Colt Detective Spl

[Doheny]

I'd like to buy a Detective Special, similar to the last couple that have been sold here. What do I need to know about them? I've looked on Gun Broker and have seen some that say "X" issue, "X" Variation, etc. What does that mean? Any other pointers?

Thx.

[Miltiades]

Detective Special

I've had a Detective Special since I bought one of the last ones made about 1993, new at a gun store. It is an excellent .38 snubby, all steel with a good blue finish. It weighs 21 ounces empty and has a 6 shot capacity. As I recall I paid about $285 for mine in 1993. I believe that their price has gone up, and a good specimen might run $500 today. But most Colts have gone up in value.

Colt made Detective Specials over many years and there have been several variations and design changes over time. I think I would be mainly influenced in buying one by the condition of the gun, and how much wear it seemed to have. If you can find one in excellent condition it is certainly a keeper.

[bwiese]

One advantage of Colt DS guns is they're 6 shooters (not 5, like the Smith Model 60 etc)

I would not run 'hot' loads thru Colt DS guns (i.e., no +P or +P+ ammo - just good factory 38Spl loads.)

[BRO]

I have a like new Colt Detective and if I remember correctly the manual said it was ok to fire + p ammo. I have only fired mine around 50 times and most of that was regular ammo. I keep it loaded with +P ammo. I need to find the box and re-read what is said. But I think on the newer ones it is ok to fire the +P ammo, not sure about the +P+ though.

The last two I have seen sold went for $600. plus.

[ivanimal]

http://www.snubnose.info/docs/detective_special.htm

I have 3 of these fine guns they are pretty accurate for the size of the barrel.

I have 2 nickel and 1 Blue, the blue is exquisite.

[dfletcher]

I'd like to buy a Detective Special, similar to the last couple that have been sold here. What do I need to know about them? I've looked on Gun Broker and have seen some that say "X" issue, "X" Variation, etc. What does that mean? Any other pointers?

Thx.

The basic Detective Special has remained mostly unchanged from it's first issue in the 30's to the last in the 80's. There were three basic configurations, the first being a fairly large, square butt with an unshrouded ejector rod and a short, rounded front sight with a simple groove rear sight. This was replaced by an updated model that had a shorter grip frame using rounded butt grips, this model ran up until 1973 I believe. In 73 the Detective Special (and the Cobra & Agent) got a facelift, using a barrel with a shroud to cover the ejector and a long ramp front sight, new style grips that filled in the area behind the trigger guard/frame area.

The internals remained unchanged. I'm sure there were other minor cosmetic changes such as a longer ejector or slightly different styles of front sights on the older models.

I guess alot of people like the post 73 model as looking the most stylish, but I like (and have) an older model Cobra with the exposed ejector & round butt grips. I have a Tyler T Grip on it, works just fine.

[emc002]

I have a Colt Detective Special I've been thinking about selling, PM me if you're in the Sac/Stockton area and are interested.

[Rudolf the Red]

I had an early 90's Detective Special. Didn't like the cylinder release latch moving backwards. Traded it with a Ruger MkII for a Colt 1991A1 in 9mm in 1994.

[Moonclip]

One advantage of Colt DS guns is they're 6 shooters (not 5, like the Smith Model 60 etc)

I would not run 'hot' loads thru Colt DS guns (i.e., no +P or +P+ ammo - just good factory 38Spl loads.)

+P ok in DS, Colt reccomends a check up after 3000 rounds, 1000 rounds in an alloy frame like the Agent.

+P+ not reccomended.

Also getting a DS fixed if it goes out of time or such will be more difficult, many gunsmiths do not have the ability to do so.