Hello From a New Colt Fan

[MilsurpShooter]

Been collecting and shooting milsurp rifles for a while, but never owned a handgun. My wife, who also shoots rimfires (quite well I might add) expressed interest in a handgun for target shooting. That set things in motion. One thing led to another and pretty soon I found myself interested in a 1913 Colt Officers 38 Special with 7.5' barrel at a small local dealer. I studied about them for a while and posted on this forum about the revolver I was looking at. Turned out he was apparently asking way too much for a reblued gun with Python grips - but I have to admit it shure was pretty. Still I didn't intend to pay collectors price for a non-collectable gun. Different people I know tried to talk me into a S&W, but I kept coming back to the old Colt Officers as being the handgun that I wanted. The more I read about them, the more I wanted one. I understand these (and the Officers Target/Officers Match) were the hot target guns of their day (before competitors switched to semi-autos) and I'm really impressed that they have both front and rear adjustable sights. I really think these old Colt Officers are really interesting for an almost 100 year-old gun.

So the one I finally bought should be here tomorrow. 1920 Colt Officers 38 Special with 7.5" barrel, checkered walnut grips with S/N written on the back of one, original finish - described as a 95% gun, original, in excellent working order.

Planning to try it out for the first time on Saturday. Want to shoot a couple of boxes of ~750fps 148gr wadcutter ammo at 50 feet (for starters), and then reload the brass myself with Speer or Hornady 148gr wadcutters over Bullseye. I have heard this is the most accurate 38 special target ammo for a range up to 50 yards. In my opinion, no need to try to make a personal protection gun out of it using hotter loads.

I'm quite excited!

[big_gus]

Welcome to the Forum! And congrats on the Colt Officers Model, They are Fantastic Revolvers!

[Colt-SL]

Welcome to the forum. It's nice to have you here.

[cfllwsgn]

good job man! let us know how she shoots! glad you are here!

[MilsurpShooter]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys! Picked up the gun after work. I posted a few photos in the Photos Area.

[pawncop]

Welcome from Texas MilsurpShooter. Great forum for all things Colt, have fun, learn lots, share what you know.

[Primer88]

Welcome aboard< There is a wealth of knowledge, variety of photogs and a little entertaining BS.

[MilsurpShooter]

good job man! let us know how she shoots! glad you are here!

Took it to the range today and showed it to my friend (who brought a 38 special, 357 mag, and a 44 mag all S&W for us to try out as well). Also present in the range shack this morning was an 85+ year old WW2 vet/avid milsurp rifle collector/gunsmith type. They both looked at it and said the Colt Officers was a REALLY nice gun. Both my wife and I shot it and the different S&Ws at 50ft (yes my wife shot the 44 mag) - with varying degrees of success (remember this is our first time for handguns). We could hit the 8.5X11 paper target anyway in most cases - but pretty shaky hold. The old vet eventually came out to watch so I offered to let him shoot the Colt and he seemed eager to do so. He quickly put 6 within 2 inches of each other, but off-center and low. He said we needed to sight it in and I believe him. I wonder how he shot when he was in his prime.