Thinking of Adding a Colt to my Small Stable of S&W's -- Rampant Advice Needed

[bushmaster1313]

Except for a WW2 Ithaca, all my collectable handguns are S&W's. But to celebrate my retirement I have a hankering for a Detective Special. There seem to be quite a few "LNIB" Colts for sale, as well as many shooter grade guns. Any advice/comments on model, vintage and condition that a small time Smith accumulator like me might enjoy would be appreciated.

 

[Muley Gil]

Except for a WW2 Ithaca, all my collectable handguns are S&W's. But to celebrate my retirement I have a hankering for a Detective Special. There seem to be quite a few "LNIB" Colts for sale, as well as many shooter grade guns. Any advice/comments on model, vintage and condition that a small time Smith accumulator like me might enjoy would be appreciated.

For a shooter, I like the older models without the enclosed ejector rod.

 

[rockquarry]

For a shooter, I like the older models without the enclosed ejector rod.

Yes, and looks are worth something, too. The older guns have the "looks".

 

[CH4]

I am one who likes the enclosed ejector rod, especially on the DS. My favorite Colts for carry are the 3rd issue Detective Special and 2.5" Diamondback, which are my recommendations.

 

[bushmaster1313]

I am one who likes the enclosed ejector rod, especially on the DS. One of my favorite Colts is the 3rd issue Detective Special, which is my recommendation.

I also like the enclosed ejector rod. To me, the exposed rod looks weak and skimpy.

Other than cost, what does the Forum think about getting a DS shooter vs. LNIB. Note: I do not enjoy firing either of my J frames single action.

 

[TheTinMan]

I suggest finding a good reference on inspecting old Colts. I believe that there is more concern about a Colt action being out of time and/or failing to carry up than older Smith & Wessons. Personally, I don't own any Colts made after 1960 but that's partly because the "snake guns" cost too much even when I started collecting.

 

[DWalt]

My DS preference would be the postwar second issue, no barrel shroud and with long extractor rod. Not the most collectible but the most appealing. I consider it the finest snubby revolver ever made. Any DS chambered in .38 S&W is highly desirable. I passed on buying one over 10 years ago, have been kicking myself since. Stories about Colt timing problems are highly inflated.

 

[sheepdawg]

My Cobra has just come back from the smith, timing issues. I shouldn't have let the wife shoot it. It's a Series 3 with the ejector rod shroud, in my opinion the best looking Cobra or Dick Special.

 

[Imissedagain]

Good luck with your search OP.

The Mrs and her buddies thought this was really cute.
A bit dirty as I was taking the grips/T off to clean.
Refection of Scotch bag on trigger guard.
'71 and it gets carried in pocket with holster.
158gr HC SWC over BE.
Easy loads for the Gals but I wouldn't want to win a
cookie to take one in the BPV.
Even for the lovely club date singer's pistachios.

 

[chief38]

I personally like the ones made in the last few years with the enclosed ejector rod. Some of the first of the last run came with wooden grips and many of the last ones came with rubber grips with the Colt logo on them.

Many true Colt collectors like the original configuration with the finely checkered wooden grips and the exposed ER and I guess that would be the more nostalgic configuration. What your preference is, is more a personal thing. They are very fine revolvers and one of he last I'd sell. For OWB carry, they fill a perfect void between a 2" M10 and a 2" J frame.

 

[dsf]

Except for a WW2 Ithaca, all my collectable handguns are S&W's. But to celebrate my retirement I have a hankering for a Detective Special. There seem to be quite a few "LNIB" Colts for sale, as well as many shooter grade guns. Any advice/comments on model, vintage and condition that a small time Smith accumulator like me might enjoy would be appreciated.

DS is the all steel version of the Cobra and Agent - actually, the Cobra and Agent are alloy versions of the DS I suppose.

In addition to the "prior to '73 or after" you'll have to decide if you want the short frame or the long frame. 1966 and later uses the short frame, although so far as the grips they are each the same overall size and profile. You can put shorter Agent type grips on the 1966 and later.

FWIW, I'd say get what you like and in the best condition one you can afford. Make sure the timing is right, especially on lock up. Timing a Colt is more of a challenge than a Smith. If you buy one with a lazy hand correctly fitting can be a challenge.

I have a few. The one I'd like to get is an Agent with a factory hammer shroud. Pretty high on the neat to have list.

 

[moralem]

Thinking of Adding a Colt to my Small Stable of S&W's -- Rampant Advice Needed

It's all good, just find what you like.


.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Just showing you my only Colt. Bad picture. Doesn't clearly show the unshrouded ejector rod. I still have the original stocks but I hated them and these oversized Hogues make this Cobra a helluva shooter!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Shooter vs LINB: For a gun that is only looked at: Looks matter!

My Cobra the ugliest gun I own! I bought it to stay hidden in an accessible place and only come out when needed! A Smith, Charter or Rugar would do but, the ugly Colt will always have that employment!

Ivan

 

[Onomea]

Here's my 1958 second issue. I had it hard chromed, and then tuned by Grant Cunningham about 15 years ago or so:





I shoot it a lot better with the Herretts but the Persinger ivories sure are pretty...

With an El Paso Saddlery belt and holster:

 

[TheTinMan]

My DS preference would be the postwar second issue, no barrel shroud and with long extractor rod. Not the most collectible but the most appealing. I consider it the finest snubby revolver ever made. Any DS chambered in .38 S&W is highly desirable. I passed on buying one over 10 years ago, have been kicking myself since. Stories about Colt timing problems are highly inflated.

