Police Pos. Special Snubbie

3411 Views 20 Replies 12 Participants Last post by twaits, Jan 4, 2011

warkittens

Discussion Starter · Dec 30, 2010

5

First of all, hello to the forum. New here and I wanted to share my first Colt. I have had it bad for a Detective Special for a few weeks and I found this forum on a search for info. A week ago, a friend tells me about a DS he was looking at while at the local fun show. Got the seller's number and set up a meeting. Turns out it was not a DS, but a Police Positive Special. Serial number (354080) dates to 1928 if I did my homework correctly.
So I've been reading this forum several hours per day since I got it and it appears that Colt did not make a PPS with a 2" barrel. It seems that someone in the past 82 years has cut the barrel down to around 2". They appear to have done it mostly right, since the little pistol groups very tightly at 10 yards. Only problem is it is low and left, which tells me the front sight needs to be filed down and possibly have a 'smith resolder the front blade to correct the windage problem.
I was considering using the pistol as fun show trade fodder or maybe just sell it outright to finance a DS, but it has really grown on me in the last week. In fact, I will probably need to have more D frames in the near future. Anyway, I like pics and I suspect that ya'll do as well, so here goes.

What do ya'll think. Should I keep it and invest in getting the sights corrected or trade it for another. I bought it to be a shooter/carry gun as a companion to my S&W 37 J frame. I kind of like the fact that it was made in the heart of the roaring 20's. BTW, I'm only into it for $350. Figure I could unload it and get my money out of it if I needed to.

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1 - 20 of 21 Posts

bayouboy

· #2 · Dec 30, 2010

Actually, Colt did produce a 2 inch PPS (sometimes referred to as a Pre-Detective). Your gun is obviously a cut down PPS (note the barrel marking on the gun below). The barrel on your gun actually appears to be 2.5 inch. Oddly, your gun falls in the serial number range for the pre-detective guns (they were in the 33, 34 and 35 range).

In my opinion, the cut down guns are neat, I have several including a 2.5 inch PPS. Thanks for the pics!

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Karl

· #3 · Dec 30, 2010

If you like it, and all you want is a shooter, I'd keep it.... I love the feeling of a Colt action.

BigRix

· #4 · Dec 30, 2010

2

Kinda reminds me of mine, which is a little older and worse for wear. But not bad for an old police issued gun. Mine has a NPD marking on the butt. Any markings on yours?

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twaits

· #5 · Dec 30, 2010

Here's a PPS 2 inch that was auctioned off at Poulin last march. I wish I had bid on it. I think it went with an early Detective Special for not a whole lot of money:

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broknaxl

· #6 · Dec 30, 2010

I think it looks great, but if you want to sell it, I bet it would sell in a heartbeat right here on this forum. I'd deffinately be interested. It shouldn't take to much to get the sights tweaked.

twaits

· #7 · Dec 30, 2010

Here's the auction result from last March. Even here they state the following: "Only marking is "38 Special" on left side of bbl., which appears to be replacement intended for Dectective Special. Bbl. length not offered for Police Positive, which has narrower butt"
But this is false as there were "Pre Detective" PPS guns with 2 inch barrels made. We know that the barrel is not a replacement "intended for a Detective Special" because it is simply marked "38 Special" and not "38 Detective Special"

http://www.auctionflex.com/showlot....eyword=colt&lso=timeleftasc&pagenum=6&lang=En

Anyway, someone got a hell of a deal here.

twaits

· #8 · Dec 30, 2010

And don't forget this great old thread:

http://www.coltforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18203&highlight=peter+frantzius

DFrame

· #9 · Dec 30, 2010

broknaxl said:
I think it looks great, but if you want to sell it, I bet it would sell in a heartbeat right here on this forum. I'd deffinately be interested. It shouldn't take to much to get the sights tweaked.

What he said!!!

spoonltz28

· #10 · Dec 30, 2010

Nice PP. I recently picked one up also.
5 1/2" built in 1924 in .32 cal.

Like you, I had no intensions of getting one, but walked into my local shop and saw it laying there on the shelf, I think I heard it say 'BUY ME'

As for selling it for another........ WHY???
it needs a brother !!!

gkitch

· #11 · Dec 30, 2010

Grips

No one's mentioned the grips. Are those factory checkered ivories? They look nice!
Add a vintage grip adapter and you may find shooting your gun will be a bit more pleasant. You will not need a gunsmith, nor will you have to modify the PPS.

twaits

· #12 · Dec 30, 2010

gkitch said:
No one's mentioned the grips. Are those factory checkered ivories? They look nice!
Add a vintage grip adapter and you may find shooting your gun will be a bit more pleasant. You will not need a gunsmith, nor will you have to modify the PPS.

They look more like plastic "Franzite" grips to me.

capstan

· #13 · Dec 30, 2010

What grain bullets are you shooting in it? If you are shooting 125 or 130 grain, try 158 grain it will hit higher with heavier bullets. If youve been shooting 158's then filing front sight down may be best option. I would try a lot of different loads through it with both jcketed and lead to try and find one that shoots Closest to pint of aim first then if necessary file and bend sight as required

warkittens

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 31, 2010

Thanks for all of the replys. Not many people I know get as excited about a new gun purchase as me. My wife tries but I think she just doesn't care (about the guns that is).

