Scarce (modern) Colt Double Action revolver?

Sevens · August 22, 2013, 03:21 PM

A friend recently showed me some guns he took in from his Dad. One in particular he said was not made in volume and could be difficult to find.

I believe it was a blued Colt Police Positive -- but not the one they made tens of thousands of, this was a Mark V, chambered in .357 Magnum, with a four-inch full underlug barrel. It looked like it wanted to be a King Cobra but with a smaller frame.

Being a Smith & Wesson guy, I think it kind of felt like a K-frame, or a wee bit smaller. It -really- drew me in.

Gunbroker shows no results (that I could find) for a Mark V in this model, but I didn't run a search of closed auctions.

Colt guys-- can you tell me more about the Mark V Colt guns? I know the Trooper and the King Cobra are the plentiful examples of the Mark V revolvers, but what are others? What's the story with a Police Positive Mark V -- is this a real thing or did I get the name slightly off?

SaxonPig · August 22, 2013, 03:32 PM

There was a Police Positive made way back in 32 and short 38 caliber. I am not aware of that model name being on any 357s. Maybe a Trooper Mk V? Seems like there was something like that and it was made right before Colt went out of the DA revolver business so not many produced.

spacecoast · August 22, 2013, 03:33 PM

Maybe this will help?

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176734

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=165607

Dfariswheel seems to know a bunch about them.

PetahW · August 22, 2013, 03:41 PM

.

AFAIK, The Colt Police Positive Mark V was a .38 Special D-frame (being a PPS stamped only "Police Positive", with ".38 Special" on the lower line) with a heavy, underlug 4-inch barrel.
While stamped Mark V, it isn't really the Mark V frame or Mark V action, since it's the smaller PPS/"D" frame that AFAIK Colt never chambered for the .357 ( a "D" frame, i.e.).

Does the revolver in question have a barrel actually marked ".357 MAGNUM CTG" ?

If not, then it might be a rechambered PPS.

.

Dfariswheel · August 22, 2013, 06:17 PM

As above, the Colt Police Positive Mark V was a very short production version of the old Police Positive Special revolver.
It was made only in 1994 and 1995, and like the Colt Detective Specials made during that same time, it was made from left over Colt "D" frame parts as a "clean up".

It was basically nothing more then the Detective Special with a 4" full lugged barrel, and was only made in .38 Special.

The Colt Mark V was a medium frame .357 Magnum revolver made from 1983 to 1986. It was made in three versions : the Trooper Mark V, the fixed sight Lawman Mark V, and the flat black unpolished Peacekeeper made during the big Colt strike.
The Mark V was later fitted with a full lugged barrel and made as the King Cobra, later also made in a blued version.

The Colt Police Positive Mark V, .38 Special, 4" barrel only.

The Colt Mark V, this one is the adjustable sight version Trooper Mark V, .357 Magnum only.

James K · August 22, 2013, 08:11 PM

See, it's simple. How could there be anything confusing about Colt model names?

Jim

SaxonPig · August 22, 2013, 10:45 PM

Never heard of the PP5. Learn something new everyday.

Sevens · August 23, 2013, 03:42 AM

I think that's it, but I coulda swore it was chambered in .357 Magnum.

I'm going to get to the bottom of this, and I will be back to post in this thread.

In the mean time, look at that picture and just try to tell me that ain't cool!

That's a neat revolver.

Also, I had to snicker at this:

Quote:

Dfariswheel seems to know a bunch about them.

Ummm, yeah, that goes without saying.

Spacecoast, nice quick snag with your links.

Revoltella · August 23, 2013, 06:54 AM

Quote:

The Colt Police Positive Mark V, .38 Special, 4" barrel only.

That is one nice revolver.

Bart Noir · August 23, 2013, 06:25 PM

And I regret selling my PP MkV. It was just like the photo, was unusual and yet, still one of those cute little D-frames.

Bart Noir

Sevens · August 24, 2013, 08:08 AM

Okay, checked with my friend and of course -- you were right.

Quote:

it's the smaller PPS/"D" frame that AFAIK Colt never chambered for the .357.

...just as PetahW said. I was mistaken, it is indeed chambered for .38 Special.

And it looks just like the top photo Dfariswheel posted.

Very attractive revolver, would love to stumble across on of these!

Dfariswheel · August 24, 2013, 08:14 PM

To get really confusing, Colt made a short run of Detective Specials with 3 inch barrels that look exactly like the Police Positive Mark V, only one inch shorter.

Bart Noir · August 26, 2013, 02:21 PM

Dfariswheel, I built one of those 3-inchers

Found an unused full-underlug 3-inch DS barrel and had an old run-of-the-mill PPS in my safe. So I had a 'smith put the newer tube on the older, full frame PPS. I may have the only gun that combines the two.

