Colt’s Agent

[Farmer17]

I like Colt double-action revolvers as well, but a few comments on the Diamondback .22s... I've had a couple of 6" blued guns for years and I shot both at least several times a year until the last year. I'll admit I always wanted at least one Diamondback .22 because they looked neat and I like .22 revolvers.

Diamondbacks have a weird and unnatural feel to me; perhaps it's my hand shape, maybe it's the design, maybe the factory stocks, or some of each. However, I've never found factory stocks on any other revolver that didn't work pretty well right out-of-the-box.

I've never seen much better than mediocre 25 yard accuracy with the Diamondbacks, regardless of the ammo. My old Colt Troopers, Officer Model Match guns and at least one S&W .22 are certainly more accurate.

Granted, my Diamondback .22 assessment is based on only two guns and I'm certainly neither an Internet expert or a real one. Sort of like Tyler grip adapters, Diamondbacks have cosmetic appeal that greatly overshadows usefulness.

Many years ago I traded a Franchi 12 gauge semi auto shotgun that I didn't like for a 6 inch .22 Diamondback in the box in new condition. Factory grips looked and felt weird so I put on some Herrets that felt perfect and the gun was very accurate but wouldn't set off the primer periodically. After a few years I traded the Diamondback for a beautiful Ruger M77 270 with a Tasco World Class 3-9x scope in new condition that shot dime size groups. At the time I was quite happy with the trade.

 

[majick47]

John the long checkered stocks and Tyler grip is what I have on my Colt Det. Still a good idea to find and store away a set of the original Agent short checkered stocks. As for the Lewis cross draw holster a nice choice and very collectable. You could also check Ebay for an almost exact same model holster from Bucheimer, I have one for a J frame.

 

[TheHobbyist]

Hate to guess what the factory hammer shroud would sell for now. I looked about 5-6 years ago and couldn't even find one for sale. Hang onto that one!

 

[majick47]

The Colt factory installed hammer shroud adds a seroius premium to any Det/Cobra/Agent value. Another layer of frosting is Johns Tyler T Grip.

 

[CH4]

Nice gun, I love the hammer shroud!

Earlier Agent's typically came with shorter grips. What was the difference between the late Agent and Cobra?

Since its genesis in 1955, all Agents came with the short grip frame. It’s a Cobra with the shortened frame for easier concealment. In 1966, Colt eliminated the long grip frame on the DS and Cobra models. From that point on, all D frames have the short grip frame.