That is a sweet carry combo.

One thing that worries me about colts is that ejector rod hanging out there. Just how often do they get bent.

Enough that most have a shroud on them now.

__________________
USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

If this happened with any frequency during the time these guns were made and and carried, Colt would have addressed the matter then. A shrouded rod like Colt came up with in the early '70s for these guns is always better, but it probably adds weight.

Sort of like the hammer spur that many think "hangs up on clothing". It can happen, but almost never does.

The only real concern with using the DS as a carry weapon is the availability of spare parts and someone qualified to service it. Both are getting very hard to find. Other than that, the DS is one of the finest handguns of its kind ever made.

Can a Colt Detective Special still be successfully concealed? Can it still be used to stop a threat? The answer is undoubtedly yes, ergo it's still viable.

Is it an optimal choice for concealed carry? Arguably not, but selecting a carry gun is a personal choice which is best left to individual distinction, since realistically speaking, only the individual is aware enough of their own limitations to make such an assessment.

For example, many folks would argue that the optimal choice for concealed carry these days would be a SIG P365 or the like, a small, slim, lightweight, 9mm pistol, but I don't carry one, nor do I have any intention of carrying such a thing because I doubt that I could shoot it well, and I question the necessity of so many rounds to adequately stop a threat, not to mention my ability to prevail under circumstances in which so many rounds would be necessary to successfully fend off an attack.

__________________
Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

The problem is pretty much psychological. Before I got into old Colt DA revolvers, not just the DS, for historical reasons, that was a big turn-off for me, compared to S&W. That thin little thingy just looked so ... vulnerable.

It ain’t. It’s not easy to bend, just being alongside the barrel where it is protects it pretty well, and the only bent ones I have experience with, on old .38 DA Army/Navy models, will still function and eject if bent at pretty noticeable angles. It’s just not an issue.

I doubt it's a big deal. Imagine how many millions of Police Positives, Official Police, and Detective Specials have been carried through the years of hard use by cops.

As long as you're not pistol whipping someone, they should be fine.

As legend has it, the reason that the combat magnum has a full shroud is because Bill Jordan wanted it for the possibility of banging it on an unruly perp's head...so maybe that added to the idea that unshrouded rods are a problem.

I have a 1974 3rd Issue DS that was my first legal carry gun. JMHO but I consider the 3rd Issue model with its shrouded ejector rod to be the pinnacle of the DS evolution.
I've always preferred the Colt D frame over the S&W J as to me its much easier to shoot well, has an extra round and carries extremely well.
Somewhere in the mid 1990s I made the mistake of letting my wife shoot it. I didn't get it back for over 20 years! It became HER gun! But that was Ok as I knew she could shoot it very well and was well protected.

Is the Detective Special still a viable carry gun? Absolutely! It would be hard to find a better revolver for the job.
However, I seriously doubt I will ever use mine for EDC anymore. As mentioned, they don't make them anymore, they are becoming more expensive every day and frankly mine has a connection to my late wife that can't be replaced. I can't bring myself to risk losing it if I should have to defend myself.

OP, I don't see why it wouldn't be. I often carry this little Colt from 1958. It's a 32, but my word! has a trigger to put many Pythons to shame.

Attached Images

IMG_0263.jpg (117.6 KB, 427 views)

__________________
Let's be careful out there

I prefer the Kimber because I like the DA pull and sights more.

The Detective Special.is no slouch though. If you can shoot it well there's no reason it's nolonger viable.

Yesterday, I shot a Colt Detective Special in nichol, a Colt Cobra aluminum, and a blued S&W Model 34.

All shot beautifully and were a real flash from the past.
But my tastes have evolved away from snubbies toward long barrels for long distance shooting.

These are fun guns, but just a touch to small for my tastes; and I'm only 5'9" and 165. The model 19 K frame is all around better shooter for me.

If weight is really an issue, I prefer my m 360PD.

Prescut

Carried a pretty beat up Colt Cobra for years, finally lost time. For what I paid for it I can't complain. When I'm in the snubby mood now I carry a 1964 S&W Model 12. I like the 12 a lot.

__________________
LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

This Colt Cobra used to be my constant companion when jogging or bike riding. It really needs to come out of the safe and return to work - yessir, 6 shot Colt snubbies are definitely viable concealed carry revolvers.

__________________
Come and take it!!

I also have a Dick Special from 1939 I call it my "Film Noir Special". But it is too valuable to carry given its condition. I think the early guns with the half moon front sight and rounded butt are the quintessential Detective Specials but for carrying in the year 2021 the shrouded barrel guns made post 1974 or so are the best.

Attached Images

Colt Detective Special With Ammo 1939.jpg (84.6 KB, 15 views)

I have owned two pre 1960 DSs and sold both of them when money was a primary consideration. That said, I enjoyed them both and would not feel underpinned with either.

Now I only have two colt revolvers, a minty 32 Pocket Positive that I basically stole for $100 a few years back, and a one year wonder Magnum Carry that I purchased new for just over $450 back in 1999. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the MC is loosely based on the DS. I never shoot it though, it is the consummate safe queen in that the value has in a lot of cases quintupled since Colt stopped making them. I would love it if CZ-Colt would re-introduce that revolver.

__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA