Trade for Detonics

[Borch]

I may have a chance to trade an old mil surp rifle that I never use for a Detonics Combat Master .45 w/3 mags, case and holster. I am not very familiar with Detonics and their website does not seem to be functional at this time. From what I can find on the internet the Combat Master seems very well respected.

Anybody here have one? If so what do you like or dislike and why?

 

[1KPerDay]

What are you trading for it? An unmolested gas trap Garand?

 

[Ron James]

Perhaps the fact that Detonics Firearms. has been in the grave for a number of years would be a factor in not finding a web site. The last reincarnation died in Phoenix.AZ in 2000,

 

[MICHAEL T]

Perhaps the fact that Detonics Firearms. has been in the grave for a number of years would be a factor in not finding a web site. The last reincarnation died in Phoenix.AZ in 2000,

Your a little behind Their has been another Since then I think tax problem got that one. Another detonics is opening in IL over near st Louis.
mine is a old washington state pistol These were the first chopped 1911's Their a nice pistol A little heavy by todays compact 45's But a good serviceable pistol. Parts are easy to come by and Most owners gon't want to part with them
Early Miami Vice Crockett carried one on his ankle as a BUG

 

[9mmepiphany]

they at one time made the only factory produced chopped 1911. they did away with the barrel bushing by going with a coned barrel. they deleted the grip safety, but then they did away with any kind of beavertail too.

the odd thing was that they designed the Combat Master to be thumb cocked during the draw. that's why there is the scalloped out area at the rear of the slide and the shortened sight radius.

even Crockett gave up on it later in the series when he carried a Detonics Pocket Nine on his ankle

 

[Borch]

What are you trading for it? An unmolested gas trap Garand?

Actually I'd be trading an 1898 Krag-Jorgenson carbine. A real one not one af the half ass chop jobs that were so prevalent. I am not a military collector and the .30-40 Krag cartridge is not exactly widely used or easy to find so I really have no want for it.

 

[Storm]

As has been pointed out, Detonics is starting up again in Illinois. Before that they were right up the road from me in Pendergrass, GA. Each time Detonics has winked back into existence the guns have gotten better and better, and, have always been at least excellent. Many consider the Georgia guns to be the best yet.

Part of the problem with Detonics is that their guns have always been expensive. The CombatMaster brand new was around $1100. I bought mine NIB but pre-owned (a Georgia gun) for $700 and that was a steal. Despite its small size the gun shoots like a dream. All in all it is one of the finest 1911's out there.

The site: http://www.detonics.ws/history.html

An article: http://www.handgunsmag.com/featured_handguns/master_121305/index.html

More info: http://www.biggerhammer.net/detonics/detonics_history_patyates.html

The best mags (OEM): http://metalformcompany.thomasnet.com/viewitems/pistol-magazines/old-style-detonics?&forward=1

My gun:

 

[Jim Watson]

I certainly have no objection to you going from a gun you have no interest in to one you do, even if the Krag is a Significant Historical Artifact and Valuable Collector's Item that nobody should ever part with, alter, or (shudder) use. (I would insert a smiley face except there really are people who think that way.)

I would definitely check out relative values before I traded, though. A real Krag carbine in good condition is worth a good deal of money to the right buyer. Maybe more than a Detonics, which is still in production, after all.

 

[1KPerDay]

Sounds like a good trade to me, depending on the condition of the Krag.

 

[Storm]

A real Krag carbine in good condition is worth a good deal of money to the right buyer. Maybe more than a Detonics, which is still in production, after all.

That's a good point. If an even trade is your concern I'd do a little research on value. Depending on condition I'd figure the Detonics to be somewhere between $750 (at a dead minumum) to $900 on the higher end. Value can also depend on a bit whether the gun is a Washington, Arizona, Georgia or Illinois production, although I'm not sure how the newest Illionois guns are being viewed. The Detonics is technically in production (I think they are turning out guns in Illinois) but in almost 30 years around gun shops the one that I bought is the only one that I recall having seen. They are not at all common.

 

[Mad Magyar]

Another detonics is opening in IL over near st Louis.

Is Jerry Aherne still the CEO?

 

[Borch]

The Krag is an original carbine in about 85% condition minus the rear sight, which pegs the value between $1200 and $2000, according to my sources. However I have now done the research on the serial number and found that this particular carbine did see actual service with the 38th US Volunteer Infantry in the Philipine-American War and from there it was shipped to Shanghai, China where it served as an embassy guard gun until it was retired sometime around 1920.

According to my uncle, who is the family hsitorian, my great grandfather bought it at a military surplus auction for use as a deer rifle in 1922 and it has come through the generations since then. So it is possible that this particular weapon has been in the possesion of my family since it's retirement from military service.

After learning a little more about this weapon's service history and long time connection to my family I think it will be staying right where it is in my safe and I believe I will try to find an original rear sight to replace the missing one.

 

[Storm]

Quote:
Another detonics is opening in IL over near st Louis.

Is Jerry Aherne still the CEO?

No.

After learning a little more about this weapon's service history and long time connection to my family I think it will be staying right where it is in my safe and I believe I will try to find an original rear sight to replace the missing one.

Good choice. What you have is irreplaceable.

 

[owlhoot]

I carried a Detonics Combat Master in the mid 80's. It was a dandy gun in every respect.

That said, if I had a choice between a Detonics and a Krag carbine in good condition, I'd take the carbine. But I have a real soft spot for the Krag.