sw357nm
SWCA Member
I know that this is a S&W forum, but do any of you carry a Colt Detective Special? If so what vintage?
Thanks,
John
Thanks,
John
Anyone carry a Colt Detective Special?
- Thread starter sw357nm
- Start date
signsrup
Member
I'm currently getting a '61 Cobra (det. spl. lightweight) set up to carry. Got it through a trade while looking for a K frame, but I love the old-school look of the unshrouded ejector, and the extra shot it gives me over my J frame while beingmuch lighter than my 3" 64.
I also like the looks of the matte finished later model Agents.
I also like the looks of the matte finished later model Agents.
Glock 'em down
Member
I've got a Colt "Cobra" from 1974.
This is NOT mine, but a dead ringer for it...
This one ain't mine neither, but it is one of the coolest Detective Special pics I've ever seen!
This is NOT mine, but a dead ringer for it...
This one ain't mine neither, but it is one of the coolest Detective Special pics I've ever seen!
Climber
US Veteran
I have owned a blued DS 2" that I bought new in '94. I claim that this DS has been on more Colorado summits than any other DS. I carried the DS most of the time until about a year ago when I bought a new J Frame 638 Airweight S&W. Now the 638 Airweight does trail/hiking/climbing/summit duty due to its' stainless/alloy almost indestructable finish. The blue DS has had several thousand rounds of .38 special down the tube and it still shoots and works fine. I also have a DSII 3" in stainless that will go out with me every now and then that has not been fired that much that is mostly a house gun.
The DS is a great little gun that I would buy again if Colt should ever make them in the future.
The DS is a great little gun that I would buy again if Colt should ever make them in the future.
Amend2
Member
I have a Colt SF-VI, which was a transition model preceding the DS-II. It sees limited carry duty. The grips (Pachmayr?) are really comfortable.
BarbC
Member
It's a pet and doesn't have to work.
38-44HD45
Absent Comrade
I carry a Colt Magnum Carry frequently as a backup, and have also carried both Cobras and Detective Specials quite a bit. All my D-frames are post-1973, shrouded barrels, except for my wife's 4" Police Positive Special (post-73, but unshrouded) and my mint 3" Cobra.
Erich
Member
When are you going to show us those new Spegels, John? Though I am happy with the Badgers that I got after your recommendation a couple of years ago.
They're really nice guns, and handy, too. Just a teensy bit bigger than a J-frame, and they have that extra round.
The boxes at the bottom of each piece of paper are the exact size of the guns - easier to compare that way.
I only wish they weren't so difficult to replace - I'm loath to check one on an airplane for fear of never being able to find another should it be stolen. I've got a kydex IWB on order from Grandfather Oak for the DS - I realized a couple of weeks ago that I'd carry it more often if I had a better rig for it. I like hard IWB holsters for revolvers (particularly Colts) to minimize the rotational wear on the lockwork from being in the waistband whilst I move around.
They're really nice guns, and handy, too. Just a teensy bit bigger than a J-frame, and they have that extra round.
The boxes at the bottom of each piece of paper are the exact size of the guns - easier to compare that way.
I only wish they weren't so difficult to replace - I'm loath to check one on an airplane for fear of never being able to find another should it be stolen. I've got a kydex IWB on order from Grandfather Oak for the DS - I realized a couple of weeks ago that I'd carry it more often if I had a better rig for it. I like hard IWB holsters for revolvers (particularly Colts) to minimize the rotational wear on the lockwork from being in the waistband whilst I move around.
38-44HD45
Absent Comrade
Since Erich asked, here is my 3" DS with Spegel Boot Grips:
Craig just started doing Boots for D-frames recently. This gun is actually now back to its Badgers, since I need to do just a tiny bit of fitting on the Spegels and have not had time. Craig warned me that fitting is more likely to be necessary on Colts than on Smiths, since the frame cutouts at the top of the grip window are cut individually, rather than being drilled straight through, as on Smiths. FWIW, the Badgers are a little more concealable than the Spegels, but the speedloader cutout on the Badgers needs more relief. Both feel equally good in my hand.
Craig just started doing Boots for D-frames recently. This gun is actually now back to its Badgers, since I need to do just a tiny bit of fitting on the Spegels and have not had time. Craig warned me that fitting is more likely to be necessary on Colts than on Smiths, since the frame cutouts at the top of the grip window are cut individually, rather than being drilled straight through, as on Smiths. FWIW, the Badgers are a little more concealable than the Spegels, but the speedloader cutout on the Badgers needs more relief. Both feel equally good in my hand.
Andy Taylor
Member
Originally posted by 38-44HD45:
Since Erich asked, here is my 3" DS with Spegel Boot Grips:
Craig just started doing Boots for D-frames recently. This gun is actually now back to its Badgers, since I need to do just a tiny bit of fitting on the Spegels and have not had time. Craig warned me that fitting is more likely to be necessary on Colts than on Smiths, since the frame cutouts at the top of the grip window are cut individually, rather than being drilled straight through, as on Smiths. FWIW, the Badgers are a little more concealable than the Spegels, but the speedloader cutout on the Badgers needs more relief. Both feel equally good in my hand.
Now that is a carry gun! Very nice.
torrejon224
Member
I have two Cobras, two Agents and a Dick Special along with a Horton Combat Cobra in 357. Just wish I could get my damm camera to get along with my laptop, it just seems to eat my pics everytime I take some! I hate technology!!
GatorFarmer
Member
1974 Colt DS pictured with a 1978 Colt 1911 (both mine).
The 1911 is fine for carry, despite it's age - parts are easy to come by, etc.
The DS is frankly less so. Colt doesn't make D frames any more. Thus spares are getting to be more of a problem and values are increasing. (It's correspondingly less common to find someone that knows how to work on one.) It also takes a bit of getting used to for someone used to a Smith - different means of opening the cylinder, the cylinder turns the "wrong" way, and the trigger pull just feels "funny".
They're also a bit heavy if you're used to alloy frame Smiths.
To add to the fun, 1970s Colt QC seems to have been erratic. This gun has one chamber that seems to be a bit "tight" from the factory. I don't think QC improved until the late 1990s to present, by which time the DS was on its last legs, being discontinued for good in the 90s. The guns without the shroud and which have a different grip frame that pre date the UAW era are increasingly "collector's" items and have seen increased prices.
I have carried the DS pictured, right down to the fancy grips, but don't do so regularly. (I hurt my back some months ago and the upside down shoulder rig came in handy.)
Erich
Member
Ah, the Spegels look great. And thanks for making me kick myself yet again for not buying that 3"er years ago.
I carry an older Agent in a DeSantis Gunhide pocket holster.
Landpimp
Member
I wish I could bring myself to carry my Agent..but its too darn nice and its like a 1950-ish model
carry a Dick around the yard sometimes
carry a Dick around the yard sometimes
robertrwalsh
SWCA Member
I own three of them. I carry one, a newish .38 special, on a regular basis.