So I have given it quite a bit of thought and I think I'll keep it. The double action trigger pull is very smooth. As for the sights, I hope it doesn't get expensive to repair. I'm confident I can file the front down and have it look good; just file, test fire, repeat until satasfied. The windage problem is what concerns me since I think the sight will need to be removed and resoldered in place. I have always done my own gun repair, but never taken a torch to the barrel before. I suppose some silver solder from Brownells would work best, but if anyone knows a good write-up on the subject I would really appreciate a link.

I almost always shoot 158 grain JHP's because that is what I reload. I may get into some wadcutters if I can find them in bulk at a good price, but I generally like the 158 grain in .38 and .357.

As for the grips, they are white plastic with silver medallions. I assume they are factory but I am far from knowledgeable on anything Colt related (it's my first Colt). I am thinking of making a new set of grips for this pistol. I made a set in black walnut for my J-frame Smith and they turned out very well. I am thinking maybe some Maple grips for this one as I think it would look nice on the polished blue finish. Anyone know a good source for Colt medallions?

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gkitch

· #15 · Dec 31, 2010

I believe you will have better luck adjusting the windage by twisting the bbl slightly. The bbl is clamped in a vice with some leather between the metals, then take a long board or rod and give 'er a twist.
Frankly, I'd only try this if the windage were way off. It is a carry gun and if your combat accuracy is sufficient out to about 20 yards or so your good.

Reently picked up some rubber grips for a D-frame for $5. They are slightly damaged but they have the Colt medallions. You may find a simialr deal at a gun show or shop if you keep an eye out for the grips.

ar15ed

· #16 · Dec 31, 2010

i saw some medallions on gunbroker yesterday. gold and silver.

twaits

· #17 · Dec 31, 2010

warkittens said:
Thanks for all of the replys. Not many people I know get as excited about a new gun purchase as me. My wife tries but I think she just doesn't care (about the guns that is).

So I have given it quite a bit of thought and I think I'll keep it. The double action trigger pull is very smooth. As for the sights, I hope it doesn't get expensive to repair. I'm confident I can file the front down and have it look good; just file, test fire, repeat until satasfied. The windage problem is what concerns me since I think the sight will need to be removed and resoldered in place. I have always done my own gun repair, but never taken a torch to the barrel before. I suppose some silver solder from Brownells would work best, but if anyone knows a good write-up on the subject I would really appreciate a link.

I almost always shoot 158 grain JHP's because that is what I reload. I may get into some wadcutters if I can find them in bulk at a good price, but I generally like the 158 grain in .38 and .357.

As for the grips, they are white plastic with silver medallions. I assume they are factory but I am far from knowledgeable on anything Colt related (it's my first Colt). I am thinking of making a new set of grips for this pistol. I made a set in black walnut for my J-frame Smith and they turned out very well. I am thinking maybe some Maple grips for this one as I think it would look nice on the polished blue finish. Anyone know a good source for Colt medallions?

Other manufacturers have reproduced the Colt emblems for grips. I don't believe those are factory but I could be wrong. The only "plastic" sort of Colt grips I'm aware of are the brown "coltwood" material.

I would also like to hear of other peoples knowledge on silver soldering front sight blades on revolvers.

BULLSTONE

· #18 · Jan 4, 2011 (Edited)

My POLICE POSITIVE 38 DETECTIVE SPECIAL

Today I received a new addition to my Snubbie Stable and I guess I will name it my 1/2 & 1/2 Detective Special 38. The frame is a Police Positive serial # 186xxx dated 1919 ,the cylinder and crane is serial # 347xxx dated 1928. The 2" barrel is stamped 38 SPECIAL and although not original grips I am really happy with the genuine stag grips which came with it. What really pleased me is the absolute smoothness of the action ,it may be the finest action of the 15 Colt snubbies in my stable..comments welcomed...Bullstone

twaits

· #19 · Jan 4, 2011

BULLSTONE said:
Today I received a new addition to my Snubbie Stable and I guess I will name it my 1/2 & 1/2 Detective Special 38. The frame is a Police Positive serial # 186xxx dated 1919 ,the cylinder and crane is serial # 347xxx dated 1928. The 2" barrel is stamped 38 SPECIAL and although not original grips I am really happy with the genuine stag grips which came with it. What really pleased me is the absolute smoothness of the action ,it may be the finest action of the 15 Colt snubbies in my stable..comments welcomed...Bullstone

Nice looking gun. Has the barrel been filed down or is it a serrated ramp?
I think the serrated ramps didn't come out untill the 50s sometime. Also the blade is thicker on the later ones. My PP with a Bankers Special barrel has this serrated thicker front sight blade. It seems that Colt made replacement barrels for these for quite a while:
(apologies to Watkittens. It seems that some of us have kind of highjacked his thread)

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BULLSTONE

· #20 · Jan 4, 2011 (Edited)

Twaits: Take a look at the pictures of the barrel and sight,to me it appears to be a filed down sight as the serations tend to be erratic but then again it could be from ware, The red marks are dirt which I have since removed.
Bullstone

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