Detective Special-to Bob or Not to Bob?

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rWt

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Assuming I decide to keep my Colt Detective Special (2d generation), should I have the hammer bobbed?

I like single action for more accurate shots at distance (I'm not a highly proficient target shooter using double action). So, I like the combination of a good-sized front sight and single shot capability.

But. for pocket carry a bobbed hammer seems a real plus. Plus, writers seem to prefer hammerless or bobbed revolvers used in defensive roles.

Do you all have any opinions?

DPris-is there anyone at Colt I should ask to speak with re: my stacking issue? Thanks.

PS Happy New Year!
 
In the very end it's going to be a "want to" question as no one can really decide this for you and using an out of production older revolver for your daily carry has already departed from a path of purest utilitarian decisions.


Practically speaking there isn't a very compelling reason to have single-action capability in a self-defense sidearm, though it is comforting when standing on the firing range entertaining yourself with easier fine accuracy work.

Also, there is a fairly realistic argument that it could be a detriment to you if you end up in court. Don't know that I'm really sold on that argument myself, and I don't think we need to slog through it again here, but just be aware it isn't a completely neutral decision.

Having a bobbed hammer is indeed nice for carry and will keep you practicing DA fire when you do go to the range, which is what you really should be concentrating on. So that's all to the plus column.

If your cool old Colt is favored partially because of its historic interest and collector's value then don't change it. They aren't making more and parts get harder to find every year.

If you do want one that's already "Semi-Fitz"ed, they're out there already done, so you wouldn't have to cut your all original collector's item.
 
Before bobbing the hammer I would check and see if surplus/used parts sellers such as Numrich (www.gunpartscorp.com) had some hammers that were already bobbed.

Darn! I just did and they don't.

Next thought. The Detective Special is one of my favorites, but a bit large and heavy for comfortable pocket carry. If that is your preferred mode of carry (as is mine) I would consider purchasing one of the lightweight/5-shot/small frame, Taurus or S&W models on the used market, and make any alterations considered necessary or desirable.

That said, if you are able to carry using a coat pocket or IWB holster the Detective Special is as good as they come.

And whatever you do consider Sam's excellent advise in the above post.
 
If your Colt is in nice shape, it is worth a good buck. I wouldn't ruin the value. Save the money and buy a new or used 442 Smith. If you want single action capability a 638, 649, 49 or the old hump back 38 Bodygaurd. That's my opinion.
 
Thank you all!

I do have a spare hammer and trigger, which I found some years ago. Thus, I can also have a serrated trigger smoothed and polished and return the gun to original-assuming the parts fit.

I have a stainless steel Bodyguard and am also thinking of a 642 to reduce weight. I have a Barami grip on the Bodyguard, which works great for appendix carry. It adds width, which isn't good for pocket carry.

Not sure that I need or want 3 stubbies though. So, mulling options.
 
I would normally say, heck no.

However since this is the case:
I do have a spare hammer and trigger, which I found some years ago. Thus, I can also have a serrated trigger smoothed and polished and return the gun to original-assuming the parts fit.
Click to expand...

I would say go for it if everything fits and it can be original with a simple parts swap.
 
I would say go for it if everything fits and it can be original with a simple parts swap.
Click to expand...

It has some years on it, and it's a Colt. "Simple parts swap" is probably not a safe bet.

If you do want to start changing parts, make sure you have an experienced (...successfully experienced!) COLT gunsmith lined up to do any of that work. Just finding a gunsmith who can honestly say he's got the know-how and talent to do Colt lockwork these days can be a quest. And salvaged or N.O.S. old parts may or may not have the metal on them to be fitted to your gun.

Don't assume you'll have the parts and the craftsman to put it all back someday if you or your heirs decide to.
 
I have a Smith Model 60 that somebody before me bobbed the hammer on. I would have preferred they had not...
 
Again good advise.

Colt hand ejector revolvers, of which the Detective Special was one - were not made to use drop-in parts. A hammer (or other internal parts) fitted to a particular gun don't necessarily work in a different one. This is a prime reason that the D-frame revolvers - as well as others - were discontinued when they were starting in 1970 and onward into the 1990's.

If you have one that's in time and working as it should it would be a good idea to not mess with it. Bobbing the hammer spur and smoothing/rounding the trigger shouldn't affect how it works, but it will have some negative affect on its future value in the event you decided to trade or sell it.

Also if you find another snubby that better meets you're expectations you can sell or trade others that you have to fund it. Otherwise stay with what you have.
 
Before WWII Colt offered the Detective Special with a factory bobbed hammer, also as the custom Fitz model with the cut away trigger guard.

Back then they cut the hammer spur off, then checkered the top of the hammer so it could still be cocked in single action.

The down side of this type of mod is that attempting to UN-cock the hammer is risky at best due to the small area by which you can control it.
However, it does work very well.

Last I hear of Colt still offered action (trigger) work on the "D" frame models.

