one, and I will carry on that tradition for the next owner. Love these prewars!

 

[red9]

You have committed no sin. Although Smiths are number one in my heart, there is a place for Colts. Left to right:
.44 large frame - HE 2nd, New Service
.38 medium frame - K38, OMT
.32 medium frame - K32, OMT
.22 medium frame - K22, OMT
.32 small frame - HE, PPT
.22 small frame - HFT, PPT



Since this picture, I added a .38 Outdoorsman and a .38 Shooting Master.

Bob

 

[Kingspoke]

Smiths & Colts!

You have committed no sin. Although Smiths are number one in my heart, there is a place for Colts. Left to right:
.44 large frame - HE 2nd, New Service
.38 medium frame - K38, OMT
.32 medium frame - K32, OMT
.22 medium frame - K22, OMT
.32 small frame - HE, PPT
.22 small frame - HFT, PPT



Since this picture, I added a .38 Outdoorsman and a .38 Shooting Master.

Bob

Thank you for that, I've been feeling a little 2nd guessing making my 1st foray into the Colts (I passed on a 24-3 to get this one), but I was attracted to the fact that it is one of Colt's finest target guns and parallels the Outdoorsman.

Your collection is outstanding, & thank you for sharing that! A great pic as well. I have a 2nd model 44HE as well, with a lot of patina however, but like a swiss watch on the timing and lockup! It went back to the factory in '26 and they did a great job!

I found this interesting link about the Officer Model Target, Match, etc. Colt Officers Target & Match Revolvers - Pistolsmith

 

[Walter Rego]

S&W's are my preference but when presented with the opportunity to acquire some fine old Colts from a bygone era my resistance was futile. I have not done a side by side test of the Colt OMM and S&W K38 yet but it should prove interesting.

 

[Kingspoke]

S&W's are my preference but when presented with the opportunity to acquire some fine old Colts from a bygone era my resistance was futile. I have not done a side by side test of the Colt OMM and S&W K38 yet but it should prove interesting.

Very interesting. Now in your opinion which is the more desirable or sought after caliber of the Colt Officers Target Model?

 

[Kingspoke]

Red 9, I keep coming back to look at photos of your collection. It is really something special, and I would imagine took a long time to assemble. It looks like something that should be in a collectors book.

If someone wanting to start a top notch collection, particularly Smiths, you will quickly learn from this site, that the bar is set pretty high.

I really appreciate you guys sharing your pre war Smiths and Colts, on this thread.

 

[Kingspoke]

Grasshorn Stags for Colt Officer's Model Target

I've been sent these gorgeous stags from Patrick Grasshorn. I specifically requested some that have some girth for shooting comfort, and Patrick came threw in big time on these.

Symmetry, balance, density, bark, fitment, rustic appeal yet refinement, it's all there! They really bring out the beauty of this Colt, and I can preserve the original grips from incidental damage.

Comments welcome, (aside from these are crummy cell phone, picks!) Thanks!

 

[Kingspoke]

Colt (pre war) OMT

A few more ...

 

[Tom K]

I bought my first Colt ever! A 1937 Officer's Model Target with heavy 6" barrel, to go along with my 1937 Outdoorsman. Well at least that is the only story, I can come up with, lol!

My FFL who is a Colt Cool Aid drinker, sends me an auction link and tells me it would be a great gun to start a Colt collection with, lol, again. I'm a dyed in the wool Smith guy, so there's no way after decades of Smiths will I become a "Colt Guy". Both great American guns!

Anyhow it should be interesting to compare side by side, shooting both. The Colt has the perceived advantage of the heavy (optional) barrel, hand fitted and finished action.

Whatta you guys think?

I think the Officers Model is more akin to the K frame Target models than the Outdoorsman. The New Service Target would be more of a match frame-wise to the Outdoorsman. And shame on you for getting a Colt, who would do such a thing.... oh wait, I would. (Click on the pics for a larger version.)

As I said, more like the K frame Targets than the Outdoorsman....

Here's a Target New Service in .44 Russian.