Who has a Colt Cobra or Detective .38 ???
- Thread starter crazydog
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Danus ex
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I have a Detective Special. It shoots wonderfully--the DS is my first choice in concealed carry.
SnWnMe
Member
I find that the hump at the top of the grip frame is not pronounced enough to keep my firing grip from slipping during rapid DA fire. But it's a very accurate little gun.
Diamondback
Member
+1......I have 3......two Third Issue 2" and a 3" stainless DS-II.
- Regards
popeye
Member
DS was introduced in 1927 ( I THINK ) and still a desirable carry gun. I prefer the short butt frame newer style. Only because more grip panel variations are available. I've got a Cobra (non shrouded ejector rod) and a DS (shrouded) . I wish I would have bought a 3" "magnum carry"? when they were still in production. I carry the Cobra all the time.
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Dravur
Member
I have
a couple of each and they are great little guns. The Cobras are not something I would shoot lots of high pressure rounds out of however.
a couple of each and they are great little guns. The Cobras are not something I would shoot lots of high pressure rounds out of however.
Bart Noir
Member
Yowzer, Old Fuff! I'm not sure I can even see the K-zone at that distance.
But my experiences with Det Specials and the Agent (small grip lightweight gun before the Cobra went to the small grip) have been nothing but good. They are fun and easier to shoot well than you might expect. I generally do well with the Colt trigger design, where it gets heavier just before letoff.
But the Cobra / Agent will definitely recoil more. And I stick to standard pressure loads in them.
Bart Noir
But my experiences with Det Specials and the Agent (small grip lightweight gun before the Cobra went to the small grip) have been nothing but good. They are fun and easier to shoot well than you might expect. I generally do well with the Colt trigger design, where it gets heavier just before letoff.
But the Cobra / Agent will definitely recoil more. And I stick to standard pressure loads in them.
Bart Noir
L
LaP
Guest
Owned a Colt Cobra for ten years '94-04. Bought it from a NYS trooper for $150. Great revolver...loved the 6 rounds. BUT, it was a little too heavy for pocket carry (my opinion) and I traded it for a S&W 642. I know people will think I was insane (I've been called worse). After ten years of shooting the Cobra, I just wanted something lighter and carry friendly. No regrets.
I own a colt cobra 1966 version, short grip and slant front sight. I love this gun it shoots a lot better than my 442 S&W, plus it's six rounds. I use non +P ammo in the gun, 125 Nyclads and 125 Gold Dots. Two speed loaders and a pair of Badger grips. What I love is the tight lock up of the cylinder when the trigger is pulled to the rear. Much tighter than S&W. Don't get me wrong I still like my 442, but I like the Colt much better. My colt is in great conditon. Holster I use a Blackhawk Bernes holster. It fits my colt and my S&W. Holster has an elastic on the front so it fits this gun very well.
I want another Colt either Detective Special or Agent in great shape, that's how much I like these guns.
I want another Colt either Detective Special or Agent in great shape, that's how much I like these guns.
Diamondback
Member
I just bought one of these on line......happy to hear it will work for my Colt as well as the S&W J frame. Gotta' love the old Bernes-Martin design....and Blackhawk's price !...perhaps it would work with the 2" Ruger SP-101 too ???
http://www.gearzoneproducts.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=777
-regards
Vern Humphrey
Member
Several years back, I bought a Detective Special for about $225 through Gunsamerica.com (that was back when that site was actually accessable and useable.) And I can't think of a better bargain. Mine was made in the '60s, has a lot of holster wear, but is tight and reliable.
Bart Noir:
Darn if I can either....
But using 158 grain standard loads, take a careful sight picture with the head on the target sitting on the top of the front sight blade, and carefully squeeze off a shot while keeping the sights correctly aligned, front and back. Repeat 6 times and then go look at your target.
Course you don't tell anybody about this...
Darn if I can either....
But using 158 grain standard loads, take a careful sight picture with the head on the target sitting on the top of the front sight blade, and carefully squeeze off a shot while keeping the sights correctly aligned, front and back. Repeat 6 times and then go look at your target.
Course you don't tell anybody about this...
tipoc
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I've had two Deective Specials over the years. One shot very well, one did not.
Currently have a Cobra, from 1955, shoots very well. Plus P for carry. The alloy frames on the older guns will stretch with too much +P. I've shot enough to know where point of aim is but shoot standard loads for practice.
Grips can be changed to make the guns more shooter friendly. The standard factory stocks on the short frame guns are quite good for most shooters in my experience.
tipoc
Currently have a Cobra, from 1955, shoots very well. Plus P for carry. The alloy frames on the older guns will stretch with too much +P. I've shot enough to know where point of aim is but shoot standard loads for practice.
Grips can be changed to make the guns more shooter friendly. The standard factory stocks on the short frame guns are quite good for most shooters in my experience.
tipoc
saltydog452
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- Aug 1, 2004
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My bride has one.
It has a Birami Hip-grip and a Melvin Tyler grip adapter attached.
When she carries, its on her person, not in her purse.
salty.
It has a Birami Hip-grip and a Melvin Tyler grip adapter attached.
When she carries, its on her person, not in her purse.
salty.
