Is this a deal?

M

Model12Win

Moderator
Hey gang! I've been in the market for a Colt Police Positive Special in .38 special, and today I found one on GunBroker:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=452131047

It looks to be in good shape, and is marked $275 for "buy it now". It does say "CONSIGNMENT SALE", I'm not sure what that means? I really am interested in this gun and if you all could tell me if this is a good price I just might have to get it!

Thanks! :)
 
What I don't like about the listing is:

"AS IS - No refund or exchange"

That means if there's something wrong with it that's not revealed in photos (which can be plenty) when you receive it, you have little recourse other than to give the seller a bad rating. The seller is rated A+ by 12 people, so perhaps he'll take care of any problems anyhow. But the seller doesn't have to. I like to have an inspection period specified.
 
I think that at that price, it's not a TREMENDOUS risk simply because it's just not a lot of money for a handgun. But it has also been my (admittedly limited) experience that old Colt revolvers are designed in such a way that the cylinder timing simply wears or retards and these guns seem to be far, far more likely to be somewhat out of time - or go out of time. Sometimes it's merely a bit, and a timing snob like me gets bothered by it, but for most functional purposes, it's not "dangerous" or unshootable.

When you pull the trigger double action in any normal or swift manner, the inertia of the cylinder makes up for slight variances or slight failures in the timing. Cocking it abruptly with the hammer to shoot single action does the same thing. It either masks a slight timing issue or it simply "automatically corrects" the slight issue, but it doesn't change that there is an issue.

You have just no way whatsoever to know how well the timing works in this one and the seller stating that it's a consignment is kind of his way of saying he knows just as much as you do. :p Very little.

It sure looks nice to have a price like that. There are people who can adjust the timing on Colt revolvers... you may be one of those people in fact, and you simply haven't learned it yet.

I do think that if you walked in to a gun store or gun show and found that one, and it looked that nice (although the pics aren't telling the whole story) and the gun was functionally perfect with perfect timing?!

No way would it be tagged for the first $275 thrown at the dealer.

I think if you've been thinking about wanting to own one of these and you've got the guts to buy an old gun that you can't personally inspect, this would be a decent chance to try doing exactly that without spending a huge pile of dough. I certainly hope you update this thread if you do it!
 
If I was considering it. And I own quite a few Colt DAs.
Based on the photos, I would have bought it already.

A look at the wear pattern on the cylinder notches (from what I can see)
does not lead me to believe there are any timing issues.
The wear on the ejector rod also looks to match up pretty well with the notch wear.

My vote would be to get it at that price.
Now, if you really want that model. Not all guns that are stated 'as is' have a bunch of issues that are being hidden.

If I did not already have all the variations of the PPS that I want...
You might have been seeing a 'sold' sign on it already.
Good luck with your decision.

JT
 
I would take a chance on it as well. I saw it before the OP's post and considered buying it but am putting my current "fun" money on something else.

BTW, I have a .22 Colt Cobra that acts exactly like Seven's description. Normal double action or single action, no problems. When I try to "stage" it by slowly pulling the trigger double action, I get some misfires due to some minor timing issues. Since it is just a plinker with a fair amount of finish wear, it's not really economical to try to find someone who knows how to time these old Colts.
 
The AS IS is because of the consignment sale.

That said, I would probably NOT bid on it because there is absolutely no description about how the gun functions, only cosmetics.

That's worrisome to me.

The problem with Colt revolvers is that, unlike Smith & Wesson, there are few parts available anymore, the parts that are available often have to be hand fitted, and there are fewer and fewer people who actually know how to work on these guns.

I've rolled the bones and bought 1 Colt online, but it was painstakingly described, both in terms of appearance and in terms of function.
 
Thanks guys!

I sent the seller a message asking about the timing, lock-up, and if there were any problems with the gun that he could tell otherwise. Sent last night at about 10 PM.

No response yet. I will just have to see what he says, IF he even responds.
 
Although it shows a turn line, it doesn't look excessively worn and therefore not used much. At that price I'd take the chance.
 
Well the guy e-mailed be back and this is what he said:

"Hello. I am by no means an expert on revolvers, but this consignment item appears to be in very good working order. The lock up seems solid, the rifling of the bore is strong. When I push on the cocked hammer, it doesn’t budge. But then again, I wouldn’t expect it to."

So.... yeah I don't know LOL! I think I will just hold off on this for the meantime. It does smell a bit too good to be true, and I'll save the money for a S&W Model 10 that I've always wanted :)
 
Well, YOU opened the can of worms and not me! :p I would choose a Smith & Wesson Model 10 every time over a Colt Police Positive Special. In fact, I would choose most S&W every time in this stand-off.

However, you opened the thread by saying that you've been looking for one of these for a bit... if that is the case, this is, in my opinion, really low money for a classic firearm of irrationally good breeding. I think you should buy it, own it, love it, and then begin the search for a classic Smith & Wesson.
 
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