Colt Officers Model Match

Colt's Manufacturing Company · Pistol · Discontinued · 1953

Also known as: Officer's Model Match, Officers Model Match Fifth Issue

Overview

The Colt Officers Model Match is a precision .38 Special double-action target revolver built on Colt's medium 'J' frame and produced from 1953 to 1969 as the fifth issue of the long-running Officers Model line. It features a heavy 6-inch barrel, an adjustable Accro rear sight paired with a Patridge front, Colt's first Target hammer, and fully checkered target grips. Long regarded as one of the finest target revolvers Colt ever made, it was also offered in .22 LR for rimfire competition.

Specifications

Weight (empty)1077 g (38.0 oz)
Overall Length286 mm (11.26")
Barrel Length152 mm (5.98")
Action TypeDouble Action
Firing MechanismDouble Action Single Action
Trigger TypeDouble Action
Magazine Capacity6 rounds
Magazine TypeInternal
Muzzle Velocity290 m/s (951 fps)
Muzzle Energy341 J (252 ft·lbf)
Effective Range50 m (55 yd)
Barrel RiflingLeft Hand
Number of Grooves6
Frame MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialWood
FinishBlued

Calibers

Features

Service history

Operators

Production

Production years: 1953-1969

Fifth and final issue of the Officers Model target-revolver lineage that began in 1904

Origin

Country of origin: United States

Discontinued: 1969

Notes

Distinct from the Colt Officer's ACP, a .45 ACP 1911-pattern semi-automatic pistol. This entry is the .38 Special double-action target revolver.

Background

The Officers Model Match was the gun that introduced two features Colt target shooters would obsess over for decades: the company's first Target hammer and its first fully checkered Target grips.