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Is the Colt Detective Special still a viable CC revolver?
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oneeyedpete
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My only concern with a gun that valuable nowadays would be damaging the finish or the exposed ejector rod from EDC duty in a holster. Other than that, go for it!
I sold 2 minty DSs: A nickel with exposed ejector rod model, and a later blue with ejector shroud. They would have been good carry pieces, but I read repeatedly that, as they were no longer produced, they were collector's items. I had previously determined that I no longer wanted collector's items which would lose value if used (so the pundits said), so away they went.
Also, I had come across numerous PPSs at our range which were ALL out of time, spat lead and jammed, so my interest in small-frame Colts all but disappeared. Got a bunch of snub 10s I like (and shoot) better.
Kaaskop49
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Also, I had come across numerous PPSs at our range which were ALL out of time, spat lead and jammed, so my interest in small-frame Colts all but disappeared. Got a bunch of snub 10s I like (and shoot) better.
Kaaskop49
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A Colt very similar to the OP’s was my primary (only) gun for four years in the Philadelphia area during school. If thousands are happy with Chiefs Specials as carry guns I don’t see why a revolver with 20% higher capacity won’t still work. 
AJ, you and I just missed crossing paths at Long Beach; got my first uniforms at the Exchange there the year after you retired, and spent a few weekends at the Reserve Center after the main base closed.
AJ, you and I just missed crossing paths at Long Beach; got my first uniforms at the Exchange there the year after you retired, and spent a few weekends at the Reserve Center after the main base closed.
Double-O-Dave
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I have a real fondness for the Crimson Trace Laser sights for my small snubbies, and CT doesn't make a model that will fit the Colt DS or Cobras. That's my main reluctance in carrying my DS over my beloved Model 38 or 638. I got very lucky with my Detective Special - it had been sitting in pieces in a plastic bag in a local gun store for quite some time. The owner made me an excellent price on it along with a killer deal - if I couldn't reassemble it and get it to fire properly he'd give me a complete refund. To date, this has been my most enjoyable "project gun" I've ever had. To me, it does shoot easier and better than any of my J-frames, but my EDC continue to be S&W Model 38-0 or a 638-1.
Regards,
Dave
Regards,
Dave
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AJ
US Veteran
Alan,
I was the senior Marine Cadre there for a year and a half. I had been the Marine Barracks Guard Chief at NWS Seal Beach, until we turned it over to Navy Security. I set up the initial Naval Auxiliary Security Force at NSLB. You should have been there when we had a station wide security drill that lasted 24 hours. I had a friend (Reserve Marine WO-3) who was a LA Sheriff Deputy on their Special Enforcement Bureau (LASO SEB). They used four teams to assault the base over that 24 hour period. Had the Security Department going crazy. The CO of NS was not happy. I checked out the next day and went on my merry way to my nest duty station.
I was at NWS Seal Beach when Seal Team did a Red Cell exercise on us. That was part of what got Marcinko relieved and eventually imprisoned.
AJ
rockquarry
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Interestingly all of the old steel frame Colts, including the Police Positive (from which the Det. Special is based) were rated for +P ammo back then (the 38/44 type of ammo).
I don't think I'd have any worries shooting higher than standard pressure ammo in an all steel D frame Colt...I might even trust it more than a modern scandium or whatever the latest whiz bang material is!
Here's an old ad from the '30s where Colt even advertises using the DS with the 38/44 and 38 hi-speed loads of the day. They are solid chunks of steel!:
I'm aware of these old ads, but few people shot snub nose guns then. That was the attitude for a long time. No one really saw them as guns that you shoot, just guns that you keep handy in a desk drawer or glove box. In fact, many were probably never fired by the original owners. I'm sure this was was no secret to Colt.
A few rounds of hot ammo won't wreck one of these guns, but it won't do one any good either. It's getting hard to find parts as well as gunsmiths that can work on these guns. The advantage of +P ammo over standard pressure ammo is likely not nearly as great as some think, if there is a real and practical advantage at all, but opinions vary on this.
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Ah yes, the “Rogue Warrior”...interesting guy.
AJ
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Ah yes, the “Rogue Warrior”...interesting guy.
When I meant him in an inbrief at NWS, I and the rest of the Guard staff thought he was a couple of bricks short of a load.
AJ
So I ask the question - is the classic Detective Special still a good choice for discreet personal protection?