Another excellent source of trigger work is Frank Glenn.
He offers a "no stack" action job for the Python and I'd guess he does for the "D" frame too.
Price will be HIGH, as in $300 range.

http://glenncustom.com/
 
The down side of this type of mod is that attempting to UN-cock the hammer is risky at best due to the small area by which you can control it.
Click to expand...

On two occasions I have had police officers approach me after being ordered by they're chief to do so. What caused this was a negligent discharge when they tried to lower a bobbed hammer from full-cock on a loaded chamber. In one instance an undercover car was made vulnerable to roof leaks during a rain storm. :uhoh: Fortunately no one was hurt or worse during either event.

However, it does work very well.
Click to expand...

Not in my experience. When I bob off a hammer spur the single-action option goes with it. ;)
 
I'm a big fan of bobbing hammers on defensive revolvers, but...
1. I'm a more than passing shot with a revolver in DA
2. I don't really expect to take a shot much pass 50 yards

However, Colt hammers don't bob as cleanly as S&W hammers due to the undercut of the spur.

Since you already have an extra hammer/trigger, I'd take out the original (so it can later be returned to it's original configuration) and have the work done on the spare parts... they'd need to be removed to be fitted anyway
 
I am all in favor of bobbed hammers for a snub carry revolvers. I have two CC revolvers. I removed the hammer spur from one, and the other is shrouded. Murphy's Law clearly states that I would tangle the hammer spur on my clothing at the worst possible moment. I train for SD with DA at fairly short range, so SA capability in a snub isn't something I really need.

That being said, I would hesitate to alter a valuable classic like yours.
 
That's why I got a S&W Model 638 AirWeight BodyGuard. No snag SA or DA.

Once I became the proud owner of a S&W Model 1917 .45 ACP, that had the barrel shortened to 3 1/2" and the hammer bobbed. A unique feature was a horizional "V" notch at the top of the hammer. This allowed you to slightly cock the hammer by barely pulling the trigger, then finish cocking with your thumbnail into SA. Ergo, it was bobbed, but still had the SA/DA choice. You had to practice, but it would work.:)
 
I personally wouldn't modify an original DS, especially if I already have other guns suited for CCW duty. JMHO.
 
I bobbed the hammer on a Colt Commando Special and on a Colt Cobra that had a broken spur and like them very much. I never shot them in single action anyways so it was an easy decision and in the case of my Cobra was necessary.
IMG_20130407_152140_548.jpg
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I would not bob the original until I found a spare one to do the actual "bobbing" on. Then you will have a convertible model. You may change your preference or may decide to sell it and a lot of guys will not buy it with a bobbed hammer. They probably would consider buying if it was a convertible easily changed mod. FWIW all of my revolvers have bobbed hammers and many people are afraid of them.
 
just say no to Bob :cuss:
If you must cut something, get a Taurus or a Rossi.
Practice drawing with your thumb on the hammer. Use a timer with a one or one and a half second par time. If you can't get warm fuzzies doing that, then buy a Ruger LCR (or something) pre-bobbed or hammerless, with a factory warranty.
I think it's highly likely that if you do this to the Colt, it's going to turn in to more than a parts swap.
Cowtowing to a just us aberration............:barf:
 
rWt

If I owned a Detective Special I would have very serious reservations about bobbing the hammer; even if I had the proper spare parts and knew a qualified Colt gunsmith. My idea of a bobbed hammer on a .38 Special snubbie is my S&W Model 649 and my Model 638.

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Colt DS

I had mine bobbed. I didn't like it. I had to find someone who had a hammer for sale. My DS now is back to its original look. Someone else posted you should find a bobbed hammer for sale. That's good advice. Then if you change your mind you can always swap the hammers out.
 
The hammer shroud sounds like a viable option.

A number of responders have given you good reasons to not bob your Colt. I would not begin to consider doing that to a Colt of mine. That's what the Taurus is for.
 
Hmm, you know, now that I think of it, the regular old fashioned hammer shrouds do require some modification of your firearm to install them and may affect the resale value and collectors value as much as bobbing the hammer. That makes that LEO Combat version (second link above) a bit more attractive. I also like that you'd probably be able to move it and use it interchangeably between any revolvers you own.

Edit:
Crud, their website shows that LEO Combat only currently makes it for the post-lock S&W J-frames. Sorry, I guess I wasn't much help after all. Check the sale prices of similar guns on Gunbroker both with and without the regular shrouds installed, maybe it won't adversely affect your gun's value.
 
A word of caution on bobbing the hammer of a small revolver. It takes X force (momentum) to fire a primer. That means mass times velocity. If the mass (weight) of the hammer is reduced by removing the hammer spur, the increase in hammer speed might not be enough to make up and misfires may be the result. Hammers used in concealed hammer revolvers don't just have the spur removed; they are specially made to have the same mass as the normal hammer.

Jim
 
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