Colt Double Action Revolver Frame Sizes of the 20th Century
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- The 20th century was the heyday of double action revolvers, and both Colt and Smith & Wesson made some real classics.
It seems like there is a lot of information on the frame sizes of Smith & Wesson revolvers, but not so much for Colts.
I hope this helps with that situation.
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In this video, at about the 18-minute mark, I incorrectly labeled a photograph.
The N-Frame Smith & Wesson revolver pictured is incorrectly labeled the “Model 19”. The label should read “Model 27”.
I’m sorry for the error, and any confusion it may have caused.
I was just about to comment on that. 🙂
Otherwise a really well done peice of work. Thanks so much. This video is a must-see for those seeking to understand the Colt letter system.
In the mid 70's, I worked in the gun department at JC Penny in Fairbanks, AK. Colts were hard to get at the time. My boss ordered all the Colt models and we got them. If I remember correctly, we got 100 Pythons in all barrel lengths. I bought a 4" blue for $273.50 minus my 25% discount. We sold at least 2 a day. This was during the pipeline days and people had lots of money. I don't think the store manager was happy with the purchase, but we sold them all.
The good ol days.
Thank you for posting this information. It’s a gift to us Revolver fanatics. 😊
What's not to like about learning something about classic firearms? I'm sure this took hours and hours of research. Thanks Mike for presenting all that info in a concise and interesting video!
I reload 38 Colt New Police (38S&W) for a Police Positive that my grandfather gave to me years ago. I absolutely love that thing. It was my granddad's service revolver for years and his favorite gun all around. It quickly became my favorite as well. Such a smooth shooter and so accurate.
Great video, thanks for sharing it.
Never new there were so many Colt frames. You lay the history out very well. Thx.
Great video. Got rid of a diamondback years ago. Still kicking myself to this day. Was my first revolver.
Thanks Mike! Now I feel old 🙂
Well done sir!👍
This is a topic that needed to be addressed, as many people do not know of the Colt revolvers made "back in the day" so to speak. Wonderful revolvers in Colt line-up, and are supurb shooters.
My personal favorite is a Colt Army Special nickel plated in 38Spl. 4". Made in 1922, it's action is as tight and precise as a bank vault door. 😁
Thanks again for the information on this very much needed topic.
I have one of those, not nickel tho, made in 1918, with an official police barrel. The blueing is missing in a jagged shape on part of the cylinder and on the right side of the barrel, they line up, like it laid in a puddle of something. I've heard blood will eat blueing, but I dunno.
I'd love to hear the stories a revolver this old could tell.
@@pARabell9mm Yes sir, it's a real shooter too. I'm a retired gunsmith and police armourer of 30 years. I'd spend 4 days doing regular police duties, and one day in the armory reparing weapons. We had 1,350 sworn officers, and I was usually busy on my day in the armory.
This hundred year old Colt is a dream to shoot. When I got it, I noticed that the sideplate had never been removed. A little bit of dirt and grime inside, but zero issues. And I've not altered it other than a different set of grips. It prints point of aim, centered at 15m. Remarkable accuracy, even out to 50m. Just a great weapon...
I hope you enjoy yours and have as much fun shooting it as I do with mine.👍
@@anangryranger I do very much. It has cheesy mother-of-pearl looking grips (that has Army Special/Official Police printed underneath.) An accurate shooter, It's also a pleasure just to work the action, to feel the hand fitted parts meshing together.
Morning coffee and watching Mike nothing better 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻☕️☕️
The premium DA .357mag revolver for the last part of the 20th century was the Manurhin MR73. Nothing comes close! Thanks for this video, it's long over due, always wondered why no one had made one until now.
Blah! I won't even eat French Toast but ya made me look
The Mister 73! So powerful the French Police used it as a sniper rifle!
I have heard this from some writers whom I have great respect for. I may have to get one some day. I believe Beretta owns the company now.
@@johndilday1846 You can Google Larvatus and MR73 and Manurhin.
And it was basically unobtainable back then. I think he's referening 20th century revolvers you actually could buy...
Thank you for the videos. I miss seeing you at Duelist’s Den and I hope you return soon, but I will continue to watch any video that you put out on RUclips.
