Chronograph test for 1961 Colt Official Police

[Doug.38PR]

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I just sat down in my backyard with my laptop, OP, chronograph and various loads and reloads of .38 Special.
A cylinder full of 6 per brand/load. I was sitting about 10-8 feet behind the chronograph while shooting.
Here are the results:
.38 Special +P 158 gr. LRN. 4 inch 1961 Colt Official Police
5.8 grains Power Pistol: 917.7, 921.9, 943.5, 875.5, 951.2, 925.3 fps.
Remington brand LHP: 932.1, 953.4, 948.5, 976.4, 946.9, 917.1 fps
Buffalo Bore LHP: 1181, 1193, 1199, 1194, 1150, 1188 fps

.38 Special 158 gr. LRN 4 inch 1961 Colt Official Police
4.0 grains Unique: 645.5 fps, 465.4, 535.7, 641.8, 651.5 fps (No, that second one is not a typo)

I have to say, I wasn't sure what to expect with the Unique standard load. It was the lowest load my Speer manual allowed for. BUT, I was absolutely amazed at all the +P loads.

The Remington +P LHP was A LOT faster than I was expecting...even for a 4 inch barrel. Remington advertising puts it around 890 fps. All but one shot well over 900 ft per second, one even approaching 1000 ft per second.

The Power Pistol 5.8 gr load appears to be identical to the Remington. In fact, if I had mixed the cartridges up...I would not have been able to tell the difference. The recoil is the same, the muzzel flash is the same and apparently the velocity is the same. I wonder what it would clock if I jacked it up to the maximum allowable of 6.0 grains of Power Pistol?

The Buffalo Bore.....I think it's velocity speaks for itself. It is indeed as advertised. I can vouch for that

Reloading, shooting and clocking are fun!

(the only downside is the bullets were tearing a big rip in my bermuda grass beyond. I had to fill in the strip I dug with some dirt. Don't want an annoying bump this pring when mowing my grass.)

[ralph7]

i am foaming at the mouth jealous of your "yard".
i can barely shoot my pellet gun where i live.
you are one lucky coonass!!

and i mean that in the best way, as i have had many friends from your fine state.

[Doug.38PR]

LOL! Thanks ralph. Actually I just moved to north Louisiana from Houston 3 years ago. One of my favorite things about living up here is being able to step out the back door and shoot. In my Houston neighborhood, like you said, all we could do growing up was pop low powered BB guns

[Doug.38PR]

9mm vs http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/9...38 Special.htm http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/9...38 Special.htm I notice 888 ft per second out of 4 inch barrel here.

What does my gun have that Stephen Camp's doesn't? I noticed on the S&W forum bvcmgilvary (also a member here) posted readings from his M-10 4 inch that are more like what I got out of my Official Police. I KNOW all guns and barrels are slightly different and there is going to be variance....but this is quite a difference

[Malysh]

Good report, thanks Doug.