Will a shrouded barrel fit any D frame?

[FerFAL]

I have an old pencil barrel Colt Detective(1920's). Will the “newer” shrouded barrel fit? What kind of modifications would it need?
Thanks guys.

FerFAL

 

[Jack2427]

It may screw into your frame but it will look really odd because the frame will not mate with the aft end of the barrel. Anditmay not screw into your frame, why not keep the oldie as a collector and just get a lugged barrel model?

 

[dfariswheel]

Over the years it was produced, Colt never changed the Detective Special barrel threads.

A shrouded barrel will screw in and the barrel will match up with the frame, since the frame profile around the barrel also never changed much.

You will have to have the barrel professionally fitted, since barrels don't just screw on.

Among other adjustments, you have to use a lathe to trim the barrel shoulder so that when the barrel is torqued in place the front sight is properly aligned at 12:00 o'clock.

You have to trim the rear of the barrel with a special cutter tool to establish the barrel/cylinder gap.

Last you have to use a special cutter and a special plug gage to re-cut and measure the forcing cone in the rear of the barrel.

All this requires a significant financial outlay in special barrel vises, frame wrenches and the special cutters.