Hankering for a Colt Detective Special

[KansasTrapper77]

I have a wild hair across my @$$ to go out and find an old Colt Detective Special. I don’t own any snub nose revolvers and don’t really NEED a snubbie, so I figure if I get one it should be a charismatic one. And for some reason I’m more interested in a First or Second Edition, as I like the exposed ejector and front blade sight rather than a shroud and ramped sight. Local pawn has one in .32 Police for $1200. And while thats cool its it bit too much for me and in a cartridge I would have to reload for.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

$1200 for a .32NP, yikes! Better be LNIB with papers for that money.
I've had several, and they are nice (but not THAT nice, IMO). The 2nd Gen guns have a shrouded ejector rod and more ergonomic factory grips.
I currently have a .38 3" Police Positive, basically the same thing, and occasionally carry it.

Don't know if you're interested, but a local pawn shop has a clean .32 Pocket Positive- even smaller than the DS- for $700. I can PM you the details if you want.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Now that I think about it, another local shop has a minty 2nd Gen DS .38 asking $1100......

 

[Mark_Mark]

Paid $325 for my DS! LOVE IT!

 

[KansasTrapper77]

Now that I think about it, another local shop has a minty 2nd Gen DS .38 asking $1100......

I’m honestly looking for less minty and more easier on the pocket book. I’m a fan of carrying and shooting guns I own.

 

[KansasTrapper77]

Paid $325 for my DS! LOVE IT!

Thats exactly what I’m looking for. Well loved and in budget! Although I’d love to find one tapped for the hammer shroud for some extra fun.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I’m honestly looking for less minty and more easier on the pocket book. I’m a fan of carrying and shooting guns I own.

I picked up a Police Positive .38 S$&W recently at my local honey for $225. It’s the same as the DS. Just smaller cylinder & longer barrel

 

[Pat Riot]

I traded a Glock 26 and some mags to a Pard here on THR for mine. It’s by no means fancy or minty, but it was actually carried by a Detective Sergeant as his duty weapon. That kicks fancy to the curb in my book. I just shoot it once in a while. It’s not a carry gun. I had wanted a DS since I was a kid.

Here it is with my S&W 36

 

[Mark_Mark]

I traded a Glock 26 and some mags to a Pard here on THR for mine. It’s by no means fancy or minty, but it was actually carried by a Detective Sergeant as his duty weapon. That kicks fancy to the curb in my book. I just shoot it once in a while. It’s not a carry gun. I had wanted a DS since I was a kid.

Here it is with my S&W 36
View attachment 1173558

36 is a good companion to the DS! love both!

 

[KansasTrapper77]

I picked up a Police Positive .38 S$&W recently at my local honey for $225. It’s the same as the DS. Just smaller cylinder & longer barrel

View attachment 1173555

I thought the Police Models had a slightly larger frame? I thought the DS had as bout a small frame as they could fit a 6-shot cylinder in.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I thought the Police Models had a slightly larger frame? I thought the DS had as bout a small frame as they could fit a 6-shot cylinder in.

you probably right, They feel the same to me.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

They are both built on the "D" frame- Police Positive, Detective Special, Cobra, Diamondback, etc.

The Army Special and Official Police (as well as Trooper and Python) are on the larger E/I frame.

The New Police and Pocket Positive were a smaller frame (though still 6-shooters).

 

[KansasTrapper77]

They are both built on the "D" frame- Police Positive, Detective Special, Cobra, Diamondback, etc.

The Army Special and Official Police (as well as Trooper and Python) are on the larger E/I frame.

The New Police and Pocket Positive were a smaller frame (though still 6-shooters).

The New Police isn’t available in .38 though Which is fine but I guess I figure a .38 Spec is easier for me. I already load for .357 Mag.

I’m keeping my eyes peeled for a “cheap” DS. Holster wear and bluing worn is fine with me.

 

[horsemen61]

And now I also want one!

 

[Mark_Mark]

The New Police isn’t available in .38 though Which is fine but I guess I figure a .38 Spec is easier for me. I already load for .357 Mag.

I’m keeping my eyes peeled for a “cheap” DS. Holster wear and bluing worn is fine with me.

I’m looking for a mint exposed ejector DS! My local gets them for $750+ range.

the DS is a little tank!

 

[KansasTrapper77]

I’m looking for a mint exposed ejector DS! My local gets them for $750+ range.

the DS is a little tank!

You’re just making me want it more!
The exposed ejector DS just speaks to me of a simpler time when a Colt in you pocket on the wrong side of the tracks was a comfort.

 

[Mark_Mark]

You’re just making me want it more!
The exposed ejector DS just speaks to me of a simpler time when a Colt in you pocket on the wrong side of the tracks was a comfort.

ooooh man! felt the same way! I’m new to Old Colt and I can’t stop collecting and carrying them!

I carry this DS on Friday and Saturday night Taxi driving and a LCP Max backup. 6 rounds of 38 special is no joke. If a passenger gets me from behind, shoot thur the car seat. Car jackers, shoot thur the door. All requires pressing into!

I drive in Seattle and there is drama every weekend night! Good Gun

 

[cfullgraf]

I did not own a Colt revolver until recently. I considered the price too high. I still consider the price too high but I bought a recent production Python and Anaconda anyway because the stock market has been good to me recently. I do like them and compare favorably with my S&W equivalents.

Colt revolvers are good especially if it rings your bell. Enjoy.

Now, Colt 1911's are a different matter for me.

P.S. I like my S&W J-frame snubbies. They are a bit smaller than the Colt Detective Special.

Models 642, 442, 437, 60, 36, 43C, 34, 63, 317, 30, and 31. The 642 and 442 are work guns, the rest are fun guns at the range although the 317 has taken a ground hog..

 

[Pat Riot]

the DS is a little tank!

Yeah, I wouldn’t go that far. Not in my opinion.

 

[stonebuster]

I’m looking for a mint exposed ejector DS! My local gets them for $750+ range.

the DS is a little tank!

I'd need to buy another safe if your LGS was within driving distance.

 

[Gork10]

Like you OP, i'v always wanted a DS. Finely found one at the same time I had some extra cash. A 1974 made DS carried by a DPD sergeant. Paid around 650 for it last year. The grips are Herrets.

 

[dickydalton]

I had a 1968 Cobra that was like new but it hurt to shoot with anything warm. I sold it and my 1961 36 No Dash flat latch. Then i stumbled on a S&W 31-1 that is like new for $400 at a gun show and bought it. I bought a reamer from Brownells and last night I turned it into a 32 H&R Mag. It's still dark so the picture sucks.

 

[lincen]

I had a 1968 Cobra that was like new but it hurt to shoot with anything warm. I sold it and my 1961 36 No Dash flat latch. Then i stumbled on a S&W 31-1 that is like new for $400 at a gun show and bought it. I bought a reamer from Brownells and last night I turned it into a 32 H&R Mag. It's still dark so the picture sucks. View attachment 1173584

I have one just like that and did the same modification for 32 H&R. Don’t shoot it much as I have other 32 options but have had no issues. That is one of a very few caliber modifications that I would ever consider and who can justify the prices of the factory S&W 32 magnum revolvers.

 

[dickydalton]

I figured WTH, it's a $400 gun and the 32 Long is just too wimpy. I have 4 327s and a Henry carbine so I didn't really need it. I do know the cost.....

 

[Mark_Mark]

I'd need to buy another safe if your LGS was within driving distance.

I got 2shops in area now, 1 is a classic with fare prices… other is a tacticool shop that gets AMAZING estate guns and they don’t know how to price them.