From the Vault: Colt Police Positive Revolver
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- Опубліковано 14 лип 2024
- Brownells Gun Tech™ and all-around reassuring presence Steve Ostrem shows us his Colt Police Positive. A beautiful little revolver introduced in 1907, the Police Positive is built on the Colt D frame, same as the Detective Special. Steve's gun is chambered in .38 Smith & Wesson - oops! Colt called the cartridge the ".38 Colt New Police" because who wants to give their arch-competitor free advertising? The Police Positive was much loved by professional constabulary and private citizens alike because it was well-made, light, compact, and easy to carry around all day. And thanks to the mild-recoiling cartridge, it is very comfortable to shoot, too. Note that the .38 S&W / Colt New Police is NOT a short .38 Special; it uses a unique .361" bullet vs the .38 Special's .357" bullet. (Later, Colt produced a "Police Positive Special" with a lengthened cylinder chambered in .38 Special. Bit more recoil on that!) What about the name? Steve explains what the "POSITIVE" means. For latter-day collectors, the Police Positive is a great deal. It tends to be under-valued because everybody wants a Python. If you get one, give it some love, and it'll love you back!
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I have one nickel plated. My Grand fathers (Chicago PD) made in 1908. After I cleaned it up I decided I would take it to the range and fire it. It is a very accurate shooter with very little recoil. I remember thinking before I pulled the trigger would I shoot any of the firearms I own 110 years after it was manufactured? It was perfect. Have not shot it since. Looks pretty good for 115 year old revolver. colt verified it and I have the certificate. Every time I hold it or clean it I think of my Grand Pa. It does not get any better for those of us who love fire arms.
Grandpa bought a colt 22 wrf police positive around '29. Dad gave it to me and its resting comfortably in it's holster, it's retired now, and it looks almost new. Pretty good for 94 years.
My father was a cop in Canada in the 1960s. The .38 Police Positive was his department's service pistol. Seeing this brings back memories...
Steve is classy and he uses words like Film Noir.
I have a 1925 Police Positive Special chambered in 32-20. Excellent shooter.
I just inherited my great grandfather's 1919 police positive .38 s&w 5inch
My wife inhereted one that was made in 1924. The barrel was cut to 2" and recrowned. Still works perfectly.
Although not a Colt I have the Smith & Wesson Regulation Police model a 1953 vintage and boy what an accurate pistol with just those fixed sights especially out to 15 yards and I wouldn't take nothing for mine and luckily it was a pawn shop fine that I had to just bite the bullet and get it and yes they are great shooters for self defense in home or out and about makes no difference !!!! With the ammo prices as they are now in 2021 a I'm happy to be sitting on about 850 rds and yes I pick up a box still every chance I get !!!
They sure don't make guns like that anymore, what a shame. That is a real beauty.
D-frame is my favorite Colt frame size. It just fits my hand perfectly.
Just got a .38 colt police official which is from the 1950. Beautiful engravings w/ belief that it belonged to a general in the Korean War from 1950-1953 due to one of the engravings representing a bridge built around that time
Sounds pretty amazing!
We own one, my favorite one to shoot, it's a family heirloom so we take extra care of that pistol.
hola, yo herede un colt police positive 38 corto o S&w, que tal te resulto el tuyo, sirve como para defensa de tu casa?
Thanks a lot for this video and the explanation of "positive".
I am from La Rioja, Argentina. Here there was many of those. They where used by female police. Nowdays they where dismantled, abandoned and discarded.
Fortunatly I own one. I've never seen one with target sights. I'll be looking for... And let you know if I succed.
Please excuse my english.
Greetings.
Female Officer colleagues of mine used those too backin the old days.
I love these revolvers.
My recently acquired Police Positive Special is chambered for 32-20. I haven't fired it because I can't find ammunition. But it seems to be in very good shape considering it is 110 years old.
I bought a colt 32-20 mine looks like the police positive special but it says army special on the barrel and was made in 1923 I wish I could get some brass so I can reload for it get dies and bullet mold mine is good shape with good bluing for its age
@@scottscheuerman8714 the Army Special is an entirely different gun than the Police Positive Special (which itself is an entirely different gun than the Police Positive.) The Army Special is a full-sized sidearm, while the PP and PPS are smaller "pocket guns."
