Opinions on Colt's Detective Special, Cobra and Agent

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Doug.38PR

Moderator
I'm considering getting one of the three named revolvers for summer carry in a few months.

I'd like to know the varying opinions of the Detective Special, Cobra and Agent. They are essentially the same gun with weight differences.

I'm starting to lean towards getting either a Cobra or Agent because they are a little lighter but is there a trade off there? Can the latter two lighter guns take +P rounds?

What are your opinions?


Thanks,
Doug
 
Doug,

The D-Framed Colts can handle an intermediate diet of +P ammo if they are later models with the shrouded extractor rods. A friend of mine used to own one of the later Cobra's -- essentially a LW Det. Spl. -- and carried it a lot, fired it a little. Recoil can be harsh with the lightweights, especially using (as we did then) 146gr LSWC-HPs loaded to a 950 FPS in a 4" test barrel (per the loading manual).

The Colts are great guns, however you won't find too many gunsmiths willing to tackle an action problem with the Colts. The reason is that the Colt lockwork is delicately timed and much more finicky than S&W. Keep this in mind.

If you get the Cobra or Agent, I'd not fire many +P rounds in them, due to the older alloy frames. I'd be tempted to find or load up that 146gr LSWC round again but around 875-900fps and let the SWC do the work instead of a hollow point.

Colts are wonderful guns and my only example right now is a new model Colt Police Positive Special -- looks like a 4" Det. Special! -- and it'll go on my CHL soon, but seldom be carried. It's just too purdy for that. :cool:

Whatever you buy .... give us pics! :D
 
I carry a Detective Special. The trigger is very nice, way better than a "j" frame S&W. Holding 6 rounds instead of 5 is of some advantage. It is heavy, I think about 22 ounces. The hammer seems to be specifically designed to hang up on your pocket when you draw. It is rated for 3000 rounds of +p by Colt. The alloy models are rated for 2000, if I remember correctly. The factory recommends inspection at that time. It does not mean that there will be anything wrong. But remember, there are no new frames and limited parts available for these guns. So consider them for occasional +p use only.
The trigger pull being lighter and better was of critical importance to me. It is fairly easy to shoot for a snub nose.
I am still considering a smith j frame, because at times, the thing feels like a boat anchor. My opinion may be different from yours, I am quite weak from inflammatory arthritis.
Mike
 
The older detective specials and the cobras have longer grip frames. The newer detective special and the agent have the shorter grip frame.

I think that the only real differrence between an agent and a cobra is about 1/2 of an inch of extra length in the cobra's grip frame. All three are excellent carry guns. The agent is the smallest and lightest of the three.
 
I have an Agent, mfgd in '76. I am very pleased with it, and I would be happy to carry any of the short-butted D-frames.
 
I have a Cobra that I think was manufactured sometime before 1974. I carry it often, as it is extremely light and reliable. I think this is one of the 2 guns I own that I will probably never sell. I was amazed at how accurate it was the 1st time I shot it.
 
I carried a Cobra as a BUG for 20 years. It eventually got out of time and started to shave bullets. Colt said they could not guarantee repairs so I sold it and bought some other gun. I wish I could find another in good condition. The buyer was aware of the condition but he was a shade tree `smith and said he'd like to work on it,

John
 
I just bought two LNIB Detectives... I'm thrilled with them. They're very comfortable to shoot and hit with surprising accuracy. Personally, I'd avoid the light weight versions unless you really won't be shooting it much. If you plan to do some good shooting with it, the all-steel is more comfortable to shoot and will stand up better to the occasional use of +P ammo. On the one hand, if you get a really beautiful one, they're almost too beautiful to carry. So you might want to look for one that isn't absolutely gorgeous... you might be more inclined to carry it! ;)

The first one I bought was so beautiful I decided I had to get another one to carry and shoot. Then when the second one arrived, it was as beautiful and flawless as the first one! But I don't need two safe queens, so the second one is beginning to see some use.

DetSpl_LF1565.jpg
 
I've owned an old model Agent and Cobra; as well as a new model DS.
Of the three, I liked the Agent (without shroud and enclosed ejector
rod) the best. I think the weight of this little gun was 14 ozs, making
it an excellent choice for CCW purposes.

