The Colt Official Police revolver, introduced in 1927 as the successor to the Colt Army Special, served as a cornerstone of law enforcement for over four decades. You’ll find it chambered primarily in .38 Special, with a 6-round capacity and barrel options from 4″ to 6″. The robust double-action design features checkered walnut grips (pre-war) or Coltwood plastic grips (post-war), and a transfer bar safety system. This workhorse’s legacy runs deeper than its impressive 400,000-unit production run suggests.
Key Takeaways
- Introduced in 1927 as a successor to the Colt Army Special, serving as a primary law enforcement revolver until 1969.
- Six-shot double-action revolver primarily chambered in .38 Special, with additional options in .22 LR, .32-20, and .41 Colt.
- Featured robust construction with high-grade carbon steel frame, available in both blued and nickel-plated finishes.
- Offered in multiple barrel lengths (4″, 5″, 6″), with the 4-inch version being most commonly used by police departments.
- Over 400,000 units were manufactured during its 42-year production run, establishing itself as a cornerstone of law enforcement firearms.
Description
The Colt Official Police revolver served as the successor to the Colt Army Special in 1927, offering law enforcement a robust double-action revolver that remained in production until 1969.
The Official Police revolvers came chambered primarily in .38 Special, with additional options in .22 LR, .32-20, and .41 Colt. You’ll find pre-war models featuring rounded half-moon front sights and checkered walnut grips, while post-war versions adopted ramped, serrated sights and Coltwood plastic grips.
Price Range
Vintage Colt Official Police revolvers command varying prices based on condition, production year, and historical significance. You’ll find these Colt revolvers ranging from affordable to premium prices in today’s market.
| Condition | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Poor | $400-600 |
| Fair | $600-900 |
| Good | $900-1,500 |
| Excellent | $1,500-3,000 |
Military-issued Colt Official Police Revolvers and rare variants can exceed these ranges, sometimes fetching $5,000 or more at specialized auctions.
Specifications
The Colt Official Police revolver’s robust construction features a steel frame available in blued or nickel-plated finishes with checkered controls. You’ll find this .41 frame revolver offered in three barrel lengths: 4, 5, and 6 inches, each maintaining the platform’s legendary accuracy and reliability. The cylinder holds six rounds of your chosen caliber, with options including .38 Special, .22 LR, .32-20, and .41 Long Colt.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Weight | 34 oz (empty) |
| Frame | .41/E-frame Steel |
| Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Barrel Options | 4″, 5″, 6″ |
Weight
Weight specifications of Colt’s Official Police revolver varied according to barrel configuration, with the standard 4-inch model weighing 29 ounces and its 6-inch counterpart tipping the scales at 36 ounces. You’ll find the lightweight Commander action variant at 28 ounces.
The all-steel construction delivered a solid, balanced weight distribution that contributed to the revolver’s renowned handling characteristics.
Barrel Length
Building upon its robust construction, Colt’s Official Police revolver came standard with multiple barrel length options to suit various operational needs. You’d find the revolver available in 4-inch, 5-inch, and 6-inch configurations, with the 4-inch barrel being the most prevalent.
Special variants included the Marshall model with 2-inch and 4-inch options, while the wartime Commando featured a simplified 4-inch design. The Mk III introduced a 2.5-inch barrel.
Material Made Out Of
Crafted from high-grade carbon steel, Colt’s Official Police revolver showcased superior metallurgy in both its blued and nickel-plated variants.
The .41 frame construction provided a robust foundation for this service weapon, ensuring durability across all available calibers. You’ll find the carbon steel’s strength evident throughout the revolver’s core components, while the finish options offered both aesthetic appeal and corrosion resistance.
Chambered In
The versatile Colt Official Police revolver came chambered in multiple calibers, with .38 Special serving as its primary configuration.
You’ll find this revolver could handle .22 LR and .32-20 rounds, as well as the more substantial .41 Long Colt. Notably, Colt certified the Official Police for use with high-pressure .38 Special +P+ ammunition, enhancing its appeal among law enforcement and competitive shooters.
Capacity
Standard capacity for the Colt Official Police revolver followed the conventional six-round cylinder design common to double-action revolvers of its era. Whether you’re loading .38 Special, .22 LR, .32-20, or .41 Long Colt, you’ll get six rounds in the cylinder.
This double action revolver’s E-frame design provided robust support for the cylinder, ensuring reliable operation even with +P+ ammunition loads.
Trigger Pull
Breaking down the trigger mechanism, Colt’s Official Police revolver delivered distinctly different pull weights between its single and double-action modes. You’ll find the single action offers a crisp, clean break that’s ideal for precision shooting, while the double-action revolver presents a notably heavier pull than Smith & Wesson competitors.
Despite the weightier double-action, the revolver effectively manages +P+ .38 Special loads without compromising control.
Safety?
Moving beyond trigger mechanics, safety features on Colt’s Official Police revolver set new standards for defensive handguns. You’ll find the transfer bar safety system effectively prevents accidental discharge, protecting you during daily carry.
The revolver’s single-action efficient trigger combines perfectly with this safety mechanism, while the solid frame construction adds another layer of protection. The design emphasizes both performance and user safety.
Action
Colt’s Official Police revolver features a robust double-action mechanism paired with a .38 Special chambering on its signature E frame. You’ll find its solid frame construction provides excellent stability for both single and double-action shooting.
The new design builds upon Colt’s proven action system, allowing smooth trigger pull in double-action mode while maintaining crisp single-action performance for precision shots.
Optic Ready?
The Official Police revolver maintained a traditional fixed-sight design without provisions for mounting modern optics. Unlike newer J frame revolvers that accommodate optical sights, you won’t find any mounting rails or cutouts on this classic.