@@hyenaloaf1858 I finally got some brass and was able to shoot it lots of fun to shoot and fairly accurate
I could watch Steve’s videos all day! Quality presentation and interesting topics! Keep it up!
My mom had one all her life she carried it in her purse decades before CCW laws even to church. She had a lady Smith too but it was in her night stand.
She must have been quite a Lady ! A late neighbor in an apartment building I once lived in a lifetime ago was also a self reliant unlicensed pistolera packer. An Army officer boyfriend had gifted to her during WW2. When she passed away the doorman and superintendent tried to acquire her hardware from the executor of her estate, a wimpy nephew afraid of guns, who disposed of it to a local police officer out of fear.
@@richardkluesek4301 What happened to men. My daughters are more of a man than the guys they date. My girls all shoot and have their CCW as did my late wife. They change their oil and spark plugs and rotate their own tires. My youngers girl got me a mug that said. Thanks for helping me became the man I am today even thou I'm your daughter.
@@lisar3006 Thank you for sharing your daughters, they brought mirth to my mood. My late first wife had a pistol license as did I and gifted me a .38 late edition Colt Detective Special for our engagement. Since she passed some long time ago I'm since retired, relocated, and remarried to a Sheriff's employee, and I presented her a .357 Ruger Police Service Six for our betrothal. A third Lady in between wives who got away (or I escaped from) was also a pistolera. Life mates should shoot straight on their own prowess, the pearl clutching damsels in distress at best can only reload and hand off spare guns which don't cut it when the chips are down.
I have the exact same model. My grandfather gave it to me years ago, was his duty pistol. I absolutely love it. Very accurate, a pleasure to shoot. I started reloading because of this gun & cartridge, it's been an addiction ever since. This old revolver loves Speer 148gr HBWCs over 700x. Coupled with the sentimental value, it holds top spot as my favorite gun. Great video, thanks for sharing 👍
Yeah, I picked one up a few years back online. I call it my Barney Fife gun. Thus, I've only one bullet and I carry it in my pocket.
Just picked up a Police Positive Special. Love the revolver! The condition is spectacular, although the spring must be weak, since it has light primer strikes/no ignition upon double action, but single action fires every time.
Hey there, is it possible your hammer cants off to the side when cycling the double action? where if its released from a cocked hammer its more aligned to the firing pin?
I'm curious on how to trouble shoot that problem as well.
I got one of those RCBS bullet pulling hammers, and thats really great for messing around with live primer snap caps.
I’ve witnesssed no obvious deviation in double action of the hammer.
The axis pin on the hammer may be slightly egging out of it's mount in the frame. If you aren't confident in your ability and /or don't have the proper tools , have a *reputable* gunsmith assess the functionality of your revolver because it may be out of timing as well and that leads to shaving lead and then eventually to a kaboom.
My Grandmother lived 15 miles out in the county on a farm and had her Father's Colt .32 New Police Positive. She would would carry it out when meeting people she didn't know, and trust me she wouldn't hesitate to use it. One summer actually saw her threaten to shoot somebody unless they left.
I managed to get a Positive Special at my LGS for $400. I don't know if I did well or not but this is just such a fun gun to shoot. I checked the serial number and turns out the one I have here was manufactured in 1912, making this revolver well over 100 years old and it still shoots great.
Mine 1913 was $50 At a garage sale about 40 years ago
Excellent presentation sir
Thanks you for the video. I've got one chambered in 32-20.
Niccceeee!
Found one of these at a gun show in Ft. Myers Fl. a few years ago. As you said, under valued and very well made. Fixed sights though.
i like that you have an at4 in the safe
So nice.
I have two new unfired hard rubber grip Police Positives in 38 Colt and 38 Special, one still in its box. Beautiful guns, and I paid less than the price of a Glock for each a few years back.
Both of mine are first models with the slightly different grip frame. Seems like early 1920s when I checked. I have a New Service with hard rubber too. I just like those grips.
Colt police positive melhor revolver ótima arma. Clássico da colt .
I still have trouble deciding whether I want to buy one of these or a Model 10 S&W...both great guns. Thanks for the video!
the old colt police positive .32 & .38 / 4'' barrel = the best ! ! ! , i have both
Bought what was listed as a Colt .38 Special at a police auction, was actually a New Army in .38 Long Colt, though it appears it was shot loose with Specials. Missing the hand spring and a broken return spring. Kind of a project for me.
