Ever fired a Colt Commando .38 Special, ~ 2" barrel?

[c_rex]

I have this revolver that my dad gave me as a family heirloom.  The story on it is that it was a  issue given to a family member when he was a Chief in a precinct several decades ago but I don't think it's ever been fired.  This thing is so old that the "serial" numbers are scratched inside the frame, on the butt and matched on the holster.  I'm contemplating taking it to a range to fire it but I've no idea what to expect.  Any idea what I'd be in for?

[NAKID]

What? No pics?

[Mother]

it will go bang

there will be a flash

and

you will feel your hand and arm jump

then there will be silence

repeat 5 more times

then

it will just click

have fun

[VisceralReaction]

I would find out what you have, if this is a collectible piece. I would recommend not firing it.

[c_rex]

Well I expected the bang part but I haven't fired a pistol this big since I was 12.  That was also the last time I fired a sawed off shotgun.  Needless to say the memory is clear.

Collectible?  I suppose that's a possibility but I'm no super gun enthusiast so wouldn't know where to begin to look for that info.  Just looks like a cast piece of iron with some plasticky lookin handles.  I'll post some pics when my rinky dink camera recharges.  Hate that thing....   

[Rameses]

The Gun Trader's Guide - Issue 27 (which is from 2005, so the value could've changed some by now) lists the Colt Commando in New In Box condition at $442.

[He Man]

Probably isnt wroth much since it was a cop gun. theres thousands of them that were made to be issued. The big thing is, whats its worth to you?

Im sure its been fired at the range. and honestly, maybe it should be a tradition to teach every person in the house how to shoot with that gun. that would make it have some serious value.

[Desmo Demon]

I'm contemplating taking it to a range to fire it but I've no idea what to expect.  Any idea what I'd be in for?

The gun is based off of the Police Positive frame, just as my Detective Special is with 2" barrel. There is very little kick out of the 38 and the gun shots moderately "ok" at distances up to 15 yards. It's not a range gun, so don't expect spectacular performance.

Now, the real question is.......is the gun actually a 38 Special or a 38 S&W? It will be stamped on top of the barrel and the two calibers are NOT the same. I've known people so "think" some of the older guns were a 38 Special when in fact it was a 38 S&W. If it is a 38 Special, the ammo is reasonably priced and you can find it everywhere. I think the last box I bought was Winchester White Box at Walmart for $18/100 rounds. That was about 3 years ago, though, as I now reload my own. I do know that ammo prices have gone up with the price of copper......If you have a gun that is 38 S&W, that ammo is getting quite difficult to find and you'll probably have to order it, as it seems that nearly no one carries it in stock.

[c_rex]

It's a .38 Special for sure.  Not pictured below but it says so right below the Colt Commando stamp on the side of the barrel. 

[ducatiz]

That's an NYPD version with the unshrouded ejector rod and the 3 barrel.

Those were issued during WW2 when there was a manufacturing freeze on many arms (redirected to the war effort).

The Commando design was pretty old and they weren't making them as much as they were the 1911 at that point, but due to war pressure, they stepped up making them for civilian police duty.  The Commando was a cheaper version of the .38 spec revolver that Colt's made (called the Official Police Model).

Standard police model was parkerized, 3" barrel, no ejector shroud.  Colt's also made a 2" barrel model with a shrouded ejector, but NYPD did not use those.

That was probably issued in the mid to late 40s and I think they used them through the late 1950s.  At some point, they stopped using Colt's and started issuing S&W model 10's.

if it has an armory cartouche in front of the hammer above the cylinder release, then it's a military model and very valuable.

The "scratched" numbers are probably the NYPD property numbers.  The serial number should be on the butt, underside or inside the pawl.  The National Firearms Act of 1939 required that all firearms be "uniquely marked" from the factory, which means a stamped serial #.

[c_rex]

Hot dawg- that's some detailed info ducatizzzz!  I don't see any cartouche on it, just a number "8" where you said to look.  The issue number is also scratched into the butt/underside of the grip as well as inside the cylinder arm that swings out.  Looking at the hammer and cylinder there doesn't appear to be a scratch on it; likewise with the muzzle, etc. 

I suppose I should have some sentimental value for the thing but my plan is to use it as a 'coyote' gun while elk hunting next month.  It'd be much more effective than my .22 for keeping the varmints away.

[ducatiz]

Hot dawg- that's some detailed info ducatizzzz!  I don't see any cartouche on it, just a number "8" where you said to look.  The issue number is also scratched into the butt/underside of the grip as well as inside the cylinder arm that swings out.  Looking at the hammer and cylinder there doesn't appear to be a scratch on it; likewise with the muzzle, etc. 

I suppose I should have some sentimental value for the thing but my plan is to use it as a 'coyote' gun while elk hunting next month.  It'd be much more effective than my .22 for keeping the varmints away.

i bet if you take the handle side covers off you'll find a stamped number.  then again, i don't remember if the police versions were sent with a separate series stamp.

i wouldn't bother using it as a coyote gun, you need something better than that.  a 38 pistol is too inaccurate for anything long distance and too weak to penetrate a boar or javelina skull which is really what you need a pistol for in the brush -- althought depends on where you are hunting.

nice piece though, they only had 50,000 or so.  they are comparatively rare (the NYPD issue version)

[c_rex]

hrmm... my wife is as liberal as they come and does not relish the idea of more guns in the house. 
...
of course, she didn't know I bought my S4RS until it had been parked in the garage for a couple days soooooo.... maybe it's time to go gun shoppin!

heh heh- birthday at the end of the month.  I was gonna ask for a gun safe.  suppose I just don't tell her the combination but put a new coyote gun inside? 

I'm a baaaaaad boy! 

[ducatiz]

hrmm... my wife is as liberal as they come and does not relish the idea of more guns in the house. 
...
of course, she didn't know I bought my S4RS until it had been parked in the garage for a couple days soooooo.... maybe it's time to go gun shoppin!

heh heh- birthday at the end of the month.  I was gonna ask for a gun safe.  suppose I just don't tell her the combination but put a new coyote gun inside? 

I'm a baaaaaad boy! 

i don't have your problem.  when my pop passed away, i inherited all 250+ of his firearm collection, so the Mrs wouldn't notice unless I put a Howitzer in the living room..

[c_rex]

i don't have your problem.  when my pop passed away, i inherited all 250+ of his firearm collection, so the Mrs wouldn't notice unless I put a Howitzer in the living room..

in the word() of Napoleon Dynamite... "Lucky!"