Perhaps Colts don't got out of time more than S&Ws. However, it is a lot harder to get an old Cold fixed by someone who knows what they're doing. Two in my collection don't carry up correctly. One had early bolt drop - that I was able to fix but the more I researched stretching to hand, the less I wanted to experiment on a first year Model 3-5-7. In the old Colt actions many parts have 2 or even 3 separate functions. It is a very cool design but is a challenge to understand. Plus "fixing" one aspect of a part's function might mess up another. Bottom line: I am far more comfortable working on a Smith & Wesson and I am not alone in that opinion. AFAIK Mr. Glenn is the go-to Colt smith.

 

[Grayfox]

A 1974 3rd Issue DS was my first carry gun. I traded into it and fell in love. Bigger than a J-frame, yet smaller than a K-frame, it fits the hand well and is easy to shoot well. To me, its the ideal snubby.
I made the mistake of letting my wife shoot it once and she immediately claimed it as her own. Took me about 20 years to get it back. But it ain't going nowhere from here.

Here it it along with a few of its D-frame brothers.

 

[Golddollar]

It's all good, just find what you like.


.

Can't put it any better than that.

I have a Detective Special 3rd Model and an old Python. I bought them to shoot and because to me they were something special.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Except for a WW2 Ithaca, all my collectable handguns are S&W's. But to celebrate my retirement I have a hankering for a Detective Special. There seem to be quite a few "LNIB" Colts for sale, as well as many shooter grade guns. Any advice/comments on model, vintage and condition that a small time Smith accumulator like me might enjoy would be appreciated.

I carried a Detective Special as my second handgun as a cop for 20+ years. They are significantly better than any J-Frame JMHO.

Any of the four generations will be great as well as the Agent version.

 

[DWalt]

At present I have seven DA Colt revolvers and probably at least that many more have passed through my hands over the years. The oldest I have is a Model 1909 in .45 Colt (actually have two of those). None had timing problems. My single most used Colt revolver is a pre-Python 3-5-7 and it still functions the same as the day it left the factory. Not saying Colts don't or can't get out of time, just that I am not personally aware of any.

 

[Old cop]

My only Colt Cobra was purchased for off-duty carry in 1968 and still shoots great. I used my issued Colt DS to defend myself against armed robbery suspects in a 1974 gunfight & it did its job that night too.

 

[erikpolcrack]

I have both a 2-inch and a 3-inch Colt Cobra. I would consider one of the DS's lightweight brothers if I were you - provided you're OK shooting the lighter but very easy to carry gun.

 

[DWalt]

If it ain't steel, it ain't a DS.

 

[Ameshawki]

Dec Specials are slightly better to shoot than J frames but only slightly. In production for a long time, there are a number of variations out there. I've owned a few over the years. It's a popular model, finding a good deal is not easy. The Cobra (alloy frame) generally goes for a bit less.

I've owned both old and new style. Strictly from a cosmetic point, I prefer the later, shrouded barrel models. Functionally there is no difference. One caution; during the Colt strike era, a lot of guns left the factory with sharp edges, very sharp. I had a DS that would draw blood. When examining one the sharp edges are pretty obvious.

Can be surprisingly accurate things, more so than most J frames. The steel frame versions are generally considered safe for plus p, the alloy guns not so much.

 

[ZGrand]

It's all good, just find what you like.

.

Nice Parker. I have a few as well.

As far as Colts, the two I have are a birth year (1953) 1911 and a new stainless Python. Both are excellent handguns.

 

[DWalt]

I could never warm up to alloy framed revolvers - Colt or S&W. But if you are sort of a historical gun fancier, Jack Ruby used an early Cobra on LHO, thereby creating a 60 year old mystery. His had Coltwood grips, characteristic of Colt revolvers made during the WWII and postwar period up until the mid-1950s. You might be interested in one of those as a story gun.

 

[Greymann]

Colt DS second issue, great revolver.

.

 

[DWalt]

Colt DS second issue, great revolver.

As I said earlier, I also believe a postwar second issue is a very good choice for a DS. They are fairly plentiful and have that classic appearance as seen in 1940s-50s TV shows and film noir detective movies. There were dozens and dozens of those. To me, a barrel shroud just does not look correct (at least to me) on a DS and I have passed on buying several of them at good prices just because of their having a shroud. An earlier DS is certainly OK, but I like the long extractor rod because it is more effective. I shoot mainly (handloaded) .38 Short Colt cartridges in my DS as they eject completely. The DS can also be found chambered in .32 S&W Long and .38 S&W (aka .38 Colt New Police). Both are collectible, but the .38 S&W version is scarce as compared to the .32, as fewer than 400 were made. I wish I had a DS in .38 S&W. I did have one in .32 L some years ago but sold it.

 

[heeter3]

bushmaster1313 congrats on retirement for collectible of course its LNIB,but for me I love to shoot them and they all have their various charms.My 1952 cobra has the longer butt frame and just has that old time feel to it my72 cobra is like the 52 in looks but with a short butt and feels a little different than the 52 to shoot. MY 74 detective special with the closed ejector rod shoots like the 72 cobra.For looks at least for me it's the ones with the enclosed ejector rod,but as far as putting them away its just not the way I imagine my revolvers ,I just gotta shoot them
to really enjoy them.Not trying to tell you how to spend your money but to thoroughly appreciate the Colt D frame if you can, get a shooter with your collector and shoot the heck out of it.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Were the grips numbered to the frame?