Colt detective special

D

d_mikey

New member
Hi,
I'm a new member. My name is Mike.
I recently put $100 down on a Colt Detective Special, Serial No. S13XXX. Purchase price, $289 + tax.
I did this after a long elimination process. It seems like any firearm purchase is a bit of a compromise.
I was looking for something easily concealable, of reasonable weight, and easy to handle. I have severe inflammatory arthritis, so both recoil and trigger pull are real issues for me.
I looked at modern S&W J frames. The trigger pull is reasonable, but heavier than the Colt. Both guns seem to stack, and neither feel all that crisp. I guess I am spoiled by some semi auto triggers.
The Colt is pretty heavy. On the other hand, some additional weight can make recoil a lot easier to handle. From what I understand, +p loads aren't really advisable, at least as a steady diet.
The Smith J frame is available in styles that are so light as to seem barely noticeable in the pocket. Unfortunately, here in upstate NY, prices seem a little high. The lightest models are pushing $800. Is there that much of a control difference with the lighter ones, if I stick to using regular .38 spec rounds?
Unfortunately, there is no shop around where it is possible to actually fire the guns to try them. The passing of the Creekside Gun shop is severely lamented around here.
Anyone have any idea on the age of the Colt, and is the price reasonable?
Thanks for the help,

Mike
 
Mike,
I think you got a good one, they don't get the attention as S&W and others but are a nice snubbie.
I bought one in the early seventies and just sold it about ten years ago thinking Michigan would never pass a CCW law.
Well we did three years ago and I've bought a few carry guns since then, all autoloaders. Just the other day I bought another Detective Special and have been carrying it all day today.
They carry nicely, shoot well at close ranges and have that extra round the J frames lack. :)
My only problem with them is I have several S&W's and the latch is backwards and the cylinder turns the wrong way.
The pricing in your area is backwards to mine with the j frames being much cheaper than any Colts.
Enjoy your new gun, it's a good one. I wish I'd never sold the first one now.
 
Sorry, no date on this gun. It's also hard to place a value on it unless you can rate it's condition as well. I can tell you my local shop has one in 97% condition for $250. I've been eyeing it but already have a pile of S&W snubbies so can't really "justify" it (yet). As for S&W', yes the new scandium frame guns are way up there. I don't care for them myself. ( I like to practice with my carry guns and find them (IMHO) dificult to shoot and "toyish" in the hand.) Options? You can get 60/640 guns that are all stainless and similar in size/heft to the colt but capable of 357. These will run you $400-$450 when new generally. There are also the alloy stainless 637/642 "airweight" snubbies that run $300-350 new. Lastly, to compare apples to apples, don't overlook the used market, There are ALLOT of used S&W mod 36, 37, 38, 49, 60, 640, 642 etc that can be had in the same price as the Colt or less. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to turn you from the Colt, it's a fine gun. Just throwng some options out for you to make an educated decisionFWIW.
Enjoy whatever you buy.
 
#S13XXX was made in 1979.
The "S" series started that year at S01001, and by year's end was up to around S27028.

Depending on the actual condition, $289.00 is a flat STEAL on a late model DS.

The post-1972 heavy, shrouded barrel Colt Detective Special was rated for up to 3000 rounds of +P ammo, but the gun then needed to be returned to Colt for probable frame replacement.

I'd suggest practicing with standard .38 Special ammo, do just enough limited shooting of +P ammo to keep the "feel", and carry it with +P for "business".

The Colt DS was the "Gold Standard" in personal defense from 1927 to the late 1960's, and it still gets the job done quite well.

The Colt is famous as being the most consistently accurate "snub" revolver, and it's about the perfect size for most people.

You would be hard pressed to find a better small frame short barreled revolver even today, and you could do a whole lot worse.

Price-wise you're a thief. :) :)
 
I have one that I bought in 1975 as an off duty gun. Never had a problem with it except that I had it reblued after I retired. I sometimes carry it but usually I carry a Smith 3" Model 65 since it's a .357. I see them at gunshows once in awhile and they seem to go $250-300.

They do recoil somewhat especially with +Ps. There are several 110 gr. JHP non +Ps out there that will work. The 5 shot Smiths will be worse.
 
Thanks for the fast feedback. I really appreciate the help.
The condition of the gun seems to be very good. Of course, I think that about a lot of things I buy until the fog of excitement wears off.
There are a few scratches through the bluing, one on the butt between the grips, one just ahead of the grips, and a few fine ones connecting the notches on the outside of the cylinder. There seemed to be very little handling or holster wear.
Cylinder lock up with the trigger back was very good. I could feel no movement for and aft, and none from side to side. A flashlight down the barrel showed the inside to look a little grey (lead?). Lands and grooves were visible. The chamber appeared to line up with the barrel perfectly.
I was fortunate that the shop owner appeared more amused by my contortions with the gun and total violation of normal gun ettiquette while I was doing this. I apologized for it. He said he doesn't care as long as people show some common sense. The nice thing about a revolver is that its pretty obvious when its empty.
I really thought the gun was probably even older. It does have the longer grip, which I like.
Thanks again for the help.
Mike
 
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