Opinions on Colt Cobra vs. Det. Special

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Peter M. Eick

New member
I looked at two reasonably nice colt snubbies today and was kind of torn. I normally carry a P7PSP for ccw, but would like something lighter and smaller for when I go just quick trips or out for a walk with the family. Thus I was thinking a little snubby over my gov 380 or beretta 84.

So, I looked at the colts and a few smiths, and decided that 6 shots was a break point so colts only. The two nice ones they had (there were several older and more chewed ones) were a cobra and Detective special. Both appear to be late 70's early 80's vintages from the serial numbers.

They checked out ok, and neither was shot a lot. The downside of the cobra was the finish was nicked in a few spots to the aluminum and the detect. special had a redish tinge on certain spots. Upon questioning the salesman about it, he said it was the oil they use. Maybe, but it sure looked like rust to me. Not bad, but some surface rust.

My thinking is if I want to shoot a lot go for the Detective special because of the steel frame, but the grips are slightly longer then the cobra so it will be harder to carry. The Cobra is not going to last as long with hot loads from the AL frame, but it would do fine with midrange loads. It is smaller ligher and would pocket better.

So any advice?

I am leaning toward another look at the detective special because of the rust, but I am thinking I will pass and keep looking. It would require I get smaller grips for it to make it more "pocketable".

The Cobra is nice, but I like to shoot my guns and I am concerned that a lot of "full power" but not +P loads will wear it out.

Suggestions, comments or corrections?

Thanks
 
I'm working on this...

I have always used a J frame.Grips and parts are available. I have used the model 36 and model 37 a lot. I grew up with smiths so I'm more familar with everything. One concern I have is the rotation of cyl is different. My brain is trained on Smiths.

I have a "new to me" 1928 "Dick Special". I wanted all steel. I will have to report back...It arrived and is still in packaging in a safe where sent to and err...I haven't been able to get free to visit. Arrived in Jan. I am really going to get yelled at by someone I know whom sent it...maybe this weekend
I do have a pic taken by the sender, his camera was acting up.

I bought for history, to fill a niche that a wheel gun works well for, and I have never owned a Colt wheel gun before. How is that for rationalization. Only grips avail btw - so far- are the old original rubber ones.

So check the dates of mfg and grip info and availability for grips. Parts are getting more rare and pricey as well.
 
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After writing all that and spending some time with the search function, I think the DS over the Cobra is the way to go. Just not this possibly "rusty" one.

Nice looking gun, but redish tinge and red oil between the crane and frame and up on the top strap sure make me wonder. Also the action was stiff, really stiff like it might be rusty inside. No obvious rust or pits but I bet it is tinged.

Oh well I have several days to think about it. I have to much to do this weekend to mess with it till next week. Just time to think and read your posts.
 
I been carrying an "Agent" for 25 years. I have an unshrouded Cobra I carry in dress clothes. Actually the Police Positive 4" or Dick Special 3" is the best steel format ;)
 
I, too, have a factory-shroud Agent for pocket carry. If I were going to go with the larger gripframe, I think I'd go ahead and get the Detective Special. For anything but pocket carry, the extra weight of the steel frame is negligible, and I don't think I'd try pocket carry with either the Cobra or the D. Spl., since the longer gripframe would make it too unwieldy for me.

I'm all lusty for a 3" Detective Special or a 4" Diamondback. Love those D-frames!
 
Peter,

I asked Chuck Hawks the same question. Chuck is an author of numerous articles and gun reviews - www.chuckhawks.com He came back with the recoil is obvious less in the DS, but the Cobra is still very manageable. At the end of the day the Cobra being lighter makes a difference. I picked up a Cobra and the recoil is manageable and with rubber grips it is no big deal. If you are only carrying for a short time, it probably won't make a difference. I like the lighter revolver. The post '72 DS can take about 3000 rounds of +P before it needs to be examined by Colt, the post '72 Cobra is good for about 1500 rounds of +P. Can't go wrong with either, go with what feels better to you.
 
Cobra & Detective Special have same grip frame

As the main maker of aftermarket grips from the invention of these weapons as the Fitz Pistol Grip Co. they both take the same grip if they are the long frames. The Det Spl frame was shortened during WW2 to save steel and there is a current short frame version also. I have better grips for the long frame pistols that also have the name of Agent and Police Positive and Police Positive Special. My grips were designed to help officers shoot better to help them earn better monthly shooting pay.
It is unusual that the shortened frame will fit inside of one of my long frame grips and some customers have filled in the gap with wood putty so they could shoot better. All my grips hold the pinkie finger in the proper place on the grip and not under the grip.
 
I carried a Cobra as a BUG for nearly 20 years. I never had a problem qualifying with it and I also shot it quite a bit on my own. It eventually went out of time and started to shave lead. There was no local `smith that would fix it and Colt was going through labor problems, so I traded it for some other gun. I wish I had it back. When I bought it, I had a choice between it and a Detective Special. I took the Cobra because of the weight.

Now my "always" gun is a Smith 340SC, alias the "beast".

John
 
On the DS, the red color could be residue from the original bluing process if the gun has been very little used--or, yes, it could be out-and-out rust. After 30 years around guns there's still a lot I don't know about them, but the idea that steel could be, I guess, stained by "red oil" is a new one!

My DS, which I stupidly traded away, was the best-shooting small revolver I ever owned, even with its original walnut stocks, which is saying something. Recently I replaced it, unfortunately not with another DS, but with an S&W Model 342PD, whose Hogue Bantam grips make it nearly as nice to shoot as my DS, even with the Smith's lighter frame.

But I don't shoot +P's in the Smith, although it's rated for them, and I wouldn't shoot them in either a DS or a Cobra. I believe my Federal Nyclad HP standard-pressure rounds are a good defensive cartridge, and I don't want the control problem that I seem to have with the additional recoil of +P's in a revolver this size.
 
Cobra and Detective Special grips

Thought the Cobra and Det. Special Grips were same size. The Agent's grips were smaller


"My thinking is if I want to shoot a lot go for the Detective special because of the steel frame, but the grips are slightly longer then the cobra so it will be harder to carry"

1967 Agent

p0838_1085332161_Gun_Agent.JPG
 
Grip frames come in two sizes on both. Grips for the long frame are all one size-grips for the short frame can be long or short.Agents only came in short grip frames. There is no difference between a short grip framed Cobra and an Agent save the markings.
 
Thanks to all of you.

I will go down tomorrow and look at them again. I am pretty convinced to pass on the "red oil" one but the Cobra and Agent need a good review. If I go for it, I will let you know via a few picts.

I appreciate the advice.
 
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