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IMO the DS is just the right size, has best trigger pull, most accurate, and less recoil than any other small revolver. I'm a S&W fan through & through but this particular Colt is my choice for carry. The shrouded 70's version is to my liking. I purchased this pictured beater from a pawn shop several years ago, had "Roll Tide" engraved on the side plate, and sprayed it with Duracoat.
Hope I never have to shoot anything but targets with it.
Ray
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IMO the DS is just the right size, has best trigger pull, most accurate, and less recoil than any other small revolver. I'm a S&W fan through & through but this particular Colt is my choice for carry. The shrouded 70's version is to my liking. I purchased this pictured beater from a pawn shop several years ago, had "Roll Tide" engraved on the side plate, and sprayed it with Duracoat.
Hope I never have to shoot anything but targets with it.
Ray
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It gets me the number of people who worry about their gun being impounded in the event of a self defense shooting. I mostly carry a 325 NG 45acp or a 431PD in 32 H&R. Both are hard to find guns that run about a grand or so. I definitely like them. But, I have them and carry them because I trust them if I every r really need to have a gun. If after it is all over the worst part is my gun is held as evidence for a while I will be a happy camper. Guns are replaceable, My wife, my family and I are NOT
smithra_66
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I'd agree that there certainly isn't a benefit to shooting a lot of +P ammo out of these guns, but I'm not sure why you'd think they'd be any weaker than any more modern gun? They are all steel and an even larger frame than modern J-frames made of lightweight material such as scandium and aluminum.
Steel, even from the 1930s, is probably stronger than scandium in 2021.
smithra_66
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AJ
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ContinentalOp
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Not an expert, but I think it has to do more with the timing than the steel. From my understanding, Colt revolvers tend to go out of time quicker than S&W revolvers, and I imagine +P ammo would accelerate that tendency. Can't say how accurate that is, nor how common if it is accurate, nor whether or not that will happen with typical usage.
smithra_66
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Hmm well I guess that renders the old V-spring Colt Python, Officers, etc. not shootable with 357 magnum ammo then! They are all the same design.
The short answer is yes, it is still a good choice. I have never had the
privilege of owning a DS, but I do own it's orphan brother, the Agent.
The Agent is a little lighter weight and has a slightly shorter grip frame,
but very similar otherwise. And much less cost if you can find one.
I only paid $150 for this one, quite a few years ago. I think the Spegel
grips doubles the value.
Here is a picture of my Agent, wearing Craig Spegel's extended boots.
I removed the hammer spur and the single action notch to render it
totally DAO. 2nd photo shows it in one of it's favorite rides. A gator
trimmed pancake by KD.
privilege of owning a DS, but I do own it's orphan brother, the Agent.
The Agent is a little lighter weight and has a slightly shorter grip frame,
but very similar otherwise. And much less cost if you can find one.
I only paid $150 for this one, quite a few years ago. I think the Spegel
grips doubles the value.
Here is a picture of my Agent, wearing Craig Spegel's extended boots.
I removed the hammer spur and the single action notch to render it
totally DAO. 2nd photo shows it in one of it's favorite rides. A gator
trimmed pancake by KD.
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AJ
US Veteran
No matter when the steel or scandium was made there is only so much abuse the gun will take. Either metal developing cracks, or springs failing or the timing going out of order. Why beat a gun that you have paid good money for up for no better reason that making a lot of noise.
I did not develop this theory yesterday. Back in the day I wanted a .44 Magnum (had seen "Dirty Harry" as a first run movie). Went out looking for a M29, could not find one. Ended up buying a New Model Ruger Super Blackhawk. Stoked it with loads (was loading my own) that would curl your toes. When I finally found and bought a S&W M29-2 4 inch was talking with the gunsmith about loads that I was using. He asked me why I was going to beat up a Cadillac? I said what? His answer made sense once I thought about it. He reasoned that the Ruger was built like a tank and should take a lot of abuse. Whereas the S&W was more like a luxury car and needed some finesse, His words to me were shoot .44 Special loads in it when practicing and or plinking, but when hunting two or four footed animals use the Magnum loads.
Made sense to me especially since the S&W cost me twice what the Ruger did. Still makes sense to me........
AJ
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I used my issued Colt DS in a 1974 gunfight w/armed robbery suspects, reloading once under fire, so my answer is an unqualified yes to your question. My 1968 Cobra still gets carried now and then. As an aside I’ve been trying to locate my old service weapon (above), serial #689642, so if anyone has it in their collection pls message me.
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