In The American Rifleman, July 1926, Colt’s Detective Special (DS) made its first appearance, and had a production life that continued into the 21st century. The carbon-steel, double-action revolver features a swing-out cylinder designed around the .38 Spl. cartridge. Its size, as the moniker suggests, quickly led to the gun finding its way into the pockets of police detectives around the county, providing a concealable option for undercover, or plain-clothes, officers where duty-size revolvers, such as the Police Positive, were not appropriate. As the DS revolver’s production evolved, Colt made running changes, including alterations to the frame, ejector rod, cylinder latch, trigger shoe, hammer spur and stocks. The Detective Special began to be available in nickel- and chrome-plated finishes, along with various barrel lengths and models that shrouded the hammer spur to lessen the potential for snagging clothes when it was withdrawn from concealment. Colt filed for bankruptcy protection in 1992, and in 1995 the Detective Special was phased out. To learn more about Colt’s Detective Special, check out our latest NRA Gun of the Week video hosted by American Rifleman's Mark Keefe.
Additional Reading:
Sheriff's Tips: The Fitz Special--A Defense Gun From Yesteryear
Editors' Picks: 2018 Colt Night Cobra Revolver
Wiley Clapp: this Colt Python Business 
NRA Gun of the Week: Colt’s Detective Special
More like this from around the NRA
Latest
Subsonic Ammo 101: Everything The Suppressor Shooter Should Know
Slower-than-sound rounds are an art as much as a science. For target shooting, bullet upset is not important, but if you’re using subsonic loads for hunting or self-defense, it becomes critical.
I Have This Old Gun: Model 1874 Gras Rifle
Following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the French military were in desperate need of a new service rifle. Their answer was the Model 1874 Gras, which was largely an update to the earlier Chassepot design.
Compact & Quiet: CMMG's ZEROED Banshee
CMMG has expanded its Banshee line of AR-style rifles with the ZEROED, a firearm that is optimized for suppressor use.
Making the A-Cut: Springfield Armory's COA-Ready Operator, TRP & DS Prodigy Pistols
Springfield has already released a COA-ready version of its Echelon earlier this year, and the new models will bring the A-Cut to the company’s hammer-fired handguns, including the 1911 Operator, 1911 TRP and 1911 DS Prodigy.
Skills Check: Snake-Eyes Drill
Our drill this month trains you to form a stable firing platform early enough to gain optimal control before the shot breaks. Timing is of the essence.
A Memorial Day Conversation With Grey Team
Grey Team was founded to help armed services members and veterans with the physiological impacts traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain and more.
Interests
SECTIONS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
EXPLORE MORE NRA PUBLICATIONS
