Colt Det Special-Conversion???

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

ah

Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2003
Messages
22
Location
Louisiana
I really like my Colt Detective Special.
I wonder if it would be possible to have it converted to a 9mm ?
Does anyone know of any gunsmiths who could do something like this?

Thanks...
 
In theory it could be converted, but in practice it would cost a fortune because someone would have to build a custom-from-scratch cylinder assembly. It might well cost more then buying a good used or new Smith & Wesson, Ruger or Taurus.
 
And then you run into another wall: where do you get moon clips?

There's no factory gun of that cylinder dimension in 9mm ever made.

Example: people have been converting Ruger SuperRedHawks to 45ACP with moon clips of late. This works because the cylinder bore dimensions are the same as S&W N-Frame cylinders, and some N-Frames came in 45ACP moonclip configuration. So the moon clips made for S&Ws fit the Ruger like a glove.

There's no equivelent for the Dick Special.
 
It would possibly be feasable with an old Dick Special chambered in .32. The cost would be prohibitive and I doubt if it would have much strength.
 
I'm trying to see why you would want to do this since the 9MM is not an improvement over a properly loaded .38 Special.
 
Oh, I get why he'd want to do it (having owned a 940). The 9x19 is a lot more efficient out of a snubbie revo than a .38 spl is, plus there's tons of cheap-o full power ammo out there.
 
I'm trying to see why you would want to do this since the 9MM is not an improvement over a properly loaded .38 Special.
Click to expand...

Not so, according to an article a few years ago in American Rifleman. 9x19 +P loads substantially exceed .38 Special +P loads. I don't remember the SAAMI numbers, but the spec for 9x19 +P is something like 26k psi, compared to something like 18k psi for .38 Special +P.
 
I have read that the 9mm round is a good performer in a snub nose revolver. Has anyone ever made a 6-shot 9mm revolver?
 
I'd think long and hard. The Dick Specials are getting harder to find in any condition, and Colt made far fewer of them than the Police Pos. Specials for fewer years. They are classics of design and balance. Hacking one up to chamber 9x19 would be pointless and would not increase its value.
 
There are plenty of Dick Specials on the market considering they were made for around 70 years. Value is relative to the owner. He may value the efficency of the 9mm cartridge in a short barrel handgun more than the actual price of the revolver. If the cost was not a concern it is an idea to give consideration.
 
Which generation are we talking about? I assumed first, though looking up I don't see it noted. The early ones were only made for about ten years and are worth more and more.

Even if it's a beat up third gen, the cost of transforming it would be greater than the cost of buying a 9mm sixgun. But that's just IMHO.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top