Club 38-40 (special)

[RIKA]

This old fella was born in 1902 and he's a 38-40 of course. Case hardening has silvered out to mostly gray and he has about 50% blue. Bore is VG with a few small pits that don't affect accuracy. Grips are 1 piece ivory but not original to the gun. The original hard rubber grips came with the pistol and are marked with 2 notches. The old box of ammo was part of the package and none of the cartridges have been fired.

I got him at a very good price and gave him to my Dad for his 57th birthday. I know that some would say this was a foolish extravagance but I knew the old gun would please Dad because he loves history and the old things as much as I do.

I've fired the gun with cast 180gr bullets. Its light trigger and easy recoil make it extremely accurate and fast for follow-up shots. The sights hit at point of aim at 20yds.

This is one of the guns that I hope to pass on one day to a loved one. And to answer the question, yes I would feel comfortable carrying the old pistol during shtf.

RIKA

[tuna]

Beautiful pistol Rika. I've been lusting after an original Colt for years (I always tend to give my firearms female gender though, just so you don't think I'm weird) but have always been put off by the price. One of these days though, one of these days.

[Aslan]

Very nice! That is a beautiful pistol indeed!

:devil:

[RIKA]

Thank you Aslan and thank you Tuna. The old Colts can still be found if you keep your eyes open. Best if you can put your hands on some cash fast because thats a deal closer. Good luck and don't give up. You'll find one, I'm sure.

RIKA

[tuna]

Yeah, I've seen them around for cheaper than what I'd expect, but still more than I want to pay. Understanding that you're buying a piece of history, as well as a classic tool makes the price reasonable.
Of course, there are deals out there, it's just knowing when you find a great one. Of course, you have to check what the asking price is, instead of just assuming that it is out of your range - something I've been guilty of many times. I don't want to know how many deals I've passed up because I knew what that gun should cost and walked away without looking.

And the hunt continues.

[neolithic hunter]

rika now thats what i call a real shooting iron. nice pistola to say the least, and i really like the 38-40, but alais i don't own one of them. :bawling: :cool:

[Garand]

Very nice handgun!!

[Kpdpipes]

Gorgeous, classy Smokewagon..which fits, since it's owner is a Gorgeous, Classy Lady!!!!!

[tuna]

Rika, as much as I've drooled over your other avatars, using this picture as your avatar gets my heart racing much faster than anything you've ever posted before!

Although the pictures of the real you come close, real close.

[gripper]

I often wonder what the potential of a "modernised" 38-40(read-hotter) would be....especially in an appropriate platform.

[BIGBORE]

Rika, that's a beautiful old Colt! And the 38/40 is a fine old cartridge, capable of excellent accuracy.
My first 38/40, I got many years ago, started out life as a Colt Bisley 41 Long Colt. I had the cylinder rechambered to 38/40, and of course the barrel specs are identical for the two cartridges. It shot very well, although I never cared much for the handling characteristics of the Colt Bisley. The grip angle causes them to shoot way low in instictive shooting. The Colt SAA, on the other hand, is probably the most perfect pointing handgun ever made. Colt Bisley's were quite cheap back in those days as the collectors hadn't "discovered" them yet. Modifying one nowdays would be a very foolish thing to do. Anyway, I eventually traded it off.
I have two 38/40s currently, a Colt New Service and a Ruger "Buckeye" Blackhawk Convertible with the other cylinder in 10 mm Auto. :)
Best regards, BIGBORE

[BIGBORE]

I often wonder what the potential of a "modernised" 38-40(read-hotter) would be....especially in an appropriate platform.
In the Ruger you should be able to reach 1400-1500 fps with 180gr bullets in the 6.5" bbl. I've never got around to taking mine "to the max" yet, but one of these days I'll get around to experimenting with it.
John Linebaugh made a 5-shot cylinder in 38/40 for one of these Rugers and loaded it up to about 1900 fps with 180gr bullets, and it handled it without problems I understand. However, he recommended backing it off to about 1700 fps...still quite a wicked load! :D
Best regards, BIGBORE

[RIKA]

Bigbore, thank you. I don't shoot the old Colt much anymore because it is a valued keepsake. However if I should run across a 38-40 Ruger or quality foreign made clone I would buy it in a heartbeat. I like the cartridge a lot because its accurate and easy for quick followup shots; also I have reloading dies and 180gr bullet mold.

RIKA

[BigEd63]

In the Ruger you should be able to reach 1400-1500 fps with 180gr bullets in the 6.5" bbl. I've never got around to taking mine "to the max" yet, but one of these days I'll get around to experimenting with it.
John Linebaugh made a 5-shot cylinder in 38/40 for one of these Rugers and loaded it up to about 1900 fps with 180gr bullets, and it handled it without problems I understand. However, he recommended backing it off to about 1700 fps...still quite a wicked load! :D
Best regards, BIGBORE


Sounds around .41Magnum to me; another round though not popular still has interesting aspects.

Wouldn't mind finding a SAA type pistol in either chambering myself.