I've got 1. Was my grandfather's. 38 Special I've yet to fire it
My favorite revolver I own (1926 chambered in 38 Colt New Police). Paid only $100.00 for it…back in 2002, as a 40th Birthday present to myself! 😃
back in the 70s you could pick one up for almost nothing now they are collector guns.
@RominTV From what I have seen on some online retailers,between 500 hundred to 1000 depending on condition.
@@jerrysolomon7623 Holy cow I got my Positive Special for $400. Not that I plan on selling it though, I love this gun
@@alliwantisfinancialstabili7414 The one I aways wanted was the diamond back I have only saw one at a gun show and the wanted over a thousand dollars for it and it was'nt in good shape.
Had a 1970s .32 police s&w ,wish i kept it..famous words.
I have a .22 POLICE Positive Target with adjustable sights. Sorry though, it was my dad's and it will go to my son or one of my grandsons one day.
The 32 remember is the death wish gun from the movies seen one for sale like this at the gunsmiths shop in Lexington sc on consignment it’s super nice like new condition too .
They should release reproduction models made to look identical to these, but with very low quality materials to cut production costs. It could be a functional revolver for collectors who only want to spend a few hundred bucks on one. They could call it the Colt Police Negative.
Thanks, Steve. I have seen and fired a number Colt Police Positives, but I’ve never owned one. If it’s appropriate and you have time, I have a quick question: What did the Smith M&P/Model 10 series survive and the .38 Special Police Positive not do so?
The Police Positive has a hammer block rather than a transfer bar doesn't it? A far superior system IMO.
I have the police positive Target in .22. The target sights are nice
What did you give for it, looking at one in my gun shop
@@kylesimmons5841 I ended up getting it for 300 on GB. It needed new grips but otherwise in great shape. It was the earlier version of the police positive target
@@kylesimmons5841 one in excellent shape can reach 1k but mine is a shooter
I'd like one in .38 special, as one was used to shoot Teddy Roosevelt. I'd like to collect guns used in assassinations and assassination attempts, and I already got the M38 Carcano.
Just found one for 358$ next payday I’m getting myself a present
Once I saw a target model (probably in .38 special). Nice gun, but since I live in Brazil they're unfortunally rare today.
Since your laws have been relaxed I’m sure you could order one in from Guns International.
I have my grandpa's it's from 1916 if I recall correctly
Classic
Indeed!
Could you please make a video of Colt Official Police/ Army Special in the future?!
Possibly!
This revolver looks a lot like an H&R they are an absolute joy to shoot and so well made thanks for the share brother
Yes exactly. Super light and terrific and especially accurate with wadcutters
Yes! Super similar!
Al Capone's favorite revolver.
Good video but I wish you had touched on the fact that Colt used 38 Special tooling to make the bores for 38 S&W Police Positive revolvers. It was said they felt the forcing cone could erase any difference in the .361 38 S&W bullet before it entered the 38 Special bore. That may have been fine for the times with soft lead bullets and hollow base lead but today with hardcast and coated bullets, they don't give as much. And Buffalo Bore just came out with 1000fps 38 S&W ammo which they claim is safe in the Police Positive. And with ammo shortages, people are looking to load this round but available loading dies don't account for Colt's bore dimensions in this pistol. You may know more than you told us but it would be a service to update this video. I had to read thru a lot of forums to gather all this information. I have 1926 Colt Police Positive in 38 S&W and I can verify dimensions. I don't know if Colt made changes when they came out with second generation Police Positives in 1928. It is a great little pistol. I just can't shoot it or reload for it.
Always Colt
I have one that I’ve had for about six years. It’s a 1935 police positive .38 special. I’ve shot it two separate occasions, no issues. 4” barrel, fixed sights, and no box. It’s not beat up but it’s not pristine either. I’d say good condition. Any idea it’s value?
Is there a variant of colt police positive without external markings but with serial number?
I inherited one of these chambered in .38 special from my grandfather. He was a judge in Jackson County Texas and he bought one from the police department (I think) after they decommissioned it. It has a right handed leather holster, which I think someone made for him after he got it. At some point, someone (maybe my grandfather) installed pearl grips on it, which now have a couple of corners broken off. I’ve personally only ever shot maybe 10 rounds through it in the past. The cylinder has a very small amount of rotational play in it, and I have been recommended that it not be shot anymore, since it could be very dangerous. Any recommendations on how to possibly repair it? I might also just leave it alone and keep it as a sentimental item. I’ve always wanted to know more about this neat little pistol. Thanks for sharing this video!
