The Colt Woodsman Target Model is the classic accuracy-oriented Woodsman: longer sight radius, adjustable sights on many examples, excellent balance, and the kind of Colt fit and finish that made the pistol a favorite with serious rimfire shooters. It is not as visually dramatic as the Match Target and not as compact as the Sport Model, but it may be the purest expression of the Woodsman as a traditional target pistol.
Quick Identification
- Precision-oriented Woodsman variant associated with longer barrels and improved sight radius.
- Adjustable rear sights are a key feature on many Target Model examples.
- Produced across multiple Woodsman generations, so series identification remains essential.
- Best evaluated by barrel length, sight configuration, frame series, magazine release location, slide markings, finish, grips, and serial-number format.
Why the Target Model Matters
The Target Model is the Woodsman for deliberate shooting. It was built for the man who cared about groups, sight picture, trigger feel, and repeatable accuracy. The Sport Model was handy. The Match Target was specialized. The Target Model sat in the middle as the refined, practical, accuracy-first Woodsman.
That middle position is exactly what makes it important. It gives collectors a direct connection to the period when .22 rimfire target shooting was a serious American pastime. The pistol was elegant enough for the collector and accurate enough for the firing line.
Production and Series Context
The Target Model should always be identified within the larger Woodsman series structure. A First Series Target, Second Series Target, and Third Series Target can all be correct, but their controls, magazine release systems, grips, sights, and serial-number patterns differ. That is why the model name alone is never enough.
Use the Colt Woodsman generations guide for the broad design timeline, the Colt Woodsman serial number lookup for a quick dating estimate, and the Woodsman serial number master chart for the full production-block context.
Target Model Features
The Target Model’s appeal begins with balance. A longer barrel steadies the pistol and stretches the sight radius, making it easier to hold a clean sight picture. The adjustable rear sight, when present and original to the pistol, is one of the features that separates a proper Target Model from simpler field and economy versions.
| Feature | Collector Note |
|---|---|
| Barrel length | Longer barrels provide the sight radius and balance that define the Target Model. |
| Sights | Adjustable rear sights are a major identification and value point. |
| Grip style | Correct stocks should match the series and production period. |
| Magazine release | The release location helps separate First, Second, and Third Series pistols. |
| Serial number | Suffix, prefix, and format must be read with the physical features. |
How to Evaluate One
Start with the sights. A Target Model with altered, damaged, replaced, or mismatched sights loses much of its collector appeal. Next, inspect the bore and crown, because the pistol’s identity is tied to accuracy. Finish, rollmarks, stocks, magazine, screws, and the presence or absence of refinishing all matter.
Originality is often more valuable than shine. A pistol with honest wear and correct parts can be more desirable than a polished, reblued example with softened markings and replacement sights.
Target Model Compared with Other Woodsman Variants
The Target Model is the formal range pistol in the family. It is more deliberate than the Sport, more refined than the Challenger or Huntsman, and less specialized than the Match Target. That makes it a cornerstone page in the Woodsman cluster.
| Model | Best Known For | Collector Personality |
|---|---|---|
| Target | Longer barrel, better sight radius, accuracy work | Classic range pistol |
| Sport | Compact barrel and field balance | Light, handy, practical |
| Match Target | Heavy barrel and competition profile | Most specialized and distinctive |
| Challenger | Economy Second Series branch | Undervalued practical shooter |
| Huntsman | Economy Third Series field model | Simple, rugged, useful |
Collector Value Factors
The best Target Models have strong original finish, crisp rollmarks, correct sights, correct grips, a clean bore, an undamaged crown, and a correct magazine. Factory box, paperwork, and accessories add another layer of desirability. As with all Woodsman pistols, the serial number should support the observed features rather than replace physical inspection.
Target Models often lived on ranges and benches, so many show honest use around the muzzle, grip straps, and sight edges. Wear is expected; alteration is the greater concern.
Common Buying Mistakes
- Assuming any long-barreled Woodsman is correctly described without checking the series.
- Ignoring replacement sights or damaged adjustable sight parts.
- Dating the pistol by the numeric portion only and overlooking suffixes.
- Paying collector money for a refinished pistol with softened rollmarks.
- Failing to compare the Target Model against the Match Target before buying.
Where the Target Fits in a Collection
A complete Woodsman collection needs a Target Model because it explains why the Woodsman earned its reputation in the first place. It is the everyday precision pistol: elegant, accurate, and useful without the extra visual drama of the Match Target.
For many collectors, the Target Model is also the most satisfying Woodsman to shoot. It points naturally, rewards careful sight alignment, and carries the old Colt feel that made the model famous.
Colt Woodsman Research Cluster
Use these Woodsman references together. Start with the lookup page for one pistol, then use the master chart and generation guide to confirm the details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Colt Woodsman Target Model collectible?
Yes. Clean, original Target Models are collectible because they represent the classic precision-shooting side of the Woodsman line.
Is the Target Model the same as the Match Target?
No. No. The Target Model is the traditional accuracy-oriented Woodsman, while the Match Target is the heavier-barreled, more specialized target variant.
What is the first thing to check?
Check the serial-number format, magazine release location, barrel length, sight configuration, slide marking, and overall originality before assigning a date or value.
Related Colt Woodsman Pages
About Greg Cook
Greg Cook writes Gun Collectors Club from a collector's perspective, combining practical firearm handling experience with serial-number research, historical context, and field observations.
Sources Consulted
- Colt factory catalogs and period advertising.
- Colt Woodsman serial-number observations and collector references.
- Bob Rayburn, Colt Woodsman reference material at Colt22.com.
- R. L. Wilson and R. Q. Sutherland Colt reference works.
- Gun Collectors Club Woodsman research notes and comparative model study.
Serial number ranges should be treated as collector reference estimates. Factory letters remain the best confirmation for a specific pistol.