Colt Det. Special: What is average price for NIB in your region?

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boa2

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Colt Detective Special(NIB)with shrouded ejector rod:

1)What prices are these going for in your region?

2)Are Detective Special prices starting to climb fast yet(Or, do you expect these guns to reach Diamondback prices, in the near future?)?

3)Are Colt Detective Specials a good bet for an investment(Or better to invest in a Diamondback or a King Cobra-or?)?
 
Used

I cannot tell you what they are going for new until I hit a couple of shows this month, but definitely not for Diamondback new prices. Guess that the Det. was popular and alot more are out there. Including the dud I got about 10 years ago. Took it back NIB to dealer cause of rust in the bore. Bad factory practices I guess. Not the only rusty NIB COLT. Check yours unless it is S/S. Used ones are still pretty reasonable in decent shape. I suppose that the old, old ones are getting to be collectable, like prewar etc. But I think it will be awhile till the common recent production gets valuable, unless there is a big demand for CCW revs. in your area.
 
USED in my area $400-$500; saw an immaculate nickel police trade-in recently(Agent w/ full underlug & original wood grips) no box/accessories; dealer wanted $450. Asking prices for Colt D-frame revolvers seem to go at least $100 more than comparable Smiths in my area (KY/OH/WV). Ratty looking ones are in the $300-$400 range. Of course, deals can be found and haggling is an art rather than a science.

Post-war Colts are getting scarce and increasing in value a bit faster than Smiths (IMHO)...but that may change; Smith K & N Frames are going up as well.

Three to four years ago, you could find Det Specials, Agents, Cobras, Diamondbacks, and King Cobras fairly easily. Fewer are for sale now and at increased prices.
 
Around here good used ones are in the 350 range.

No

maybe, Diamondbacks yes, King Cobras, no
 
My local dealer has 4 det sp. and 2 agents all in good shape running from $350- $480 or so, he's not haggling. So I grabbed a S&W m 36 with some dings on the grips and minor holster wear for $180 with 2 boxes of target ammo and a cheapo IWB holster, I'll just have to satisfy my hankerin for a colt at a later date.
 
Southern IN. About 3 months ago, bought a 99% nickle, wood grips, full underlug barrel, Detective Special. No turn ring showing on the nickle. It looked unfired, but who knows. No box, No papers. $275 was the asking price. I didn't even try to haggle.
 
Colt Diamond Backs are unreal in price, when you can buy a python for a few dollars more. Diamond Backs are not worth the price I have seen any of them for.
Detective Specials are not an investment gun to buy. The market is litterly flooded with them. Buy one because you want one, not for the investment value.

You can still buy them NIB. They're from $425-$600.
Here's some on www.gunsamerica.com

http://www.gunsamerica.com/search.cgi

DETECTIVE SPECIAL 38 SPL
GA# 976413049 $425.00 COLT DETECTIVE SPECIAL IN 38 SPECIAL. With Full Lug and 2" barrel. Has the full size COLT FACTORY grips. Gun looks to be unfired. Grades at EXCELLENT. Has a nice zipper case. Sorry, no box or papers. SalesTax for TEXAS residents. ShippingExtra.
Seller: B-T
FFL Dealer: Yes Area Code: 325 GA Sales: 906

here's another

DETECTIVE SPECIAL NIB
GA# 976489663 $465.00 Fourth issue Detective Special. .38spl. cal., Blue, 2" barrel. New in blue plastic box with cardboard outer cover. Black composition [rubber] grips with gold Colt medallions. +P rated.
Seller: BOB BASH
FFL Dealer: Yes Area Code: 217 GA Sales:

and another

$595.00 NEW IN BOX, COLT DETECTIVE SPECIAL, 38 SPECIAL, BLUE, MFG. 1977. ALL FACTORY ORIGINAL, NO RUST BLEMS OR SCRATCHES, FACTORY CHECKERED WALNUT WRAP AROUND GRIPS, PAPERS. NEED FFL TO SHIP, SELLER PAYS SHIPPING, THREE DAY INSPECTION, PRICE AS ADVERTISED. PRICE NET CASH, POSTAL MONEY ORDER, CASHIERS CHECK, VISA/MC ADD 3%.HOURS 10AM-8PM CENTRAL.
Seller: BOB’S COLTS
FFL Dealer: Yes Area Code: 262 GA Sales: 177
 
I just bought a nice pair of Police Positives. I am picking up a Lawman MKIII 357 Magnum snub today. OTD for $199.00 on the PPs. The Lawman figures out to $250.00. The other Police Positive I am going to look at today is $299.00. The last issue of Detective Specials was only old NOS parts that Colt had in the house. Many were rusty and none too smooth. I would give thought to a Diamondback 22. I haven't seen any at shows or shops lately. I believe folks are grabbing them.
 
