Colt Detective Special

[Jessie]

I just got one and am impressed with the build and heft of it. I have looked around some but have not seen it mentioned that its rated for +P, although being an all steel gun, I would assume so.
Is this true?
I also put myself on the list for a Lobo enhanced pancake for it. Looking forward to that.

 

[P&R Fan]

Yep, you can shoot all the +Ps you can afford in it.
You'll like the LOBO holster. Great craftsmanship a great price.
Jim

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Jessie:

I recently picked up a Detective Special myself, and was surprised at how close it is in size to a J-frame - I'd always thought the Colt was much larger (here pictured with my S&W Model 649). Grant Cunningham, a noted gunsmith, and one of the few who will work on a Colt wheelgun, has stated the factory says a Detective Special should be inspected by the factory after every 3,000 rounds of +P have been fired through it. I think for many, 3,000 rounds of +P would only come with a lifetime of use from more than one owner. Still, I plan to only shoot standard velocity ammo out of mine - same stuff I feed my J-frames.

Regards,

Dave

 

[shawn mccarver]

Colt heavily advertised its Detective Special series as being ok for +P during the time when S&W said no to +P in its J frames.

That said, the DS has been out of production for so long, I would not shoot it much as repairs and parts are a difficult proposition. There are not many gunsmiths around that know how to work on Colt revolvers. And they are a specialty all to themselves.

 

[Jessie]

I've read where Colt will still work on and has parts for this. I'm sure it's a finite thing.
I plan on shooting +Ps enough to be proficient with them and load it for SD, but otherwise it will be standard loads...in otherwords, the same way I treat my J frames.

 

[Texas Star]

Jessie:

I recently picked up a Detective Special myself, and was surprised at how close it is in size to a J-frame - I'd always thought the Colt was much larger (here pictured with my S&W Model 649). Grant Cunningham, a noted gunsmith, and one of the few who will work on a Colt wheelgun, has stated the factory says a Detective Special should be inspected by the factory after every 3,000 rounds of +P have been fired through it. I think for many, 3,000 rounds of +P would only come with a lifetime of use from more than one owner. Still, I plan to only shoot standard velocity ammo out of mine - same stuff I feed my J-frames.

Regards,

Dave

It's closer in size to a Ruger SP-101, and will often fit holsters for them.

Mr. C. is correct. Colt said that figure and that light alloy guns, like the Cobra and Agent, needed to be factory examined after just 1,000 rounds of Plus P ammo. The steel Diamondback, Det. Spcl., and Police Positive Special were good for 3,000 rounds.

The guns won't blow up at that point, but the factory was concerned that there might be frame stretching or other issues that needed examining.

 

[Old cop]

I purchased my Cobra in 1968 as my first off-duty gun and have run a handful of +P through it, but nowhere near 1000 & it still runs great. That said I have retired it b/c of the difficulty of getting it fixed, should that become necessary.

 

[NYlakesider]

On a lark a few months ago I picked up a very nice older Dick Special. I know it fells lonely in the safe as the only Colt surrounded by those many S&W products.

I have shot the gun and it’s rather accurate and comfortable in my big paws and I would have no problem using it as a CCW. I carried a Model 60 for a while years back and would have no problem with the Colt on my person.

For me I will not abuse it by subjecting it to +P ammo. Most people I know including knowledgeable LGS people and a serious Colt collector I run into at my club say not to or if you do limit the amount of heavy duty stuff you do fire. Parts and personnel to work on it are rather limited, but OP make your own decision on what to do.

 

[ladder13]

I bought this one from an NYPD Capt about 25 years ago, he was the original owner and barely used it. It's too nice to carry, I'd love to find a beater for that.

 

[tompehret]

My wife has two, both late 1970's. A .38 spcl and a .32 S&W Long. Love s them both. She sticks to standard loads but I'm sure they could handle more.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I have my Dad's .....(like ladder13's) I think it's from the 50s...as I don't remember him not having it as his off duty/plain cloths gun ( he was a Lt. and Capt. in the 60-70s) They practiced and qualified with Dad's reloads but in the last few years the carry load was the FBI +P SWCHP.

