...I have an opportunity to get a NIB Detective Special(1964) or a near mint Cobra(1957)...condition is not the issue..but I am seriously thinking of getting a CCW permit..will use standard loads as I believe articles stating that hot loads are really not so much an increase in power as they are in noise and flash...the reason being the short barrel...the steel frame of the Det is 6 oz more in weight....15 vs 21 oz......who thinks what?
Torn between two Colt snub-noses.....
- Thread starter aspen1964
- Start date
Sir William
New member
No question, purchase them both. LOL I easily vote Detective Special. 158 gr cartridges only, that is what the factory regulated the sights for. Federal Hydra-Shoks work well. Speer Gold Dots and Winchester Silver Tips are decent too.
I recently got my ccw permit and my first purchase was a very nice 1974 Detective Special. I took it to the range and put about 50 rounds of Winchester White Box .38 ammo thru it. After the session I detemined 2 things:
1) I want another NIB DS 3rd issue to keep as a "safe queen"
2) I want to put Pacymayr grips on the one I'm going to use as a shooter. The wood grips are beautiful, but they can be slippery. The Pachmayr provide more grip and absorb recoil (albeit minimal) nicely.
That being said, I just bought my first IWB holster for the DS. After carrying it around strong side behind the hip for a few hours, I did begin to wonder "What would a Cobra feel like". I guess because I'm not used to carrying, I'm wondering what the lighter gun will feel like.
I'll second what Sir William said: buy both!!!!
1) I want another NIB DS 3rd issue to keep as a "safe queen"
2) I want to put Pacymayr grips on the one I'm going to use as a shooter. The wood grips are beautiful, but they can be slippery. The Pachmayr provide more grip and absorb recoil (albeit minimal) nicely.
That being said, I just bought my first IWB holster for the DS. After carrying it around strong side behind the hip for a few hours, I did begin to wonder "What would a Cobra feel like". I guess because I'm not used to carrying, I'm wondering what the lighter gun will feel like.
I'll second what Sir William said: buy both!!!!
Dave Swaffield
New member
aspen1964,
If you are serious c/w the CCW permit, I'd definitely go with the Cobra. 6 ounces is a lot of weight after carrying for 8+ hours. As much as I like my steel revolvers, I carry an airweight 24/7.
I sincerely hope you pick up that Cobra, as it's near impossible in the Cleveland area to find a decent one at a decent price.
Good luck to you.
Semper fi,
Dave Swaffield
If you are serious c/w the CCW permit, I'd definitely go with the Cobra. 6 ounces is a lot of weight after carrying for 8+ hours. As much as I like my steel revolvers, I carry an airweight 24/7.
I sincerely hope you pick up that Cobra, as it's near impossible in the Cleveland area to find a decent one at a decent price.
Good luck to you.
Semper fi,
Dave Swaffield
I've got a newer (1982) pristine nickel Detective, and 2 first series Cobra's, which are in great mechanical shape, but have been used over the years, so show wear in the bluing.
I love the looks of the DS, and it has a place of honor hidden in the kitchen where my lovely bride of 38 years can access it easily in the event a bg ever stopped by.
BUT, the Cobra's are my choice for personal carry.
Even tho the difference in weight between the steel DS and the alloy Cobra's don't sound like a lot, the Cobra's FEEL like they are a pile lighter..
I generally* prefer the trigger's and trigger actions of any of the Colt's over the J-Frame Smiths I have.
I consider all snubbies to be "last ditch", "get off me" personal defense weapons, so I don't get too excited about the slight differences in trigger feel.
*But if you are plinking, or casual target shooting, then nothing beats the modern target trigger on my J-Frame 638. (With Crimson Trace LG's on it).
But, you just gotta love the old D frame Colt snubbies.
Best Wishes,
JP
I love the looks of the DS, and it has a place of honor hidden in the kitchen where my lovely bride of 38 years can access it easily in the event a bg ever stopped by.
BUT, the Cobra's are my choice for personal carry.
Even tho the difference in weight between the steel DS and the alloy Cobra's don't sound like a lot, the Cobra's FEEL like they are a pile lighter..
I generally* prefer the trigger's and trigger actions of any of the Colt's over the J-Frame Smiths I have.
I consider all snubbies to be "last ditch", "get off me" personal defense weapons, so I don't get too excited about the slight differences in trigger feel.
*But if you are plinking, or casual target shooting, then nothing beats the modern target trigger on my J-Frame 638. (With Crimson Trace LG's on it).
But, you just gotta love the old D frame Colt snubbies.
Best Wishes,
JP
I carried a Cobra as a primary or BUG for nearly 20 years. It's a good gun. For about 5 years, I carried a Smith 649. The weight was a pain in pocket or IWB carry after a few hours but I lived with it.
Now that I'm retired, I want less weight and went to the "beast", my Smith 340SC. It carries very easily in paddle, pocket, IWB, and ankle holsters. The weight savings is worth the recoil since the snub is not designed as a plinker.
When I bought the Cobra back in `68, I had the choice between it and a comparably priced DS. I'm glad I chose the Cobra,
John
Now that I'm retired, I want less weight and went to the "beast", my Smith 340SC. It carries very easily in paddle, pocket, IWB, and ankle holsters. The weight savings is worth the recoil since the snub is not designed as a plinker.
When I bought the Cobra back in `68, I had the choice between it and a comparably priced DS. I'm glad I chose the Cobra,
John
The Immortal
New member
Colt vs. Detective Special
When I was growing up my father always carried either a Colt Cobra or a Detective Special. One was stainless and one was magnesium. Moreover, he had a special clip grip that allowed for him to carry in his waist band. Now that I'm older with my own CCW, I find, I'm by coinsidence following in his footsteps. While I have his guns, I would not dream of carrying them, on the chance they were lost, stolen or confiscated. I opted for SW Titanium 38 Special. More times than not, if I run out of the house for anything, that's my go to gun. Shoots +P. and is available in .357 magnum.
When I was growing up my father always carried either a Colt Cobra or a Detective Special. One was stainless and one was magnesium. Moreover, he had a special clip grip that allowed for him to carry in his waist band. Now that I'm older with my own CCW, I find, I'm by coinsidence following in his footsteps. While I have his guns, I would not dream of carrying them, on the chance they were lost, stolen or confiscated. I opted for SW Titanium 38 Special. More times than not, if I run out of the house for anything, that's my go to gun. Shoots +P. and is available in .357 magnum.
The Immortal
New member
jrklaus
I use that one. It is light and concealable.
I use that one. It is light and concealable.
I would do the Detective special. It sounds like it is in better condition, it can occasionally take hotter +P loads (I think), it carrys in my pocket just fine, it weighs a little so it will cut down a little on the recoil (and that that recoil with the Detective special alone will be hard enough. Mine really kicks back shooting regular .38 special rounds)
Buy Both~!
Sounds like a good idea too me.
Cuz, I very recently acquired 2X 2nd issue Colt's Detective Specials myself.
The first one is a slightly used 2 incher with the original Coltwood grips, that
I would rate in a very solid 92+% condition. The other one is a factory nickel
model that would command a 98% condition, at the very least. Neither is for
sale~!
Sounds like a good idea too me.
Cuz, I very recently acquired 2X 2nd issue Colt's Detective Specials myself.
The first one is a slightly used 2 incher with the original Coltwood grips, that
I would rate in a very solid 92+% condition. The other one is a factory nickel
model that would command a 98% condition, at the very least. Neither is for
sale~!