Thinking of Adding a Colt to my Small Stable of S&W's -- Rampant Advice Needed

bushmaster1313

bushmaster1313

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Except for a WW2 Ithaca, all my collectable handguns are S&W's. But to celebrate my retirement I have a hankering for a Detective Special. There seem to be quite a few "LNIB" Colts for sale, as well as many shooter grade guns. Any advice/comments on model, vintage and condition that a small time Smith accumulator like me might enjoy would be appreciated.
 
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bushmaster1313 said:
Except for a WW2 Ithaca, all my collectable handguns are S&W's. But to celebrate my retirement I have a hankering for a Detective Special. There seem to be quite a few "LNIB" Colts for sale, as well as many shooter grade guns. Any advice/comments on model, vintage and condition that a small time Smith accumulator like me might enjoy would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

For a shooter, I like the older models without the enclosed ejector rod.
 
I am one who likes the enclosed ejector rod, especially on the DS. My favorite Colts for carry are the 3rd issue Detective Special and 2.5" Diamondback, which are my recommendations. :)
 

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CH4 said:
I am one who likes the enclosed ejector rod, especially on the DS. One of my favorite Colts is the 3rd issue Detective Special, which is my recommendation. :)
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I also like the enclosed ejector rod. To me, the exposed rod looks weak and skimpy.

Other than cost, what does the Forum think about getting a DS shooter vs. LNIB. Note: I do not enjoy firing either of my J frames single action.
 
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I suggest finding a good reference on inspecting old Colts. I believe that there is more concern about a Colt action being out of time and/or failing to carry up than older Smith & Wessons. Personally, I don't own any Colts made after 1960 but that's partly because the "snake guns" cost too much even when I started collecting.
 
My DS preference would be the postwar second issue, no barrel shroud and with long extractor rod. Not the most collectible but the most appealing. I consider it the finest snubby revolver ever made. Any DS chambered in .38 S&W is highly desirable. I passed on buying one over 10 years ago, have been kicking myself since. Stories about Colt timing problems are highly inflated.
 
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Good luck with your search OP.

The Mrs and her buddies thought this was really cute.
A bit dirty as I was taking the grips/T off to clean.
Refection of Scotch bag on trigger guard.
'71 and it gets carried in pocket with holster.
158gr HC SWC over BE.
Easy loads for the Gals but I wouldn't want to win a
cookie to take one in the BPV.
Even for the lovely club date singer's pistachios. :D
 

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I personally like the ones made in the last few years with the enclosed ejector rod. Some of the first of the last run came with wooden grips and many of the last ones came with rubber grips with the Colt logo on them.

Many true Colt collectors like the original configuration with the finely checkered wooden grips and the exposed ER and I guess that would be the more nostalgic configuration. What your preference is, is more a personal thing. They are very fine revolvers and one of he last I'd sell. For OWB carry, they fill a perfect void between a 2" M10 and a 2" J frame.
 
bushmaster1313 said:
Except for a WW2 Ithaca, all my collectable handguns are S&W's. But to celebrate my retirement I have a hankering for a Detective Special. There seem to be quite a few "LNIB" Colts for sale, as well as many shooter grade guns. Any advice/comments on model, vintage and condition that a small time Smith accumulator like me might enjoy would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

DS is the all steel version of the Cobra and Agent - actually, the Cobra and Agent are alloy versions of the DS I suppose.

In addition to the "prior to '73 or after" you'll have to decide if you want the short frame or the long frame. 1966 and later uses the short frame, although so far as the grips they are each the same overall size and profile. You can put shorter Agent type grips on the 1966 and later.

FWIW, I'd say get what you like and in the best condition one you can afford. Make sure the timing is right, especially on lock up. Timing a Colt is more of a challenge than a Smith. If you buy one with a lazy hand correctly fitting can be a challenge.

I have a few. The one I'd like to get is an Agent with a factory hammer shroud. Pretty high on the neat to have list.
 
Thinking of Adding a Colt to my Small Stable of S&W's -- Rampant Advice Needed

It's all good, just find what you like.


.
8442662785962a5c90c3ea5a63a32090.jpg
 
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Shooter vs LINB: For a gun that is only looked at: Looks matter!

My Cobra the ugliest gun I own! I bought it to stay hidden in an accessible place and only come out when needed! A Smith, Charter or Rugar would do but, the ugly Colt will always have that employment!

Ivan
 
DWalt said:
My DS preference would be the postwar second issue, no barrel shroud and with long extractor rod. Not the most collectible but the most appealing. I consider it the finest snubby revolver ever made. Any DS chambered in .38 S&W is highly desirable. I passed on buying one over 10 years ago, have been kicking myself since. Stories about Colt timing problems are highly inflated.
Click to expand...

Perhaps Colts don't got out of time more than S&Ws. However, it is a lot harder to get an old Cold fixed by someone who knows what they're doing. Two in my collection don't carry up correctly. One had early bolt drop - that I was able to fix but the more I researched stretching to hand, the less I wanted to experiment on a first year Model 3-5-7. In the old Colt actions many parts have 2 or even 3 separate functions. It is a very cool design but is a challenge to understand. Plus "fixing" one aspect of a part's function might mess up another. Bottom line: I am far more comfortable working on a Smith & Wesson and I am not alone in that opinion. AFAIK Mr. Glenn is the go-to Colt smith.
 
A 1974 3rd Issue DS was my first carry gun. I traded into it and fell in love. Bigger than a J-frame, yet smaller than a K-frame, it fits the hand well and is easy to shoot well. To me, its the ideal snubby. :D
I made the mistake of letting my wife shoot it once and she immediately claimed it as her own. Took me about 20 years to get it back. :rolleyes: But it ain't going nowhere from here. ;)

Here it it along with a few of its D-frame brothers. :D

Mwkx95O.jpg
 
bushmaster1313 said:
Except for a WW2 Ithaca, all my collectable handguns are S&W's. But to celebrate my retirement I have a hankering for a Detective Special. There seem to be quite a few "LNIB" Colts for sale, as well as many shooter grade guns. Any advice/comments on model, vintage and condition that a small time Smith accumulator like me might enjoy would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
I carried a Detective Special as my second handgun as a cop for 20+ years. They are significantly better than any J-Frame JMHO.

Any of the four generations will be great as well as the Agent version.
 
At present I have seven DA Colt revolvers and probably at least that many more have passed through my hands over the years. The oldest I have is a Model 1909 in .45 Colt (actually have two of those). None had timing problems. My single most used Colt revolver is a pre-Python 3-5-7 and it still functions the same as the day it left the factory. Not saying Colts don't or can't get out of time, just that I am not personally aware of any.
 
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