Colt Police Positive 32 colt questions.

O

oldgunnut

Inactive
I have a Colt Police Positive marked 32 Colt CTG on the barrel. The serial number is 923XX. I have a few questions for those who know.

1st. What calibre is it. I have a box of fired, Peters brand, 32 long colt 82 gr lead. These fired cases fit, cycle, and eject well. Is this the right ammo? Is there any current production? How does this compare to other 32's?

2nd. How much could I change the gun? The gun has serious pitting on the cylinder, pitting on the frame and barrel, and the barrel is dark, so I don't think it has much collector's value. Could I have a .38 barrel and cylinder installed. Or could I have the cylinder modified to fire a different 32 round?
 
Colt .32 Police Positive #923XX was made in 1911.

The Police Positive .32 numbers picked up that year at 84500 and ran to 93999 by the end of the year.

These revolvers were chambered for low powered .32 cartridges like the .32S&W, .32 S&W Long, and the .32 Colt.

The same frame was used for low powered .38 cartridges like the .38 Colt, and the .38 S&W, NOT the .38 Special.

While it would be possible to rework the gun to fire these .38 cartridges, this would be a MAJOR undertaking, involving a replacement barrel, and cylinder assembly.

Finding acceptable replacement parts would not be easy or cheap.
Actually doing the work would cost FAR more than the value of the pistol.

DEPENDING on actual condition, your Police Positive .32 should be able to shoot most of the low powered .32 revolver cartridges, like the currently available .32 S&W.

Considering the condition, age, and caliber, your old Colt is more a collectible than a shooter.
 
DEPENDING on actual condition, your Police Positive .32 should be able to shoot most of the low powered .32 revolver cartridges, like the currently available .32 S&W.
Click to expand...

Just to be clear here... the .32 S&W is not the .32 S&W Long cartridge but the shorter version.

Considering the condition, age, and caliber, your old Colt is more a collectible than a shooter.
Click to expand...
I'd agree. If there's not much collector value however, you could use it to learn some useful skills in removing light pitting, refinishing a revolver and cleaning a dark bore (hint: try toothpaste to start with-mild abrasive).
 
To clarify one other point. The .32 Short Colt/.32 Long Colt are NOT the same as the .32 S&W/.32 S&W Long. The case diameter of the .32 Colt is .318 and that of the .32 S&W is .335. So .32 S&W cartridges will not usually fit in a revolver chambered for the .32 Colt.

I believe the .32 Short Colt is still made, but it is hard to find. The .32 Long Colt is obsolete. It would not be economically feasible to set up to reload unless more ammo or cases can be found.

Jim
 
duas

q tal io tengo una colt police 32 pero tengo mucho tiempo y no e podido conseguir municiones para ella no se si a alguna persona le interese o algun coleccionista me pueda dar el valor de la colt police grasias perdon por ponerlo como repusta es q no encontre otra manera de publicar esto


aldo lomeli
 
Your Police Positive is not chambered for .32 Colt/Long Colt cartridges. If you fire them they will split and likely spray lead back at you as well. It is actually chambered for the S&W .32 or S&W .32 Long cartridge. There is enough difference in the diameter to cause a safety issue. S&W .32 is large enough it will not chamber into a cylinder that is chamber for .32 Colt. This was a very popular weapon and caliber in the early to mid 1900s.
 
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