Colt Detective Special

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I have one DS which is fairly new, it is one of my favorite CCW guns. Unlike the S&W it has an extra round and is just a better gun.

Before the DS I had a Cobra from 1954. Nice gun but I rarely shot it because of the alloy frame.

I love the S&W N and K frames but the J frame does nothing for me, and I'm not to fond of the L.
 
Just purchased a early 1960s 2" for $250! Now I have to wait for CA's 10 day wait. It was cheap because of a bad duracoat finish. I plan on having it blued again and cannot wait. It is my first snubnose.
 
Mine's a holster worn 1972 I got in a pawn shop a few years ago. Ain't pretty, but sure is a good shooting companion.
 
1947 DS with all pre-war features...

I have an interesting Detective Special, First Issue, shipped April 25, 1947 (letter from Colt Historian comes with this), but it has all pre-war features, very unusual. It seems to have been carried a lot, but shot not so much, this piece has real character. I paid Mr. Frank Gaetje $625 shipped, back in April, 2008, I will sell for $550 shipped. Good shooter, tight lockup, good trigger. Comes with Tyler tee as shown.
 

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Hopefully some Colt experts will still be on this thread. What can you tell me about the grips for a 1951 Colt Detective Special?

I've got the "long frame" that is sandwiched by the two thin grip panels. I've been trying to find newer grips for the gun that are still thin, and have bought some that are close but not quite the right size. Were there different sizes made? See a pic of the gun below.

Thank you!

ColtDS_oldGrip.jpg
 
The stocks on your gun are "Coltwood". (Colt grips are refered to as stocks) They are not wood, but plastic. Coltwood was a name Colt decided upon for the stocks which were supplied on a couple of models. They tend to shrink over time and noticeable gap appears at the top where the stock meets the frame. I've got a '60 DS in much rougher shape cosmetically than yours. I found some Agent smooth stocks I modified to fit and use a Tyler T since I carry that gun. E BAY occasionally has what you want. All the long frame round butt stocks should interchange. Some fitting as always may be required.

ds4.gif
 
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Thanks for the info. I have a pair of Ajax grips that I think I can modify for the gun, and also some wood ones that are close but not quite.

Are the T-grips still available?
 
By the way, mine was REALLY rough cosmetically when I got it. Rust pitting, etc. My local gunsmith did a nice job cleaning it up, buffing it out and doing a cheap refinish. Not a beauty but it is a great working piece and is beautifully built.
 
Tyler is out of business. Under no circumstances send any money to them. They have been ordered to refund monies sent and orders not filled. Tyler grips can be found also on E BAY and gun web sites for sale sections. There's a guy on the S&W site thats made molds and is reproducing the Tyler design in epoxy. The black ones look really good.
 
From anyone who's had experience with doing it, what is Colt charging nowadays for a tuneup and refinish on one of these older Detective Specials, I think 1960s vintage?
 
I might have a nice pair of NOS laminate grips that will fit it. I don't know the brand. I'll have to see if they will fit your gun.
 
Here's mine, early 60s

det.gif


I also have the Detective's alloy twin, Colt Cobra 38 (no pix) which Jack Ruby used to shoot on occasion just around the time my Cobra was made:

alg_jack_ruby_oswald_shooting.gif

(Notice Ruby's hand: shooting with the 2nd finger. Myth built up about this, that Jack was using a literal "point shooting" technique -( there is one like that). Alas, Jack had had an accident before this and had the first section of his forefinger amputated. Hence, his shooting "technique". Very effective though.......)
 
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Always had a soft spot for the Detective Special. I never owned one until recently as I viewed it as a carry gun and I didn't carry. That has changed. The 4" Diamondback is my favorite Colt D-frame.
 
Sign me up for the DS club. I traded a Smith Airweight for my first one. It's in near flawless condition, 3rd issue, deep blue. My wife shot it at the range and knew right away she'd found her purse gun, so she took it. Well, I found another one for myself which I purchased on gunbroker, it's been shipped to my FFL, will have it next week.

We are both amazed at how well the DS fits and shoots considering it's size, weight and short barrel. It's the only small-frame gun I've found that is not fatiguing to pump a few rounds through at the range, so I can actually practice with the thing.
 
ColtPythonElite said:
You can find refinish prices on Colt's Custom Shop page.
Click to expand...
They actually don't have the prices on the page, but I checked, and a complete Colt Royal Blue refinishing is $275. Plus, of course, FedEx overnight, insured shipping each way. I suspect when it's inspected, it may need the hand replaced and the timing adjusted, probably another $150. This stuff gets expensive fast, doesn't it?
 
Mine is just like Victor 69's top one in the pic above.

My photo-fu is fubar.

Count me in.

Terry, 230RN
 
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