While it was available in blued and nickel-plated finishes, rather than the modern parkerized finish, the Official Police relied solely on its robust iron sights for target acquisition.
Review
You’ll find the Colt Official Police offers excellent reliability with its robust double-action mechanism and well-engineered frame construction, proving itself over decades of service. The revolver’s main drawbacks include a heavier trigger pull compared to Smith & Wesson competitors and limited customization options for the fixed sights.
Its .38 Special chambering delivers adequate stopping power for defensive use, while the revolver’s six-round capacity meets standard expectations for the era.
Pros
Boasting remarkable versatility and dependability, Colt’s Official Police revolver earned its prestigious reputation through decades of service across multiple sectors. As a service revolver, you’ll appreciate its adaptability across various calibers and configurations.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Multiple Calibers | Enhanced versatility (.38 Special, .22 LR, etc.) |
| Finish Options | Customizable aesthetics and durability |
| Barrel Lengths | Adaptable for different roles |
| Model Variants | Specialized configurations (Commando, Marshall) |
The Official Police’s robust construction and proven reliability made it a trusted companion for law enforcement, security personnel, and civilian users alike.
Cons
Despite its earlier success, significant drawbacks led to the Official Police revolver’s eventual decline and discontinuation in 1969. You’ll find several key factors contributed to Colt’s Special line losing market share:
| Factor | Impact | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Single-action limitation | Less combat-effective |
| Quality | Declining standards | Lost reliability |
| Competition | S&W improvements | Market dominance |
| Performance | Poor combat results | Championship withdrawal |
| Price | Higher than competitors | Reduced sales |
The firearm’s outdated single-action design proved incompatible with modern double-action police training requirements.
Reliability
While later models faced quality concerns, the original Colt Official Police revolver established itself as one of the most reliable service weapons of its era, with over 400,000 units produced during its 42-year run. You’ll find its single-action mechanism delivered consistent trigger pulls, while its robust construction withstood intensive use.
The Colt’s proven reliability in field testing led to widespread adoption by law enforcement and military personnel.
Similar Models
Colt’s lineup stands out with several distinct revolver models, each engineered for specific uses and preferences.
Like its predecessor, the New Police and Police Service revolvers, today’s offerings range from the compact .38 Special Cobra to the powerful Anaconda.
You’ll find the classic Single Action Army alongside modern double-action options like the Python and the rimfire King Cobra Target.
Similar Models From Other Manufacturers
Throughout the revolver market’s evolution, several manufacturers developed notable alternatives to Colt’s iconic designs. You’ll find the Smith & Wesson Model 10 and Model 19 Combat Magnum serving similar roles to the Colt Official Police.
The Ruger Security-Six, introduced in 1972, offered a .357 Magnum option competing directly with Colt’s offerings. For budget-conscious buyers, Taurus produced the Model 85 as an economical alternative.
Maintenance
Regular maintenance of your Colt revolver demands systematic attention to several critical components. You’ll need to disassemble the firearm using standard gunsmithing tools to access the barrel and cylinder for thorough cleaning.
Ensure proper lubrication of all moving parts and inspect springs and seals during maintenance intervals. When not in use, store your revolver unloaded in a clean, dry environment to prevent deterioration.
History
The history of the Colt revolver marks a significant chapter in American firearms development. Initially launched as the Colt Army Special in 1908, it was rebranded as the Official Police in 1927.
You’ll find it became a cornerstone of law enforcement agencies, with over 400,000 units produced. The revolver served in WWII and offered multiple caliber options before its discontinuation in 1969, outpaced by Smith & Wesson’s combat designs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Any Law Enforcement Agencies Still Use Revolvers?
You’ll find that while most law enforcement agencies have switched to semi-automatic pistols, some specialized units and smaller departments still utilize revolvers.
Modern revolver designs offer distinct advantages: they’re mechanically simpler, more reliable in close-contact situations, and less likely to malfunction from lint or debris. Today, revolvers primarily serve as backup weapons or for specific tactical applications where their inherent reliability and point-shooting characteristics are particularly valuable.
What Is the Difference Between Colt Police Positive and Police Positive Special?
Like two brothers cut from the same cloth, these revolvers have distinct differences. You’ll find the Police Positive Special is beefier, with a larger frame designed for more powerful cartridges like the .38 Special.
While both share similar cylinder design differences and trigger mechanism variations, the original Police Positive was smaller, perfect for concealed carry, and chambered in lighter rounds like .32 Colt New Police. You’ll notice the Special also offers longer barrel options.
How Old Is the Colt Official Police?
You’re looking at a 95-year-old design, as the Colt Official Police was introduced in 1927. Its typical design features included a swing-out cylinder, robust frame, and double-action mechanism that you’d find ideal for law enforcement use.
Through its practical applications in police and military service until 1969, you’ll note it’s built on the proven Army Special platform. You can trace its active service life through four decades of American law enforcement history.
Is the Colt Detective Special Still Made?
No, you can’t buy a new Colt Detective Special today as it was discontinued in 1995, ending nearly 60 years of production. While this classic lightweight revolver model was once a popular concealed carry option, Colt hasn’t manufactured it since the 1990s.
If you’re interested in owning one, you’ll need to look at the secondary market where these revolvers remain highly sought-after collector’s items. The last variant produced was the Mark III version.
Conclusion
You’ll find the Colt Official Police revolver stands as an absolute titan among 20th century service weapons. This .38 Special powerhouse dominated law enforcement from 1927-1969, with over 400,000 units produced. You’re looking at unmatched reliability with its robust six-shot cylinder, crisp double-action trigger, and match-grade accuracy. Today’s collectors recognize it as one of the most mechanically refined wheelguns ever manufactured.
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