I've had 3 maybe 4 over the years......(still have my Dad's "2nd" gen from the 50s)........ I'd rather have a 3" k-frame 13,65 or 66......... you want smaller ..... go smaller ..... Smith J-frame.......
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How do Forum Members feel about 3rd Generation Colt Detective Special with wraparound
- Thread starter bushmaster1313
- Start date
Penquin
Member
I think there is significant difference between the original J's and the newer Magnum J-frames (e.g. M60-9, 640-1, etc.), such that I would like to see a comparison between them vs. the DS/Cobra's. Other than the extra round they must be fairly close is weight/dimensions. However I can't compare because the only Colt I have is my dad's 4" police positive .38 (non-special). Which is a great shooter BTW!! PEN
If I remember correctly, I have about 10 or so Colt snubbys. Pre and post barrel shroud Detective Specials, Agents, and Cobras. A 2" Official Police. A 2 1/2" Diamondback. A Bankers Special from 1930. A Pocket Positive 2 1/2" 32 NP from 1925. I may be forgetting something, but that's about 10. I have never had a timing problem with any of these little guys. I also have some full size Colt revolvers.
Smiths? In the snubby area, I have at least a dozen, in all three configurations, with hammers, with shrouds, and concealed hammers. Everything from Terriers and 32 pre 30s to the Baby Chiefs and early Centennials. Up through the latest 340 PD and so forth. Maybe more like 15.
I shoot all of these, and enjoy them immensely. I often rotate my carry so that I can experience each of these guns. I like both the Smith and Colts. Neither have ever let me down.
Best Regards, Les
Smiths? In the snubby area, I have at least a dozen, in all three configurations, with hammers, with shrouds, and concealed hammers. Everything from Terriers and 32 pre 30s to the Baby Chiefs and early Centennials. Up through the latest 340 PD and so forth. Maybe more like 15.
I shoot all of these, and enjoy them immensely. I often rotate my carry so that I can experience each of these guns. I like both the Smith and Colts. Neither have ever let me down.
Best Regards, Les
Kframerbluvr
Member
For me, both serve, albeit rarely, as carry guns. The J frames work much better for pocket carry than my 1975 Colt DS. The Colt is the best belt carried gun of the two.
I have owned two later model Colt D frames and they both shot to the left with 158 grain ammo for me.
All my Smith five shooters hit POA with 158 grain loads.
I have owned two later model Colt D frames and they both shot to the left with 158 grain ammo for me.
All my Smith five shooters hit POA with 158 grain loads.
The biggest problem with "Dick Specials" or any other Colt D/A revolver, (except the Python), is how much they cost these days. They're not Pythons, they're production revolvers. Colt made a million of them. They're not an $800 gun.
BUFF
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I bought my Colt Detective Special NIB in December, 1984 as it was a great buy ($228.61 out the door, store chain was closing down), I wanted to have at least once Christmas present to get excited over under the tree and I had never had a new Colt DS before. Very nicely finished in blue, dorky shaped wood stocks, but Colt's MSRP was about $385 or so, so I saved some good money, always wise during the Holidays. S/N P34341.
I didn't like the stocks and added a set of Pachmayr Compacs with the gold-colored Colt medallion for $20.00. Bought a nice Safariland suede lined thumbreak holster that was one of those 'easy-on/easy-off' belt slide types but it had a stiff wire hoop that went inside your pants instead of a flat metal piece.
Took it to the range to qualify with it with some HKS speedloaders. It was a bright, cloudless early afternoon and for the first time I noticed that the front sight blade had no serrations to break up the glare.
I shot the course twice, firing 100 rounds total. It shot well but that front sight blade was way too squinty.
I think I cleaned it, wore it to court twice, then put it in the safe where it sits to this day. Nothing wrong with it but I sweat too much to make much use of finely polished blue finishes.
I'm going to really thin the herd soon, and this lovely Colt will be on the pile going out.
I didn't like the stocks and added a set of Pachmayr Compacs with the gold-colored Colt medallion for $20.00. Bought a nice Safariland suede lined thumbreak holster that was one of those 'easy-on/easy-off' belt slide types but it had a stiff wire hoop that went inside your pants instead of a flat metal piece.
Took it to the range to qualify with it with some HKS speedloaders. It was a bright, cloudless early afternoon and for the first time I noticed that the front sight blade had no serrations to break up the glare.
I shot the course twice, firing 100 rounds total. It shot well but that front sight blade was way too squinty.
I think I cleaned it, wore it to court twice, then put it in the safe where it sits to this day. Nothing wrong with it but I sweat too much to make much use of finely polished blue finishes.
I'm going to really thin the herd soon, and this lovely Colt will be on the pile going out.
