The colt that got away? **updated**

[revho]

So, at my local hardware store that sells guns and while leaving I asked if they had and new Smiths or Colts. I always through Colt's in but have only ever seen one used revolver there before. He does a long pause and says he just got one in two hours ago. To be honest, the very limited gun knowledge I have is probably .5% is Colt. I don't own one....yet.

They just took in on trade 2 hours earlier, a blued.38 detective 2" with rubber grips. I would put it 95%. Appeared to be never fired. No box, no paper work. A couple nicks in the finish is all. It was more newer than older, and I knew that because it had what I will call a uniform thickness length barrel and not the older style that looked more like a pencil barrel.

Wife was working and and I just didn't feel comfortable with it not knowing enough about Colts yet. Called the shop back when My wife was off work two hours later and it was of course gone.

Did I miss out at $600.00 out the door?

Kevin

UPDATE:

Well...my wife whom I truly love is somewhat sneaky...in a very good way. On the way home from the hardware store on Saturday, I called her while she was still at work and said she should go look at the Colt when she was off work. She did not, however, she did call the hardware store as soon as we were off the phone and put a hold on it. So when I called the hardware store later that afternoon to go look at it, they had to tell me it was sold. She went and got it after work this afternoon and gave it to me tonight as a early birthday present.

Anyone else have a wife like this? Price is now irrelevant on the gun. Serial number is RD 54XX if anyone can date it. There are a couple small marks where a trigger lock was on. 2 very small nicks on the end of the barrel.

 

[Muley Gil]

I don't think so. That seems high to me.

 

[nawilson]

I am thinking it was a little high, too...

 

[revho]

Thanks Gentlemen, that honestly makes me feel better. Looking at them on "auction sites", they seem to be all over the road on price. I know there is a method to the madness, just haven't learned the Colt side of it yet.

Kevin

 

[dmar]

I am thinking it was a little high, too...

Sounds like a 3rd series DS. Nice guns, but with rubber grips, no box/docs, and not excellent condition, I'd say that it was not a great deal... Never feel bad about walking away from something that you do not have a good understanding of the value. You save a lot of money that way!

 

[Old 44 Guy]

No !!! Too high. Stick to S&W's. I had a Police Positive 38 that was a PITA to keep in time. Traded it in years ago for a 686.

 

[Texas Star]

A very famous pistolsmith told a friend of mine that he could time a Colt, and it'd often be out-of-time again within 500-1,000 rounds. He was speaking of the Python, but that applies to most models.

Many Colt revolvers just don't shoot to the sights, either. I once had a Diamondback with target sights that wouldn't adjust to get it on target. A Colt PR person told me to use Kentucky windage! I haven't bought a Colt revolver since. But I like their automatics better.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

To high for a detective special. Cut the price in half and you have a deal.

 

[CajunBass]

To high for a detective special. Cut the price in half and you have a deal.

Someone must not have thought so if it sold in a couple of hours.

I admit that it would have been too high for me, but then that size revolver doesn't interest me at all.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I would say too high until you factor in that they aren't going to making any more of them, you don't see them for sale too often anymore, they didn't make nearly as many of them as 36's, and if it walked that fast then clearly the price on them may be going up. I had a guy offer me $700 for my Cobra and I very nearly gave it to him. There are more people getting into guns and collecting and when they get interested in models that aren't around anymore, you will see prices just continue to go up.

 

[perrazi]

look on the auction sites and see what they actually sell for, not what is asked for them.

 

[bearman49709]

I would say too high until you factor in that they aren't going to making any more of them, you don't see them for sale too often anymore, they didn't make nearly as many of them as 36's, and if it walked that fast then clearly the price on them may be going up. I had a guy offer me $700 for my Cobra and I very nearly gave it to him. There are more people getting into guns and collecting and when they get interested in models that aren't around anymore, you will see prices just continue to go up.

I bought a nickel cobra from LGS earlyer this year for $235.00.Anyone wants to give me $700.00 can have it.

 

[revho]

updated first post.

 

[pawncop]

revho,

Great story, and as far as the price goes - just remember, you never pay too much, you just pay too early.

Your wife is a keeper if you ask me.

 

[sigp220.45]

Congratulations on a great gun (and a great wife).

 

[HotRoderX]

revho,

Great story, and as far as the price goes - just remember, you never pay too much, you just pay too early.

Your wife is a keeper if you ask me.

So true what seems over priced today will in fact be a steal tomorrow. Awesome wife for sure and differently a keeper.