Best Wishes,
 
Wow

I just bought two LNIB Detectives... I'm thrilled with them. They're very comfortable to shoot and hit with surprising accuracy. Personally, I'd avoid the light weight versions unless you really won't be shooting it much. If you plan to do some good shooting with it, the all-steel is more comfortable to shoot and will stand up better to the occasional use of +P ammo. On the one hand, if you get a really beautiful one, they're almost too beautiful to carry. So you might want to look for one that isn't absolutely gorgeous... you might be more inclined to carry it!
Click to expand...
The first one I bought was so beautiful I decided I had to get another one to carry and shoot. Then when the second one arrived, it was as beautiful and flawless as the first one! But I don't need two safe queens, so the second one is beginning to see some use.
Click to expand...

I do believe you are in love. :o You need to get a ring and propose to one of these guns. One of them will have to be brokenhearted but she will get over it ;)

I own two Colt Official Police revolvers four inch barrels. (one a 1940s model the other a later 1960s model) Bought them in kinda beat up condition. Had them reblued and repaired (the latter is away receiving treatment) and they too are beautiful. Personally, I think the 1944 version looks better. I like the small ejector rod cap, the half moon sight and the older type hammer. But I have no prob carrying either of them. I use nylon shoulder and hip holsters. I think leather tends to wear away bluing but I maybe wrong there. When I got the first gun, I noticed there was a lot of bluing weared away on the end of the barrel as though from a policeman pulling it from a holster early in it's life.

Anyway, that is a nice gun in the picture there. I've personally looked at two detective specials with massive grips such as the ones shown in your picture (only made of wood not rubber). While the massive grips might give you better control of the gun, is there any way that mass, in it's "fattening" of the butt of the frame gets in the way of a speedloader? It looks like some of that mass is expanded out in front of the back of the cylinder a little to where it might get in the way of a speedloader.
On the other hand a small backupgun isn't likely to need a whole lot of speedloader use.....nor will any gun for that matter.
 
Wow

I just bought two LNIB Detectives... I'm thrilled with them. They're very comfortable to shoot and hit with surprising accuracy. Personally, I'd avoid the light weight versions unless you really won't be shooting it much. If you plan to do some good shooting with it, the all-steel is more comfortable to shoot and will stand up better to the occasional use of +P ammo. On the one hand, if you get a really beautiful one, they're almost too beautiful to carry. So you might want to look for one that isn't absolutely gorgeous... you might be more inclined to carry it!
Click to expand...
The first one I bought was so beautiful I decided I had to get another one to carry and shoot. Then when the second one arrived, it was as beautiful and flawless as the first one! But I don't need two safe queens, so the second one is beginning to see some use.
Click to expand...

I do believe you are in love. :o You need to get a ring and propose to one of these guns. One of them will have to be brokenhearted but she will get over it ;)

I own two Colt Official Police revolvers four inch barrels. (one a 1940s model the other a later 1960s model) Bought them in kinda beat up condition. Had them reblued and repaired (the latter is away receiving treatment) and they too are beautiful. Personally, I think the 1944 version looks better. I like the small ejector rod cap, the half moon sight and the older type hammer. But I have no prob carrying either of them. I keep a good coat of oil on them and clean them whenever I use them. I also use nylon shoulder and hip holsters. I think leather tends to wear away bluing but I maybe wrong there. When I got the first gun, I noticed there was a lot of bluing weared away on the end of the barrel as though from a policeman pulling it from a holster early in it's life.

Anyway, that is a nice gun in the picture there. I've personally looked at two detective specials with massive grips such as the ones shown in your picture (only made of wood not rubber). While the massive grips might give you better control of the gun, is there any way that mass, in it's "fattening" of the butt of the frame gets in the way of a speedloader? It looks like some of that mass is expanded out in front of the back of the cylinder a little to where it might get in the way of a speedloader.
 
Hmmm

Of the three, I liked the Agent (without shroud and enclosed ejector
Click to expand...

