COLT DS OR DS II OR SFVI?HOW DO YOU TELL?
- Thread starter 1911guy
- Start date
shooter.45
New member
Hey 1911 guy see your local in warwick !! Where did you pick up that colt I have been looking for one!! found 1 at local shop it is 50 years old approx. dont know if I am going to get it??
VictorLouis
New member
All of the "original" DSs were in blue or nickel. The last several years of production were done with a full-length ejector rod shroud. The end of the ejector was capped with a larger diameter knurled knob, which was much easier on the thumb, IMO.
The SF-VI was the gun that replaced it. The DSII was, yet again, supposed to be an improved version of the SF. The latest of these are(were?) available in .357.
My complaint with them is that the cylinder locks up only at the rear. That's OK, but I was not comfortable with the amount of engagement that was holding it in place. Just a slight bit of rearward pressure on the release was enough to open it, vs. the "other" revolvers. A secondary gripe is the narrow trigger, and the staging present in their actions. Just my $.02 only.
The SF-VI was the gun that replaced it. The DSII was, yet again, supposed to be an improved version of the SF. The latest of these are(were?) available in .357.
My complaint with them is that the cylinder locks up only at the rear. That's OK, but I was not comfortable with the amount of engagement that was holding it in place. Just a slight bit of rearward pressure on the release was enough to open it, vs. the "other" revolvers. A secondary gripe is the narrow trigger, and the staging present in their actions. Just my $.02 only.
The original Detective Special was made from the 1920s to the early 70s. These had a tapered barrel and open ejector rod.
The 2nd version DS had a heavier barrel with a full ejector rod shroud. I believe it was at this time the grip frame was shortened, but I'm not sure. Early 2nd versions came with chunky checkered wood grips which worked very well. Later versions came with the Pacmyer Compac rubber grips as standard.
The originals were based on the older Colt V-spring action (same as the Python) and very smooth.
The SF VI (small frame, 6shot) was intended to replace the DS. While externally it looked like the DS, its action was based on the Trooper revolvers and not nearly as good. When it failed, Colt introduced the DS II which was basicly the same gun with a name change. The .357 version was called the Magnum Carry, which failed before it ever got started good. If I'm not mistaken, all three of the replacement models were only made in Stainless Steel.
All of these guns were clearly marked as to which model it was. If the barrel on your gun is stamped "Detective Special", you've got the original.
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TFL's official "Curmudgeon Member" and damned proud of it!
The 2nd version DS had a heavier barrel with a full ejector rod shroud. I believe it was at this time the grip frame was shortened, but I'm not sure. Early 2nd versions came with chunky checkered wood grips which worked very well. Later versions came with the Pacmyer Compac rubber grips as standard.
The originals were based on the older Colt V-spring action (same as the Python) and very smooth.
The SF VI (small frame, 6shot) was intended to replace the DS. While externally it looked like the DS, its action was based on the Trooper revolvers and not nearly as good. When it failed, Colt introduced the DS II which was basicly the same gun with a name change. The .357 version was called the Magnum Carry, which failed before it ever got started good. If I'm not mistaken, all three of the replacement models were only made in Stainless Steel.
All of these guns were clearly marked as to which model it was. If the barrel on your gun is stamped "Detective Special", you've got the original.
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TFL's official "Curmudgeon Member" and damned proud of it!