Colt Officers Model Match .22

[Empe]

Care to share your experience with these revolvers ...good or bad ? Are there any years that are considered better than others or any years to avoid ?
Not interested in collector grade but rather a very nice condition shooter grade as I would plan on shooting it.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

They’re all great revolvers…all shoot wonderfully. If you’re looking for a shooter…look for a last generation made from the early ‘50s through 1969. They usually go for a little less money than early generations.

Those made in the 1930s show exquisite build quality…it was the Depression and sales were down and the employees at Colt (and S&W) were happy to have jobs and had the time to really show what they were capable of. Those from that time period tend to bring more money.

Some believe the Officers Model Special from the late 1940s until the early ‘50s were the best of all. I think they’re a bit odd looking…but that’s just me.

The .22 LR examples bring more money than the .38 Special models in equivalent condition.

One thing to watch for is one with a mainspring modified by Bubba. It’s not uncommon…putting a slight bend in the mainspring is a valid way to lighten the trigger pull but it’s very easy to put too much of a bend in the spring and make light strikes possible. It’s an easy fix…replace the mainspring. I have one from the 1950s exactly like that…just haven’t taken the time to replace the mainspring yet since Bubba did his work on it.

Good luck in your search. You should be able to find a good shooter for less than $1k.

 

[rockquarry]

I've had two OMM .22s for many years, a '57 and a '68. Excellent and accurate shooters. However, I've also had two early Trooper .22s. They'll shoot just as well as the OMMs even with 4" barrels. I'm not up on prices, but if I was looking for an accurate shooter, I wouldn't overlook the older model Trooper .22.

 

[old tanker]

I convinced an Army buddy to sell me this 1968 .22LR OMM many years ago. It will hold its own shooting Bullseye. My scores would not be any better with an Olympic free pistol. On a lark, I shot it an IHMSA small bore match on Fort Knox in 1986. With recorded sight settings for the various ranges, it would topple the steel critters quite readily. It still gets to the indoor range regularly because it is cheap to shoot. The young ROs act like it is only a week newer than a flintlock.

It is a very fine revolver, and I like it.

 

[crows]

I have a mid '60's OMM in .22LR. Closing the cylinder on it fits the "bank vault door" description better than any revolver I have owned. And I am a hard-core Smith & Wesson fan. I love my Mod.18, but that Colt is a fantastic shooter.

 

[duke2002]

I have a 5th model made in the late 50's they shoot. I dident pay much for mine. If you want a shooter they can be found r a regularly. Mine is far from a safe queen. Finish is worn so those get overlooked by collectors. The OM in 38 i have is thecssme way. Both are tite and shoot very well.

 

[TheTinMan]

This is a Colt Officers Model 22 (3rd Issue) made in 1943. The 1938 version I have is one of my favorite revolvers to shoot.



Here is an Officers Model Special 38 (4th Issue) from the end of the 1940s. I don’t have the .22 version (yet) but they look virtually the same. They are a bit funky to my eyes.



Officers Model Match (5th Issue and another 38) that shipped in 1960. This one is neat because it was a special order single action only for the U.S. Army.



I have an Officers Model Match .22 LR; however, like the 1938 3rd Issue I got it so long ago I wasn’t photographing firearms yet. These revolvers are wonderful to shoot in single action. Double action is better on some than others.

 

[old tanker]

Before the Officers Model Match, there was the Colt Officers Model, 1st Issue, made from 1904 to 1908. Based on the old Colt New Army & Navy model series it had the side plate on the RIGHT side and a cylinder that rotated counterclockwise. My 1906 production revolver is in .38 Special. .38 Long Colt (or as marked on the early M&P revolvers, ".38 Government") will work too. It is still a finely accurate revolver.

The Second Issue and all succeeding models were based on the Colt Army Special of 1908, and used up until production ended in 1969. In 1927 the Army Special was renamed as the Official Police.This medium frame was used on all Colt medium frame revolvers from 1908 to the Python of 1955.

 

[schutz5]

Like Tin Man, I own the same OM Target in 22lr.
Fantastic 22 revolver!
I think at Colt Forum somebody is selling a nice sample for a decent price right now! Dirt cheap!

I would buy it for the deal but kommiefornia makes the transfer a head ache Soo the prospect of owning two gets diluted.

https://www.coltforum.com/threads/officers-22-king-rib-saa-prewar-ace-king-sights-more-to-come.417427/

And for more...

https://www.coltforum.com/threads/colt-officers-model-target-22-first-year-gun-1930-ruger-sbh-fs-reduced.417468/#post-3761070

 

[6string]

My brother had a 1930s OMT and a 1920s Police Positive Target.
Both were incredibly fine shooters. The .22s tend to be problem-free as far as action & timing issues are concerned. Likely because of the very light recoil and stress on the lockwork.
Those two revolvers were capable of incredibly fine accuracy.

You guys have some very nice revolvers!

 

[glenncal1]

They also made the OMM in .22WMR for a short time,

 

[Dave Haynes]

If you are comparing the Colt with S&W, the Colt is heavier and basically in my eye a mirror of the Python mechanically.The crane and lockwork/trigger will bring a tear to your eye, it is an amazing piece of craftsmanship. This was when Colt was still making quality pistols. Like the beautiful 60s Commercial 1911A1s they are really beautiful pistols. OMM is a handful of handgun and very accurate.

 

[Empe]

Thanks for all the replies...some great pictures as well .
I will be keeping my eyes open for a nice Officers Model Match in .22 at the right price . I prefer to see in person and handle a firearm before purchase rather than buy on line sight unseen .
I'm in no hurry and don't mind waiting for the right combination . It will pair nicely with my S&W 17-3 .