31FordA
Member
I preferred the looks of the earlier Detective Special to the 3rd Gen version. My direct experience with them is limited to a 1950 vintage Detective Special I bought for $300 back in early 2012. Probably a former cop gun, it was obviously carried a lot and shot very little. I carried it on the job for a time in place of a 36-7, worked fine. Comfortable to carry, pleasant to shoot, very accurate. Sold it last year when I was offered way more than I paid for it. Now my only Colt revolver is a 1895 Navy in .38LC.
The Colt revolver I would like to get is the Magnum Carry .357, but I doubt I ever will. Only built for a year, I've seen exactly two in person and the prices were obscene.
The Colt revolver I would like to get is the Magnum Carry .357, but I doubt I ever will. Only built for a year, I've seen exactly two in person and the prices were obscene.
DWalt
Member
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I don't care at all for the looks of the barrel shroud, and I doubt it fulfills any purpose (at least for me). I also prefer the more solid feel of the DS's steel frame as opposed to the lighter weight Agent and Cobra, nor do I like the skimpy grip of the Agent. I've passed up numerous reasonably priced examples of each. But then again, I don't like anyone's alloy frame revolvers. I might go for a Cobra with hammer shroud, like Jack Ruby's, but I don't remember seeing one.
DWalt:
I believe the original design is the most attractive and ergonomic as well. Here are my pre-shroud Colt snubbies: from the top, Detective Special, Cobra and Agent. The DS has the most authoritative and solid feel to it:
I like to use a Tyler T Grip with them, but I only have one to go around, and when this photo was taken, it was on another gun. I also agree with your earlier post regarding timing. I have never had any issues with my many Colts.
For my most solid and authoritative, not to mention smoothest and most accurate Colt snubbie, though, I'll have to put up my 1941 Colt Official Police, in its original Clark of Los Angeles holster. It did not start with a 2" bbl, but has been professionally cut and has a rebated crown. It is one solid and slick shooting .38.
No timing issues on this one either. I may just have to dig it out of the safe for awhile!!! I sorta miss it!
Best Regards, Les
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DWalt
Member
The postwar DSs, at least from a user perspective, are superior to the pre-war ones, in that the extractor rod is longer for better ejection and the front sight is ramped for a better sight picture. I have taken to using .38 Short Colt reloads in my DS, as all the fired cases eject cleanly, not so with .38 Special cases.
Great gun
My agency issued the Detective Special and they remained in use until we went to K frame Smiths. I liked that the indexing notches fell between the chambers but as I recall, most of the 3rd generation Specials tended to shoot high left. I went through a bunch before I found one that shot to the sights.
Today I prefer semi autos but I wouldn't hesitate to carry the old "Dick Special" as they were called.
My agency issued the Detective Special and they remained in use until we went to K frame Smiths. I liked that the indexing notches fell between the chambers but as I recall, most of the 3rd generation Specials tended to shoot high left. I went through a bunch before I found one that shot to the sights.
Today I prefer semi autos but I wouldn't hesitate to carry the old "Dick Special" as they were called.
OP
bushmaster1313
Member
All of the comments have been very helpful
I like the grips on the 2nd generation but the barrel shroud on the 3rd
Will the 2nd generation grips fit on a 3rd generation gun?
I like the grips on the 2nd generation but the barrel shroud on the 3rd
Will the 2nd generation grips fit on a 3rd generation gun?
bmcgilvray
SWCA Member
The Detective Special began being made with a shorter grip frame in 1966. I assume the stocks would interchange on any post-1966 Detective Special.
What constitutes a proper "generation" of Detective Special?
I've never see a proper chart on these different "generations" of Detective Specials, a term which has been bandied about for years. Some seem to recognize only three generations. Some recognize more.
There seems no standardization for these "generations" of Detective Specials. Pre-war (square butt, round butt), post-war, post-1966, shrouded ejector rod etc..
Do even the avid Colt D-Frame collectors know?
What constitutes a proper "generation" of Detective Special?
I've never see a proper chart on these different "generations" of Detective Specials, a term which has been bandied about for years. Some seem to recognize only three generations. Some recognize more.
There seems no standardization for these "generations" of Detective Specials. Pre-war (square butt, round butt), post-war, post-1966, shrouded ejector rod etc..
Do even the avid Colt D-Frame collectors know?
hoosier4guns
Member
My carry weapon from 2000 to April of last year has been a 3rd generation DS from 1974 that I Paid $200 for back in 1999. I now carry a Model 10-7 from the late 70's..bobbed hammer and a little trigger work for DAO. I never had a problem with the Colt but it was getting a little holster wear so I decided to change to the Model 10-7. I shoot mostly combat range with my revolvers and pistols..21ft. Both the Colt and Smith shoot POA with 158gr cast and Hornady critical defense jhp. I do like the Colt but the hammer got hung up in an emergency so I switched to the Smith with a bobbed hammer. Here's a couple of pics. Rich.
