[Doubs43]

My second and third series Match Target Woodsman pistols. The grips on the second series are replacements from Grips4U as the original plastic grips were badly warped.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Thanks, tgt, she's a firm keeper now too.

The M41 is also almost virginal, but I'm loathe to take her out in the outback where I spend much of my time. So truth be known, my old Ruger MK-I 5" HB gets carried the most, leaving the Colt and Smith at home all safe 'n sound in the safe.

There's just "something" about these older fine rimfires....



My 'workhorse' pistol, it just keeps on going no matter what, and has accounted for literally thousands of noxious ground squirrels here in the alfalfa. Not as pretty, but sure does get the job done.



I found this one in our local pawn shop, missing some small parts in the bolt. Paid $75 for the pistol, then another $18 in parts to get her running like a top. I also figured out how to do a simple mod on the Ruger MK-II and III mags to give ten shots vs. 9 in the original MK-I magazines as visible in the pistol. I have no regrets on this one.

 

[Schlitz 45]

FYI-3K has Woodsman magazines, for pre & post war models:

Colt Old Woodsman, .22LR, 10 Rd Magazine Or Grips - Triple K

ORIGIN – USA CALIBER – .22LR WEIGHT – 28 OZ. (6.5″ BBL) OVERALL LENGHT – 10.5″ LENGTH OF MAGAZINE – 4″ Introduced as “automatic pistol target model” in 1915. The “Woodsman” designation was added in 1927. The original models to serial #83790 are not considered safe with high velocity ammunition...

www.triplek.com

 

[huntsman22]

 

[MaicoBill]

Hi,
My first post here. I have a 1969 and a 1977 Colt Woodsman's. The are great shooters.

 

[tgt_usa]

My second and third series Match Target Woodsman pistols. The grips on the second series are replacements from Grips4U as the original plastic grips were badly warped.
...

Those are gorgeous.

 

[tgt_usa]

FYI-3K has Woodsman magazines, for pre & post war models:

Colt Old Woodsman, .22LR, 10 Rd Magazine Or Grips - Triple K

ORIGIN – USA CALIBER – .22LR WEIGHT – 28 OZ. (6.5″ BBL) OVERALL LENGHT – 10.5″ LENGTH OF MAGAZINE – 4″ Introduced as “automatic pistol target model” in 1915. The “Woodsman” designation was added in 1927. The original models to serial #83790 are not considered safe with high velocity ammunition...

www.triplek.com

Awesome! Thank you.

 

[tgt_usa]

Thanks, tgt, she's a firm keeper now too.

The M41 is also almost virginal, but I'm loathe to take her out in the outback where I spend much of my time. So truth be known, my old Ruger MK-I 5" HB gets carried the most, leaving the Colt and Smith at home all safe 'n sound in the safe.

There's just "something" about these older fine rimfires....
...
My 'workhorse' pistol, it just keeps on going no matter what, and has accounted for literally thousands of noxious ground squirrels here in the alfalfa. Not as pretty, but sure does get the job done.
...
I found this one in our local pawn shop, missing some small parts in the bolt. Paid $75 for the pistol, then another $18 in parts to get her running like a top. I also figured out how to do a simple mod on the Ruger MK-II and III mags to give ten shots vs. 9 in the original MK-I magazines as visible in the pistol. I have no regrets on this one.

A MkII was my first target pistol; before that handguns were home defense. That MkII was 90% of my handgun shooting until I was talked into a MkI. Then it was 90%, until the m41 ...

 

[Doubs43]

Here is how to tell if your first series pre-Woodsman or Woodsman is safe with high velocity ammo. The oval checkered main spring housings are not heat treated and safe only with standard velocity. The main spring housing with parallel lines is safe with high velocity cartridges. Once Colt began producing the heat treated MSH, they offered them to those with earlier guns to upgrade to HV ammo.

 

[SwampDawg]

In college, ca.1978, a classmate, Dan Olson, and I had some similar interests. We became friends. Such friends that he was Best Man at my wedding. We lost touch when he moved to the West coast. But during those few years, ~'78 - ~'84, he took me shooting; for the first time shooting a handgun: a Colt "Woodsman".