Thank you for clarifying the Colt frame sizes for us. There truly is a lack of information on this topic. I’m a 21st century fan of Colt and yet I never was able to get a grip on their frame designations. I was born in 82 but didn’t start collecting until I was in my 30’s so I missed a lot of Colts glory days. I do have 3 of the new Pythons 6”, 4.25’ and the 3 inch as well as the new Anaconda. I don’t have a point of reference for comparison from old to new but I do enjoy their new guns and hope that I’m lucky enough to own an old one sometime in the future.
I’d like to get one of the new 3-inch Pythons
This video just makes me want one of each! Great explanations and examples.
Good morning from Syracuse NY brother and thank you for sharing your adventures in history videos and information and No surrender brother
The only colt revolver i own is a 1950s Trooper with a 6" barrel. By far the nicest handgun i own. Love that piece.
Great video Mike. I have my late Grandfather’s Colt Army Special in .38 Special. Still a great little gun. He used it for decades during the 1940’s-1960’s on his ranch to dispatch hogs & snakes.
Thanks Nike, I found that really interesting. As a "S&W guy" I did not already know a lot about Colt double action revolvers.
At uni, our club had a New Service Bisley model in .455 and a Webley Mark V in the same calibre. From the few times when we were able to source ammunition for them, I definitely preferred shooting the Colt.
I learned a bunch Mike. I am a Colt fan. I carried a Python for duty when I was young. Still have and carry it today. Thanks.
Thanks for the excellent video!
It was interesting to learn that the Mk III was manufactured with sintered steel to reduce cost.
very well done mike. I love my colt new service in 45 colt. If i run out of ammo it can be used as a club.
Thanks for covering the Colt double actions. As you said I don't think it's been done on youtube much if at all.
Great job, Mike. I only have one suggestion, that you mention Colt's first two attempts at offering a 357 Magnum revolver. In 1936 Colt chambered their large frame New Service and Shooting Master in this caliber (at least 500 made), but discontinued production when the US geared up for WWII. Colt also made around 550 SAA revolvers chambered in this caliber prior to the War. Colt did not reenter the 357 market until 1953 with the introduction of their medium frame "357 Magnum" revolvers.
That was great I didn't know colt had a frame size designator. Can't wait for next week!🤠
Thanks Mike!
Very good info for those looking for older Colt’s.
Thanks for the “modern” history lesson. I enjoyed it.
Appreciate this. Grew up with Smiths and just as you describe I understand their system. As I’ve gotten older I ve started getting into Colts.
I certainly enjoyed this video. Thank you for filling the void.
Great info for us Colt fans. Thanks. I often wondered what my Colt Trooper's frame designation was, and also my Colt Cobra.
Love Colt revolvers. Thanks Mike for this great presentation!
I could listen to your presentations for hours. Very well done.
Great explanation of the Colt DA revolver frames. Thanks.
Very informative. Reminds me of all the Revolvers I could never afford back in the 70's and 80's .I still have the 6" Stainless Target Model Security Six I bought back then. Almost 50 years old and still Match accurate with my Heavy 160 gr.Lyman Hard Cast SWC. Reloads.
Great video, Mike (from someone who remembers ~35% of the 20th century!). I've always loved Colts of all vintages. BTW, don't forget to edit the title before the typo screws with your metrics. Don't give RUclips an excuse to mess with you. 🙂
Oops! Thanks. I hadn't noticed that
An additional perspective - The frame size later known as D Frame wasn't Only for concealment .
The Police Positives & PP Specials with 4, 5 , and 6 inch bbls were also direct competitors with the S&W M&P ( K Frame ) . They were popular as LE service guns , and as civilian belt guns for outdoorsmen and all around.
Back in the day , it was part of the Advertising wars that the M&P was the single most popular LE gun , countered that the OP and the PPS combined outsold the S&W by itself .
This is great information. I have recently gotten into Colt revolvers and want to learn all I can about them. I recently picked up a 1922 Army Special and am already on the hunt for the next.
Hi Mike, I traded for a 1916 Colt Police Positive Special in .38 Special . It's in a heavily used condition and I recently ordered the correct grips from Ebay,I should have them this week. The ones on the gun now are a home made grip.
Thank you for your most informative videos and GOD Bless 🙌
What a great video with excellent information, I learned so much, I was gifted a .32 Police Positive over a year ago and have been struggling to find out more about it, thanks so much for your knowledge.
Great presentation and explanation. Thanks!
