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barrel lengths and models that shrouded the hammer spur to lessen the potential for snagging clothes when it was withdrawn from concealment.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
Ankle Holsters: Are They Still a Good Option for Concealed Carry?
The use of ankle holsters is an old-school, deep-concealment method that was popular in the age of the snub-nose revolver. In today’s world of micro-compacts, does it still hold up as a good carry position?
CZ Duty: A Modular Pistol Ready for Service
The Duty marks the first time that CZ has produced a handgun with a serialized modular chassis, and four models comprise the initial lineup of CZ's latest offering.
Ruger to Discontinue Several Major Models
Ruger announced a major change to several of its longtime product lines this week, stating that it would immediately suspend production of several models while finishing out current production runs of other models through 2026.
I Have This Old Gun: The British Lee-Metford Rifle
In the late 1880s, the British military adopted its first bolt-action rifle chambered for the .303 British cartridge. This is the Lee-Metford, the first step on the way to the iconic Lee-Enfield.
Colt Delivers M4A1 Rifles to Guatemala Through Foreign Military Sales Program
Guatemala’s military recently acquired more than 2,000 Colt M4A1 rifles through the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sales program as part of the country's ongoing military modernization efforts.
NRA Launches New Texas Senate Ad as Part of Multi-Million Dollar Campaign to Retain Pro-Gun Majorities in Congress
The NRA today released a new 30-second ad highlighting Democrat U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico’s longstanding support for banning so-called “assault weapons” and standard-capacity magazines—the firearms and accessories owned by millions of law-abiding Texans.
Interests
SECTIONS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
EXPLORE MORE NRA PUBLICATIONS
