Colt Woodsman ???

[jds holler]

Among the first gen, and I suppose Pre-Woodsman's the early versions weren't really durable for the newer "High Speed" 22 long rifle ammo. I don't remember the years that are of concern, but the back strap will tell you depending on this


The horizontal serrations indicate higher pressure models or upgraded guns. The older ones have a checkered stamp. (I don't have an example)

I've visited a few good sites on-line with good info on these guns. Anyone who owns one oughta consider him or herself lucky. They are real shooters, and pretty special. jd

 

[brokeasajoke]

Among the first gen, and I suppose Pre-Woodsman's the early versions weren't really durable for the newer "High Speed" 22 long rifle ammo. I don't remember the years that are of concern, but the back strap will tell you depending on this
View attachment 1468020

The horizontal serrations indicate higher pressure models or upgraded guns. The older ones have a checkered stamp. (I don't have an example)

I've visited a few good sites on-line with good info on these guns. Anyone who owns one oughta consider him or herself lucky. They are real shooters, and pretty special. jd

Here ya go. Mine with checkered.

 

[digger11]

Oil it and leave it alone.That gun is a treasure.In it’s day it was the best of the best.
Do not reblue it.Take some time and find a real Colt guy near you.
I had a friend that was the go to Colt guy,,sadly he passed a few months ago.

 

[Eagle1899]

Just shoot it. It's a neat example of early attempts at a muzzle brake.

 

[jds holler]

Another thing for us Woodsman owners is -- DON'T LOSE YOUR MAGAZINE!!

Even though there are lots of similar and almost look alike mags, I don't thing there are any that fit these pistols except for originals. If anyone has a spare, I'll give ya ten bucks for it. jd

 

[nilebartram]

I sold my collection, (35) of American 22LR pistol when the DR told me I had stage 4 lung cancer. They gave me 6 months, going on 4 years Thursday. Just did not wife to deal with that stuff. I miss them, loved shooting them. Sold all my American 22LR rifles too. I did keep the Remington 37. Those 22's are a piece of Americana you will never see again.

 

[Knotwild]

Another thing for us Woodsman owners is -- DON'T LOSE YOUR MAGAZINE!!

I looked up some magazine prices and they are scary. But a little know fact is that Standard Manufacturing is making Gen 2 Woodsmans again. A little pricey, but maybe they could be a source for magazines. My father had a Gen 2, 6". I think they are beautiful, but I wish Standard made a threaded version. A 4" Woodsman with a Thunderbeast Takedown 22 would be awesome.

Standard Manufacturing Woodsman

 

[Knotwild]

I have a pretty nice Gen 1 with a standard velocity main spring housing. I would if it could be re-heat treated so any ammo would work. It's impossible to find a high speed housing.

 

[jds holler]

I have a pretty nice Gen 1 with a standard velocity main spring housing. I would if it could be re-heat treated so any ammo would work. It's impossible to find a high speed housing.

Heck, just enjoy the old pony with standard velocity ammo, and don't look back. Accuracy is prolly better, and no tin can or target will know the difference. jd

 

[Shooter13]

Someone "hacked" a beautiful 22LR pistol, I have a Woodsman and a Match target 41 and it would probably be the first time I'd shoot someone if I saw them with a hacksaw going toward my pistols!

 

[nilebartram]

At one time I was one of the only person who could take down all the series Woodsman in my area. Even the local gunsmith would ask for my help. I remember my grandmother telling me that grand paw bought a Colt Woodsman in the 30's for $35. She was so pissed that she would not let him buy a newspaper for a whole year. Money was tight back then. I forgot to mention with the woodsman and high standards pistol, that internal hammer made it tricky to disassemble and assemble.

 

[Knotwild]

Heck, just enjoy the old pony with standard velocity ammo, and don't look back. Accuracy is prolly better, and no tin can or target will know the difference. jd

I think you are right. I shoot a lot more standard velocity stuff in everything these days.

 

[Kalitrazescapee]

Once you have a woodsman or high standard a Ruger seems.....a zip gun

 

[jds holler]

We used to have an informal shooting contest at our annual Memorial Day campout. It consisted of a 14" gong, and everyone who had a handgun. (usually 20 or 30 of us).

