I see many threads, on this board and others, extolling the virtues of the Colt Detective Special, and expressing a desire to have one.


I see this so often, it makes me wonder if I am the only one who finds it an uncomfortable gun to shoot?


If you were to compare the Colt revolver trigger to a Smith & Wesson trigger, or even a Ruger trigger, you will notice that the Colt trigger is a much tighter curve. When shooting the Python, or the Trooper, or the New Service, the largeness of the gun ensures that the trigger, while having the same tightness of curve, is physically large enough that my fat finger fits in there well.


When I bought a Police Positive Special (because I too desperately needed one of these Colts) I found that it was uncomfortable to fit my finger onto the trigger. Since the Police Positive Special is a D frame, as is the Detective Special and the Diamondback, logic says the same small trigger is on both of those guns as well.


I solved the problem of the uncomfortable D frame by giving my Police Positive Special to my daughter, who being a petite-type female has skinnier fingers, and does not have the problem that I did.


But I have wondered for years if I was the only one?

__________________
I always take precautions

I purchased my Colt Cobra new in 1968 for off duty use and I still take it to the range now & then. I was also issued Colt revolvers early in my career and had no problem w/them so I’m guessing it’s hand shape & size play into this.

__________________
Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I never experienced that with either a mid-80s Agent or a 1952 Cobra. While my fingers have always been thick, when I was carrying these my knuckles had not yet started to show the effects of impact with overhead doors, 40 horse motors and many hard skulls, so today it might be different.

__________________
I need ammo, not a ride.

My fingers aren't fat and I don't have your problem.

No DS, but have had PPS and Diamondback experience.

I'm more concerned with Colts not shooting to the sights and cylinder timing issues. Col. Askins told me that he had to turn the barrels slightly on most of the OP Colts he bought for the Border Patrol, to get the sights on target.

A Diamondback lacked enough sight adjustment to get sights set right. A Colt spokeswoman just said to use Kentucky windage. She lost me as a customer right there.

New .45 autos seem good and present new revolvers have straighter triggers and maybe larger trigger guards and better timing.

Have you tried the new Cobra?

I recently bought a Colt Police Positive Special , 4" barrel . I'm a fairly big guy and I have no problem with the shape of the trigger . I also will say that as far as accuracy , it is very very accurate . Those fixed sights are " dead on " . Many times I have proven it to another shooter that the sights are fine , it's the way he holds the gun and the action of his trigger finger , " slapping " the trigger in a curve motion instead of a straight back pull . Regards Paul

Two Detective Specials and a Python have educated me that Colt's now obsolete revolver lockwork never measured up to S&W. The SA trigger pull is fine, but the force-distance curve of the DA pull is full of steps, discontinuities and stacks. It is a testament to the craftsmen at Colt that they got them out the door in reasonable working order, but those gentlemen are long gone. That said the DS is a joy to shoot. The 3rd edition wooden grips are perfect to my hands. Perhaps if Colt had made a target width trigger and smoothed up the lockwork the DS might still be with us.

I have no problem with the trigger on my 2nd generation DS, but the grip is just too small for me. A t grip works well but the 3rd gen stocks are the best (for me).

With me, it's not the fact that the Detective Special is so great. The action and trigger feels a bit foreign to my Smith & Wesson condition trigger finger though it works fine for me. It's just that it's superior to any J-Frame Smith & Wesson for snub use. It holds six shots in effectively as compact a package and is easier for me to shoot well; handling more like a full sized service revolver in my hands. A J-Frame handles like an incompletely formed runt.

I am not a fan of the stunted J-Frame. I have one and I do carry it on occasion as a back up now, saving wear and tear on the Detective Special, but I think J-Frames are way overrated.

I must admit, my 1935-36 New Service .45 Colt had sights right and was very accurate, overlapping my M-29 with 6.5 inch barrel. Either would group all 6 shots in one ragged hole at 25 yards on a good day.

They're not at all overrated. J-frame snub noses are usually capable of good accuracy, even at 25 yards, but it takes lots of practice to find this out. I'm still working on it.

I think the Detective Special is somewhat easier to shoot well than a J-frame, probably because it's a little larger gun. I don't recall ever firing a Colt revolver double-action, so can't comment on the trigger pull using that mode.

I have a Third Series Dick Special and an S&W Model 640. I like them both, but have to admit that the DS is easier to shoot. The 640 requires more concentration and focusing on the sight picture. The smaller Uncle Mikes boot grips don't help much with getting and maintaining a good grip when firing. The DS just seems to hit where it is pointed a lot easier.

I thought my Colt Cobra was a nice carry but after a few hundred rounds it started to have issues. I have since found an older S&W model 12-2 and I can assure you the S&W is the better firearm. Off the bat it is more accurate, it feels better in my big hands and if it ever has similar issues it won't sit in my safe because somebody can deal with old K frames.

__________________
LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

Below is a reasonably undistorted comparison photo regarding the OP‘s issue.

It appears the Colt‘s trigger is indeed curved more and sharper, although the trigger guard’s interior space is deeper than the Chief‘s.

However, the Chief has less curve and the trigger guard is elongated, providing more wiggle room for the trigger finger.

I have not paid attention to this until now, so apparently not noticed a problem. I guess it is a matter of hand and finger size and shape.

The DS is definitely more substantial and easier to hold and shoot, the Chief has a round less but is more concealable. Choose what‘s of primary importance.

Attached Images

41D92D51-6AAD-4547-B7F6-35F012D5E951.jpg (71.2 KB, 155 views)

A grip adaptor or Pachmayr grips help a lot with J frames. Smooth Magnas and a Tyler don't hinder concealment. A 36-1 and old smooth Magna rosewoods with Tyler was a wonderful small revolver, and very accurate.

That was a sq. butt gun, but RN may be even better.

I shoot okay to 25 yds. with snub J's, but 3 inch barrels help. A 2.5 inch Diamondback shot no better, and the sights didn't adjust enough.

I read once where the Detective Special and Ruger LCR can share the same holsters. Looks close on this monitor.

I have Pachmayr compacts on my Colt Agent and they fit my small to medium hand well.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

My 3rd Issue DS is my favorite snubby. I can shoot it much better than any J-frame I've ever owned. Also, I've never had any problems with the trigger pull. Never could understand why so many people want to complain about Colt's trigger. Works just fine for me.
I'm a big fan of Colts D-frame guns as I also own a pair of Diamondbacks in .38 & .22. Great guns!

It appears then that the overall consensus is that my hand is weird.

__________________
I always take precautions

Every individual has his own preferences.

__________________
No life story has happy end.