I've owed 2-3 others over the past 30 years but have always gone back to a 2.5 Model or finally a 3" 66...... for the trigger, durability and power.

Funny thing just saw one last week in a LGS w/ shrouded ejector rod for $650.......I was tempted..... they are so pretty....LOL

 

[robertrwalsh]

I own three of the Colt DS revolvers, two .38s, one old, one newish, and a mid-1960s in .32. They are fine weapons. I carried one of the .38s for many years. There is something to be said for the operational simplicity and reliability of the revolver.

 

[claudel]

Colt heavily advertised its Detective Special series as being ok for +P during the time when S&W said no to +P in its J frames.

That said, the DS has been out of production for so long, I would not shoot it much as repairs and parts are a difficult proposition. There are not many gunsmiths around that know how to work on Colt revolvers. And they are a specialty all to themselves.

Sold my Detective Special for this very reason in favor of a 649-3...

If the humpback held 6 I wouldn't miss the DS that much...

It's about ready to make my 2.25" Lawman surplus, too.

 

[Rick_A]

Despite the hype associated with the more collectible models, a Det. Spec. is the only Colt revolver I want. If a nice one falls in my lap at a price I can't refuse...

 

[Filbird]

I have a few Detective Specials.

I'd like to point out that the 2nd issue is different from the later 3rd issue. Colt also made a DS II in 1997 (aka, I call it a 4th issue).

The easy way to distinguish them is the shroud (2nd hasn't one, 3rd does).

This is a 2nd issue with stock walnut stocks:

Box:

This is a third issue:

The 3rd issue has to be one of the most beautiful revolvers ever made. Like a K-frame with a 3 inch barrel, it just looks right.

 

[Stewmeister]

I inherited my Grandfather's 3rd issue Detective Special. I saw the same info as Double O Dave, with the caveat it only applied to the 3rd issue, and one should not fire +P in the earlier models. On the rare occasions I carry it, I use Federal low recoil std pressure Hydra-Shok

 

[Harkrader]

I have one, and one on loan from a friend. I've always fired only standard pressure ammo. The latest .38 Special ammo made for shorter barrels, and others with modern bullets are effective enough for me. I'll pass on +P.

 

[mrrick]

Personally, I would not shoot +Ps in my DS.
I pretty much shoot only 148gr. WCs in all my .38spl revolvers, even for SD.
Accurate, low recoil, fast recovery, inexpensive, so more practice.
Shot placement is everything.

 

[Ross3914]

Colt only rates the later D frames (Det Spec, Cobra, etc) with the shrouded ejector as acceptable for +P ammo. It does not recommend +P ammo in the earlier guns without the shrouded ejector.

Colt recommends the gun be checked at 3,000rds (steel frame) or 1,000rds (alloy frame) of +p by a certified Colt tech, or the factory for stretching, etc. The round count isn't a limit, just a recommendation for inspection.

I don't know if there is any limit on the Colt DSII, which is not technically a "D" frame, but it's later replacement that used different lockwork similar to the King Cobra. It should be a stronger gun.

The Colt Carry Magnum was essentially a DSII in .357 mag and was made for one year. Obviously it can handle +P.

The later guns use the same grips, holsters, etc. and would be the ticket for higher use with +P, but like all things Colt, cost an arm and a leg.

 

[xfarfuldog]

I recently purchased a used 4th issue DS. The owners manual states OK to shoot +P's but not all the time. I have also owned a Magnum Carry and DS II. The II was approved for full time +P's. Previously I owned a electroless nickel DS. I carried it as a backup to my Python on patrol. But it started to rust so I sold it and went back to a blued version.

I have had some great guns over the years, and sold most of them. That is why I strongly believe

You should never sell any guns.