DA Colts

[strat81]

Hi hi,
I've decided on picking up a DA Colt of some type in the next few months. I have some time so I don't need to buy TODAY. I know nothing about Colt revolvers and I don't even own a revolver yet (I do have a bunch of pistols and rifles though).

I'm looking in the $500ish range and below.
I want .38 Special or .357 Mag.
No safequeens, this will be a shooter.
Torn between a snub and a full size.

Where should I start my research on models? Any cautions or "gotchas" with these?

And my first question: what is the difference between the Detective Special, Cobra, and Agent?

Recommendations, wisdom, and rambling are all very welcome. (So is some revolver porn!)

 

[Jim Watson]

First answer: Detective Special is steel framed, usually two inch, some three inch. Cobra is aluminum framed, usually two inch, some longer. Agent is aluminum framed, two inch, with a shorter butt than original Cobras. Later Colt went to the short butt for all their D frame revolvers using grips with bottom fillers to give the butt shape appropriate for each model.
Also in the same D frame family are the Police Positive Special, usually four inch, some others (I had a 3" PPS once.); the very plain finish Commando Special, and the rather scarce Viper, aluminum frame four inch. There is also the Diamondback but you will not get one of those for $500.

 

[don95sml]

Colts are great guns. Just be aware that the factory has almost no parts available for double action revolvers anymore. As a beginning revolver shooter, you would be better served by a used S&W or Ruger.

 

[dfariswheel]

Since Colt discontinued double action revolvers, prices have been going up quickly.
You should still be able to get a Colt .38 or .357 for under $500.00.

Some models to look at:

The small framed .38's like the Detective Special, Cobra, Agent, Police Positive Special. All fixed sights, .38 Special.

The medium framed models:
The Official Police, fixed sights. .38 Special.
The original Trooper, adjustable sights, .38 and .357.
If you catch it right, you might get a Colt 357. This is both the name and caliber.
It looks like the Trooper, but is a higher grade gun. Adjustable sights, .357.

The new medium frame guns:
The Colt Trooper Mark III, adjustable sights, .357.
The Lawman Mark III, fixed sights, .357.
The Metropolitan Police Mark III, fixed sights, .38 Special.
The Official Police Mark III, fixed sights, .38 Special.
The Trooper Mark V, adjustable sights, .357.
The Lawman Mark V, fixed sights, .357.
Unlikely for $500, but the King Cobra, adjustable sights, stainless steel or blue, .357.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I'm looking in the $500ish range and below.

It can be done if you're willing to shop awhile and haggle long and hard.

 

[GunTech]

I love my Dick Special. I picked this one up with the idea of building a belly gun. Other than some honest wear on the bluing, it's perfect and cost about $325.

In keeping with the bellygun theme, I just added a Waller hammer shroud. I plan on using a different grip, probably a smooth linen micarta, and probably a matte finish.

Sorry about the picture quality.

 

[strat81]

Pics look good, GT. Thanks for all of the info so far, guys.

More questions:

For guns with exposed ejector rods, how well do they hold up? How easily does the rod get dented, bent, or otherwise messed up?

I've seen the Waller Hammer Shroud around... do they require permanent modification to the gun? Are the guns already setup for them?

If I wanted a .357 Magnum, one that would stand up to stout loads (maybe a few boxes per year), which one should I be looking at?

For those with D-frames, what standard pressure rounds do you like to load it with for HD/CCW?

For those with Agents, how well does the parkerizing hold up? Were agents available in other finishes besides parkerized?

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

For guns with exposed ejector rods, how well do they hold up? How easily does the rod get dented, bent, or otherwise messed up?

Not easily. In any normal use it is highly improbable that it would get bent. Using the gun as a bludgeon, or shooting excessively hot loads that make the cases stick and the rod have to be pounded on to get them out, might.

I've seen the Waller Hammer Shroud around... do they require permanent modification to the gun? Are the guns already setup for them?

Holes have to be drilled and tapped. If you want to remove the shroud later, you can put filler screws in the holes. Colt themselves also made one.

If I wanted a .357 Magnum, one that would stand up to stout loads (maybe a few boxes per year), which one should I be looking at?

Trooper MK III. I assume these would be full-power factory loads, not some gonzo handload.

For those with Agents, how well does the parkerizing hold up? Were agents available in other finishes besides parkerized?

Agents were only parkerized for their last years of production, roughly 1983-86. They also did very little exterior metal polishing, actually leaving machine marks. Most Agents (the model was introduced in 1966) are blued. On the one I had:banghead: (a 1974 model), you could not tell the finish on the aluminum frame from that on the steel cylinder and barrel - it was flawless.

 

[Starter52]

Colt's exposed ejector rods have stood the test of time. Don't worry about them.

All of the Colt I-frame (Python, etc), J-frame (Mk III) and V-frame (Mk V)revolvers will handle .357 loads.

I prefer the later Mk V revolvers to the Mk III. If you can find an early Trooper or Colt .357 in your price range, buy it.

 

[Ala Dan]

I have a factory blued New Model Colt Agent, that dates back too
late 1972 or very early 1973. Beautifully finished, with the enclosed type
ejector rod; and perfect grips. My cost was (Are you ready for this~?)
$120 OTD.

 

[LKB3rd]

I have a 1964 Detective Special with the exposed ejector rod. I haven't tested it out on anything unusual, but i am not concerned about it bending or breaking from normal use.
At first i was concerned about it also, but after seeing it and especially after owning it for a while the look of it has really grown on me to where i like it better than the shrouded ejector rods. It gives it a distinctive, old school look.

 

[strat81]

Dan, I'll give you $180 for it. A 50% profit!
IIRC, you work in a gun shop, right?

 

[cmidkiff]

I paid a little more than that for my DS, but it was like new...

I paid a little less than that for my Lawman MkIII.

Both are exceedingly fine handguns, strong, well finished, and shoot very well.

 

[mnw42]

Don't forget the old Officers Model!