Lipstick on a pig.

[silicosys4]

I've got a Colt Detective Special that, according to Colt was made in 1980. It identifies as an Agent because at some point someone screwed an Agent barrel on it, but its still a steel frame gun that I'm sure Colt would letter as a Detective Special.
As far as it goes its not in bad shape, but you can tell the sideplate, cylinder, and barrel have all been replaced so the finishes are all mismatched. I don't shoot it much because snub nose revolvers just don't do it for me as a range gun and I don't carry them.

And its about to get even more Frankensteined. Because look what I found on Ebay.

I'm sure it won't be the worlds first Diper.

 

[CraigC]

I don't shoot it much because snub nose revolvers just don't do it for me as a range gun and I don't carry them.

I'm sure it won't be the worlds first Diper.

Same here. I own exactly one. Probably put 200rds through it, carried it for a little while and retired it soon after. They just ain't my thang.

Your Diper project gets my blessing.

 

[J-Bar]

I like it. Nice to have a gun to tinker with and not worry about hurting its value.

 

[Pat Riot]

I like snub nosed revolvers. But if I had a Frankensnubby I think it would be fun to “modify” it as I saw fit.
I had a High Standard Sentinel Mk IV that had a 2” barrel. I wanted to give it to my sister. It used to be my Dad’s gun. I didn’t think a snubby was a good idea for her so I bought a 4” barrel from Numrich and installed it. After I shot it I regretted that I was giving it away, but she likes it. That’s all that counts.

 

[Monac]

There used to be a small business in replacing Agent barrels with Viper barrels, because Vipers were much scarcer than Agents and therefore worth more. A factory letter would show it was a fake, but that is where gun shows came in handy. I'm suprised you could still find a Viper barrel in good shape that was not used that way. I wonder what happened with it? Anyway, I love the Police Positive 4th Issue, which is the starting point for all these varieties, so I think you have got a good gun, no matter what the markings.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Gotta say, my Det. Special isn't pleasant to shoot at all. Id trade it for a 4" in a heartbeat. Can't wait to see the result.

 

[Monac]

Gotta say, my Det. Special isn't pleasant to shoot at all. Id trade it for a 4" in a heartbeat. Can't wait to see the result.

The 4 inch is quite pleasant to shoot, even with +P loads. I have only used the factory Police Positive wood grips, which are similar in style to the Detective Special wood grips, but longer. That grip shape fits me well, whereas I have never found an S&W K-frame square butt grip I am really happy with. I have some Herretts that are decent, but I like the PP 4th issue grips better.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

I like snub nosed revolvers. But if I had a Frankensnubby I think it would be fun to “modify” it as I saw fit.
I had a High Standard Sentinel Mk IV that had a 2” barrel. I wanted to give it to my sister. It used to be my Dad’s gun. I didn’t think a snubby was a good idea for her so I bought a 4” barrel from Numrich and installed it. After I shot it I regretted that I was giving it away, but she likes it. That’s all that counts.

View attachment 1199846

I remember when Guns magazine used to include one of these Sentinels in .22 WMR in their annual subscription drive lottery. I was in my teens back then and at the time I thought this was quite the sexy beast.

I still wouldn't mind owning one someday, just to see what I missed. I did finally buy a nice Detective Special of roughly the same vintage, and I like the little Colt just fine

 

[doubleh]

I am all for the longer barrel. Snubbies just leave my boat high and dry.

 

[Monac]

I remember when Guns magazine used to include one of these Sentinels in .22 WMR in their annual subscription drive lottery. I was in my teens back then and at the time I thought this was quite the sexy beast.

I still wouldn't mind owning one someday, just to see what I missed. I did finally buy a nice Detective Special of roughly the same vintage, and I like the little Colt just fine

There are a lot of Sentinels around, although the asking prices are getting higher. I guess that's because they're getting older and age = big price to some sellers. Massad Ayoob speaks highly of them them in his 2010 book "Greatest Handguns of the World", although he points out that as inexpensive guns when they were new, they were often oiled with whatever was handy, and sometimes have gummed up badly over time. (There is a thread in this forum now about a good S&W Model 19 that somebody was able to buy cheap because of cosmetic damage and gummed up lockwork. It was fine once thoroughly cleaned).

I have a Sentinel, a short barreled one, but I have not shot it enough to have a solid opinion because of my aging eyes. They are interesting mechanically, especially the early ones with the original cylinder ratchet, but the later ones with the extractor return spring are handier to use.

Oh, and Ed Buffaloe did one of his excellent pieces about the Sentinel here: https://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/Sentinel/sentinel.html

He did another one about the Western style "Double Nine" as well.

I wish he would print his articles in book form; websites can be here today and gone tomorrow.

 

[Riomouse911]

That should come together and make a nice little gun once its done. Looking forward to seeing how it shoots once it’s ready.

I’m a snub revolver shooter myself. They certainly are a challenge, and in the case of Airweight snubs, somewhat punishing to shoot. But, they are fun to use and can be effective CCW options.

Stay safe.