Detective Special 2012

[Whirlwind06]

Aguila Blanca:

The Armscor (Rock Island) M206 initially appears to be a clone of the Detective Special, but it isn't. This is explained in the review in the M1911.ORG e-zine:

http://ezine.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=140

This if from another thread but seemed worthwhile to re-post it here.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

I think the confusion regarding the Armscor action arises from the fact that the older M100 series Armscor revolvers (which the review says were discontinued in the 1980s) used an action copied from the Colts such as the DS, with the "folded leaf" mainspring. The current Armscor revolvers are designated the M200 series.

I think the statement that "it's a 'good cheap gun'" is fairly accurate, except that I would characterize it as "inexpensive" rather than "cheap." I own one, I have more than 200 rounds through it (not sure how much more, but definitely not into the tens of thousands), and I don't think there's anything "cheap" about it. Well, maybe the wooden grips on the snubby -- they vary greatly in color and grain. I didn't like mine at all, but I met a guy at the range last week who wears one as his regular carry gun and his grips looked much nicer than mine.

 

[preacherblb]

AB the DS & 206 grip frames are identicle in dimensions, so grips,(IE; Hogue or Pachmeyer) made for a DS will fit the Armscor.

 

[testuser]

My first thought was a K-frame snub nose, then I realized that they probably weigh 30 ounces, that's a good deal heavier than the Colt.

Then I thought...an 8-shot S&W 327 is exactly the same weight and almost the same overall length as the detective special. I realize the height is different and the cylinder is wider (8 rounds), but it's not a terrible comparsion.

Colt Detective Special
Weight: 21 ounces
Length: 6.75 inches

327 (2 inch barrel)
Overall length: 7 inches
Weight: 21 ounces

 

[redhawk45]

 

[redhawk45]

Here is my example.

​

 

[Aguila Blanca]

AB the DS & 206 grip frames are identicle in dimensions, so grips,(IE; Hogue or Pachmeyer) made for a DS will fit the Armscor.

Well, you're close, but the dimensions in fact are not identical. I put a pair of Pachmayer rubber grips (just like the ones in the M1911.ORG on-line review) on mine. I lucked out -- the shop at my range had a pair hanging on the grips pegboard behind the counter. They went on, but they don't quite close up fully at the front strap.

I also have a pair of square butt (third generation) DS factory grips on my workbench. They will NOT fit on the Armscor -- there's a gap of perhaps 1/16" to 3/32". I'm pretty certain I can shave the inside with a rotary burr on a Dremel to make them work but, out of the box, they do not fit.

 

[Bart Noir]

I also am a fan of the 3-inch DS.

I found one just like Redhawk shows us, and I had one built on a Police Positive Special. That second one has the late model heavy DS barrel.

So there are days when I hold them both and wonder which I like better. The heavier barrel makes for a steady hold on target, but the ramped front sight on it is not as good as the older DS front sight.

I think I'd sell off my 2-inch DS before I'd let either of the 3-inch guns go.

Is the EAA Windicator the same general size as the Colt D-Frame? But, even if it is, they are made in 2 and 4-inch versions, but not 3.

Bart Noir

 

[shnike]

S&W was pretty close a few years ago with the 315 in the Nightguard series; 2.5in barrel, 6 shot, 38spl+P rated. They pop up online every so often, but can't justify they $800 asking price. Should've grabbed one when they were in production.