Thank you for the great video! I love these "history of" videos you put out.
Love these history videos. Well thought out and very well put together. Some of these guns I have never heard of. Thanks Mike
Thank you for this fascinating and little-known history of the Colt frames!
You are so right, very little info available on Colt frames. Really liked your video. Keep up the good work.
Dude, I'm 2 minutes into your video and you're making this 44-year-old kid feel like an old man.
Literally last night I was trying to research this, thank you for putting this together
Great Vid. I own a Police Positive Special in .38 spl. Manufactured in 1914. The barrel was professionally cut to a 2" and re-crowned with a front sight. I have shot it, but wont much more, It's not a Fitz but assume it was altered before Colt produced their first Snubs.
I’m 38 and this was a great review of a bunch of Colts I’ve never been familiar with. Thanks!
Thank you for this thorough review of the Colt line.
Great video. I’m a S&W owner, fan and shooter but this information about the modern Colt revolvers was very interesting. Keep up the good work on these videos.
I have a 1937 Police Positive in .32 police - great little gun. Well balanced, a joy to shoot, and apart from some wearmarks, and one visible scratch, I got mine in great shape - action is super crisp, and smooth as glass.
Great stuff, Mike. I will admit this isn't my area of study, but it was well done, as always, and you managed to imbue the the subject with interest even for those who might not shoot these. I particularly enjoyed learning about the intended use ideas that drove the designs--too often, folks just recite the different types in any kind of overview, but understanding why they were designed the way they were is really very interesting.
Great video. Every time you post a video I learn something. I know much work goes into these history lessons.
Not pedantic in the least - a great amount of accurate, repeat accurate, information on a great company's great guns. Well done, Mike. I've owned or own many of these models and fully agree with your evaluations. I carried a King Cobra on my longest Alaskan hunt, and dispatched a wounded moose with it (I did NOT wound it). A really superb gun, although not a Python. Pythons live up to their reputations - I had a beauty, let go in throes of parental penury. I currently have several Colts, but I must say one of the most impressive is a new Colt Anaconda - that is an extremely well made and accurate pistol. Many thanks for conveying this information and keeping the Colt (well-earned) reputation alive.
Max
This was very interesting, Mike. Thank you for taking the time to produce this.
Just wanted to say thanks for continuing to make interesting and informative content.👍
Great video. Just want to mention couple of things. First, the highest quality New Service was the Shooting Master, which could be gotten in a variety of calibers, including .357. Second, I am not sure how it fits in, but the smaller frame (Police Positive, Bankers Special) also came, I think, with a smaller grip as the Pocket Positive .32 S&W (I was just shooting that revolver yesterday)
I think it was a good educational video.
Great video Mike, i learned alot that i didn't know about Colt revolvers, and there'a a couple models i might keep my eyes out for now!
Excellent!
Thank you for the history lesson you are a well inform person never get tired of listening to you 👍
An excellent treatise on this sunject. I am 4 years your junior and did not know that Colt had lettered frame sizes. I was confused how these frame sizes compared to S&W. I was also confused about the names being reused, like Police Positive, etc. Of course, I should have bought several Pythons in the 70s, LOL.
I also didn't realize the difference between the Mark series and the original series. This is kinda along the lines of Winchester 's treatment of the model 70 post 1964.
Anyone not knowing who Charles Askins, Harlon Carter, and Bill Jordan were needs to do some research😊. I knew that Askins and Carter were Border Patrol (at a time when this agency was respected). I was told by a CBP official that, nowadays, only 1 out of 30 candidates for the Border Patrol passes the Artesia, NM course. They are basically commandos. Don't get these guys confused with CBP officers in blue. These guys wear green, can have cowboy hats, ride repurposed Mustangs, snowmobiles, boats, 4x4s, etc. Having worked and lived around these guys I have great respect for them. I won't comment on the present treatment of this agency by the administration and the media.
Greetings from a steamy Mayberry, NC.
Definitely like another history lesson from "Professor Mike".
If there is a gap of info on RUclips about this topic of Colt's revolvers who better to fill it? :)
I would like to see a range day with whatever models you own (it looks like at least a few of them).
Colt Python is for sure on my "someday" wish list along with a S&W Model 29.
Thanks Mike!
Be assured that your video is not boring, Mr.B. 👍They never are.
Thank you I didn't realize there was that many different frames.
