Colt Detective Special vs S&W Chiefs Special?

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Protected One

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I was reading another thread here where the OP was asking about the price on a DS he saw at a LGS. Got me to wondering.
This is just for fun, but if you had the choice between a Chiefs Special (Model 60) and a Detective Special, - both in the same condition and roughly the same age....which would you pick, and why?
 
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Both are great, I love the J frame and use one everyday....but for an exposed hammer steel framed snubby .38 and considering the typical use associated, I might lean Colt on those two choices.
They both offer similar weight and size, the Colt offered the sixth round and more often had the better sights.
Issues concerning durability or lock work IMO approach red herring status when discussing snubby revolvers that are unlikely to see more than 500 rounds in their lifetime by the overwhelming majority of shooters....so I'm not overly concerned about timing issues in the Colt. Worst case, I get the hand stretched every few thousand rounds.
Both guns have better accuracy than most can hold, but for me the Colt is the easier to hit well with at more extended distances and they usually seem to be better regulated with their sights.
If the discussion were lightweight pocketable and shrouded/concealed hammer guns, I'm S&W all the way.
 
While the sixth round in the DS is very attractive, it would really depend on the DA trigger pull of each revolver. I have a Trooper MKIII that has an odd DA trigger pull compared to any of my Smiths. I see either a DS or a CS to be readily deployed self defense arms, and I don't want to be surprised by an odd ball trigger pull.
 
lrrifleman said:
While the sixth round in the DS is very attractive, it would really depend on the DA trigger pull of each revolver. I have a Trooper MKIII that has an odd DA trigger pull compared to any of my Smiths. I see either a DS or a CS to be readily deployed self defense arms, and I don't want to be surprised by an odd ball trigger pull.
Click to expand...

If you're talking about them being priced as you would currently find them, I'd take the CS as a carry gun for the reason mentioned here. I find the DA trigger more to my liking on the Smith. That outweighs the extra round for me. Admittedly, it shouldn't matter at the range it's intended for, though.
 
Well I carried a Model 60 for many years (started in 1973) and it has had a large bunch of rounds put threw it.Many of them were target rounds, but it has eaten some serious "geter done" rounds, including +P

A couple years ago I bought a NO LOCK 642 but have shot it a bit but not carried as a CCW.

I also have a older very nice Dick special I got a couple years ago. It shoots very well and as it fits a few of my J frame holsters I did carry it, that number 6 round is nice.:D

I just purchased a very nice older factory hammer shrouded Cobra and waiting for the legal BS to be over so I can get it out of the LGS. (NYS) That puppy is lighter than the Dick Special I might give it a try as a carry, both belt holster and pocket.

So op based on what you said, if they both looked good and the prices were decent I might just purchase both of them.

Sorry to give you a third alternate answer.:)
 
I owned a Model 60-7 that I traded to a fellow Forum member for a CZ-75 in 9mm. Man, do I miss that Model 60! It was a good trade, and I believe both of us felt we got a good deal. I have other J-frames, but that Model 60-7 was excellent. I also have a Colt DS, and I really like it a lot, but in actual practice, I continue to carry a pair of J-frames (a Model 38-0, and a 638-1) as my EDC, rather than the Colt. The Colt is basically a safe queen, but it shoots and carries nicely.

Regards,

Dave
 
I have always had problems shooting J-frames. By the time I get a set of grips that fit my hand well enough to give me proper control, I've lost the advantage of its small size.
My DS was my first legal carry gun. It fits me and I can shoot it well. I much prefer it. These days the DS mostly sits in the safe due to way Colt values have gone nuts.
I do have a Model 36 that I carry from time to time. But more often than not, when I carry a revolver, it'll be a K-frame.
 
I'd go for the Model 60 round butt, fixed sight, 3 inch barrel if I could find it. It would match the Model 36 I have. It just feels so nice in my right pocket. Many days when I'm feeling blue and don't know why, I slip the Model 36 in the pocket and the natural mellowing agents of cold steel settle me down and life is good.
I had a Model 60 square butt with adjustable sights and 3" barrel. That made a surprisingly good target gun to 40 yards (pop cans being the targets) but not so easy in the pocket.
The Smith is more easily repaired in that parts are more available. Within an hour of buying mine I was standing in front of a gunsmith giving me my choice of three hammers to replace the bobbed one that came with it. Try that with the Colt.
The Colt is beautiful, but if I bought one, it would probably never go into a pocket. Still I hope to buy one some day.
 
I would Take The Model 60 due to Stainless Steel Construction,If however The Choice was between a Dectetive Special & a Blued Model 36 I would take The Colt.
 
I would go with the Colt. I own three DS Colts and carried one for a long time. They fit my hand better than the J-Frame, feel better to me and hold one more round. Now days, as a serious shooter, getting service on the Colt could be an issue.
 
I alternate regularly between a 1956 Model 37 Airweight round butt and a 1972 Colt Detective Special square butt as my "everytime-I-leave-the house" carry guns. Both wear identical Herretts Shooting Ace checkered walnut grips that allow a full grip while being only very marginally larger than factory grips (I have extra large hands). The guns feel identical except for weight. Both fit the same Kramer, horsehide, right front pocket holster and are extremely comfortable while giving no clues as to my being armed.

I am beginning to believe that an ideal compromise would be a Colt Cobra or Agent equipped with Herretts Shooting Aces.

My S&W Model 60-15 Chief 357 three inch round butt wears vintage stag grips and a Tyler T-Grip that doesn't get much pocket time. It is an excellent small gun when more power is required. It, too, fits the Kramer, but the protruding inch of extra barrel length is occasionally felt against my leg, but is unseen by others.

I cannot figure why Herretts quit making the Shooting Ace grips which I consider the best possible choice for concealed carry for myself. I have nine sets of their grips and believe that Herretts is absolutely the best in the industry for outstanding customer service.
 
I have a late model Colt DS and a Smith & Wesson Model 640. Two of the best concealed carry guns ever made in my opinion. The DS is much easier to shoot and shoot accurately. I really want to like the 640, it has enough weight to dampen recoil, is stainless which is a big plus and has the concealed hammer which makes it great for coat pocket carry. I guess I need to shoot it more to get used to it.
But the Dick Special for me is just a more naturally handling, pointing and shooting snubby.
 
The S&W, because I'm not well fixed enough for collectors. I enjoy shooting and carrying my guns. I'd feel too self-conscious with a DS, afraid I'd break something or worse, lose it. Now, I know there are guys here who carry Colt D frames, but when I think about it's value, it would have to stay in the safe.
 
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