Rebirth of the Detective Special

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CAS700850

CAS700850

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Call me crazy, but wouldn't many of you love to see an updated Detective Special released? I mean, with the expansion of CCW laws across the country, the market is crying out for small, concealable firearms. While the Smith J-frame/Taurus small frame and the pocket autos do seem to control the market, I'm sure that there are many CCW holders who would grab up a six-shot revolver that isn't considerably larger than a J-frame. AS someone who carries a J-frame on the belt, I can say that I would be very interested in a six shot revolver of about the same size.

Anyone know or care to speculate why Colt isn't trying to capitalize on the CCW laws by bringing back the Detective Special? Anyone know or care to speculate why no other company has attempted to produce something similar?
 
Man, we've been speculating about the idiocy at Colt's for years now, here and on other forums. Run a search and you'll see this come up again and again.

Beats me.
 
As soon as states start repealing all of the concealed carry laws, Colt will be on the forefront announcing the new line of concealed carry revolvers and pistols.

If I chose to destroy an old and established company, I would use Colts model. Their timing and ability to slowly kill themselves is truly amazing.
 
I would love to see ANYTHING offered by Colt. Are they even in the gun business anymore?
 
Taurus made a copy of the DS,it was called
the model 606.6 shots of 357 mag in a gun
that was slightly larger than a j frame and
smaller than a k frame.Sounds like a good
idea but taurus does not make them now.
 
As long as they make it in a number of smaller/mid-bore calibers, (read: .22 WMR, .32 H&R Magnum, 9mm Parabellum, .38 Super Automatic, .38 S&W Special, .357 S&W Magnum and .40 S&W) it would not only prove profitatble, but would regain their lost place in the police/private security market. From what they've done in recent history, It doesn't look very likely.

As usual, they are acting the idiots.

Scott
 
If I chose to destroy an old and established company, I would use Colts model. Their timing and ability to slowly kill themselves is truly amazing.
Click to expand...

Sad, but true.

Actually, Colt did make a stainless steel modernized Detective Special. It was called the "Magnum Carry," and was in production all of a year.
 
To explain, but not justify... :(

Colt does not, at the present time, have the kind of cash flow it takes to reintroduce older models, or introduce new ones. The D-frame revolvers are excellent ones, and I count more then one among my favorite carry guns. But from a manufacturing point of view they are expensive to make, and if a quality gun was built - like you'd expect and want - it might prove to be more costly then you'd be willing to pay. This is what doomed those that were made a number of years ago.

To come up with an entirely (or mostly so) new model would involve substantial tooling costs, and so far Colt’s management has see fit to direct their limited resources in other directions. I suspect that if Colt does introduce a CCW-style handgun in the foreseeable future it will likely be a pistol rather then a revolver – but only time will tell, and I am speculating.

Meanwhile I would advise those that feel the same way I do, to follow my example and turn toward the used gun market. It is unlikely that prices will go down.
 
Colt will be HISTORY for civilian firearms in 2006!
Click to expand...

I am not arguing that Colt is not a piss poor run company, because it is,but at gun shows I have been seeing more and more Colt ARs for under 1k. Including the ones in M4 configuration. Also, where two years ago all the 1911s seemed to be Kimber and Springfield I am now seeing rows of Colt 1911s. Now it isn't likely Colt will bring back a nice double action revolver but I imagine they could keep sputtering along indefinitely making ARs, SAAs and 1911s. After all its not like there innovating with those products.
 
Meanwhile I would advise those that feel the same way I do, to follow my example and turn toward the used gun market. It is unlikely that prices will go down.
Click to expand...

Yep. Even if Colt were to reintroduce the best of its revolvers, the value of the old models would at least remain stable, and probably continue to rise.

I'm willing to be surprised, of course, but I'd be extremely surprised if Colt ever resumes production of the Python and/or Anaconda.
 
I'm willing to be surprised, of course, but I'd be extremely surprised if Colt ever resumes production of the Python and/or Anaconda.
Click to expand...
With investing in the CNC machinery it would surprise me if they didn't start back up with the Python and Anaconda. The Magnum Carry and the DSII would most likely be right behind them.
Colt may be taking the time to insure the machinery is right and all the training is in place, because with the lack of trust a lot of buyers have against them they can't afford to rush a problem prone product to the market.
 
