[RH Factor]

Have seen some nice looking Colt Detectives on the net. how is the size difference and quality?...any info will help my decision...Thanks

[Mike Irwin]

The Dspecial is larger through all dimensions, sort of midway between the J frame and a 2" K frame.

The Dspeical is also 6 shots in .38, whereas the J frame is 5 in .38.

[Poohgyrr]

I like the Dick Special a lot, but to me it's just a tad bigger than a J frame. The J frames are noticably handier though.

The newer J frames are really, really nice, with all the new machinery the Brits bought when they owned S&W. The computer controlled and new stuff really tightened up the tolerances a lot. I've shot two 640-1's that had great triggers OOTB, and the accuracy is much better than I ever thought I'd be able to do with such a small revolver.

The D.S.'s are really handy little six shooters, and I think have better sights, grip, and triggers than the older J frames. I picked up a used one from the '80's and plan to keep it.

Of course, the older J frames are classics, and have worked very well for a lot of folks for a long time.

[9mmepiphany]

the difference in frame size isn't much but the cylinder is the same size as the smith K-frame. the hammer travel is also longer...makes it easier to shot well

[VictorLouis]

What Mike said.:) Dick Specials take K-frame Smith loaders. Trigger pulls typically stack near the end as with most Colt's. Better than 'most' stock J-frames, yes.

[Mr. Purple]

The detective special will fit in many but not all holsters designed for J frames (its too small for k frame holsters). The detective special and its aluminum framed cousins, the cobra and agent are great six shot pocket guns especially if you can find one with the factory hammer shroud (sorry I don't have a picture).

I don't really know what the difference between the Agent and the Cobra was, they appeared the same to me.

[Old Fuff]

The "Cobra" and "Agent" were the same except the "Agent" had a grip about 1/4" shorter then the "Cobra." You could effectively convert one model to the other by changing the handles.

[9mmepiphany]

that is correct, the original detective special was a short barreled police positive special. the cobra subsituted an alloy frame (still full sized). the agent was the cobra with a shortened grip frame.

i've seen agents with stocks (the originals with checkered unsealed wood) which followed the grip frame and others which had stocks which extended below, and met, the frame.

sometime after that (help me here folks), the det spec, cobra and agent all used the shortened gripframe in both steel and alloy.

[Poohgyrr]

On Mr. Purple's hammer shroud,

I don't know about the factory shroud, but I remember seeing one particular brand name back then. I read they were either still selling shrouds, or back in business, just a few years ago. It would be nice to have one tucked away.

[9mmepiphany]

i believe the shouds are still available from waller and sons (the bag folks) in blued and nickled

[Alan Fud]

I would love to have a "centennial" version of the Colt Detective or the Colt Magnum Carry. Any chance of seeing something like that coming either from Colt or S&W?

[JCM298]

I had a hammer shroud from a Det. Spec., from the 60's, mounted on my Magnum Carry. It was blue but I had the 'smith buff it out. Unfortunately, the rampant colt went too. IMHO it still looks good and serves the purpose,
John

[Dr.Rob]

The detective special is a little large for 'pocket carry" unless you have BIG pockets, whereas the J-frame hides in a jeans pocket easily.

[Mr. Purple]

If you can't find a Colt hammer shroud, Gunparts corp has hammers. For (I believe its $38) you can get a hammer to bob without having to alter your original, and basically make your DS snag free. Not as cool as the factory hammer shroud, but the gun becomes far more concealable and easily accessable from the pocket of dress pants or Dockers. As was already said, the DS just doesn't work too well in the pockets of levis.

[Daniel Watters]

FWIW: The Detective Special might fit better in a Ruger SP-101 holster.