Excellent video ! I had no idea Colt had letter designations for their revolver frame sizes until just now that I saw your video .. And I'm 60 years old . Up 'til now I categorized them by name and had no clue about their different frame sizes and origin . You're truly knowledgeable in your field and I consider you a "master historian" . The content of all your videos is always exciting & entertaining .Thank you for taking the time to keep we gun enthusiast informed .
Gears for trucks and other heavy duty industrial parts as well as some year production model 94 Winchester receivers were made of cintered metal. Good video.
Good stuff! I never knew the differences between the Trooper, the Trooper MkIII, and the Trooper MKV.
I could listen to history of Colt revolvers all day long. Next to the history of John Moses Browning, one of my favorite firearms history topics.
Very interesting video Mike old or not so old Colts are always fascinating.
Great History with facts i never knew, about progression of models. Thank You for publishing these! Grandfather had some as a security guard in Texas in the 60's and then saw the iconic cobra and anacondas later with other family members.( Our first "im going to get" as youths were always about those!) Black Powder sure grew into some very well designed revolvers.
Excellent overview! I'd owned smiths for years before I even laid hands on a colt. Now I own a few and they are quite nice. It's really impressive how they managed to get six shots into the d-frame, honestly making an excellent carry package.
I'm really on the hunt for an Official Police, which I think looks great with the pencil barrel and free floating ejector... And a Trooper MK III. Hickok45 did a video on one years ago, and ever since, I thought they were such handsome handguns. While not a distinctive as a python, I think they look great! What you said about the Rugers coming in during the 70s is true- it's super rare to see any MK III for sale in my local area, but plenty of Smiths and Rugers from that same 1970s era.
I love all three of the big US revolver makers, with each offering some truly special pieces during the classic era- and I'm glad that colt returned to the market. While I prefer the old ones, it's hard to turn away from some of the modern production models, especially if you like to use revolvers for practical purposes and not just for collecting.
Edit: I would also be remiss if I didn't mention charter Arms. I have two, both vintage to the late 60s or 70s, and I love both. While not as refined, I think their vintage models were also pretty good and certainly an important part of the history of small Snubbies, even if they'll probably never be collectible.
Hapen to have a 41lc Army Special that i knew it was the basis frame to the Pithon , nice video much informative of models i did not knew or ever saw .
I've owned many of the early Colt DArevolvers you mentioned. police Pos, Police Pos Spl, Official Police, 357 and New Service. They were all good, solid guns, but I prefer the triggers and feel of the S&W, everything from the 1905 M&P, early 29's (29-2) and the K-Frames, especially the 3" versions.
Quick thing. Your tittle reads Coilt.
Quick thing title has one t
My tittie says what?
@@michaelhayes7471 Auto correct.
Isn’t that how they pronounced colt in the 1930s pulp era?
Misprints are worth more😂
Thanks, Mike, that was great!👍 I learned some things. BTW there’s an editing SNAFU at about the 18 minute mark: for a few moments you have a Model 27 on left screen, with “N frame” caption below it but “Model 19” above it, just before the image flips to a Model 19 with the same captions. Thanks again for the video.
I noticed that also. I doubt he'll mention it, nor fix it, though. He doesn't seem to acknowledge a mistake..................
It’s minor, slipped timing in editing. Mike did insert an “oops” correction of “44 Colt” to “45 Colt” later in the video. @@mikedurhan9941
@@mikedurhan9941 If I had noticed it, I would have fixed it.
@@duelist1954 Oh, okay. I based my statement on the fact you didn't acknowledge, or fix, the blooper in the Evolution of the Single Action Army that I pointed out - the one where you said 3rd gen production began at SA80000........
Thanks Mike-Enjoy your videos immensely!
Mike, with this video, you have created a "classic" of your own. Thank you!
This is awesome. I know very little about Colt revolvers, and want to learn this.
Thanks Mike for this trip down memory lane. At least for me as I bought an Agent in '75 and a used Trooper Mk 3 6" in the late 70's. I still have the Agent and it still shoots great. I reload light 125 grain lead bullets with fairly light loads to make it fun to shoot. I have loaded heavier loads years ago, but they just beat you up with the recoil. I have had not issues with that 'cheap' light weight frame. I thought my Trooper was a great gun and I put a bunch of hot 357 and 38 specials thru it before a foolishly sold it. I have been looking for a 357 every since. Side note: I had loaded stout, but not unsafe 38s to shoot in the Trooper and my wife decided she wanted to shoot one in the Agent. It sent a nice 6" flame. She never asked again . FYI that Trooper is the gun I wish I never sold.
