Hi, Everyone been a gun owner for a while, recently purchased a Ruger GP 100 Wiley clapp, and bit my revolver bug. So if you guy's can access my newest purchase to maybe give me an estimate on condition. This is a 1963 colt DS serial number 827xxx purchased from my Sergeant he let it go for $200.00
1963 colt detective special. 38sp good purchase???
- Thread starter Dizzzo
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shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
If it's sound mechanically and the timing isn't hopelessly off, you got a hell of a deal in my opinion.
I'd say your sergeant must think well of you.
I'd say your sergeant must think well of you.
Welcome to the forum!!! You will like it here. There are all sorts of folks here who between them have a great deal of knowledge.
For $200.00 you definitely got a deal. It's really hard to tell from the photos, but it looks to be in good, shoot able condition. By the way, that's what I prefer, no regrets decreasing the value of a pristine, NIB safe queen.
I think you did really well. This is an item of considerable argument here on the forum, but that vintage, I would shoot standard velocity ammunition. Many argue that today's +P is the same as the old regular velocity, and others argue that that is not the case. I tend to err on the side of caution, and fire standard velocity ammunition in these older 38s.
There are some pretty nice cartridges out there in Standard pressure ammo, one that comes to mind is the Speer Gold Dot standard velocity 38 Special.
I reload as well, and have a great load for my older 38s. I have quite a few of the DS, Cobra, Agent, Diamondback configuration and like them a lot.
Best Reggards, Les
For $200.00 you definitely got a deal. It's really hard to tell from the photos, but it looks to be in good, shoot able condition. By the way, that's what I prefer, no regrets decreasing the value of a pristine, NIB safe queen.
I think you did really well. This is an item of considerable argument here on the forum, but that vintage, I would shoot standard velocity ammunition. Many argue that today's +P is the same as the old regular velocity, and others argue that that is not the case. I tend to err on the side of caution, and fire standard velocity ammunition in these older 38s.
There are some pretty nice cartridges out there in Standard pressure ammo, one that comes to mind is the Speer Gold Dot standard velocity 38 Special.
I reload as well, and have a great load for my older 38s. I have quite a few of the DS, Cobra, Agent, Diamondback configuration and like them a lot.
Best Reggards, Les
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RobertJ.
Member
This is just my opinion, of course, but I think the Colt DS is the finest .38 Special snubby ever made. It's really the perfect cross between a S&W J-Frame and K-frame. Who cares if the cylinder rotates the wrong way?
I agree your Sergeant must have liked you, considering how much he easily could have sold that for. That's a great deal!
Welcome to The Forum!
I agree your Sergeant must have liked you, considering how much he easily could have sold that for. That's a great deal!
Welcome to The Forum!
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Thank , all yes my Sergeant has a nice collection, heard me talk about wanting a Colt, his son just Recently joined the Marines we went out to dinner and his son picked my brain. My Sgt felt at ease . And I guess it was kinda of a thank you. I guess here are more pics
Attachments
Pisgah
Member
$200 was a ripoff -- of your sergeant. Congratulations.
Targets Guy
US Veteran
You did well. Enjoy.
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
And welcome to the best gun forum I've found (so now it's my only one). I hope you'll stick around.
QUESTION:
Were you wearing a mask when you took that Colt from your Sgt?
(great weapon and a great price)
Were you wearing a mask when you took that Colt from your Sgt?
(great weapon and a great price)
StakeOut
US Veteran
I've owned a lot of revolvers during the last 50+ years and I consider my 1966 Colt DS to be the worst one with the exposed ejector rod and iffy timing.
In 1966 I paid $45 NIB.
It was one of my 2 off duty guns during my time in the NYPD.
I only had to use it once inside a 4'x4' elevator and it did the job.
In 1966 I paid $45 NIB.
It was one of my 2 off duty guns during my time in the NYPD.
I only had to use it once inside a 4'x4' elevator and it did the job.
Well, StakeOut, I'm glad you had it, or we might not be sharing your wisdom now! And I'm not being sarcastic, but sincere.
I know that a lot of folks worry about that exposed ejector rod, and someone on the forum, it might have been your fellow former NYPD member, RichinCapeCod, had the early barrel changed to one of the later shrouded barrels in order to protect the ejector rod. Or was that you. I don't remember, but it was posted here on the forum recently. I have a DS in both configurations. What I don't care for on the later models is the large "Target Grip". Of course, one could fit the original or keep them, depending on the model. I also have a later shrouded barrel Cobra which had smaller early grips on it when I got it.
I have personally never had a Colt which had the timing issues, maybe just lucky.
Best Regards, Les
I know that a lot of folks worry about that exposed ejector rod, and someone on the forum, it might have been your fellow former NYPD member, RichinCapeCod, had the early barrel changed to one of the later shrouded barrels in order to protect the ejector rod. Or was that you. I don't remember, but it was posted here on the forum recently. I have a DS in both configurations. What I don't care for on the later models is the large "Target Grip". Of course, one could fit the original or keep them, depending on the model. I also have a later shrouded barrel Cobra which had smaller early grips on it when I got it.
I have personally never had a Colt which had the timing issues, maybe just lucky.
Best Regards, Les
Thank you all, did I wear a mask lol know I feel guilty. But its an awesome jewel, and thanks for all the greeting definitely going to stick around been reading alot of posts, you guys are right a lot of good info.
Flattop5
Member
The ones made after about 1972, with ejector rod shrouds are ok with +P. I have 2 Agents, one '75 and 1 '64. The older one is standard pressure only, but if I needed to shoot it for serious reasons, I wouldn't hesitate to run a half dozen +P rounds through it. I'm pretty sure it would survive. Wouldn't want to do it on a regular basis though.
Dizzo:
This is an old cell phone picture, not very good, but from the top is a Detective Special, next a Cobra, and bottom is an Agent. They went through several evolutionary stages, these still had the exposed ejector rod, as do all Colt double action revolvers for about 70 or more years.
I will try to get some better photos sometime, but I really like these little snub noses. They are addictive. The little Ruger that you have is a fine gun, and a great shooter, but... There is a history behind the little Colts that is intriguing and attractive. They are fine revolvers, and I'm sure that you will enjoy yours, and might want to acquire more in the future.
Best Regards, Les
This is an old cell phone picture, not very good, but from the top is a Detective Special, next a Cobra, and bottom is an Agent. They went through several evolutionary stages, these still had the exposed ejector rod, as do all Colt double action revolvers for about 70 or more years.
I will try to get some better photos sometime, but I really like these little snub noses. They are addictive. The little Ruger that you have is a fine gun, and a great shooter, but... There is a history behind the little Colts that is intriguing and attractive. They are fine revolvers, and I'm sure that you will enjoy yours, and might want to acquire more in the future.
Best Regards, Les
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
For $200, you paid at least $300 less than what that DS could likely have brought on Gunbroker & Co. I went looking for one just like that last year, and it took a few months before I came across a 1961 specimen in about the condition yours is in, maybe a bit more wear, that I was able to acquire for an even $500 (which had been my self-imposed limit); I bid on quite a few that jumped out of reach, and saw many that started beyond.
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