Colt DS Frame Change?

[FPrice]

Did the Colt Detective Special go through a change in frame size/shape/dimensions sometime after 1950? I bought a Pachmayr Grip Adaptor that is supposed to fit the Colt DS but it does not seem to fit my 1950 DS. I am wondering if it was meant for a later model.

Thanks.

 

[Old Fuff]

Some of the Pachmayr adapters that are being offered were intended to fit Detective Special's that had the old Police Positive/Police Positive Special square butt frame. Colt didn't make any changes in the butt's configuration between 1933 when they changed from the square butt to one with rounder lower corners, to about 1966 when they changed to the so-called "short frame."

However it is quite possible that an individual revolver might be slightly different because each frame was hand polished. Last but not least, I have also noticed that Pachmayr grap adapters are not always perfect fits - in particular between postwar and pre-war S&W 1905 Hand Ejector/Model 10 revolvers.

Remove the little screw that holds the retaining clip and then wrap some sandpaper around a wood dowel. Go to work on the inside radius, and when the fit is improved reassemble the clip and you're good to go. Check the fit while the stocks are on the frame. It is the adapter to grip fit that's important.

 

[FPrice]

Old Fuff...

Here's a pic of what the grip adapter looks like when installed. NOT a very close match.

 

[Old Fuff]

Yup, that is typical. You can get some improvement by loosening the grips and rotating the adapter upward which will bring the front closer to the trigger guard. Then, after you remove the clip you may want to take a little plastic/rubber off on the inside just before it curves toward the trigger guard. Put a little grease on the front strap of the frame, and carefully press the adapter into place, then the grease smears will tell where the plastic is touching metal. You may also want to shorten it a bit if it ends up overlapping the radius on the bottom/front corner of the frame.

Been there, done that ...

The fit problem is in the adapter, not the frame.

Nice revolver ... I don?t understand how you folks in a People's Republic get so much nice stuff.

 

[FPrice]

Old Fuff...

Nice revolver ... I don?t understand how you folks in a People's Republic get so much nice stuff.

It's the People's Commonwealth. And I tell them that I know you.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I've had good success with Tyler's T grip adapters: http://www.kaeskorner.com/tgrip