Colt commando .38 +p ok?

smleno1mkIII · November 29, 2020, 01:28 AM

It’s based on the colt official police which the python was modeled after and the original colt .357 so I would think it would be fine but I want other opinions before I go for it.

Richard b · November 29, 2020, 08:14 AM

The Colt Commander was made for 38 Super, not 38 Spec.????

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dahermit · November 29, 2020, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard b

The Colt Commander was made for 38 Super, not 38 Spec.????

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There is a "Colt Commando"...but not to be confused with the Colt Commander in .38 Super.

https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/20...-into-service/

HighValleyRanch · November 29, 2020, 09:13 AM

I had an official police. The research I found said it was to compete against the smith models that could take the heavier 38/44 loads. So I did shoot some limited .38 +P though mine.

UncleEd · November 29, 2020, 09:14 AM

Great name for an acton hero:
Commander Commando

Ricklin · November 29, 2020, 10:11 AM

Is that an Aluminum frame revolver?

Jim Watson · November 29, 2020, 10:13 AM

I think you are right, it is strong enough for .38 +P and I don't know if it is going to beat up the action any worse, no matter how much we read about those delicate Colts.

smleno1mkIII · November 29, 2020, 02:17 PM

The Colt commando revolver was produced during WWII they were made for the military to issue mp’s, plant guards, aircrews,ammo dump guards,and the like they only made about 50,000 of them, they were parkerized simplified Colt I frame official police models with no checkering,smooth triggers, the python was based on the I frame. It is all steel weighing 10 oz more than a police positive.

Bill DeShivs · November 29, 2020, 03:24 PM

Why would you WANT to shoot +P through it?
Standard .38 Special will do everything you need-if you do your part.

**44 AMP** · November 29, 2020, 05:21 PM

You might consider asking Colt...

**4V50 Gary** · November 30, 2020, 12:30 AM

Heat treatment was different and I think that Colt could have treated it differently than the
Python.

rodfac · November 30, 2020, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Standard .38 Special will do everything you need-if you do your part.

VERY good advice...parts and smiths with the knowledge to use them correctly are increasingly hard to find. Another plus is that with standard velocity/weight ammunition, the gun should shoot to the sights.

Sound advice...Rod

T. O'Heir · November 30, 2020, 02:15 PM

Isn't likely to be. There was no such thing as + P in 1942. It wouldn't have been a consideration. The .38 Special was considered good enough for personal defence then.
Current SAAMI spec for .38 +P is 18,500 PSI vs the 17,000 PSI for regular .38 Spec.
Odd they thought the .38/200 was a different cartridge. It's nothing more than a .38 S&W using a cast 200 grain bullet. The Brits were trying to get more power out of the .38 S&W by increasing the bullet weight.

HighValleyRanch · November 30, 2020, 03:12 PM

From Wikepedia and other sources:
Colt Official Police - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org › wiki › Colt_Official_Police
The Colt Official Police is a medium frame, double-action revolver with a six- round cylinder, ... intended for competitor Smith & Wesson's new large N-frame revolver, the .38-44, none of the comparable S&W revolvers could manage this feat.

Just type in Colt Official Police 38/44 and you will find a host of articles about it being able to shoot what is now considered .38 special +P.

One example:
Colt's Official Police Revolver - Shooting Timeswww.shootingtimes.com › editorial › handgun_reviews...
Unlike the Smith & Wesson M&P revolver, Colt claimed that the Official Police was strong enough to be used with the powerful .38-44 High Velocity load.

"The . 38-44 is a cartridge designation but also is a term for the revolver intended to use the new loading, which could reach 1,125 fps with a 158-grain bullet"

shurshot · December 1, 2020, 09:33 PM

I always get a kick out of people talking poorly about the .38 Special like it's a BB from a Red Ryder airgun. In its hotter versions like mentioned in previous posts, (+P), its actually pretty impressive. To me anyhow. But then again, I like .38's!!

Should have kept my old Official Police.

ThomasT · December 1, 2020, 09:54 PM

If your gun is chambered for 38 Special the way it was originally loaded it will handle +P ammo just fine. +P is just a gimmick. It is hotter than the weak "38 Special" sold now that is no better than the 38 Long Colt it replaced. Original 38 Special was a step up from the 755fps Long Colt 38 loads. And the new +P ammo is pretty much just 38s loaded to the original specs the way 38 Special was meant to be loaded.

