Nickel plated, 3rd gen...158 grain Nyclad SWCHP....if only it had a S&W trigger like my Model 10!!

Nice weapon--

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4th SQD 7th CAVALRY

I have an Agent I bought from a fellow at a gun show a few years ago. It was made in 1974. It was NIB and unfired after leaving the factory. I kept it as a "safe queen" and then, one day, thought to myself, "What am I saving it for?". So, I started to carry it and it is probably my favorite for CCW. I have a DS I also bought a couple of years ago( I had a lucky streak) in the same condition and did the same and have also put it to work. They make a great pair!

1927 Pre DS, actually a Police Positive Special with a very rare 2 inch barrel. Bought it many years ago for $75 and thought I paid too much at the time.

I've owned perhaps a dozen of Detective Specials and Police Positives. Some were outstanding, but a few were real dogs, so down the road they went. Here's a photo of an old Chic Gaylord design I've made for decades, the Gumshoe, pictured with another c.1930's Colt DS.

The tricky thing about Colt revolvers, is that nearly every part is hand fitted and they aren't nearly as simple to repair or modify as other revolvers like S&W's. This photo shows the reverse sode of another old Gaylord design for the Detective Special, the Gaylord Super Sleuth.


I mentioned in another thread recently, how favorably the Colt Bankers Special compared with the S&W Terrier....boasting an extra round capacity. I still use one from time to time, but admittedly not very often. My "Baby" Chiefs Special rides in my pocket as a back up, and has served me well for almost 40 years.

Colt DS are too valuable to carry these days. I still regret the one I sold in 2000.

Pshaw - got one in my pocket right now.

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Now go make God proud...

I have a DS made in 72' that I carry for now. About 80% condition. Bought another one last fall in 97%+ condition for $275 (72' vintage also)last fall. Not bad considering I paid $230 for the other one back in Dec. 1996.

My carry DS 1931



I carry a 1957 hammer shroud model when I need it shrouded. Just picked up a well used 1955 vintage that will get most of the work (no pic yet).

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My first BUG was a blued Cobra, I traded it for a nickle plated DS to use as a BUG since I thought it would be a better choice for shooting +P ammo.

I eventually sold the DS when we transitioned to S&W 9mms so that I could get a 6906. Wish I still had the DS. I did manage to get the Cobra back after several years.

I've had many over the years and lately began to regret getting rid of them. Back in December I just finished negotiating a price for a shotgun a guy was selling, when he brings out an nice Cobra and a Lorcin 25 and throws them in for free!
Wish I could have found a way to refuse the 25 without blowing the deal.

Just wait until your local aces have one of those idiot gun buybacks. They'll probably give you more than the Lorcin is worth.

Problem solved. Thank you!

I bought a NIB Colt DS at a going-out-of-business sale in the late 1970's. 2 inch blue. I added a set of compact Pachmayr grips with gold Colt medallions. Beautiful shooter except the smooth-faced front ramp sight blade disappeared in most light's glare. I had a local craftsman striate the blade and smooth the sharp edges of the sides of the trigger. I disassembled the sixgun and had a local industrial plating company nickel plate it.

It shot well but felt different than the S&W J and K frames I practically always carried otherwise. A J frame Chiefs Special seemed much more compact, while a K frame Magnum gave up some compactedness for a tremendous advantage in cartridge power. Plus, the 5 and 6 shooters from S&W were to be had in stainless, which is a tremendous advantage for hot, sweaty guys like me that carry their guns concealed. I traded the nickel Dick for a NIB blue Dick with an officer who's department didn't prohibit nickel finish guns, as mine did.

Colt discontinued more excellent firearms than most companies ever manufactured.

If Colt brought back the DS, Cobra and Magnum Carry I dont thing they would be able to make them fast enough. I would buy one of each.

Never owned one, although I babysat one for a time for a friend who was terminally ill. He eventually sold it to his uncle, as I was short on funds. (Nothing new.) I'd like to actually own one, or a Cobra, as long as it was either nickel or high gloss blue and was a later production. I don't like the unshrouded barrels,and I don't like the matte finish on the Agents. Neat guns.

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MARK

1982 Agent in deep concealment






But it's going away to be replaced by a nice Cobra I bought. I'll swap the custom Badger's with their speedloader relief on the left side panel.

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Professional Trainer

I carried a Det Spcl in Nickle that I bought from a local LEO. It was made in 1974 and I primarily carried it CCW although I did carry it as a duty gun when I worked Town Meeting with special permission from my late Chief. My normal duty gun was the Colt Trooper Mk III in Nickle back then.

If anyone needs a good shoulder holster for one give me a shout, as these guns are now safe queens but I never expect to part with them.

Recently aquired this Cobra, 3" barrel.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

THE COLT'S ARE COLLECTOR ITEMS REALLY-i LOVE THEM FOR THEIR RATHER 'DELICATE' LOOK BUT THEY DO HANDLE PLUS P IN MODERATION-THE BEST FOR THEM IS STILL THE 158 hp swc-BUT I FEEEL THEY ACTUALLY NEED TO BE INSIDE A SAFE-LOVE THE J FRAMES THEY WILL DO IT ALL AND THE PRE LOCK MODELS PIN BARRELS ARE GEMS!

