Colt Detective .38 special - seeking advice!

[Darimian]

Hello there ,

Please help me make a decision on buying this 2nd hand Colt Detective Special. Condition is 95%. SN is 28xxxR made in 1978. Finish is (factory ?) nickel with no wear traces. Two "flaws" I have noticed :

1. The recoil plate hole (through which the hammer-riveted firing pin goes hitting the primer) is "out of its original circular shape" - it is "oval" showing that the firing pin has damaged the hole's edges, quite heavily with metal protruding outside . Is this common with such guns ? What does it mean ?

2. Cocking the hammer is quite "heavy" i.e. not as light as with my .44Mag Anaconda. Is this conceptual to the gun, or does it just need proper lubrication/cleaning ?

Thanks a lot
Darimian

 

[BillCA]

Pass.
If the firing pin hole is oval and you can see where the hammer has peened the metal down, my guess is that someone else has "tinkered" with the gun. This kind of damage leads to excessive stress on the hammer mounted firing pin which will likely break. Repairing a Colt revolver is not easy. I'd pass on this specimen.

I just looked at my only Colt D-Frame revolver - a Police Positive Special - made in the 70's. The firing pin hole is circular. Opening the cylinder and using my thumb to control the hammer with the trigger back I cannot feel any drag (or see any rubbing) on the firing pin as it protrudes from the hole.

 

[Majic]

It sounds like that hammer is binding and not falling straight. Possibly the hammer pin in the frame is bent.

 

[Sir William]

In my experience, the hammer pin is broken and allowing the hammer to wobble. This is easily repaired. Offer $100.00 less. www.cylinder-slide.com I don't think it is a no-go.