An Oldie ! ! "
- Thread starter Ben
- Start date
9
9.3X62AL
Guest
I'm not sure just what use the makers had in mind for the sighting system on my old Colt New Pocket 6"/nickel in 32 New Police (Colt-speak for 32 S&W Long), but the butter-knife-thickness front blade in concert with the tiny divot cut on the rollerpistol's top strap make any hit at distance a triumph of hope over experience. Add in the tiny grip--even with a Tyler T-Grip--and a jackrabbit's demise is not a good bet past 30 yards or so.
A thin front site is an advantage "IF" you have the eyes to use it. Been a few years now but I used to use a .060" front post for long range handgun. The only way I could use that now would be with brail but when I did have the eyes for it it's possible to walk hits across a 200 meter target in 2 inch increments with the Bo-Mar rear sight.
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Colt made major changes to their revolvers in 1927. During a short transition period, the knife blade sight and "V" notch was replaced with a 1/10 inch front and square notch rear window. Metallurgy changed and grips went from Bakelite to wood at the same time. They were behind the power curve as S&W had been heat treating cylinders and frames beginning in 1920.
Pistolero
Well-Known Member
Wow! That is impressive, Rick. Maybe that sight on Ben's pistol was really good for
the young eyes that it was probably intended for.
I have a Rem RB 7x57 which has a really tiny front sight.
When I was a teen, I didn't even notice that it was small, just used it. By the time I was in my
50s, it was a bit of a challenge, but I could still shoot 1" groups at 100 yds with that gun.
I haven't taken it out for a few years, but I could still shoot with it before my cataract new lenses,
no idea now. My problem now is that I can see the front sight on rifles but on the middle sight, it
is just so blurred as to be hopeless, cannot even locate the typical notch. I need to try my Lyman
Hawkeye pinhole attachment with this type of rifle sight, it might let me see the middle sight (barrel
mounted rear sight).
RicinYakima - that sounds like my little Colt. Good sights, nice front and good notch, must be a '27 style,
I forget the exact year, just remember it is from the 1920s some time.
Bill
the young eyes that it was probably intended for.
I have a Rem RB 7x57 which has a really tiny front sight.
When I was a teen, I didn't even notice that it was small, just used it. By the time I was in my
50s, it was a bit of a challenge, but I could still shoot 1" groups at 100 yds with that gun.
I haven't taken it out for a few years, but I could still shoot with it before my cataract new lenses,
no idea now. My problem now is that I can see the front sight on rifles but on the middle sight, it
is just so blurred as to be hopeless, cannot even locate the typical notch. I need to try my Lyman
Hawkeye pinhole attachment with this type of rifle sight, it might let me see the middle sight (barrel
mounted rear sight).
RicinYakima - that sounds like my little Colt. Good sights, nice front and good notch, must be a '27 style,
I forget the exact year, just remember it is from the 1920s some time.
Bill
9
9.3X62AL
Guest
I have 1920-made Colt examples with very usable fixed sights--probably the transition designs described above--a Police Positive x 4" in 38 S&W and an Army Special x 5" in 32/20 WCF. I just had the A/S out afield on Monday, and was scoring hits past 100 yards pretty routinely on 10" paper plates. decent sights, even with 61-year-old eyes.
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
I have an A/S like yours with the later Official Police square sights. Colt made one lot of 32/20 barrels marked "Army Special" with square front sights, 4's 5's and 6's. It has been said that those also have the newer type of barrel and cylinder steel, rather than the first of steel used from end of black powder to the more modern alloys.
I'm thinking that Colt didn't switch, or at least didn't heat treat cylinders until the 357 Mag was chambered in the New Service. When those were discontinued, Colt didn't have a 357 Mag until the "357" was introduced in 1953. It predated the Python by 2 or 3 years, and the model name was eventually replaced by "Trooper" in that caliber around 1961.
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
300, You may certainly be correct, however you may be missing the change that took place between the Army Special and Official Police. Not only was there a name change, but only the Official Police was advertised as being able to use the "new 38/44 Hi-Speed" police loads in 1929. Officer Model Targets were not listed for the 38/44 loads until the 1940 catalogue. It may have been only advertising, but by 1940 Colt was listing even the Police Positive for use with the 38/44 loads. Something must have been happening.
The only 357 revolver I owned since 1971, until last year, was a 6-inch "357". It is a class act that I prefer to the Python because it is so much lighter.
The only 357 revolver I owned since 1971, until last year, was a 6-inch "357". It is a class act that I prefer to the Python because it is so much lighter.
My understanding is that COLT didn't recommend +P 38s in D frames predating 1972. 38/44 High Speed ammo would have been even higher pressure, so not in my Police Positive Special. As far as the Official Police, that is a good question. I know that revolver was chambered for .41 Colt, hence the nickname "41 frame".
Years ago, I owned an Official Police 6" heavy barrel (ex-police), and it was a fine revolver. There remains a later (heavy barrel) Officers Model Target in my accumulation.
Years ago, I owned an Official Police 6" heavy barrel (ex-police), and it was a fine revolver. There remains a later (heavy barrel) Officers Model Target in my accumulation.
Last edited:
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
There was no such thing as "+p" in those days. Sorry, just reporting what the official Colt book "A History of the Colt Revolver", published in 1941 states. Best wishes, Ric