Colt Border Patrol
Colt's Manufacturing Company · Revolver · Discontinued · 1970
Also known as: Colt Border Patrol Special, Border Patrol 2nd Issue
Overview
The Colt Border Patrol is a six-shot double-action revolver chambered in .357 Magnum, produced in limited numbers for the U.S. Border Patrol and the commercial market. The Second Issue (1970-1975) was built on Colt's Trooper Mk.III 'J' frame with a 4-inch heavy barrel, a solid top rib, an ejector-rod shroud, a fluted cylinder, factory adjustable sights, and checkered walnut target grips. The barrel is roll-marked 'COLT BORDER PATROL .357 MAGNUM CTG.' Its short production run and low numbers make it one of the more sought-after collectible Colt double-action revolvers of the era.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1134 g (40.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 241 mm (9.49") |
| Barrel Length | 102 mm (4.02") |
| Height | 140 mm (5.51") |
| Width | 41 mm (1.61") |
| Action Type | Revolving |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Cylinder |
| Muzzle Velocity | 440 m/s (1444 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 784 J (578 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 356 mm (14.02") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .357 Magnum · primary — also known as .357 Mag, .357 S&W Magnum, 9x33mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Swing Out Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Transfer Bar, Rebounding Hammer
- Features: Heavy Barrel, Solid Top Rib, Ejector Rod Shroud, Adjustable Rear Sight, Ramp Front Sight, Fluted Cylinder, Target Grips
Service history
Operators
- United States Border Patrol · adopted 1952
- Texas Department of Public Safety
Production
Estimated total produced: 6,508 · Production years: 1970-1975
Second Issue: 5,356 produced in blue finish and 1,152 in nickel. The earlier 1952 First Issue .38 Special run totaled roughly 400 guns.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Discontinued: 1975
Notes
Two distinct issues exist. The First Issue (1952) was a heavy-barreled .38 Special run of roughly 400 guns built on the Official Police frame for the Border Patrol. The Second Issue (1970-1975) is the .357 Magnum Trooper Mk.III-based revolver described here.
Background
Issued to U.S. Border Patrol agents working the southern frontier, the Border Patrol name was revived in 1970 on a hardened Trooper Mk.III platform; its rarity and law-enforcement provenance have since made it a prized collector's revolver.