Shooting started at 10 yards, and you got two shots to hit the gong. After everyone shot, the folks who were successful get to move back to 20 yards and try again. moving back at ten yard increments, folks start dropping like flies at the fifty yard line.

By the time we'd get out to a hundred yards, it was down to just a few of us, and almost always me and my friend Louveta, both of us with Woodsmans. Her and I shot against each other to the bitter end, with one or the other dropping out at sometimes 130 yards. I can't think of a time when anyone but her or I won that contest.

This is how it starts. I guess this is prolly twenty or thirty yards.



This is Louveta with her Colt.



Hers is the one on bottom. She died last Christmas, and willed it to me.

 

[hpshooter]

I never use HV rimfire ammo in the Woodsmans, H,igh Standards or 41 S&W. Admit to putting about any .22RF ammo through the Ruger semi-auto pistols.

 

[GuitarmanNick]

Got to shoot one of those last Saturday that belongs to a good friend.

He put 29 of 30 rounds into a single 1" hole at 15 yards. I was not as proficient with my shaky hands.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

I'll opine that once you own and shoot a Woodsman, all other .22LR semi-auto's just don't seen to cut it. Fit, finish, subjective 'feeling', and the accuracy! My modest collection (did )consist of a Series 3 Match Target, a M41 and of course an old MK-I HB that just had a Holosun reflex sight added.

My Match Target that replaced my 6" Series II Sport Model that I foolishly sold back in 1985. A deed much regretted ever since.



And I'll admit to selling my M41 to a fellow member here, as I wanted to keep it pristine, so seldom, if ever shot the thing. She turned into a certified safe queen.



My old MK-I HB that was rescued from a local pawn shop, missing most of the bolt assembly parts. It was returned to shooting condition for less than $25, with the total cost under $100. That turned out to be the "deal-o-the-day", and this one still accompanies me in the field when sniping ground squirrels from the bench.



When I consider that the old Ruger shoots what I'd consider 95% of the accuracy of both my Woodsman AND my M41, it becomes clear that you don't have to spend over $500 to have a .22LR target pistol capable of superlative accuracy with even HV ammo. That old Ruger has smacked ground squirrels in the noggin at ranges past 50 yards on many occasions while in the rat patch. The old Leupold/Gilmore has been retired and replaced with the Holosun reflex sight.



But I still wonder to this day where my old Woodsman Sport six incher ended up.

Pro Tip: If you own a Woodsman, DO NOT misplace, lose, or sell that magazine! Finding another will be like finding chicken lips!

 

[Kalitrazescapee]

I'll opine that once you own and shoot a Woodsman, all other .22LR semi-auto's just don't seen to cut it. Fit, finish, subjective 'feeling', and the accuracy! My modest collection (did )consist of a Series 3 Match Target, a M41 and of course an old MK-I HB that just had a Holosun reflex sight added.

My Match Target that replaced my 6" Series II Sport Model that I foolishly sold back in 1985. A deed much regretted ever since.



And I'll admit to selling my M41 to a fellow member here, as I wanted to keep it pristine, so seldom, if ever shot the thing. She turned into a certified safe queen.



My old MK-I HB that was rescued from a local pawn shop, missing most of the bolt assembly parts. It was returned to shooting condition for less than $25, with the total cost under $100. That turned out to be the "deal-o-the-day", and this one still accompanies me in the field when sniping ground squirrels from the bench.



When I consider that the old Ruger shoots what I'd consider 95% of the accuracy of both my Woodsman AND my M41, it becomes clear that you don't have to spend over $500 to have a .22LR target pistol capable of superlative accuracy with even HV ammo. That old Ruger has smacked ground squirrels in the noggin at ranges past 50 yards on many occasions while in the rat patch. The old Leupold/Gilmore has been retired and replaced with the Holosun reflex sight.



But I still wonder to this day where my old Woodsman Sport six incher ended up.

Pro Tip: If you own a Woodsman, DO NOT misplace, lose, or sell that magazine! Finding another will be like finding chicken lips!

I agree...a mk1 target. Is ho hum once you get a woodsman. But they do shoot....