 

[DeathGrip]

I would say too high until you factor in that they aren't going to making any more of them, you don't see them for sale too often anymore, they didn't make nearly as many of them as 36's, and if it walked that fast then clearly the price on them may be going up. I had a guy offer me $700 for my Cobra and I very nearly gave it to him. There are more people getting into guns and collecting and when they get interested in models that aren't around anymore, you will see prices just continue to go up.

I'd have took the money and run.

 

[Iggy]

Well Sir, I reckon now that gun is priceless. I'd also say that your wife is worth even more.

You got yourself two keepers there. Take good care of them.

 

[dmar]

Congratulations on your 3rd series DS, it looks like it's in very nice condition! Your wife is definitely a keeper, very cool story! My wife is great, we are very happy together, but I can guarantee you that this would not happen to me...

As for for price, your deal was in the ballpark, and I agree that these things keep going up in price, so no worries. I really like the looks of the 3rd series DSs, and they have a great action/trigger. Congratulations.

 

[Peter J.]

The "feel good" story of the week. Tell your fine wife that a whole bunch of married (and divorced) guys here are "jelous" of you, and happy for you at the same time.

 

[sipowicz]

I love DS's...this is my friend's 1934. Shot it yesterday at the mobile range...21 feet, rapid fire....Enjoy your new toy!

 

[Armyphotog]

Yes, I have a wife like that! She has sneaked and bought me several guns over the years, and yes, paid too much for a couple of them. She even sends me off to gun shows with an admonition not to come back without something.

 

[gregintenn]

Remind her that Christmas is coming up, and I might produce an aluminum framed brother to your birthday present. They are nice revolvers.

 

[wraco]

Great wife and a nice D/S. .

They don't make these Colt revolvers anymore and a nice one like that is worth paying a tad more. It appears in pretty nice condition. Ask the guys over at the Colt Forum if you paid too soon:Colt Forum.

Don't let the guys spook you on the Colt timing issues. Yes, the S&W's have far less problems but I've had Colts for years and never had any trouble. They lock up like a vault, meaning at the end of the index cycle the hand and the rachet lock the cylinder tight just before the hammer falls. Hard to beat a Colt Python for accuracy.

I like them both, but I like my S&W's more.

Regards:
Rod

 

[CajunBass]

Anyone else have a wife like this?

Absolutly. Mine would do just that.

Congratulations on both the Colt and your wife.

 

[JudgeColt]

My answer to these Colt versus Smith & Wesson timing discussions is that, yes, double action Colt revolvers do go out of time with extended use, but double action Smith & Wesson revolvers are always out of time!

The common Colt double action design (as introduced in the 1898 New Service and the 1908 Army Special, and finally ending with the Python in 2006) is such that, as the trigger is pulled, the cylinder is rotated tightly against the cylinder stop, eliminating ALL play in the cylinder at the moment of firing. The hand is what applies the pressure to the cylinder to hold it against the cylinder stop (the bolt), so the shock of firing causes wear on the hand. The wear on the hand will slowly progress to the point that the hand will not rotate the cylinder into final lockup if the hammer is cocked slowly. However, pulling the trigger will always force the cylinder into tight lockup at the moment of firing, so the worn hand really has no effect on function of the gun at the moment of firing. Inertia from more rapid cocking will also carry the cylinder into preliminary lockup with the bolt in the cylinder stop notch even before the trigger is pulled and the hand applies pressure to the cylinder.

On the Smith & Wesson double action design as introduced on the Military & Police in 1899, the hand does not lock up the cylinder at any time, and does not take the shock of firing. The cylinder is free to "float" at the moment of firing, held only by the bolt in the cylinder stop notch. The amount of play in the cylinder varies from gun to gun. (Older Smiths tend to have less play.) The only Smith I have that does not have play at the moment of firing is an early Triple Lock, which is about the finest fitted firearm I have ever seen of any brand. The cylinder on every other Smith revolver I have has some play at the moment of firing. The Colt Mark III/V action is like the Smith action in that the hand does not apply pressure to cylinder at any time after rotating it into firing position. (The Colt Mark III/V action is actually more like a Ruger action since it uses a transfer bar ignition system.)

This lack of play in a Colt at the moment of firing is said to be the reason for the generally superior accuracy of a Colt revolver. Replacement of the hand on a Colt from time to time is the price paid for the Colt "bank vault lockup" system. A Colt hand can be "stretched" by peening and, if done properly, can double or triple the life of a Colt hand.

 

[Wheelgunner840]

It's a beautiful gun, and you have a very thoughtful wife! My early model Det. Spec (no ejector shroud) is one of my favorites. It shoots a whole lot better than my model 36. Sights are much better too. You will not be sorry that you (your wife) bought it.

Best of luck with a great little gun.


WG840