Colt new police question

Glockgreat23 · March 7, 2017, 09:19 PM

I have my grandfather police issue colt new police 32 s&w long. I believe he carried this gun in the late 30's. Externally, it looks to be in good shape and while I can fire it ok, despite cleaning with everything known, the bore just can't look good. Dark, perhaps some pitying, etc. so my question is can this guns barrel be bored out to something else, say a 38? I don't desire a new barrel, wanting to keep as much original as possible.

cecILL · March 9, 2017, 08:52 AM

Are you serious?

Jim Watson · March 9, 2017, 09:55 AM

The answer is no. The New Police is a true .32 frame gun, no room for a larger caliber.
The barrel could be relined. John Taylor could do the work. Poster Scorch here might could or would be likely to know where..

dahermit · March 9, 2017, 10:30 AM

Quote:

colt new police 32 s&w long.

It is my understanding that Colt would not/did not put that cartridge designation on their guns, but rather the name of the equivalent Colt cartridge with identical dimensions. ".32 Colt New Police"? Colt people...is that not correct?

Jim Watson · March 9, 2017, 10:52 AM

That is correct, the gun was cataloged as .32 New Police.
But the chamber is .32 S&W Long.
Howsomeever, if you bought .32 Colt NP ammunition, it had the deadly flat pointed bullet, worth a full 5% in calculating Hatcher Stopping Power.

**4V50 Gary** · March 12, 2017, 10:26 AM

What Jim suggested. Have the barrel relined.

Scorch · March 12, 2017, 10:52 PM

The Colt New Police is a true 32 caliber frame revolver, much like the S&W J frames. There is not enough room to put 6 38s in that cylinder. And the barrel is probably too thin to put a liner in anyway. If it were a Police Positive, sure, but it isn't.

James K · March 13, 2017, 06:44 PM

While reboring/rerifling a gun barrel is often discussed, it is a process that is done by very few shops and is rarely cost effective. In this case, it might be impossible if the cylinder is too small to take larger chambers.

Unless there is some issue I don't see, I would spend less and buy a new (or at least newer) gun with a good barrel and retire the old timer to display and maybe occasional shooting.

Jim

Slopemeno · March 15, 2017, 02:27 PM

Just because it has a dark bore doesn't mean it can't shoot well. Corrosive priming was common back then.

Have you shot it much? How about from a rest?

Glockgreat23 · March 15, 2017, 09:34 PM

Yes, I have shot it and it shoots fine. Truth is, it just bugs me

March 7, 2017, 09:19 PM	#1
Glockgreat23 Member Join Date: January 2, 2016 Posts: 89	Colt new police question I have my grandfather police issue colt new police 32 s&w long. I believe he carried this gun in the late 30's. Externally, it looks to be in good shape and while I can fire it ok, despite cleaning with everything known, the bore just can't look good. Dark, perhaps some pitying, etc. so my question is can this guns barrel be bored out to something else, say a 38? I don't desire a new barrel, wanting to keep as much original as possible.

March 12, 2017, 10:26 AM	#6
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,294	What Jim suggested. Have the barrel relined. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

March 12, 2017, 10:52 PM	#7
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,249	The Colt New Police is a true 32 caliber frame revolver, much like the S&W J frames. There is not enough room to put 6 38s in that cylinder. And the barrel is probably too thin to put a liner in anyway. If it were a Police Positive, sure, but it isn't. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

March 9, 2017, 08:52 AM	#2
cecILL Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2001 Location: central IL Posts: 775	Are you serious?

March 9, 2017, 09:55 AM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,162	The answer is no. The New Police is a true .32 frame gun, no room for a larger caliber. The barrel could be relined. John Taylor could do the work. Poster Scorch here might could or would be likely to know where..

March 9, 2017, 10:52 AM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,162	That is correct, the gun was cataloged as .32 New Police. But the chamber is .32 S&W Long. Howsomeever, if you bought .32 Colt NP ammunition, it had the deadly flat pointed bullet, worth a full 5% in calculating Hatcher Stopping Power.

March 13, 2017, 06:44 PM	#8
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	While reboring/rerifling a gun barrel is often discussed, it is a process that is done by very few shops and is rarely cost effective. In this case, it might be impossible if the cylinder is too small to take larger chambers. Unless there is some issue I don't see, I would spend less and buy a new (or at least newer) gun with a good barrel and retire the old timer to display and maybe occasional shooting. Jim

March 15, 2017, 02:27 PM	#9
Slopemeno Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Posts: 2,663	Just because it has a dark bore doesn't mean it can't shoot well. Corrosive priming was common back then. Have you shot it much? How about from a rest?

March 15, 2017, 09:34 PM	#10
Glockgreat23 Member Join Date: January 2, 2016 Posts: 89	Yes, I have shot it and it shoots fine. Truth is, it just bugs me