Starter52
Member
I have one of each, in nickel. STOLE 'em both from a guy two years ago for $265 each.
Fantastic guns. Buy one and you'll never regret it.
Fantastic guns. Buy one and you'll never regret it.
whitebb
Member
Picked up a 1973 made Nickel DS last January for $150, and it is perfect. Picked up one this January, 1974 Nickel for $300, and thought I still got a great price. Awesome revolvers, can't go wrong with a COLT. I also have a Colt Agent, but thats another story!
I have a decent collection of DS's. They span the period from 1929ish to the last of production. The earlier the Colt, the better made they are. I do have a late electroless nickle finished Agent. The finish was poorly applied and was worn. I think it is an Agent, anyway it has the Aluminum frame and shrouded barrel. Weight wise, it is a better carry gun than a steel framed DS. Not as fun to shoot though. I have been very happy with the 1950's and 1960's DS's. The later model DS's lost some of the nice details that made the DS such a great snubbie.
It is always surprising how accurate one of these little pistols are. But with a snubbie, you really have to be very consistant on trigger pull and follow through.
By examining the lockworks you can see how Colt built firearms just got sloppier and sloppier as the factory machines wore out. The early DS's have very precise lockworks. The later stuff shows so many file marks, that it looks like the pieces were carved from soap. Around 2002 I was talking to a guy who had been offered the job of Production Manager at Colt. The equipment they had was very old and worn out. The owners were not interested in plowing money back into the factory.
It is always surprising how accurate one of these little pistols are. But with a snubbie, you really have to be very consistant on trigger pull and follow through.
By examining the lockworks you can see how Colt built firearms just got sloppier and sloppier as the factory machines wore out. The early DS's have very precise lockworks. The later stuff shows so many file marks, that it looks like the pieces were carved from soap. Around 2002 I was talking to a guy who had been offered the job of Production Manager at Colt. The equipment they had was very old and worn out. The owners were not interested in plowing money back into the factory.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
I Must Join In And Show My Affection For The Small COLT's
As I have 2x (factory blued) 1966 model Detective Specials; along with a
1971 (factory nickel) model. All are from the 2nd series from 1947-1972.
The nickel gun has only been test fired a total of 6 rounds~! Also, I have
a very early shrouded ejector rod Colt Agent in the high polished blue
finish. All are in fantastic shape, and have been relegated too "safe queen"
status. NO they are NOT FOR SALE, thank you very much~!
As I have 2x (factory blued) 1966 model Detective Specials; along with a
1971 (factory nickel) model. All are from the 2nd series from 1947-1972.
The nickel gun has only been test fired a total of 6 rounds~! Also, I have
a very early shrouded ejector rod Colt Agent in the high polished blue
finish. All are in fantastic shape, and have been relegated too "safe queen"
status. NO they are NOT FOR SALE, thank you very much~!
Robo_Railer
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My '76 Det. Spl. used to be mostly the backup for my Python or 1911A1, but now it's my main carry piece. It wants refinishing and some other work, but is a pretty good shooter.
From what I've learned on THR, I think I'll stick with +P for carry, lighter stuff for practice, after I've figured out any differences in POI.
I use either a Safariland #28 "Pancake" or a Desantis "Apache" ankle holster for it, HKS speedloaders and/or Bianchi Speed Strips.
The front sight is kind of a PITA to pick up sometimes; the insert that mine used to have fell out.
At pretty much any distance beyond arm's length, good aim is a wonderful thing to have.
See Grant Cunningham's site for some comments about post-'72 'D'-frame front sights.
From what I've learned on THR, I think I'll stick with +P for carry, lighter stuff for practice, after I've figured out any differences in POI.
I use either a Safariland #28 "Pancake" or a Desantis "Apache" ankle holster for it, HKS speedloaders and/or Bianchi Speed Strips.
The front sight is kind of a PITA to pick up sometimes; the insert that mine used to have fell out.
At pretty much any distance beyond arm's length, good aim is a wonderful thing to have. See Grant Cunningham's site for some comments about post-'72 'D'-frame front sights.
Gordon
Member
I'm on my 3rd Agent. It's on my CCW!
I have a nickle safe queen 1976 Detective Special, too pretty to shoot in it's box! I am down to one 1963 Cobra, it has the long frame, which I like and I have the box it came in. I also have the plastic factory Colt holster which only holds the unshrouded snubbies.It seems to be a good design, don't know why somebody doesn't use it. The plastic must be nylon as it has not deteriorated in 40 years (on non use).I have a bunch of police positives,positive targets,pocket positives,positive specials and a couple Diamondbacks from 1910-1978 the D frame was very versitile .
I have a nickle safe queen 1976 Detective Special, too pretty to shoot in it's box! I am down to one 1963 Cobra, it has the long frame, which I like and I have the box it came in. I also have the plastic factory Colt holster which only holds the unshrouded snubbies.It seems to be a good design, don't know why somebody doesn't use it. The plastic must be nylon as it has not deteriorated in 40 years (on non use).I have a bunch of police positives,positive targets,pocket positives,positive specials and a couple Diamondbacks from 1910-1978 the D frame was very versitile .
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