Here is an article by A poster here named Saxon Pig and he says it far better than I can.

http://shootingwithhobie.blogspot.co...-saxonpig.html

Here is a Google page showing real 38 Special ballistics. Notice how similar it is compared to +P 38 loads.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.38_Special

November 29, 2020, 01:28 AM	#1
smleno1mkIII Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2009 Location: washington state Posts: 176	Colt commando .38 +p ok? It’s based on the colt official police which the python was modeled after and the original colt .357 so I would think it would be fine but I want other opinions before I go for it.

November 29, 2020, 09:13 AM	#4
HighValleyRanch Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2005 Posts: 4,066	I had an official police. The research I found said it was to compete against the smith models that could take the heavier 38/44 loads. So I did shoot some limited .38 +P though mine. __________________ From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"

November 29, 2020, 10:11 AM	#6
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,011	Is that an Aluminum frame revolver? __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

November 29, 2020, 03:24 PM	#9
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,981	Why would you WANT to shoot +P through it? Standard .38 Special will do everything you need-if you do your part. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

November 29, 2020, 05:21 PM	#10
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,818	You might consider asking Colt... __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

November 29, 2020, 08:14 AM	#2
Richard b Member Join Date: December 8, 2007 Location: NC Posts: 70	The Colt Commander was made for 38 Super, not 38 Spec.???? Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

November 29, 2020, 09:14 AM	#5
UncleEd Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2013 Location: N. Georgia Posts: 1,150	Great name for an acton hero: Commander Commando

November 29, 2020, 10:13 AM	#7
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,538	I think you are right, it is strong enough for .38 +P and I don't know if it is going to beat up the action any worse, no matter how much we read about those delicate Colts.

November 29, 2020, 02:17 PM	#8
smleno1mkIII Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2009 Location: washington state Posts: 176	The Colt commando revolver was produced during WWII they were made for the military to issue mp’s, plant guards, aircrews,ammo dump guards,and the like they only made about 50,000 of them, they were parkerized simplified Colt I frame official police models with no checkering,smooth triggers, the python was based on the I frame. It is all steel weighing 10 oz more than a police positive.

November 30, 2020, 12:30 AM	#11
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	Heat treatment was different and I think that Colt could have treated it differently than the Python. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

November 30, 2020, 02:15 PM	#13
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Isn't likely to be. There was no such thing as + P in 1942. It wouldn't have been a consideration. The .38 Special was considered good enough for personal defence then. Current SAAMI spec for .38 +P is 18,500 PSI vs the 17,000 PSI for regular .38 Spec. Odd they thought the .38/200 was a different cartridge. It's nothing more than a .38 S&W using a cast 200 grain bullet. The Brits were trying to get more power out of the .38 S&W by increasing the bullet weight. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 30, 2020, 03:12 PM	#14
HighValleyRanch Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2005 Posts: 4,066	From Wikepedia and other sources: Colt Official Police - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org › wiki › Colt_Official_Police The Colt Official Police is a medium frame, double-action revolver with a six- round cylinder, ... intended for competitor Smith & Wesson's new large N-frame revolver, the .38-44, none of the comparable S&W revolvers could manage this feat. Just type in Colt Official Police 38/44 and you will find a host of articles about it being able to shoot what is now considered .38 special +P. One example: Colt's Official Police Revolver - Shooting Timeswww.shootingtimes.com › editorial › handgun_reviews... Unlike the Smith & Wesson M&P revolver, Colt claimed that the Official Police was strong enough to be used with the powerful .38-44 High Velocity load. "The . 38-44 is a cartridge designation but also is a term for the revolver intended to use the new loading, which could reach 1,125 fps with a 158-grain bullet" __________________ From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"

December 1, 2020, 09:33 PM	#15
shurshot Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2006 Posts: 1,819	I always get a kick out of people talking poorly about the .38 Special like it's a BB from a Red Ryder airgun. In its hotter versions like mentioned in previous posts, (+P), its actually pretty impressive. To me anyhow. But then again, I like .38's!! Should have kept my old Official Police.

December 1, 2020, 09:54 PM	#16
ThomasT Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,753	If your gun is chambered for 38 Special the way it was originally loaded it will handle +P ammo just fine. +P is just a gimmick. It is hotter than the weak "38 Special" sold now that is no better than the 38 Long Colt it replaced. Original 38 Special was a step up from the 755fps Long Colt 38 loads. And the new +P ammo is pretty much just 38s loaded to the original specs the way 38 Special was meant to be loaded. Here is an article by A poster here named Saxon Pig and he says it far better than I can. http://shootingwithhobie.blogspot.co...-saxonpig.html Here is a Google page showing real 38 Special ballistics. Notice how similar it is compared to +P 38 loads. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.38_Special