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I would give thought to a Diamondback 22. I haven't seen any at shows or shops lately. I believe folks are grabbing them.
Click to expand...

Good luck. ;)

.22 Diamondback prices have gone just nutso in the last few years. I've seen them trade at prices that would be more in the low-end Python range. :eek:
 
1. NIB? Probably $495, when they (rarely) show up. Used in 90% condition, around $395.

2. Yes, they're climbing fast. No, they'll never reach the same price point as Diamondbacks - too many DSs around for that.

3. Investment? Diamondbacks and Pythons. King Cobras are popular, but not exactly "investment" arms. Too bad you missed out on the Model 58 S&Ws. :) But, seriously, I think that Diamondbacks and Pythons are probably just about as high as they're ever going to go (allowing for adjusted dollars). You want an investment gun? Find an NIB Magnum Carry at a good price. :D
 
Diamondback

I had a dback awhile back. Paid alot for it and sold it for alot. About mint condx. My short time shooting it I could see it was good but not a super tackdriver. Loose chamber throats, you know. I think it was just an attempt to make the det. into a baby Python. Small frame trying to be a mid frame.
Trigger and frame dimensions too small for my hand to be a target shooter and too big for concealment. Might be better in .22. Might be collectable but not the most practical shooter, I think.
 
Colt Diamondback:

Well, I managed to find a "Mint"(.22 cal)Colt Diamondback here in Kalifornia, about one year ago, that I bought for $575! I was lucky to get it! There was a big Colt collection, that had come into this small Gun Shop, from a sick(Elderly)gun collector! There were many Colt's that came in(All at once!)and I was unaware of this(So, I missed getting a chance at any of these guns(Except for the Diamondback))! I just happened to be driving by this Country Gun Shop, when I decided to drop in(And there was this Diamondback, staring me in the face!)and, I just beat the second fella in line for this Diamondback, by just a few seconds! I know where I can get another Diamondback(In .38 Special)but I think that the price is too high at $750(Maybe I'm wrong?)? There is also a NIB Colt Cobra, for $550! This is why I was asking about the Detective Special(Because I didn't know that this gun was in fact, a Cobra, instead!)and when I went back to pull this gun out of the gun case to inspect it, I found that it was a Cobra(Not a Detective Special)! So, in view of the gun in question being a Cobra, I should ask if $550 is still too much to pay for this gun(And, if the investment potential, still won't match a Diamondback?)? Since this gun hasn't been sold(For at least two weeks!)I was thinking that maybe this gun won't be in much demand(At this price!)? Since this gun is still there, I thought I should ask this question(To be sure?)before it is gone? :confused: Please comment? Thanks!
 
Go for the Diamondback in 38 Special. If it is in good to fine condition that price is a bargain. I also would get a Diamondback before a Cobra. Fewer of the Diamondback.
 
I started a reply and then something struck me. boa2, I am collecting named Colt revolvers. You are collecting snakes. I see a Official Police, Police Positive or a Mark III, I buy it. They are certainly not being made as fast as they are being grabbed up. I look over and walk away from more Colts than I buy. I don't buy snake Colts. I missed a RCMP 455 Eley New Service last year by a slim margin. I could have had a Python for the same price. I wasn't interested. IOW, I am not a knowledgable snake expert. That said, I would suggest the Diamondback 38 Special. You already have the 22, the 38 Special gives you a pair. I have different models of D frames for that reason. It is also why I have more than one MKIII and in blue and nickel.
 
Named Colt's for consideration?

Sir William:

I know where I can find the following Colt's for the indicated prices:

1)Colt model ".357"(6-inch barrel)lightly fired for $575.
2)Colt Officer's Model Target .38 Special, for $575(Lightly fired).
3)Colt Officer's Model Target .22(one for $750 and another one for $850)also, lightly fired.

What are your thoughts on these guns(At these prices?)with no box or papers included?
 
I have a friend who has a Colt Detective Special for sale for $240.00. I have not seen the revolver but he says it is in very good condition. He is the original owner.
 
I would give thought to the 356 6". It is the beginning of the entire line of 357 Magnums from Colt. There were many 38-40 New Services converted to 357 Magnum in the depression. A 6" Colt is none too common. If it has a good blue, serial numbered grips and isn't loose as a goose, I would buy that 6" 357. The price for the OM 38 Special seems too low. Has it been reblued or modified? The 22 OMs seem to be in line with pricing. I would grab the 357 6" as it would set off my Trooper 4" nicely. They look cool next to my MKIIIs.
 
I bought mine this spring (say 8 months ago) NIB for $400 shipped for a nice nickled 3rd model.

Here it is with the bigger brothers:
colts2.jpg
 
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