Colt Detective SpecialThis is a featured page

Colt Detective SpecialModel: Colt Detective Special
When someone pictures a revolver, this is one of the common possibilities that comes to mind. This snubnosed revolver based on the Colt Police Positive has been around since 1927 and is here to stay, even with production by Colt ending in 1995. It was named after its intended use as a powerful, compact weapon that could be carried concealed by detectives and plainclothes police officers. It was the first swing-out revolver of high quality to be designed as a concealed weapon.

Several series ran during this gun's life. The First Series had a distinctive checkered hammer spur and cylinder latch, knurled and ungrooved short ejector rod, and originally a square, narrow butt. The Second Series had a longer ejector rod with a groove in the tip, a serrated trigger spur, and a smooth cylinder latch. The Third Series had a shrouded ejector rod, wood grip panels that wrapped around the front strap, and some upgrades to the internal lockwork. While production ended in 1986, it was temporarily restarted in 1993 as a Fourth Series with rubber grips and a gold medallion. Production ended in 1995, so far appearing to be permanent, but a large amount of the revolvers were produced.


Specifications:
Weight:
 1.31 lb (0.06 kg).
Length:
 6.7 in (171 mm).
Barrel Length:
 2.13 in (54 mm).
Cartridge:
 .38 Special
.32 New Police
.38 New Police
Action:
 Double/single action
Muzzle Velocity:
 700 ft/s (213 m/s).
Effective Range:
 35 yd (30 m).
Feed System:
 Swing-out cylinder. 6
Sights:
 Front blade
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Where to find

This gun has seen an extremely long production run, making it not uncommon in civilian stores. Price ranges from $450 to $650 depending on age, condition, and series.


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Complexity

As a revolver, the Detective Special cannot jam and is much less picky about ammo quality than a semi-automatic. It includes the Colt Positive Safety Lock, blocking the hammer from physically hitting the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled to lower the block; this makes the gun effectively drop safe as long as the trigger is forward.
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Controls

  • Cylinder latch: Located behind the cylinder on the left side.
  • Hammer: Located on the rear of the gun.
  • Ejector rod: Located on the front of the cylinder.

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Loading

Condition One, or "Locked and Cocked." Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer cocked and safety applied.
    Cannot be done.
Condition Two. Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.

  1. Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
  2. Push the cylinder catch and push the cylinder to the left with your fingers from the right side.
  3. Take the appropriate number of cartridges and push them all the way into the chambers in the cylinder.
  4. Push the cylinder shut.

    Condition Three. Chamber empty, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.
    This is not a "true" Condition Three, but works essentially the same.
    1. Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
    2. Push the cylinder catch and push the cylinder to the left with your fingers from the right side.
    3. Take the appropriate number of cartridges and push them all the way into the chambers in the cylinder, leaving one chamber empty.
    4. Rotate the cylinder so that the empty chamber is at the top and push it closed, leaving the hammer resting on an empty chamber.

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      Unloading

      How to unload the firearm and make safe. Presented in a numbered list.
      1. Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
      2. Push the cylinder catch and push the cylinder to the left with your fingers from the right side.
      3. Push down firmly on the ejector rod on the end of the cylinder with the barrel pointed up to push the rounds out of the cylinder.
      4. Check the cylinder for any ammunition remaining.
      5. Close the cylinder.

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      Field Stripping

      The Colt Detective Special is designed to be cleaned without any field stripping whatsoever. Only a competent gunsmith trained in the weapon should disassemble the revolver.



      chitoryu12
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      Keyword tags: .38 .38 special american colt detective firearm gun handgun pistol revolver snubnose special USA weapon
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