Hankering for a Colt Detective Special

[KansasTrapper77]

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.

Oh that could be dangerous. For good and bad all my local stores know what they’re looking at for the most part.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

A Colt Detective Special that shipped in 1934. Chambered for 38 Special of course. My records say I paid $260 for it, but that was probably about 20 years ago.

The Colt Police Positive Special and the Detective Special were built on the same size frame, as this photo shows. Note: Police Positive Special, with the longer 38 Special cylinder, not the shorter cylinder of the Police Positive chambered for 38 S&W. The butt of the Detective Special is rounded off, but the frames are the same size. A slightly smaller S&W J frame, 5 shot Chiefs Special is pictured below the Detective Special.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

I really like the trigger on my 70s-era Dick Special, and the fixed sight picture is perfect. The factory grips are comfortable but incompatible with HKS speedloaders, so I swapped them for Pachmayr Compacs.

I personally think this era's Colt revolvers are the most attractive DAs ever made. I'd add it to my carry roster but my armpit sweat would quickly destroy the finish.

 

[jar]

My DS in a Privateer Marauder holster:

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

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

Right!

 

[Mark_Mark]

I like the old Colt DS. They literally took a Police Positive Special, swap the cylinder with a 38 special, chop down the barrel, put in a short ejector… and created a era of Cool Snubs

Old Detective Special has a Cool Look. New DS looks like a 36

 

[Oldschool shooter]

Bought mine about 8 years ago for $400. On the outside it shows some signs of holster wear, but the bore and chambers look new. I wanted one for the same reason you want one. Mine was made in 1956. Good luck on your search.

 

[Pat Riot]

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

That is such a nice looking little revolver. I don’t own any .32’s, but if I came across something like that I would be buying some dies and reloading components real quick.

That one’s a beauty.

 

[Old Dog]

My DS in a Privateer Marauder holster:

To slide slightly off-topic, @jar, that's a nice-looking holster - you got me checking out Privateer's website, and they've got some pretty gunleather!

Back on topic, I have been searching for a clean DS for some time; every one I've found is either thoroughly clapped-out or ridiculously priced (hey, I'll overpay on occasion, but there's over-priced and then there's stupid-priced).

 

[jar]

Wes Dahl is one of the g

To slide slightly off-topic, @jar, that's a nice-looking holster - you got me checking out Privateer's website, and they've got some pretty gunleather!

Back on topic, I have been searching for a clean DS for some time; every one I've found is either thoroughly clapped-out or ridiculously priced (hey, I'll overpay on occasion, but there's over-priced and then there's stupid-priced).

Wes Dahl is one of the good folk, great to work with and an artist as well as a craftsman. I currently have two more of his holsters somewhere in the pipeline.