Blast from the Past: Detonics Combat Master

[Marko Kloos]

I just picked up a Detonics Mk.I from a fellow THR member in a trade. These pistols were the proverbial cat's meow as carry pieces back in the 1980s, and the forerunners of the currently popular subcompact big bore handguns.

It's basically a chopped-down 1911 frame, with a grip that's even shorter than a Colt Officer's Model. The slide is stepped down at the rear, with the rear sight mounted well forward of the slide end, to allow rapid thumb-cocking. It also gives the Detonics a chopped, business-like look. The barrel is a bushingless, coned 3" affair. The Detonics magazines hold six rounds, and standard 1911 magazines will fit and function in the Detonics (although they'll stick out of the bottom).

The Detonics Combat Master was the first serious "street-fighting" subcompact 1911, and it had a pretty good reputation in its day. They are very well put together, and tend to be very reliable with both FMJ and JHP ammo, being designed from the start to feed JHPs reliably.

This little gun has a *lot* of punch for something so comparatively small. The Detonics was ahead of its time, and it can still hold its own against current-day subcompacts.

Range report to follow...

 

[Cal4D4]

Had the stainless version. Tended to chomp case mouth on ejector port. Very accurate, but too short. Reminds me of the G29 in size. Maybe not quite as thick.

 

[10-Ring]

Look forward to the range report, congrats on the new addition.

 

[Sean Smith]

Cool idea... definitely ahead of its time. In general, though, I'd say a 4-4.25" barrel top end on an OM frame is a more reliable setup (on average) that is nearly as concealable.

 

[pytron]

Wow. That one is in really good condition. All the ones I've seen look like they were dragged behind a truck for a mile or two.

-Pytron

 

[Marko Kloos]

This one has been refinished, but they did a great job at it. The finish is a nice satin matte blue that looks very professional.

 

[George Hill]

Ballistics for you.

This data was collected at a Utah TFL Gathering some time ago, but the data is still good. I had a similar Combat Master, but in Stainless. I kick my self every day for selling it.

Detonics Combat Master .45
Winchester White Box 230gr. 791.4 766.5 750.9 Avg= 769.6

Cor-Bon 165gr +P 1046 1103 1121 Avg = 1090 Caused Bleeding in shooting hand.

Gold Dot 185gr 998.4 975.6 979.2 Avg = 984.4

Winchester 230gr SXT 785.5 810.6 796.2 Avg = 797.4

Federal 230gr Hydra Shok 781 806.3 774 Avg = 787.1

American Eagle 230gr 784 734 748 Avg = 755.3

 

[ACP230]

Lendringser:

I read that moving the rear sight forward made the sight radius short enough to affect accuracy. I can't remember who was complaining now, but would be interested in your take on that.

I had a chance to buy a nearly mint Commander-size Detonics some years ago. I passed because it was getting to be a collectable and I knew I'd shoot it, probably on the way home from the store. It was a good-looking gun.

 

[Bren]

I thought the "Star PD" was the first but The Detonics did have a lot of features not found for it's time.

If it says "Seattle" or "Belevue" on it, the guns a collector. Bren

 

[CWL]

Beautiful pistola there, should've bought one back then (instead of plastic wondernines).

How does it treat your hand? Is it painful to shoot?

My current officer's in alloy really does a number on my hand when shooting anything above 185gr.

 

[BigG]

I was just reading in Ctgs of the World about the 451 Detonics that was chambered in some a those pieces. 200 grain at 1200 fps. Now, that would hurt your hand!

 

[George Hill]

Detonics was way ahead of the times.

 

[cordex]

John Rourke would be proud.

 

[Tamara]

It definitely is a funky little gun...

 

[George Hill]

They are only funky at first. When you carry one... you realize they are "Just Right".

 

[Tamara]

George Hill,

They are only funky at first. When you carry one... you realize they are "Just Right".

Maybe you want to hear the rest of the story...

 

[Matt G]

They are nifty guns, for carry in a good belt holster. Being steel, they're a good deal heavier than an alloy framed Star P.D. or Colt O.A.C.P. It always made us laugh to see old Miami Vice episodes in which Crockett would run like a demon after some bad guy, pull up his pant leg, and draw his backup Detonics from his ankle rig. While compact, it would be something of a brick to wear in ankle carry.

They've got a pretty good reputation for reliability and durability, but while I've handled them, I've never gotten to shoot one. Would love to.

Looks like a nice piece, Marko. Nifty find.

--Matt.

 

[uglymofo]

Of all the guns I regret selling, that one's at the top of the list. Sweet, flawless, small, light. If my impressions are still trustworthy, I think the Kimber UTs spring setup allowed for better handling (of course, technology's come a long way). I remember the Detonics being a slow double-tap vs. something like the Kimber.

I saw one at a show a year ago...but it looked like hell for $750.