Colt Officers Model Match.

[Trooper224]

Todays new addition to the armory: a Colt, Officers Model Match .38 Special. Manufactured in 1962. Over two weeks ago one of my LGSs called me to advise they had several new arrivals I needed to look at. There were a couple of other things that were nice. However, being a long time member of my must have list, this one really caught my attention. It's been a very long time since I've seen one in this kind of condition and with a wood presentation case to boot. I just couldn't swing it at the time, so I assumed it would fly off the shelf and would be gone before I could ruminate on the situation. It was really hard to walk out of the shop without this one and that doesn't happen very often anymore. Apparently, there must be a shortage of people who appreciate fine shooting iron around here, because there it sat. Today, Mrs. Awesome walked through the door with a larger than anticipated bonus check from work and said, "Let's go buy that gun." As an obedient spouse I didn't argue. The shop is having a rough time due to increased competition, in the form of two new glossy ranges opening up in the city. Consequently, the owner's had to dip into his own collection and this is one of those.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Traditionally, August is the hardest month to sell guns. People have Vacations, and "Back to School" items to pay for. My brother and I used to gang up on a gun store and work out multi deals for as many as 5 brand new shot guns (His two and my four kids need lots of guns!) If the store wasn't talking 20-25% off normal price, we'd head for the door! We had them chase us down in the parking lot, but we got our guns! Always use GREEN MONEY! they don't have to use a service to verify that it is good (and no fees for said verification!) This time of year, stores just can't so no to that much cash (Really needs to be in the $3000+ range, and they start drooling at $5000.)

Now about that target model; That is one beautiful gun! Do you have a range report?

Ivan

 

[Trooper224]

Thanks. I'd hate to see this shop go under as I've done business with them since getting out of the Navy in '91. Unfortunately, they're the stereotypical gun shop: a hole in the wall down in the "hood", with their share of goons behind the counter. The range isn't air conditioned and hasn't had any upgrades in the last twenty years. They were able to keep going because of little competition in the area. Now that a couple of other ranges have opened up with much nicer facilities, and employees, they're hurting pretty badly. I did talk the owner down $150 from his initial asking price because of all this. I felt a little guilty about it given the situation, but I have to maximize my shekels too. I was truly surprised it sat in there as long as it did. An 8 3/8" S&W M29 from the owners safe flew right off the shelf. (Thankfully it wasn't a four inch as that would have been a difficult choice.) Now, if I could find the scratch for that pre-ban H&K 93 he just put on the wall...........

First group fired, twenty five yards, off hand, single handed stance. With an unfamiliar gun before any sight adjustment, I'll take it. We'll do better next time.

 

[DocB]

That is a tough gun to find. A 1967 version came up for sale here a few months back. I gladly paid six bills for it, and it's not as nice a your gun. It will shoot 1 inch groups offhand at 30 feet all day long. Except for my Model 52, I don't have a Smith that will do that.

 

[S&WIowegan]

Thanks. I'd hate to see this shop go under as I've done business with them since getting out of the Navy in '91. Unfortunately, they're the stereotypical gun shop: a hole in the wall down in the "hood", with their share of goons behind the counter. The range isn't air conditioned and hasn't had any upgrades in the last twenty years. They were able to keep going because of little competition in the area. Now that a couple of other ranges have opened up with much nicer facilities, and employees, they're hurting pretty badly. I did talk the owner down $150 from his initial asking price because of all this. I felt a little guilty about it given the situation, but I have to maximize my shekels too. I was truly surprised it sat in there as long as it did. An 8 3/8" S&W M29 from the owners safe flew right off the shelf. (Thankfully it wasn't a four inch as that would have been a difficult choice.) Now, if I could find the scratch for that pre-ban H&K 93 he just put on the wall...........

First group fired, twenty five yards, off hand, single handed stance. With an unfamiliar gun before any sight adjustment, I'll take it. We'll do better next time.

Good shooting; where did you hold the front sight? Bullseye shooters usually sight in for a six o'clock hold.

 

[Trooper224]

Good shooting; where did you hold the front sight? Bullseye shooters usually sight in for a six o'clock hold.

Thanks. Being a Bullseye shooter myself, yes, six o'clock. This was the first group fired, the "Let's see what this thing's about." group. The rear sight was just a hair to the right, so the POI wasn't surprising. The load was an 148 grain Hollow Based Wadcutter over 2.6 grains of Bullseye.

 

[DWalt]

Some consider the Colt OMM to be the finest target revolver ever made, and I am one of them. But I suppose that comes down to a combination of individual preferences of the shooter and how well it fits in their hand. There isn't much difference between the OMM and the Colt Python except for the caliber. In fact the immediate predecessor to the Python was the Colt ".357" which was itself nothing more or less than the OMM chambered in .357 Magnum.

 

[RobertJ.]

Beautiful revolver!

I bought one at my LGS a few years ago. He had just gotten it in. He saw me walk in, and it never even hit the shelf.

I figure it's about as close to a Python I'm likely to get!

And nice shooting, BTW!

 

[JohnRippert]

I was lucky enough to find one a few months ago, although not in the shape yours is. I paid $800 for mine and was happy to do so. All I have to do now is find a set of grips like yours. Nice acquisition.

 

[Walter Rego]

That's a beautiful gun. That sure looks like an S&W Presentation Case, has the interior been modified to fit the Colt OMM ? Now you need a .22 OMM to go with it. I found these at SouCal gun shows.

 

[clang444]

Nice. They came in .22lr too. Here are mine, one 38 Special and one in .22lr:

They both get shot fairly regularly.

 

[daddio202]

Let me tell you I truly feel for you for having to leave that one behind at first. That must have been gut wrenching, but a happy ending quickly ensued. So good for you!! That's is a great find in just wonderful condition, enjoy

 

[RobertJ.]

I didn't know this would be a show and tell kind of deal!

This will make collectors cringe, but I'm going to tell everyone what I did with mine.

I bought this 1956 OMM about three years ago, for 500 bucks. Like I said before, Jeff, the owner of my LGS, had just got this in, and it hadn't touched a shelf. I found a nice set of cocobolo stocks for $40, then sold the original stocks for $250 to offset the cost.

Now please, before verbally castigating me, understand I'm not a collector, and this gun will be mine until I'm no longer here. And I'm not into keeping it original just for future owners.

And until then, I've got the most beautiful, tack-driving target revolver I've ever owned!

And, just so you know, the 17-3 was wearing Sile stocks when I bought it, so those cocobolo's are a step up!

 

[Andyd]

I got a 1961 rimfire Colt OMM about four years ago and it is a good shooter but I honestly prefer my S&W K-22 over it, so this will be a graduation gift for my youngest son, together with the Python.

 

[bmcgilvray]

Such a nice example Trooper224 and you shot it great too.

Thanks for posting the nice photos.



Ten shots at ten yards. This '57 OMM is the boss around here when it comes to accurate handguns. Galls me that the Model 14 K-38 can't quite whip it.

 

[alaskavett]

Trooper224, Sir, you have two great jems there! Kyle

 

[Trooper224]

I was lucky enough to find one a few months ago, although not in the shape yours is. I paid $800 for mine and was happy to do so. All I have to do now is find a set of grips like yours. Nice acquisition.

Nice.

The owner wanted $975, but we settled at $850.

 

[Trooper224]

That's a beautiful gun. That sure looks like an S&W Presentation Case, has the interior been modified to fit the Colt OMM ? Now you need a .22 OMM to go with it. I found these at SouCal gun shows.

The inserts are soft foam with a plush covering. I strongly suspect it's an aftermarket case. I've never seen a factory Colt in one.