Colt Official Police: Whoz still a fan???
- Thread starter Chesster
- Start date
aarondhgraham
New member
Hello Blue Train,,,
I meant that it is simple in it's operation,,,
Combat sights that can't go out of adjustment,,,
DA/SA action that is the original point and click interface.
I shoot my Model 15 quite a bit,,,
I often find I am tempted to fiddle with the sights,,,
My Model 12 doesn't give me the urge because it's so danged basic.
I would like to own an Official Police for the same reason.
Just a basic handgun that performs well.
Aarond
.
I meant that it is simple in it's operation,,,
Combat sights that can't go out of adjustment,,,
DA/SA action that is the original point and click interface.
I shoot my Model 15 quite a bit,,,
I often find I am tempted to fiddle with the sights,,,
My Model 12 doesn't give me the urge because it's so danged basic.
I would like to own an Official Police for the same reason.
Just a basic handgun that performs well.
Aarond
.
Bob Wright
New member
All this talk of the Official Police Colt brought back a rather fond memory of the gun. As has been said, it was one of two revolvers that were THE police sidearm of the day.
In Memphis during and following the war years, many Memphis Police officers were seen armed with these guns sporting very fancy grips, clear Lucite with little red rosebuds, four leaf clovers, other little items in the Lucite.
Memphis was the site of Kennedy General Hospital, a hospital for all services, that had many wounded servicemen recovering from war wounds. As a therapy, many made these grips. There was a backing of white or ivory colored plastic, and the grip itself clear Lucite (I'm guessing) that had had small trinkets embedded in the plastic. There were other things, like picture frames, etc., but it was these grips I remembered.
This thread reached 'waaaay back in my memory. Thanks for stirring the chords.
Bob Wright
In Memphis during and following the war years, many Memphis Police officers were seen armed with these guns sporting very fancy grips, clear Lucite with little red rosebuds, four leaf clovers, other little items in the Lucite.
Memphis was the site of Kennedy General Hospital, a hospital for all services, that had many wounded servicemen recovering from war wounds. As a therapy, many made these grips. There was a backing of white or ivory colored plastic, and the grip itself clear Lucite (I'm guessing) that had had small trinkets embedded in the plastic. There were other things, like picture frames, etc., but it was these grips I remembered.
This thread reached 'waaaay back in my memory. Thanks for stirring the chords.
Bob Wright
Okay, I see what you mean, Mr. aarrondgraham. They are simpler to operate for the most part.
There used to be a lot of photos of fancy inlay work on grips and rifle stocks in the 1950s for some reason, as well as very unusual, by today's conservative standards, rifle stocks, with exaggerated Monte Carlo stocks, thumbhole stocks and the like. But that was also the day when there was a lot of sporterizing of surplus military bolt actions, which also was taking place before WWII. They show up at gun shows now and then. One of the nicest sporterized military bolt actions I ever saw was a Krag, which as you might imagine, would not be the easiest thing to work with but probably better than a Lebel.
But you didn't see plastic stocks on rifles, though they were quite common on handguns, both pistols and revolvers, including new ones. Colt Government Models sometimes came with plastic stocks they called "Coltwood," if I recall correctly. Gun magazines also carried lots of ads for handgun grips. Fitz is a name I recall. I think Pachmeyer got into the game later.
There used to be a lot of photos of fancy inlay work on grips and rifle stocks in the 1950s for some reason, as well as very unusual, by today's conservative standards, rifle stocks, with exaggerated Monte Carlo stocks, thumbhole stocks and the like. But that was also the day when there was a lot of sporterizing of surplus military bolt actions, which also was taking place before WWII. They show up at gun shows now and then. One of the nicest sporterized military bolt actions I ever saw was a Krag, which as you might imagine, would not be the easiest thing to work with but probably better than a Lebel.
But you didn't see plastic stocks on rifles, though they were quite common on handguns, both pistols and revolvers, including new ones. Colt Government Models sometimes came with plastic stocks they called "Coltwood," if I recall correctly. Gun magazines also carried lots of ads for handgun grips. Fitz is a name I recall. I think Pachmeyer got into the game later.
Mike Irwin
Staff
The first big try at a synthetic stock material was with Tenite in the 1950s, by Savage, on some of its long guns.
Tenite got more and more brittle as it aged, so it didn't really work out in the long run.
Tenite got more and more brittle as it aged, so it didn't really work out in the long run.