Have a Cobra I sometimes carry. It will fit in most of my J Frame Pocket holsters just fine. Also have an old school Bucheimer paddle holster that is great as a slip on the go to the store rig. Always have shot any of the D Frames better than the little Smiths, the bigger sights make a big difference for me, expecially compared to the older J Frames.

My 3rd Gen. Det. Special ("The Shamus") is always in my front pocket If I've got pants on (or jogging shorts or whatever) it's with me. The other gun I carry changes and may be a Combat Commander or a 66 or a 29, but the Shamus is always there with its FBI loads.

Nice Colt's. I've been considering one as an alternative to a M12.

Finally picked up a 1975 Agent on Sunday. Gonna try it out and see if it shoots as good as it feels in the hand. Just need some good 'ole wood grips.

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MARK

WyattBurp here on the forum made me this holster recently for my DS.

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KSCowboy

I carried one of those back in the late 70's - early '80s. I really wish I hadn't sold it. But then again, I can think of about 50 other handguns I wish I hadn't sold over the years. However, it was memorable.

Good lookin' leather! Need one like it for my Agent. That floral carving just seems to suit the Colt's persona.

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MARK

I would if I could. The Detective Special is a fine carry gun...it's just not on my agency's "approved list". In fact, that very short list does not include any revolvers, or any semi automatics other than Glock, sad to say.

So, wheel guns are "retirement" cary guns in the future and recreation/hobby guns in the present.

If you like the Detective Special, and have the legal permission, don't hesitate to carry it.

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Trust, but verify - R. Reagan

My DS is my preferred "retirement" carry gun. Like Lew my Agency only approved polymer for all seasons and reasons. They even had an approved holster list.

Sometimes its nice to be older.

I have several Colt D-frame guns.

I carry a Colt Cobra on occasion - it's just about perfect for it's intended use. It's light, easy to carry, and shoots well.

Every once in a while, I want to get in touch with my "classic" side, I carry this first edition Detective Special...



I wish it could talk...

Take care,
Bob S.

I carry a 1957 Det Special as my retirement/CCW gun. Loaded with the FBI load.

Lucky guys. I have been looking for a Colt Det.Spl. in good shape for many years.

I see them with some frequency at gun shops/shows, mostly for cheap money too . . . but only one at a time.

e.g. Stock # 6190 here (no price listed), if it's the one I think that I saw a few weeks ago there, it hasn't got a shroud so it's one of the earlier models. I can't recall the price so I won't guess.
Zero Hour Arms

I carry one...
In a USPSA match.
YouTube - MVI 3062
That run went 18 alpha, five charlie, one delta, and those long shots were 20+yards.
'course, it wasn't the fastest run of the day...

The video reminds me that I spoke to some IDPA folks. I asked them for a 5 or 6 shot revolver/carry gun match. They loved the idea and looks like it on!

It so happens I put on our club's IDPA match two weeks ago and competed with the DS's longer-barreled sibling.
I set it up with eight 12-round stages so that it's equal reloading for all.
My friend TD won with her G19, but I finished 4th overall out of 34 with the PPS.
Yes, I had a good day.
Every match is a revolver match if you want.

My main carry piece is a 1956 DS. Rig is EPS Street Combat. Load is
Speer 135 g. Gold Dot short barrel. One speed strip in left front jean pocket.

I have a Detective special in great shape that is a safe dweller now. A word of caution - the Colts have a leaf main spring that will get weak with time. My wife used my Colt for her CCW range time. It worked great single action but would misfire during rapid double action. I replace the main spring and now it works great with all ammo in single and double action mode.

John,
You may want some input from these guys
ColtForum - Powered by vBulletin

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Doug

I have several Agents (matte finish) and a Cobra. Prefer the ones with the shrouded ejector rod and ramp front sight. For carry, I have an Uncle Mike's pocket holster and my prize - an Alessi belt slide holster.

1966 Second Issue

Love it. Six-for-Sure is better than Five-Is-One-Missing

Mine has new stocks now.

I have the same gun that was in the picture. Same grips. However, I had the hammer bobbed. Much easier to draw.
tcowles

I have a third generation Colt DS. 1975 vintage IIRC.

Its my summertime "running to get a gallon of milk at 10pm" gun.

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NRA Firearms Instructor

My 1968 Cobra was my first off-duty gun. I still have it but do not carry it as much as my 442 now. It is in great shape and I don't want to take any chances with it getting worn/damaged.

Erich,

Did you find a supply of those or just the one pair? Mine could use a new pair like that.

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KSCowboy

Partner, if I had, I'd have bought them all - have you seen what people are paying for factory stocks in that condition? No, I was digging through boxes of Herter's Shooting Ace stocks (nice in and of themselves) that were for sale for cheap at a local store, and found these tucked inside a box marked for DS Shooting Aces. Clearly, someone in days of yore had switched out his factory stocks immediately upon purchasing the gun, and the clerk had inadvertently put the factory stocks into the Herter's box and put it on the shelf. Fast forward forty years, and I found the factory stocks in the box - marked $10.

Wow, that is quite the buried treasure! Congrats!

I'll just keep diggin' til I hit the mother lode too.

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KSCowboy

Don't have a DS, but carry this Agent from time to time:

Nice; I had a factory-shrouded Agent like that (but with the short walnuts).

KSCowboy - good luck on the hunt, amigo!