The shape of the 3-inch tube is just the same at the muzzle as that 4-inch in the picture, as you pointed out. I rather like it, it is even stylish.

Bart Noir
Who needs to go shoot some D-Frames after reading this thread.

Dfariswheel · August 26, 2013, 06:29 PM

3 inch revolvers are just about the perfect carry revolver, and the heavy barrel Dick Special was about as good as small revolvers got.

Combine the gun and the barrel and you have a keeper.

August 22, 2013, 03:21 PM	#1
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,755	Scarce (modern) Colt Double Action revolver? A friend recently showed me some guns he took in from his Dad. One in particular he said was not made in volume and could be difficult to find. I believe it was a blued Colt Police Positive -- but not the one they made tens of thousands of, this was a Mark V, chambered in .357 Magnum, with a four-inch full underlug barrel. It looked like it wanted to be a King Cobra but with a smaller frame. Being a Smith & Wesson guy, I think it kind of felt like a K-frame, or a wee bit smaller. It -really- drew me in. Gunbroker shows no results (that I could find) for a Mark V in this model, but I didn't run a search of closed auctions. Colt guys-- can you tell me more about the Mark V Colt guns? I know the Trooper and the King Cobra are the plentiful examples of the Mark V revolvers, but what are others? What's the story with a Police Positive Mark V -- is this a real thing or did I get the name slightly off? __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

August 22, 2013, 03:41 PM	#4
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. AFAIK, The Colt Police Positive Mark V was a .38 Special D-frame (being a PPS stamped only "Police Positive", with ".38 Special" on the lower line) with a heavy, underlug 4-inch barrel. While stamped Mark V, it isn't really the Mark V frame or Mark V action, since it's the smaller PPS/"D" frame that AFAIK Colt never chambered for the .357 ( a "D" frame, i.e.). Does the revolver in question have a barrel actually marked ".357 MAGNUM CTG" ? If not, then it might be a rechambered PPS. . Last edited by PetahW; August 24, 2013 at 11:50 AM.

August 23, 2013, 06:25 PM	#10
Bart Noir Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2000 Location: Puget Sound, USA Posts: 2,215	And I regret selling my PP MkV. It was just like the photo, was unusual and yet, still one of those cute little D-frames. Bart Noir __________________ Be of good cheer and mindful of your gun muzzle!

August 26, 2013, 02:21 PM	#13
Bart Noir Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2000 Location: Puget Sound, USA Posts: 2,215	Dfariswheel, I built one of those 3-inchers Found an unused full-underlug 3-inch DS barrel and had an old run-of-the-mill PPS in my safe. So I had a 'smith put the newer tube on the older, full frame PPS. I may have the only gun that combines the two. The shape of the 3-inch tube is just the same at the muzzle as that 4-inch in the picture, as you pointed out. I rather like it, it is even stylish. Bart Noir Who needs to go shoot some D-Frames after reading this thread. __________________ Be of good cheer and mindful of your gun muzzle!

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August 22, 2013, 03:32 PM	#2
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	There was a Police Positive made way back in 32 and short 38 caliber. I am not aware of that model name being on any 357s. Maybe a Trooper Mk V? Seems like there was something like that and it was made right before Colt went out of the DA revolver business so not many produced.

August 22, 2013, 03:33 PM	#3
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	Maybe this will help? http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176734 http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=165607 Dfariswheel seems to know a bunch about them.

August 22, 2013, 06:17 PM	#5
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	As above, the Colt Police Positive Mark V was a very short production version of the old Police Positive Special revolver. It was made only in 1994 and 1995, and like the Colt Detective Specials made during that same time, it was made from left over Colt "D" frame parts as a "clean up". It was basically nothing more then the Detective Special with a 4" full lugged barrel, and was only made in .38 Special. The Colt Mark V was a medium frame .357 Magnum revolver made from 1983 to 1986. It was made in three versions : the Trooper Mark V, the fixed sight Lawman Mark V, and the flat black unpolished Peacekeeper made during the big Colt strike. The Mark V was later fitted with a full lugged barrel and made as the King Cobra, later also made in a blued version. The Colt Police Positive Mark V, .38 Special, 4" barrel only. The Colt Mark V, this one is the adjustable sight version Trooper Mark V, .357 Magnum only.

August 22, 2013, 08:11 PM	#6
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	See, it's simple. How could there be anything confusing about Colt model names? Jim

August 22, 2013, 10:45 PM	#7
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	Never heard of the PP5. Learn something new everyday.

August 24, 2013, 08:14 PM	#12
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	To get really confusing, Colt made a short run of Detective Specials with 3 inch barrels that look exactly like the Police Positive Mark V, only one inch shorter.

August 26, 2013, 06:29 PM	#14
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	3 inch revolvers are just about the perfect carry revolver, and the heavy barrel Dick Special was about as good as small revolvers got. Combine the gun and the barrel and you have a keeper.