I have 2 Army Specials: a 1916 in .41 LC and a 1922 in .38 Special. The latter was refinished by Ford's in their "master blue" finish, but there was some pitting so a lot of the lettering was wiped out. Looks great, though! I then had it retimed and the barrel set back by Mr. Jesse Smith of Smith Gun, and it's now an extremely sweet shooter. Question for Colt specialists: was the .41 Long Colt chambering ever available in the Official Police? I can't recall ever seeing one.
Mike Irwin
Staff
" Question for Colt specialists: was the .41 Long Colt chambering ever available in the Official Police?"
Supposed yes, until about 1930 when, I assume, Colt contracted its production lines due to the Depression as did most other manufacturers.
I've also seen some people say that it was discontinued in 1938.
I've never seen one, either, and it's supposed to be pretty rare.
I always thought a 5-shot J frame in .41 Colt would be a pretty neat gun.
Supposed yes, until about 1930 when, I assume, Colt contracted its production lines due to the Depression as did most other manufacturers.
I've also seen some people say that it was discontinued in 1938.
I've never seen one, either, and it's supposed to be pretty rare.
I always thought a 5-shot J frame in .41 Colt would be a pretty neat gun.
StormRaven
Inactive
I'm a major fan. Picked up my first revolver, a 1965 OP, this past Saturday. Have put around 200 rounds through it and I love the heck out of it. Smooth, even trigger all the way back and a lot easier to squeeze than my friend's 74 Police Positive (after 3 shots I had to pull back the hammer for subsequent shots... I couldn't shoot his in DA... trigger pull SERIOUSLY heavy). By contrast, mine's a dream.
Bluing's about 95%, I'd say... and I recently found out that the Type 2 Target stocks on it are not the originals. They're actually Python stocks. Guess I got lucky. It was suggested that perhaps I swap them out for the correct OP stocks if I could find any, but the ones it came with are part of the charm.
These old Colt's just have a magic to them for me.
Next on my list: Original Trooper in .38 Special or .357 (because, let's be real... I'm not made of money and will likely never get my hands on a decent Python).
Bluing's about 95%, I'd say... and I recently found out that the Type 2 Target stocks on it are not the originals. They're actually Python stocks. Guess I got lucky. It was suggested that perhaps I swap them out for the correct OP stocks if I could find any, but the ones it came with are part of the charm.
These old Colt's just have a magic to them for me.
Next on my list: Original Trooper in .38 Special or .357 (because, let's be real... I'm not made of money and will likely never get my hands on a decent Python).
Mike Irwin
Staff
Well, I didn't get my black rubber grips, but I just got my Police Positive Special in .32-20!
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=497879
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=497879
Funny you should mention that because it seems that in the last ten years, I've seen just as many in .32-20 as I have in .38 special. I even recall an article in a very old gun magazine about companion handguns and rifles in the same caliber and one pair was in .32-20, the revolver being a Colt OP.
Mike Irwin
Staff
This is actually my third handgun in .32-20.
The first one was a Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector 4th Model project gun I never got around to, so I gave it to my friend Chris, and he had it reworked to very nice functionality.
I gave it to him because he brokered my purchase of a much older, but much, much nicer S&W Hand Ejector 1st or 2nd (can't remember) Model.
I've been looking for a companion rifle for a few years. For some reason I'd like a Remington Model 25 slide action, and I'm having a hell of a time finding one in decent condition.
I'd LOVE to have a Colt Lightning, but I don't feel like dealing with A) black powder, and B) the fact that a decent condition shooter is easily pushing $2,000 these days.
The first one was a Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector 4th Model project gun I never got around to, so I gave it to my friend Chris, and he had it reworked to very nice functionality.
I gave it to him because he brokered my purchase of a much older, but much, much nicer S&W Hand Ejector 1st or 2nd (can't remember) Model.
I've been looking for a companion rifle for a few years. For some reason I'd like a Remington Model 25 slide action, and I'm having a hell of a time finding one in decent condition.
I'd LOVE to have a Colt Lightning, but I don't feel like dealing with A) black powder, and B) the fact that a decent condition shooter is easily pushing $2,000 these days.
I have the most recent Marlin chambered in 32/20. I think they did a small run in 2004 or 05. I have gotten 2.2" 100yd ten shot groups with my cast bullets, eight of them in 1.25". Haven't repeated that yet, but it's a good shooter as is the OP. Thinking of working up a load that is suitable for both shooters.
bedbugbilly
New member
Bob Wright - interesting story you gave on the recovering servicemen and the grips for the Memphis PD. I'm sure that a few of these must be floating around somewhere. It would e nice to see some photos of some OPs dressed in them. Thanks for sharing - gives a person something to look for.