Colt .380

[bigbob76]

I was at an FFL selling a rifle and this pistol was being placed on consignment by a law enforcement officer that had been carrying it as a back up gun. He said he had only fired it for qualifications, less than 200 rounds. I know it's nothing rare or unusual but I've wanted one for a long time. It's a Colt MK IV/SERIES'80 GOVERNMENT MODEL-380 AUTO. I had a knock off of one of these many years ago and had hoped to get a Colt someday. At first I wanted a Mustang Pocket Lite but when I did some comparing I decided on this one. I shot it today and compared to the lightweight blowback .380s I have this was a joy to shoot. I like it so much I might get it engraved and reblued. I wonder if it would look strange to have an engraved pistol coated with Robar NP3?

[bsg]

congratulations!

i would leave as is and not have any engraving done. i think it looks fine as is.

it's now your gun and you should enjoy it as you wish.

[ojisan]

Don't let your wife or girlfriend shoot this gun.
Chicks dig 'em, you will not get it back.
You might add a piece of grip tape to the front strap...otherwise you are GTG.

[G-forceJunkie]

I have on in stainless, fun little gun to shoot. Shot an IDPA match with it onece

[jksupplyco]

Yeah, I agree, one of the coolest guns I have ever shot.

[bigbob76]

congratulations!
i would leave as is and not have any engraving done. i think it looks fine as is.it's now your gun and you should enjoy it as you wish.

Something I hadn't considered is that it's so fun to shoot but if it was all pimped out I would be squeamish about shooting it.

Don't let your wife or girlfriend shoot this gun.
Chicks dig 'em, you will not get it back.

Thanks ojisan, that sounds like good advice.

I have on in stainless, fun little gun to shoot. Shot an IDPA match with it onece

Why did you have to mention stainless? Now I have to get another one.

[RedFord150]

Congrats, looks like a great find.
I have a Bersa Thunder in .380. I think it is a fun gun to shoot. The little .380 is very interesting to me.
I was at the range this morning. A guy next to me was trying out some rentals in 9mm for his girl to try. They wanted to get a 'house gun' that she was comfortable with. I let them shoot the Bersa. She seemed to like it a lot.
I also had my Colt Double Eagle in .45acp out today. I have an affinity for odd Colts.
Enjoy!

[bsg]

if you alter the gun permanently... it adds something, but takes something away too....

[fed20]

Glad you like it. I have two myself. One for me and the other for my wife. Enjoy!

[twotap]

Great find.

[Oceanbob]

Absolutely...

if you alter the gun permanently... it adds something, but takes something away too....

Like resale value. Good point Sir.

These are great weapons from Colt. 'If' I was going to keep that .380 forever, then I would have it Hard Chromed (looks like stainless) or Parkerized. I'am not a fan of 're-blueing' unless you can find someone that can make the gloss consistent. The problem with Reblueing (did I spell that correctly.LOL)? is eventually you will scratch the weapon because blue has no resistence to wear or abrasion. Blue looks magnificient on a Colt Python; something that you look at and hold. But for this neat little .380, she's going to need a tough (TUFF) finish for carry and shooting.

Let us know what you decide.

Have fun !

[Brian2217]

Great score. I still kick myself for selling mine years ago.

[bigbob76]

My only reason for refinishing this pistol would be if I had it engraved, as it would be necessary in that case. I wouldn't worry about hurting the value of the pistol unless it was in new or like new condition with the original box and papers etc. I've never bought any firearms as an investment. I like to buy stuff I like at a price I would usually be able to get for it if I wanted to sell it after shooting it for a while. Finding off list stuff and not having to pay tax is a bonus. I suspect most of us have sold guns and wished we had kept them. The list of guns I regret selling is fairly long but sometimes there's not much of a choice. I've had a couple of pistols engraved and it really warms my heart just handling them and looking at them.

[bsg]

Great score. I still kick myself for selling mine years ago.

yea... we've all had some that got away. i feel your pain.

[Black Majik]

Nice find! I foolishly sold my stainless .380 Government as well. I do miss it.

Don't engrave the gun, and don't refinish it. They're tough to find, any modification especially engraving and refinishing will diminish the value of it. Not only that, you seem to have a real nice example. Let it be, enjoy the gun and dump the money into more ammo!