wpeel
.30 Stingray
Posts: 201 
|
Post by wpeel on Jul 8, 2023 20:25:52 GMT -5
 I inherited my dad's second variation Colt Detective Special. This particular one was made in 1955-1956, has the unshrouded ejector rod and is nickeled. My questions are - how durable is this gun and who are the best remaining Colt revolver gunsmiths for when the gun needs service? I would probably practice with standard factory 158 grain fodder and carry a cylinder full of +P. I understand that a steady diet of +P will accelerate wear, thus the gunsmith question. |
|
|
|
Post by potatojudge on Jul 8, 2023 20:42:37 GMT -5
Are you familiar with the procedure for checking that gun to see if it is working correctly?
People usually recommend Frank Glenn, but I sent him a Colt that came back doing just what it did when I sent it in.
I've taken to just fixing Colt DA guns myself, but the system has some voodoo. The Kuhnhausen books are great for the Colt DA.
I think a checkout, then deciding if there is an issue that needs addressing, then deciding the best course of repair is the way to go rather than just putting a name in your back pocket.
|
|
wpeel
.30 Stingray
Posts: 201
|
Post by wpeel on Jul 8, 2023 21:42:31 GMT -5
Thank you for your reply. I remember that this gun was carried a lot, or resident in the car glove box...but it was shot little. Usually only to dispatch a porcupine on the hunt club property or other occasional chores. In dry fire, everything seems to be doing what it should, but I haven't put any rounds through it in probably over thirty years. I've often considered the Kuhnhausen books...maybe it's time to purchase a couple.
|
|
|
|
Post by potatojudge on Jul 8, 2023 21:45:57 GMT -5
|
|
wpeel
.30 Stingray
Posts: 201
|
Post by wpeel on Jul 8, 2023 22:03:04 GMT -5
Again, thank you. I already knew a fair amount of what is contained in that document...and I also learned a thing or two. That's a good resource that is now resident on my desktop.
|
|
|
|
Post by bradshaw on Jul 9, 2023 7:51:35 GMT -5
View AttachmentI inherited my dad's second variation Colt Detective Special. This particular one was made in 1955-1956, has the unshrouded ejector rod and is nickeled. My questions are - how durable is this gun and who are the best remaining Colt revolver gunsmiths for when the gun needs service? I would probably practice with standard factory 158 grain fodder and carry a cylinder full of +P. I understand that a steady diet of +P will accelerate wear, thus the gunsmith question. ***** The Colt Detective Special, popularly nicknamed the "Dick Special” back in the day, has steel frame, making it more robust than its aluminum-frame counterpart, the Cobra. These use vintage New Service-type lockwork predating Colt’s attempts at making a double action the didn’t require hand fitting. Hand fitting is not just labor intensive, hand fitting os SKILL INTENSIVE. Jerry Moran is a Python maestro, and by extension knows this old lockwork. Beyond servicing his own guns, Jerry no longer does this work. I’ll ask him if he has a recommendation. Years ago I choreographed a variety of .38 Special, standard and +P, in snub nose Smiths, and found minimal velocity gain from +P, thus quitting its use in the S&W belly guns. I’d put more though into bullet selection and less in velocity. Speaking with Jerry Moran now. “Those guns have basic New Service-type lockwork,” says Moran. But, the bolt and pack are small and delicate. The bolt is thin. Fragile; people don’t work on them." David Bradshaw |
|
|
|
Post by taffin on Jul 9, 2023 9:49:24 GMT -5
View AttachmentI inherited my dad's second variation Colt Detective Special. This particular one was made in 1955-1956, has the unshrouded ejector rod and is nickeled. My questions are - how durable is this gun and who are the best remaining Colt revolver gunsmiths for when the gun needs service? I would probably practice with standard factory 158 grain fodder and carry a cylinder full of +P. I understand that a steady diet of +P will accelerate wear, thus the gunsmith question. WORRY SMALL |
|
|
|
Post by boxhead on Jul 9, 2023 23:18:02 GMT -5
There is not a revolver that I would not send to Alan Harton. At least one I would own.
|
|
wpeel
.30 Stingray
Posts: 201
|
Post by wpeel on Jul 10, 2023 10:23:04 GMT -5
So I guess what I'm hearing is that gunsmiths that are truly able to work on the first and second series Detective Specials are a very rare and vanishing breed. That being the case, the gun should remain a seldom fired heirloom, or carried a lot but shoot a little?
