Rifleman Q&A: What Was the Colt Ace?

by
posted on February 26, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
colt-ace-rifleman-qa-f.jpg
Q: I ran across this used .22-cal. Colt Ace semi-automatic and am considering buying it. However, I don't know much about these guns. Would you please give me a brief history and some information on that firearm?

A: The original Colt Ace .22 semi-automatic pistol was first introduced in 1931 and produced through the beginning of World War II. After the war, a few guns were assembled in 1947.

There were some problems with the original blowback-operated Ace functioning, as the .22-cal. cartridge did not always have the power to move the slide backward for proper ejection and reloading.

That problem was addressed in 1937 with the introduction of the Service Model Ace, which included a floating-chamber design to allow more reliable functioning. The Service Model Ace was produced through 1945. After World War II, Colt’s production of the Service Model Ace ceased.

In 1978, Colt reintroduced an Ace Service Model, which was produced until 1982. A conversion unit for converting a standard Model 1911-type pistol from .45 ACP to .22 Long Rifle was also offered for many years, and it was called the Ace II.

However, Colt does not offer any .22-cal. conversion kits for its guns at present, and there are no existing rimfire models in the company's lineup.

Latest

Guns Of Shanghai F
Guns Of Shanghai F

The Guns of Shanghai 1937: A Prelude to WWII's Brutal Urban Combat

Often overlooked by Western military historians, the Battle of Shanghai in 1937 was an early sign of the brutal urban combat that would characterize much of World War II. An incredible array of arms was used in the fighting.

New For 2026: Vortex Strike Eagle 1-10X 24 mm FFP LPVO Riflescope

Previously offered in 1-6X and 1-8X variants, new for 2026, Vortex is introducing the Strike Eagle 1-10X 24 mm FFP riflescope.

Gun of the Week: Ruger RXM

On the surface, the RXM appears to be similar to the Glock G19-inspired selection of striker-fired, polymer-frame pistols on the market, but a closer look reveals that there's much more to this modular design.

Rifleman Q&A: How Frequently Should You Clean?

AN NRA member and his brother have identical rifles. One brother cleans every time he shoots. The other cleans every 100 rounds. Which barrel will last longer?

The Armed Citizen® March 20, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

NRA Launches New Official App

The National Rifle Association proudly unveiled its new official NRA App today, marking a significant milestone in enhancing member engagement and delivering convenient access to essential NRA resources on the go.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.