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DWalt
Member
It varies by collector, not sure anyone has established an "Official" list of generations. Some consider that there may be at least seven generations due to various changes. It's not particularly important to me what they are called, as the only ones interesting to me are pre-WWII and post-WWII. The first examples were not then called Detective Specials, but rather 2" Police Positive Specials (square butt). One of those will set you back many Pesos, as will a nice pre-War DS. And then there are those in .32 NP and .38 NP. I always thought it was strange that S&W didn't get competitive with .38 Special snubbies much earlier than they did.
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Jeff Napoleoni
Member
I picked one up a couple of weeks ago. It seems OK, diggin' the 6th hole in that cylinder. I'm going to shoot it tomorrow, I'll let you know.
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JWintergreen
Member
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Zombie thread, but I'll add a post as I am fond of the old D frame vs J frame topic.
The D frame sized revolvers and J frame size revolvers are the ying and yang of the small frame revolver world. I love them both and they both have their place. It is now more than just a Detective Special vs. Chief's Special comparison, as they represent two different classes of small frame revolvers.
I love the J frames, but for me the D frame (and similar sized revolvers) are the perfect carry guns. They are just a hair bigger than a J frame, yet they are true six shooters. They have just enough heft to be comfortable to shoot with defensive .38 ammo, and they are much easier to carry/conceal than a medium frame revolver. These guns are also great for folks with small hands. This is the perfect balance for a carry revolver in my mind. Honestly, I would say that the only area the J frame has an advantage would be in the pocket carry category.
I am very glad that this revolver size has made a comeback. Charter, Colt, Taurus, and Kimber all offer guns in this class now. Ruger also has the SP101, yet it has the flaw of being a D frame size gun with J frame capacity. That is something that Ruger needs to address as their competition keeps growing, and a D frame size revolver should always have six chambers. The Magnum Carry, new King Cobra, and K6S have all also proven that D frame sized .357 Magnums can be done very well.
S&W nearly jumped into this market once with the Model 73/C frame in 1973. Unfortunately, S&W decided it would be more cost effective to give the gun the axe after having early production issues. This is a sad chapter of S&W history, and the ultimate example of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. It would be nice if S&W would revisit this idea (given the current market), but I think revolver fans might have a better chance of convincing Ruger to finally make the SP101 the .38/.357 six shooter it should have been from day one. I would also like to see stainless .38 only J/K frames and half lug .357 L frames make a comeback, but I am not holding my breath.
The D frame sized revolvers and J frame size revolvers are the ying and yang of the small frame revolver world. I love them both and they both have their place. It is now more than just a Detective Special vs. Chief's Special comparison, as they represent two different classes of small frame revolvers.
I love the J frames, but for me the D frame (and similar sized revolvers) are the perfect carry guns. They are just a hair bigger than a J frame, yet they are true six shooters. They have just enough heft to be comfortable to shoot with defensive .38 ammo, and they are much easier to carry/conceal than a medium frame revolver. These guns are also great for folks with small hands. This is the perfect balance for a carry revolver in my mind. Honestly, I would say that the only area the J frame has an advantage would be in the pocket carry category.
I am very glad that this revolver size has made a comeback. Charter, Colt, Taurus, and Kimber all offer guns in this class now. Ruger also has the SP101, yet it has the flaw of being a D frame size gun with J frame capacity. That is something that Ruger needs to address as their competition keeps growing, and a D frame size revolver should always have six chambers. The Magnum Carry, new King Cobra, and K6S have all also proven that D frame sized .357 Magnums can be done very well.
S&W nearly jumped into this market once with the Model 73/C frame in 1973. Unfortunately, S&W decided it would be more cost effective to give the gun the axe after having early production issues. This is a sad chapter of S&W history, and the ultimate example of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. It would be nice if S&W would revisit this idea (given the current market), but I think revolver fans might have a better chance of convincing Ruger to finally make the SP101 the .38/.357 six shooter it should have been from day one. I would also like to see stainless .38 only J/K frames and half lug .357 L frames make a comeback, but I am not holding my breath.
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LostintheOzone
US Veteran
Sig P-239 works better as a carry. Not real interested in either one for carry although I do have a 36 for picnics where I probably know everyone.
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I have one of each that I bought years ago, and I am glad I was able to keep them through my job loss back in 2009.
JWintergreen
Member
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That is great. There are some folks out there that would consider a Sig P-239 outdated. I no longer concern myself with that and I am happy with my obsolete revolvers, as I am pretty obsolete myself. Most days I feel like I am Burgess Meredith's character in The Obsolete Man.
It is nice that revolvers have made a comeback, and companies have been introducing new products over the last several years. I feel far less compelled to carry a filthy bottom feeder. If that gets me killed outside of a picnic, so be it. Hugo Borchardt was a heretic.
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