Sounds like I need to purchase a second Ruger SP-101 if I intend to utilize the "New York Reload."
|
|
|
|
Post by potatojudge on Jul 10, 2023 10:44:58 GMT -5
Shoot it and deal with repairs if it develops issues.
Most problems can be traced to the hand, bolt, or rebound lever. Sometimes a hand will need to be stretched or replaced. A new bolt/rebound lever takes care of timing issues. The rebound lever is some voodoo, but the Kuhnhausen book has what you need to understand and fit one.
In the meantime, see if you can source new and unaltered parts: hand, bolt, rebound lever, mainspring. Parts that have been fit to another gun may not have enough metal in the hand-fit areas to be made to function in another gun.
|
|
|
|
Post by 45MAN on Jul 10, 2023 13:03:14 GMT -5
FOR REPAIRS, IF NEEDED, THERE ARE A LOT OF LOCAL GUNSMITHS OUT THERE THAT PROBABLY COULD HELP. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A FINELY TUNED COMPETITON REBOLVER THEN YOU CAN LOOK FOR ONE OF THE MASTER SMITHS.
I HAD A PRE-WAR COLT OFFICERS MODEL 32 LONG THAT HAD AN ACTION ISSUE. ON A TRIP TO SAN ANTONIO I TOOK IT TO NAGEL's GUN SHOP AND DROPPED IT OFF - THEY FIXED IT. ALSO HAD A S&W MODEL 27 WITH A DANGEROUSLY LIGHT HAIR TRIGGER, TOOK IT TO NAGEL's AND GOT IT FIXED.
|
|
|
|
Post by boxhead on Jul 12, 2023 23:25:27 GMT -5
FOR REPAIRS, IF NEEDED, THERE ARE A LOT OF LOCAL GUNSMITHS OUT THERE THAT PROBABLY COULD HELP. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A FINELY TUNED COMPETITON REBOLVER THEN YOU CAN LOOK FOR ONE OF THE MASTER SMITHS. I HAD A PRE-WAR COLT OFFICERS MODEL 32 LONG THAT HAD AN ACTION ISSUE. ON A TRIP TO SAN ANTONIO I TOOK IT TO NAGEL's GUN SHOP AND DROPPED IT OFF - THEY FIXED IT. ALSO HAD A S&W MODEL 27 WITH A DANGEROUSLY LIGHT HAIR TRIGGER, TOOK IT TO NAGEL's AND GOT IT FIXED. Last time I was at Nagel's, maybe five months ago, it appeared they were closing. |
|
|
|
Post by 45MAN on Jul 13, 2023 5:38:00 GMT -5
FOR REPAIRS, IF NEEDED, THERE ARE A LOT OF LOCAL GUNSMITHS OUT THERE THAT PROBABLY COULD HELP. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A FINELY TUNED COMPETITON REBOLVER THEN YOU CAN LOOK FOR ONE OF THE MASTER SMITHS. I HAD A PRE-WAR COLT OFFICERS MODEL 32 LONG THAT HAD AN ACTION ISSUE. ON A TRIP TO SAN ANTONIO I TOOK IT TO NAGEL's GUN SHOP AND DROPPED IT OFF - THEY FIXED IT. ALSO HAD A S&W MODEL 27 WITH A DANGEROUSLY LIGHT HAIR TRIGGER, TOOK IT TO NAGEL's AND GOT IT FIXED. Last time I was at Nagel's, maybe five months ago, it appeared they were closing. I WAS LAST AT NAGEL's IN EARLY MARCH OF THIS YEAR AND THOUGHT THE SAME THING BUT THEY SAID THEY WERE REMODELING. |
|
I inherited my dad's second variation Colt Detective Special. This particular one was made in 1955-1956, has the unshrouded ejector rod and is nickeled. My questions are - how durable is this gun and who are the best remaining Colt revolver gunsmiths for when the gun needs service? I would probably practice with standard factory 158 grain fodder and carry a cylinder full of +P. I understand that a steady diet of +P will accelerate wear, thus the gunsmith question.