Due to its lighter weight, I'v always thought that the Cobra was a better choice than the Detective Special for use as an unholstered carry piece. And, with its abbreviated grip, 14 1/2 oz. weight and six-shot capacity, the old Agent might have been the very best ever.
 
Re: Colt Handguns

Hi guys!...Does anyone know what the new "Military and Police" model is?...Supposedly, Colt has unveiled this gun at their NASGW booth...Just wanted to know if it's a revolver or semi-auto...Any info is appreciated...Thanks
 
I have no idea what Colt is doing, but the new "Military & Police" is a Smith & Wesson pistol. Smith & Wesson has used the Military & Police name since 1899, and I don't think Colt would touch it.
 
That's what I thought, but the information is a direct quote from Gun list magazine...

A NEW START FOR COLT MANUFACTURING?

Colt recently appointed Jerry D. Humble as new general manager for its handgun operations, which might signal that the company has renewed its emphasis on producing commercial handguns. Humble, a retired U.S. Marine Corps major general, appeared at Colt's NASGW booth. Colt has cut its handgun offerings considerably the past several years and has focused on producing military products. However, the company unveiled its new Military and Police model at the show, which might signal the company will again become a market leader for handgun production.


This is directly from Gun List magazine, Volume 22-Number 26, December 30th, 2005 publishing, page 9, right hand column, middle of page.
 
htowngunner said:
That's what I thought, but the information is a direct quote from Gun list magazine...

A NEW START FOR COLT MANUFACTURING?

Colt recently appointed Jerry D. Humble as new general manager for its handgun operations, which might signal that the company has renewed its emphasis on producing commercial handguns. Humble, a retired U.S. Marine Corps major general, appeared at Colt's NASGW booth. Colt has cut its handgun offerings considerably the past several years and has focused on producing military products. However, the company unveiled its new Military and Police model at the show, which might signal the company will again become a market leader for handgun production.


This is directly from Gun List magazine, Volume 22-Number 26, December 30th, 2005 publishing, page 9, right hand column, middle of page.
Click to expand...

The author of this piece in Gun List may have said it was Colt, but it they offered a pistol called "Military & Police" they'd have S&W's lawyers all over them so fast they wouldn't know what hit them. Military & Police is a S&W trademark in use since 1899.
 
I think we have a case of a reporter with an unfortunate lack of knowledge about handgun history. He said...

However, the company unveiled its new Military and Police model at the show, which might signal the company will again become a market leader for handgun production.
Click to expand...

When he should have said was...

However, the company unveiled its new model pistol intended for the military and police market at the show, which might signal the company will again become a market leader for handgun production.

I highly doubt that Colt's new pistol will be called the "Military & Police" model.
 
bpisler said:
Taurus made a copy of the DS,it was called
the model 606.6 shots of 357 mag in a gun
that was slightly larger than a j frame and
smaller than a k frame.Sounds like a good
idea but taurus does not make them now.
Click to expand...

I have a Taurus 606, and really like it. Being a 6-shot, the little bit of extra weight makes it a more stable platform than the J-frames- easier to shoot accurately and it helps to soak up some recoil. Bought it when the Magnum Carry Colts became unavailable. The 606 dissapears in a Desantis IWB holster. Too bad Taurus stopped making them.
 
The Detective Special is the only Colt revolver to which I have ever taken a real liking. It's an awesome little package...an updated version would probably be a pretty good seller in today's CCW market.
 
I seem to remember an article several years ago noting that Colt had hired a former Marine general. I don't remember the guy's name, but I thought he was CEO. They interviewed the guy and he talked about how much he liked the Magnum Carry and how he wanted to see Colt revolvers make a comeback. This was quite some time ago (certainly not this last month - I think that Gun List article was a reprint) and I gave up on this as just talk.

I bought a DS off gunbroker a couple of years ago. The gun was in CA and the seller told me the gun was in excellent condition. I bought it and picked it up to find that it wasn't in excellent condition. It was unfired. It had everything in the case. I love this little revolver and would happily add just about any other Colt revolver I come across to my collection. Wouldn't mind picking up another DS either. Never see them around here.
 
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