I think I might go for that. While it may not hold up with +P ammo, it is lighter and less bulky and therefore better able to conceal comfortably. +P ammo really isn't that big of a deal since it is supposed to be a backup gun in my case not a primary. I think that's what I'll shoot for with the next gun show coming up. What do the prices run for on those guns (older Detective Specials run about $400+, what about the older Agents?)
 
I always liked the Dick Special. When I was younger, I thought they were the coolest thing since anything.

Then I discovered the joy of Smith & Wesson revolvers.

About 12 years ago I got a good deal on a late 1960s Detective Special with a Colt hammer shroud. Beautiful condition, shot like a dream.

One problem, though. After years of shooting Smith & Wessons, I discovered that I simply hated the "pull the latch to release the cylinder" mode of operation, and couldn't get used to it.

After about a year and a half, I reluctantly traded it back to the dealer I bought it from towards a nice, 3" nickeled S&W Chief's Special.
 
Colt Snubs

I used to love Colt Detective Specials, still do, hence my alias. But after 2 Detective Specials an Agent and a Cobra, I've given up, because I just can't shoot accurately with them. I'm not a great shot, but I'm a good shot and with the Colt's, all four of them, I shoot high and to the left a good 4-6 inches at 12-15 yds. Even when changing bullet weights, and different factory ammo, the results were the same. Since then, I've sold them and went to the S&W J frames and consistently keep my bullets in the 4" bullseye.
 
I've got two early Cobra's and and I love both of them. They are more fun to shoot than either of my J-Frame Smiths, and are more accurate than I am.

I like the Cobra's the same way I like my 1986 El Camino. I just enjoy the quality of older things.

I keep hearing about the "timing" problems with old Colt's, but so far I haven't had any problem with either of them. I put a set of "Barami Hip Grip" grips on one of them, and it makes for a very concealable carry pistol.

Classics....

Best Wishes. :D
 
I love my 1975 Cobra. I carry +p Federal Hydra-shocks in it for defense. I love to carry it in an IWB holster from El Paso Saddelry. I have only shot standard pressure rounds through it and very few of them. It is extremely accurate and one I would not part with. It's not a range gun for me. When I'm looking for a revolver to accompany me to the range I go for my 686, 66, model 10, or the like.
 
While I have 3 steel D framed guns the 2" barrel D frames are as follow: a 1950's Cobra with bigger round grip frame, a late 60's unshrouded small grip frame Cobra that came in a real compact Colt skeleton holster and a late 70's parkerised Agent. The small grip frame unshrouded Cobra weighs 16oz WITH the Colt holster and is a tiny concealed package which I wear under suit &tie -or more formal occasions.The unshrouded barrel guns have a shorter barrel and are smaller and lighter.
The Early pristine "Jack Ruby" Cobra is an elegant safe queen.
The Agent is my everyday carry piece, it is the third such agent I've had since the late 60's. This one was "tuned" , by a pistolsmith named Sadowski in the middle 80's and can shoot so tight a group(dead on ) I won't shock you with relating! It also has a 6 pound RELIABLE DA trigger. It is butt ugly unfinished outside with it's parkerized unpolished finish and a bobbed hammer. I have tried all kinds of grips and have come back to the compact Colt OEM rubber Pachmayer's for the best control with reasonable size.
In these guns I shoot 158 grain SWCHP + p ammo, maybe 100 rounds a year in the Agent , and 50 in the "formal " Cobra . They are dead on at 15yards with this ammo like I said shockingly accurate! Side by side with a J frame (which I have a few!) ain't no comparison.
The 2 Earlier Agents I had , the first I wore out pretty well carrying and qualifying -as a Fed Agent. The second shrouded blued Agent I had in late 70's I started using +p+ 110grain Treasury loads in, thinking I had the magic featherweight sword. After a few THOUSAND of those it started getting sick- I didn't realise till too late what BOMBS those loads are and I sold the gun when it loosened in about 5 years of hiking use and carry. The current agent has only about 1000 of the 158 grain lead loads thru it and will prolly last as long as I do- MAYBE another 20 years G-d willing! :)
 
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