A *reputable* gunsmith should be able to fix the lock up and timing but it will cost you some money 💰. If you're skilled, have the right tools, and are confident you can buy the books and do the work yourself but that can be akin to opening a can of worms under ideal conditions.
I saw a like piece with adjustable sights for 899.00 today
I've eyeballing one that was made in 1914
I have s&w 32 pistol
I got one of these in 32-20.
What are the odds of a video on that?
dude55ist me too. It’s a nice gun for the woods
Saw one of these the other day chambered in 32. Good price but out of timing (slow). How hard is it to retime theses? Anyone know?
The original Death Wish gun.
i saw a Colt Police Positive 38 spl ctg serial #59-****. The grips are dark brown plastic with the left grip upper par portion made thicker. What year was this manufactured? Thanks
Paul Kersey’s favorite 😅
Ah yes. This is the revolver used by Charles Bronson in Death Wish 1974, when he went on his vigilante spree on muggers for harming his family. Good movie.
Steve, I have a Police Positive chambered in 38 S&W and I was able to find a box of the cart’s but I’m afraid to shoot it. It was my father’s which he gave to me, and I would like to keep it safe to honor him (he passed away in 2016) and ideally keep it as pristine as I can for the same reasons. What can I do to ensure its strength and viability in the years ahead? Tom KC3QAC
I just picked one up in 38 special, can't wait to shoot it.
My Police Positive .38 Special's serial number has an X under it, what does that mean? I looked over the entire frame and found the only number on the crane.
Regret selling my 6” barrel 38np. Absolute tack driver.
I have an old .38 positive w 6" barrel and original holster. I turned down an offer of $1,000 ONLY cuz it was left to me by a close relative passed. I've never known its worth though. Any knowledge about it would sure educate me.
Who will work on these in 22 wrf?
I have one chambered in 38 S&W,, it's a Police Positive made in early 1900's, & it's just barely sarting to go out of time, i called Colt before they sold out to CZ,,& they said they don't repair that model anymore,, the real reason is they no longer had any qualified gunsmiths in my opinion..,, those old model Colts were all hand fitted & made one at the time by a qualified gunsmith,, all the good gunsmiths are long gone, & all Colt has employed now are young guy's with no experience,, they only know how use hammers and pipe wrenches,, they don't know how fix a damn thing..it's sad that they even call themselves gun smiths,, they outta call themselves asembly line pipe fitters...
I have a Colt revolver marked COLT OFFICIAL POLICE .38, then it's stamped /380, on the top of the barrel it says " Colt's PT FA MFG CO HARTFORD CT USA, PAT'D AUG 5 1884, JULY 4 1905, OCT 5 1926, can you offer any info on this revolver please
looks like the gun in death wish
In Death Wish Charles Bronson used a Colt Police Positive in .32 Long Colt, with nickel-plating on it.
1913 here
Hello, how much could this revolver be worth? I have one but I think it is one of the first due to its date August 5, 1884 June 5, 1900 July 4, 1905
Hi, You can look up the date by checking your serial number on the crane of the revolver, plenty of websites for looking up the serial #
Ok kids, If you are old enough.. What does he mean by Barney bullet? ill wait...
scroll for answer...
Mayberry RFD or the Andy griffith show.. featured a character played by Don KNots ( a legend in himself) who was a policeman who was allowed to carry only one bullet, Hence the term.. Barney bullet
Cheers :
And he had to carry the bullet in shirt pocket, hence the homage to Barney.
Barney had an itchy trigger finger.
Huh. Here I figured it was a kind of specialized ammunition used to put down that mutant purple dinosaur abomination.
Can you shoot a 38spl wad cutter out of it ?
Yes if it's chambered in .38 Special, but not .38 Smith & Wesson/.38 Colt New Police. ---Jim Farmer Klamath County, Oregon
hmmmmmm film noire YES = 1- 3rd man , 2 - Le Samurai
Hoping I have not overlooked a reply/response; however, I have a Colt Police Positive .38 that includes the old wood grips unlike the black polymer grips in the video. I really wish there was more about the exact/correct bullets to use in this particular gun and where to obtain? This is not a "special."