Detective Special Question

[Mastrogiacomo]

Hello,

I have a DS that I've been meaning to send to the factory for work. I want to give a refinish, get the emblem re-etched and color the site bright orange. The last time I used it, the sparks came back at me in the face when I fired it, so I want them to check the gun as well. I like the finish of this gun, but when I looked at the Colt page, it gives a list of finishes:

Matte Blue
Blue
Royal Blue

Does anyone have any pictures of what the various finishes look like? I kind of like the color I have now which is like a black/blue. Thanks.

 

[dfariswheel]

The original finish was the standard blue.
Matte blue is a flat, no shine blue.
The Royal blue was the super-polished finish used on the Python and on Custom Shop guns.

Colt's "standard" blue was much nicer than most everyone else's bluing and that's what your Detective Special originally had.

 

[gunnie]

will colt still re-work revolvers?

gunnie

 

[jahwarrior]

there are tons of 'smiths who could do the work for you, and do as good a job as Colt. if Colt does it on their dime, send it to them, but if they're going to charge you, you'd probably be better off sending it to another 'smith.

 

[RebelRabbi]

The DS is the best shooting pocket reveolver I have ever shot, period. If I were you I would look at some of the more modern polymer finishes out there, they are much more durable than Blue.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Thanks folks. What are the "more durable finishes" and what smiths would you people recommend for the gun? Thank you again.

Laura

 

[wad]

"Colt's "standard" blue was much nicer than most everyone else's bluing"

 

[savit260]

Colt does nice work, and from what I've seen people post here and on other forums, their prices seem very reasonable.

I wouldn't trust a Colt action to just any gunsmith. If you don't send it to Colt, make sure you find someone who is very familiar with Colt actions.

 

[tackleberi]

Here's the standard (factory) blue, on my everyday CCW. The pics make it look in great shape, and it mostly is, although it has worn through in the typical areas one might expect after 10+ years of carry:



Of course, you could do an aftermarket finish, such as this DS with a Birdsong "Black T" finish (my backup):



Both revolvers have bobbed hammers, smoothed actions, chamfered charge holes, and Spegel grips. The Black T version also has a dovetailed front sight. Both have a hefty round count, have yet to go out of time, and have never failed in any way, shape or form.

Royal is far too fragile for everyday use, IMO.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Wow...thanks really nice...what grips did you choose from - the J frames? I notice that Lightening Arms doesn't have grips separate for the Colt DS.

 

[BullfrogKen]

tackleberi,

Who did that work on your Detective Special? I'm interested in dovetailed front sights on my Colts, too.

 

[RebelRabbi]

http://www.cylinder-slide.com/index...f=SWREV5&sid=970165021o2z66y82non2sqtan26eqr9

 

[tackleberi]

Yes, the work on the Black T model was done by C&S, and was of excellent quality.

The work done by Jojo's was on par with the C&S work, however, and a fraction of the price. Both jobs were expertly performed and ones which I am very satisfied with.

The grips on the Black T DS are 1998 Spegels (unknown wood)...on the blued version, 2009 Spegel Bolivian rosewoods (he ran off a few sets of Colt grips toward the tail end of last year).

 

[Four Knives]

I could have sworn I called Colt about a reblue on a Lawman and they referred me to an engraving company.

I could be mixed up...


Would someone mind passing along the number and sequence of departmental telephone transfers I'll need to perform to have Colt do a refurb?

*already been to Coltmfg.com and called a number I found there, but to no avail.

 

[Glock Holiday]

I like the fact that the little Colt has one more round than the J frame.
This is my second DS as I foolishly sold the first one.
I'd send it back to Colt for a rehab but that's just me.

 

[doc540]

Factory Colt DS w/Jim Badger grips
badgercustomgrips.com



Royal Blue