Colt Detective Special - Any other 6 shot snubnose

[Lovesbeer99]

2 questions - is the Colt Detective special safe to carry ccw with 6 rounds? If so what is the safety mechanism? If not why bother with the extra cylinder, I could just get a J frame?

So my second question, other than the GP100 and 686, are there any 6 shot snubnose revo's? Which is the most compact?

Thanks
Lovesbeer99

 

[strat81]

Yes, there is a safety, The Colt Positive Safety Lock mechanism:
http://www.gunsandammomag.com/classics/ct0507/

Being an offshoot of the Police Positive line, the Detective Special incorporated what is known as the Colt Positive Safety Lock mechanism that was designed to preclude accidental discharge. The system incorporates a solid-steel bar 1/10 of an inch thick that rests between the hammer and frame, except when the trigger is pulled.

The other Colt D-frames are six shot: Agent and Cobra.

The SP101 is available in 6 shot in .327 Mag.

Excluding rimfire, Taurus has a few:
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=253&category=Revolver (7-shot, 357)
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=281&category=Revolver (6-shot, 32 Mag)
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=287&category=Revolver (7-shot, 38sp)

Charter Police Undercover:
http://www.charterfirearms.com/products/Charter_Undercover_73840.html (6-shot, 38sp)

And there's Rossi too:
http://www.rossiusa.com/products/product-details.cfm?model=R46202&category=REVOLVER (6-shot, 357)

 

[TimM]

I love my S&W Model 19 2.5"

 

[sm]

Charter Arms back in early 80's had a 5 shot , J frame size and then around '85 (Forget) had the same gun in a 6 shot version.

Me and mine preferred the older 5 shot, and being honest, never kept up with how the 6 shot was holding up.

These were shot, tested, and fit a price point for some folks on a budget, or for putting in various locations in a business.
Carried/Set back, shot little type of applications.

 

[Old Fuff]

Incidentally, the Colt "Positive Hammer Block" was introduced in 1908. S&W
didn't offer a similar device until 1945...

And of course S&W had a six-shot snubby in the .38 1905 Hand Ejector, better known as the Military & Police model. And in addition they introduced a six-shot .32 in 1903.

 

[Ala Dan]

You gott'a love those Colt D-frames~!

 

[Majic]

Colt also had the Lawman, the Python, and the King Cobra as snubby 6 shooters. Dan Wesson had the M15 and Ruger had the Six series in that configuration. I guess you could also toss in Smith's M27.

 

[strat81]

There's also the Ruger Alaskan
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAPro...=7&variation=Alaskan%AE&bct=Yes&type=Revolver

And, IMO, while the 2 1/2" barrel does qualify it for snubby status, it is a bit on the big side. It looks like a caricature of a real snubby if you see one in person. It is quite large.

 

[cpirtle]

I think Colt wins the crown for a compact 6 shot, only slightly bigger than a J frame, similar to an SP101 but a little lighter IIRC.

The Model 10 in a snub defines the "snub nose" genre IMO, but it's in a larger frame size than any of the above.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

I was at a gun store today and handled a D frame, but it was an aluminum frame gun. I still can't believe that with todays steel and technology no one is making a D frame 6 shooter for carry. The smith L frames are extremely popular, and Ruger is working to put out a .327 mag just to get 6 rounds in a small frame gun. Does this mean that everyone wants an extra shot?

It shouldn't be too hard to build a 6 shot D frame gun rated at +p with today's steel and technology. I'd buy at least 1.

 

[Cosmoline]

As noted it's safe to carry six in a DS. I love mine and while I have owned and enjoyed many J frame snubs I'm NEVER going back.

 

[Diamondback]

I think the Rossi strat81 mentioned above come closest in size to the old Colt D frames. While not a Colt....they do hold six rounds and seem to be good value for the dollar today.
http://www.rossiusa.com/products/product-details.cfm?model=R46202&category=REVOLVER

- regards

 

[Diamondback]

Double post.....my apologies.

- regards

 

[Lovesbeer99]

I had a Taurus once, and I know people like um, but I'll never carry one again. It was accurate and fun, but not reliable. The timing was off and I even sent it back for repairs, but it was never reliable.

I don't think I'd trust the Rossi as a carry piece. Might be nice for the range and plinking, but not for HD or CCW.

Thanks though.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

I had a Taurus and I'll never carry one again. It was accurate and fun to shoot but very, very unreliable. The timing was off so it would lock up. I sent it back for repairs, but it was never quite right. Based on that experiance, I don't think I'd trust the rossi for ccw either.

Also, I couldn't find a gunsmith to work on the Taurus. They all said the gun was too cheap to work on. Not a good sign.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

So my second question, other than the GP100 and 686, are there any 6 shot snubnose revo's? Which is the most compact?

I wouldn't consider either of those revolver compact at all and both are well over 2 lbs. If you don't mind buying a used revolver there are a few choices. A 2.5" Model 10 comes to mind for one. It's not as small as a J frame or the Colt but it's a lot more compact than the GP100 or M686. A snub nose K frame is probably the best 6 shot carry you will find IMO.

 

[mnrivrat]

Taurus Model 731 is a 6 shot in .32 H&R Mag. I pocket carry one in a Titanium version and have no problems with it .

 

[Cosmoline]

It shouldn't be too hard to build a 6 shot D frame gun rated at +p with today's steel and technology. I'd buy at least 1.

Then buy a Detective Special. I put +P LSWCHP's through my 1953 vintage second generation without problem. It's safe, though after thousands of rounds it will loosen the revolver fastser than low pressure .38. The steel is excellent on them. If you're still concerned, get a later generation DS with the protected ejector rod.

 

[Whirlwind06]

Armscor makes the Colt DS clone.
The few people that have them say that they like them.