1st series Detective Special

[gator1gear]

If the price is right, I am looking to buy a Detective Special. I know a guy selling a 1st series DS, and I would like to know what I need to look at and check to make sure it's in good condition. I plan to carry the gun some, is there anybody else here that carries a DS of this age? Let me know what you think.

 

[savit260]

The only thing to look out for is timing issues, and lockup.

When a Colt is at full lock up, (trigger back, and the hammer down) there should be no...as in ZERO movement of the cylinder left to right. If it moves at all...even a little, it needs to be looked at, and adjusted or repaired.

 

[rklessdriver]

While I no longer carry it full time because of the value, mine is in my safe loaded if I ever need it. No worries, it will still get the job done.

 

[snooperman]

Yes, I have one....

and have been carrying it for about 35 years now. I like it very much as it has 6 shots, and is a little larger and has a little more weight than the S&W airweight guns. I have the larger Pachmyer grips on mine . It gives me a fist-full of gun to hang on to while allowing me to get quick follow-up shots and better control. I carry it IWB holster daily. I have tried several other guns over the years but cannot find anything I really like better than one of the first real snubnosed revolvers. The extra shot is a real bonus. Frankly, I wish Colt would start making them again , along with the magnum carry. About the time they had it all perfected with stainless steel finish, dehorned hammers, night sights etc, they quit making it.

 

[rWt]

Do you prefer a square or round butt? And, what will you be buying?

 

[BullfrogKen]

rWt,

I think you're referring to Smith and Wesson revolvers. He made it clear he's looking for a Detective Special, which was made by Colt.



gator,

There's a very well-worded sticky at the top of this forum by Jim March. Review it and you'll be armed with a good amount of knowledge. Colts are unique in that they lock up as the hammer comes down when the trigger is pulled. When evaluating the lock-up, ease the hammer down, and with the trigger completely to the read the lock-up should be tight. Grasp the cylinder and try turn it to the left and to the right. You should not be able to feel any perceptable "slop" with the hammer down.


Those older Colt's are great guns. I have two newer Colt D-frames, a Detective Special and a Cobra. When I went looking, had I found an affordable D-frame from the older generation of Detective Specials I would be owning two of those instead. I much prefer the sights on the older generation to the newer one, and many feel that the triggers on the older generation are superior.

 

[rWt]

I believe that the first Colt Detective Specials had square butt frames like the Police Positive Special. Beginning in 1934 round butt frames became the norm although some guns showed up with square butt frames until 1940 as Colt used up parts. The first series ran from 1927 until 1940. Source is http://www.guncollectorsclub.com/detective.htm

 

[bayouboy]

First Model (Pre-war) square butt


First Model (Pre-war) round butt

 

[BullfrogKen]

My mistake. Somehow I thought I saw something about J-frames as I read the post. I probably had too many browser windows open.



I stand corrected.

 

[gator1gear]

Im still looking, but the more I read, the more I'm convinced that these are GREAT guns! I think I'm in in love with a Colt Cobra I saw at the gun shop today.

 

[doc540]

Speaking of luuuuuv....

 

[Slamfire]

Top one is a 1937 Revolver, the bottom is from 1931.

While these are better built than the late 70's and 80's versions, they have a short extractor rod and thin sights.

I would restrict the firing of +P ammo to test firing only and carry only. They will however digest standard 38 Special ammo without any issues.

As stated before check the timing.

If you want to use the original grips, try to find a Pachmayr grip adapter or a Tyler T grip.

I have Pachmayr grip adapters on these.

 

[MattTheHat]

Hey Doc, which one of those lower two was the one you picked up last week?

Geeze, they're sweet!


-Matt

 

[rWt]

I have 2 Tyler T grip adapters for Colt D frames in you need them. I tried them and didn't care for them.

 

[Fat Boy]

I believe some of the older Detective Specials had a "longer" (if that is the correct word) grip frame, which was eventually shortened on later models. Not a problem per se, but grips are not as easily located for this earlier model.

Great guns, BTW...I personally wouldn't use +p ammo if I had one-