When I started really getting interested in handguns, late '90s, I looked for a "Woodsman" ... but they were priced much higher than many .22s. But now I've found one:

View attachment 623751 View attachment 623752

The photos do not quite do it justice. One frustration likely is to find magazines. We'll see.

Bought my Woodsman Sport (4'' ?) in 1963 for the amount of $75 plus tax. Most accurate pistol I have owned. My friends all shot revolvers and made me stand at the far right end of the firing line so I wouldn't deafen them. The only shortcoming of this pistol was difficulty in seating the main spring housing. Over the years I have spent a lot of time making that thing seat. I have this pistol and a couple of thousand rounds in my SHTF bag.

 

[tgt_usa]

Bought my Woodsman Sport (4'' ?) in 1963 for the amount of $75 plus tax. Most accurate pistol I have owned. My friends all shot revolvers and made me stand at the far right end of the firing line so I wouldn't deafen them. The only shortcoming of this pistol was difficulty in seating the main spring housing. Over the years I have spent a lot of time making that thing seat. I have this pistol and a couple of thousand rounds in my SHTF bag.

My "Huntsman" is very satisfying to shoot ... or at least it is when I can see the PoA with only my eye-glasses.

Looking forward to giving the "Woodsman" a try; possibly tomorrow.

 

[ether]

Eerily looks like a Ruger mk . Always was told the Nambu was the inspiration for the Ruger MK. I’m not so sure it wasn’t the Colt.

I always thought they looked and felt more like Lugers. I was glad when the 22/45s came out. Pew:

 

[Goldy49]

I was in the service in '71/'72 and if memory serves me correctly, a couple of tunnel rats I met carried Colt Woodsman .22's. I really can't remember, but I think they used the .22's so they wouldn't go deaf in the tunnels. I've wanted one ever since. (I think they were Colt Woodsman pistols)

 

[Auto Blaster]

Got to love the older High Standards!

 

[passx]

I’m in the process of maybe buying a 1937 Colt Woodsman, maybe, if things go right and the creek don’t rise ! So is there anything I should be aware of or look out for ?

It appears to be in very, very nice condition. I started off just looking at what I thought was just an old pistol that’s a bit different from my 22/45, thought it might be fun !

So do you actually shoot these or just ogle them ? I had no idea that these were anything special until I stumbled upon this older thread ! We’ll see, hopefully get this completed in the next week. Maybe !

 

[dsk]

The biggest concern with any long-discontinued gun is what you're going to do if you need spare parts like a firing pin or extractor. Also check for signs of abuse. In an older Woodsman check for signs it's been shot extensively with high-velocity ammo, like peening or cracks. I wouldn't consider a pistol I couldn't disassemble and inspect first.

Sometimes you just have to risk it, and enjoy it any way you can. I know spare parts are nonexistent for my little Llama .22, but then again the gun was fairly cheap so I intend to keep having fun with it until something breaks.

 

[dsk]

Regarding the Ruger vs Nambu, it is true that Bill Ruger had a friend who brought back a Japanese Nambu after WW2, and it served as the styling inspiration for the Ruger .22 pistol. Back in the late 1940s both the Nambu and Luger were what the cool kids all had as they were war trophies. It's not like today where anyone who isn't a collector wouldn't want to be caught dead holding a Nambu.

 

[Chance-dg]

I found a mark III 22/45 5 1/2" bull barreled pistol about 2004 or so and it has been a fantastic woods pistol. I never wanted another as this one is sooo accurate and dependable for me. great to carry and great to shoot.

 

[longarm]

Lil' brother had one (and of course, traded it off and regrets it), and it was fun. I just loathe & hate the waste of rimfire brass.

 

[passx]

Dunno, dsk, I kinda like the old stuff, so long as it’s not just junk. I had a friend (?) try to sell me an old Star 9mm that looked like it was machined using a dull pocket knife, it was terrible !

The Woodsmen looks almost new and is just smooth & tight. It’s good to know that parts are limited, not planning to shoot the heck outta it but I will shoot it if things work out. Does Colt offer any parts service fir this?

I got to look it over pretty well and cycle it but was not able to take it apart as this is an estate deal.

Besides, I have a mk4 22/45 with a TruGlo red dot sight that I just go through way took much ammo with,, and also a 22/45 Lite with a red dot that is my wife’s , so I will shoot the Colt if I do get it but it will not replace my Ruger .