Detective Special

CH4 · Jan 21, 2023

Today I attended the Vegas Antique Arms show at the Westgate looking for a 3rd issue Detective Special. I found 6, 3 nickel and 3 blue, with prices ranging from $895 to $1450, all sans boxes. I grabbed the one for $895. It’s absolutely pristine.

I was surprised to see such poor attendance and so many empty tables. Very disappointing. It’s been the same at many of the shows I’ve recently attended. Anyone else seeing this trend?

ralph7 · Jan 21, 2023

Third issue is absolutely the best looking Detective Special and Cobra ever!

Goblin · Jan 21, 2023

Did you buy the one that’s pictured? It’s a peach!

CH4 · Jan 21, 2023

Goblin said:
Did you buy the one that’s pictured? It’s a peach!

Yes, I this is the one I grabbed.

Xfuzz · Jan 21, 2023

Good snag...
Here is a 4th issue (1993).
I had the old Colt stocks.

SnidelyWhiplash · Jan 21, 2023

Poor attendance = lower prices and better deals.

pasound · Jan 21, 2023

The regular seasonal gun show in my area was popular for many years. A good show, with dozens of dealers and tables. Then, covid time shut it down for two years. Next one after the closings was poorly attended, both by vendors and customers. Last spring they cancelled after advertising it. I'm guessing not enough vendors signed up. Now it's gone, and the building they used has been sold.

GeoJelly · Jan 21, 2023

I didn’t know there was a 4th Issue until I saw this post - given the grips I assume my NIB-ish DS is a 3rd Issue. I also found a .32 version on GB a couple of months ago. It’s in excellent condition … after I cleaned it up & perfect mechanically. I had seen a .32 DS advertised here that got me interested & found one on GB.

Trooper224 · Jan 21, 2023

CH4 said:
Today I attended the Vegas Antique Arms show at the Westgate looking for a 3rd issue Detective Special. I found 6, 3 nickel and 3 blue, with prices ranging from $895 to $1450, all sans boxes. Here’s the one for $895. It’s absolutely pristine.

I was surprised to see such poor attendance and so many empty tables. Very disappointing. It’s been the same at many of the shows I’ve recently attended. Anyone else seeing this trend?

I was there last year. It was a pretty full house.

SnidelyWhiplash · Jan 21, 2023

The Dick Special…particularly the exposed ejector rod version…is the quintessential TV cop gun…even more than the Chief’s Special.

CH4 · Jan 21, 2023

Trooper224 said:
I was there last year. It was a pretty full house.

I was there too. It was a great show. Ghost town this year.

CH4 · Jan 21, 2023

SnidelyWhiplash said:
The Dick Special…particularly the exposed ejector rod version…is the quintessential TV cop gun…even more than the Chief’s Special.

That’s so true. However, with the exception of my nickel
Birth year DS, I am a shrouded ejector guy.

Erich · Jan 21, 2023

I like the Third Issues, myself.

Chuck24 · Jan 21, 2023

While searching for a birth year Match Target for my wife, I came across a nice 1954 Detective Special. Not sure what series that makes it.

rockquarry · Jan 21, 2023

SnidelyWhiplash said:
The Dick Special…particularly the exposed ejector rod version…is the quintessential TV cop gun…even more than the Chief’s Special.

Yes, the original version remains the best looking of the bunch.

SnidelyWhiplash · Jan 21, 2023

The version with a shrouded ejector rod shoots better due to a bit more weight out front but the earlier gun carries somewhat better. When I was a LEO I would occasionally carry a shrouded Dick Special off-duty but more often an aluminum framed Cobra.

tnmandpshooter · Jan 21, 2023

CH4 said:
Today I attended the Vegas Antique Arms show at the Westgate looking for a 3rd issue Detective Special. I found 6, 3 nickel and 3 blue, with prices ranging from $895 to $1450, all sans boxes. Here’s the one for $895. It’s absolutely pristine.

I was surprised to see such poor attendance and so many empty tables. Very disappointing. It’s been the same at many of the shows I’ve recently attended. Anyone else seeing this trend?

My dad had one of these growing up with a black grip. Wish he still had it.

Sent from my SM-A515U using Tapatalk

Muley Gil · Jan 22, 2023

SnidelyWhiplash said:
The version with a shrouded ejector rod shoots better due to a bit more weight out front but the earlier gun carries somewhat better. When I was a LEO I would occasionally carry a shrouded Dick Special off-duty but more often an aluminum framed Cobra.

My PD had a number on confiscated firearms that it would issue to officers. I carried a nickel 2" Cobra in an ankle holster for a number of years. I tried to buy it when I retired, but couldn't.

kmyers · Jan 22, 2023

That is a great Colt and a great find. It is one of the reasons we try to check out any gun shows that take place here, you never know what you may find.

Old cop · Jan 22, 2023

I used an issued Detective Special to defend myself in a 1974 gunfight w/armed robbery suspects. If anyone has Serial #689642 in their collection please send me a PM.

Detective Special

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