Will a holster molded for a 2” Colt Detective Special fit a 2” Model 10? Can’t see why it wouldn’t…

I’ll have to confer tomorrow but my model 10 2” is a little larger than my Detective Special. The DS is between my J frame 37 snub nose and my model 10 2”. It would really depend on how tightly molded your holster is too.

That’s good. I have a 2” Model 10 and a Galco (that’s supposed to fit this model) and the gun just swims in it. I think even though the holster is supposed to fit this K frame it is better suited to 2 1/2 19s and 66s.

So I ordered the same holster but for a 2” Colt DS. If it’s tight, it can be stretched, especially with Galco’s notoriously soft leather. But I bet there isn’t too much difference. We shall see….

They are very close. A Model 10 speedloader will work nicely with a Colt DS. The cylinder diameters are pretty darn close but the frame is slightly smaller and of course the exact dimensions are a bit different. I have a couple of boxes of holsters. One of them will hold both PRETTY WELL but only one out of about six. Unless you are very casual about what you consider to be an acceptable fit my guess is NO. For what my guess might be worth to you.

A Dick Spl is a slightly smaller frame than a S&W K frame, however depending on the actual leather used, it might stretch enough to form fit to a M10.

Shot a comparison this afternoon. There’s not a lot of difference but in a tight fitting holster it’ll make a difference.

Pre 10 M&P and Detective Special

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Absolutely correct. In the days when both were popular revolvers the holsters were different. The D frame Colt is smaller than the K frame Smith; easy measurement is the frame ahead of the trigger guard then to the topstrap. This is a critical dimension in a Threepersons, for example, including a 'modified Threepersons' which w/b the typical thumbsnap from the '60s.

But the game changes when considering other designs, such as sprung crossdraw and shoulder holsters. These holsters are far more accomodating of frame and cylinder differences.

And the old school IWBs of soft suede will forgive most anything.

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

Probably be a little tight but possibly doable, at least with leather.

That’s what I’m thinking. I prefer a well made custom holster (which I’ll get) but would prefer not to wait a year to carry my Smith. So I go with Galco. Their leather is pretty soft and will easily stretch. After a day or so in the bag, I’m thinking my 10 should fit pretty well.

It has been my experience that the Detective Special and a Model 36 (or similar) J frame are usually interchangeable in the same holster. Not so with the 2" K frame and DS.
I just took some quick measurements:

K Frame Cylinder = 1.445" Dia.
DS Cylinder = 1.401"
K frame frame height in front of cylinder = 2.272"
DS frame frame height in front of cylinder =2.075" (almost .200" smaller.)
In addition to these differences, the K frame is approximately .200" longer than the DS and you may have retention strap problems.

I put a detective special in a 2" K frame holster and the holster is way too big for the DS. It swims in it.

Maybe you can get the Galco DS holster (depending upon the model holster) to stretch in several directions, but I wouldn't count on it.

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Lee Erickson

The M10 is a K frame, so any holster designed for such should work fine. Any Galco with the 112 designation should work perfect for the 2' M10. The Galco designation for the DS/D frame Colts is 118. Size wise, the D frame is about in the middle between J and K frames. In a pinch, I've use a K frame shoulder rig for the DS, but a K frame won't fit (without force) in a holster made for the DS.

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213th FBINA

You are correct: a CM112 SHOULD fit a 2” 10. It is the holster Galco recommends for this model.

But it doesn’t fit. Tons of front to back play, to the point I worry it’ll fall out if I’m not careful. I do not expect a Galco to be as well made as a Sparks, Kramer, or TT, but this fit is sloppy.

Used to do a ton of leatherwork, saddlery, tooling, belts and rigs, et al. Had the best instructors on the planet, the fellows in Sheridan. So I cased the holster, bagged the gun, and hand formed it again, reboned it with a modeler, and let her dry a few days.

Better, but nowhere near where it should be.

In overall size and profile the Colt D-frames (Detective Special, Cobra, etc) are closer in size to the S&W J-frame (Model 36, etc). Back in the days of "one size fits several" holster makers these were generally called "small revolvers".

The K-frame is significantly larger in every dimension. Generally referred to as "medium frame revolvers", more closely associated with the Colt Official Police and similar models.

A holster closely formed for one specific revolver may accept another of similar dimensions, but variations in dimensions will usually result in less than perfect results.

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Life of the party until 8:00PM

My Milt Sparks inside the waistband for the Detective Special will not fit a Model 10. But a J Frame will fit, as everyone expected.

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The Bucheimer Concealer C-15 fits my Pre Model 10 2". The C-1 I think was made for a 2 1/2" K frame but still works for the Model 10-7 2" pictured. They carry well in these and if you're patient you may find one on ebay where I got these.

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I don’t own a Detective Special to check by mine works fine in a Bianchi thumb snap slide.

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Probably depends on the specific holster. I have a Simply Rugged Silver Dollar holster for a DS and my 2” M10 won’t fit at all. Not even close. I suppose others that are more “generous” might work, though.

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Everybody could shoot

Not properly, no.

I own 2 holsters (first two pictures) for a 2” S&W K frame, and 1 for a Colt Detective Special (last picture). The Colt swims in the first two and the k frame won’t fit in the last one.
Larry

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!