Great video, filled up my knowledge a bit more, thanks Mike.
The more I see of these older Colt designs the more I see where Henry got their Big Boy revolver design.
As a form of style, we get something strange and something beautiful fluctuating as we try to hit the target. Perfection of form seems to move with the landscape.
I bought a new old stock 1976 Lawman MKIII about 20 years ago. It's been a great gun. It's trigger pull I feel us on par with any production (non performance center) Smith made today. And the standard bluing is very very nice. Colt knew how to finish guns back then. I know alot of Colt purists turn thier noses up at the MKIIIs...but they are tanks and I consider them equal to the Ruger service six of the same era and nobody complaines about those.
great presentation , iv'e always been confused about the frame sizes specially from the 1895 to 1930's time period , if you dont own them you can't put them side by side the way you have just showed , thanks for sharing
Thanks I didn't know there was so many different frame sizes for Colt revolvers. I have to agree with you that the Python is probably the best double action revolver ever made. It's also the most beautiful.
My boss also bought a large number of Browning bolt actions in Safari, Medalion and Olympic grades in various calibers. These sold well also.
Very interesting, my personal favorite of the post WWII guns that you showed is the Anaconda.
Stupendous video. Very well done and entertaining.
Thank you.
Mike , Thank you for a Great lesson, so many frame sizes to remember and learn about. Henry about the time of this video has released their New Revolver 357 it has the early Colt Trooper l-frame look , I'm hoping you can do a video comparing its reproduction Heritage line I think found in the Colt family.👍❤️
Thank you Mike, indeed this was more than overdue and nicely presented. In short you covered a lot of great info, that's not easy to do, too. So thanks again. Myself (59) starting shooting in the early 80s came to love the Python and still have a few. Unfortunately i sold a superb Colt 357 (named Trooper afterwards if i'm not mistaken) that was really shootable and the fit and finish (especially barrel to frame fit) was expertly done. The Colt Agent is also one of my favorites. Then the S&W models 586/686 came to compete with the Colt Python and moreover Korth and Manurhin were contenders seen over here in Europe, for people that could afford expensive sporting tools :-) However, for me (and probably a ton of other shooters and collectors) and especially when it comes to the smooth lines and appearance of the Python, it ranks top for the most beautiful (if beauty can be used for a piece of art) and streamlined revolver made. It was also portrayed in many movies, and even over here in Eruope, a police thriller flick was named after the revolver, the 1976 french film "Police Python 357" and of course the Colt Python would be a costar in it. In sporting matches however, the S&W 586/686 would take over, because it was easier to work on than the Python and more and more armorers speciallized in tuning the S&W, and quite frankly, i rather would not file on or modify an original Colt Python today. Again thank you for the Colt frame designations insight. All Good to you, Stefano.
Great info! Those Diamondbacks always look nice to me. 👍👍
Had never heard of Colt J-Frame, that Trooper III is a fine looking gun, despite the grip.
thanks for the info. I am going to have to watch that again.
Nice job. Thanks
Mike, I lived through the last 36 years of the 20th Century and have seen the first 23 years of the 21st. Your intro makes me feel soooo OLD!👴
perfect timing on you video Wednesday I went into my favorite gun shop and they had a gun I had not seen before a Colt 357 6" bbl needless to say it cam;e home with me .Shot it on Friday 4 shot cloverleaf other 2 shots touching 1/2 inch away yep fell in love.
Interesting video. My very first firearm purchase was a Smith & Wesson K 38 Masterpiece around the time Comet Kohoutek made its appearance.
Hi Mike interesting video. The guns of the early 20th century are definitely worthy of a video they were going from single action to double action and to semi automatic actions and I know there are plenty of videos about the M1 Gurand and I'm not bad mouthing any other channel but they don't do the research about the gun that you do
It wasn’t pandanick (I probably spelled that wrong) I actually really did need this video. I extremely happy that you did it. I’m a Colt collector and I know a lot of the gun tubers on this platform. Swear by Smith & Wesson but I just always enjoyed Colt. So I hope you do a few more videos about Colt.