Colt Special Lady?

[Steelharp]

Anybody heard of these? Colt Special Lady, I think that's what the guy in the pawn shop called it; it's a .38 snubbie, bright stainless, bobbed hammer... gorgeous gun. He's going to ask $400 for it... is that a fair price? It has been fired, but there ain't a scratch anywhere on it...

 

[dfariswheel]

Grab it.

The Special lady was a version of the last Colt small frame revolver made, the SF-VI/DS-II.

The Special Lady was basically the DS-II with a polished finish, bobbed hammer, and a tuned action to give a better trigger pull.

Since VERY few of these were made, collectors as well as shooters are actively looking for them.

 

[Steelharp]

Hmmm... guess I'll swing by there tomorrow... thanks...

 

[Majic]

It was Colt's Detective Special answer to S&W's J-frame LadySmith geared for the female shooter market.

 

[Steelharp]

Can it handle +P loads, just for carry, not for everyday shooting?

 

[Majic]

I think the D-frames were finally rated for +P when they were redesigned, so it should handle full time use of +Ps.

 

[dfariswheel]

The Special Lady was built on Colt's last small frame, the SF frame.

Since the same frame was used for the Magnum Carry in .357, the SF-VI, the DS-II, and Special Lady were rated for unlimited +P ammo.

 

[Steelharp]

Well, I stopped by today and put my name on it... now, if someone would just buy the 1918 Colt I have for sale, I'll be good to go...

 

[asa]

I picked up a SF-VI about a year ago at a local shop for $350. The gun was pre-owned but unfired, so it was basically NIB. What is quite interesting is that it has a bobbed, bright stainless hammer which I think came only on the Special Lady. I know the hammer hadn't been replaced (where would anyone get one, and why would they do it?) so I guess it's another example of Colt using up parts on hand. Except for sharp edges on the end of the barrel, the gun is as nice as Det. Specials I've owned-and the trigger -single and double action-is as nice as my 3 Pythons. No problem with light hammer strikes or sluggish trigger return-an apparent problem with these guns. It's very accurate and a nice addition to my group of 12 Colts.

 

[Dr.Rob]

According to my owners manual, the DSII is rated for limited amounts of +p, it can handle it, but with 'accelerated wear'.

I wouldn't run +p through it with regularity.

The real thing is are you buying it as a collecter, or as a shooter?

 

[Steelharp]

It's already been fired; I'd be buying it to keep in my winter pockets...

 

[Dr.Rob]

$400 is a good deal for a custom shop Colt, I'd buy it.