Ok we all know that colt python are highly desired. But what about the other revolvers? Are colt detective specials worth buying? Im not looking as buying it to be a shooter. More a collector piece. Sit on it for some years, and maybe my future kids can sell and make a pretty penny on. What do you guy think?

Ok we all know that colt python are highly desired. But what about the other revolvers? Are colt detective specials worth buying? Im not looking as buying it to be a shooter. More a collector piece. Sit on it for some years, and maybe my future kids can sell and make a pretty penny on. What do you guy think?

Start by picking a caliber and purpose.  Purpose factors into barrel length.  Then decide if not being double action is a deal-breaker.

I don't have any real experience with shooting Colt revolvers.  S&W and Ruger are my favorites, depending on the age/caliber.

Start by picking a caliber and purpose.  Purpose factors into barrel length.  Then decide if not being double action is a deal-breaker.

I don't have any real experience with shooting Colt revolvers.  S&W and Ruger are my favorites, depending on the age/caliber.

its a 38 spcl. with a 2" barrel. Pretty sure its a da/sa. Not practical. Never shot a revolver to be honest. And this will be my first piece. But not thinking of shooting it. More collectors item.

its a 38 spcl. with a 2" barrel. Pretty sure its a da/sa. Not practical. Never shot a revolver to be honest. And this will be my first piece. But not thinking of shooting it. More collectors item.

I owned a Charter Arms Bulldog Detective Model .357/.38 Spl.  Had a 2.25" barrel.  I'll never buy another .38 or .357 with less than a 3" barrel unless I really, really have a specific need!

It was a great gun with .38 Spl ammo around 8-12 yds or less.  .357 mag rounds were too much for anything other than hurting hands and breathing fire! 

If you want a good range revolver, I'd recommend a 4" or 6" barrel firearm.  Of course, a .357 can use .38 ammo, so you get double duty out of the larger caliber gun which also increases resale value should you decide on something else instead.

I have a .357 Ruger SP101 3" 5 shot, a .357 6" S&W 686 Plus 7 shot, and I gave my daughter the S&W 64 .38 Spl 4" 6 shot.  The 3" Ruger is a good carry gun, especially for backup.  The 6" .357 is my overall favorite to shoot.  Easy on the recoil, lots of power, and very easy to shoot well.    When I take friends and co-wrkers shooting, they tend to gravitate to the S&W. 

I actually bought a model 586 about a year after the Charter Arm purchase to have something more for practice.  It was basically the same as my 686, only blued versus stainless, and 6 shots.  I really wish I'd kept that pistol, now that I've gotten into firearms more seriously than I was then.

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its a 38 spcl. with a 2" barrel. Pretty sure its a da/sa. Not practical. Never shot a revolver to be honest. And this will be my first piece. But not thinking of shooting it. More collectors item.

It sounds like you have a specific gun available for you to purchase. I'm not a collector, but if it's a local gun that I could see, unfired or in excellent condition and of course the price is right, I would consider it. If it has the original box, even better. I don't see it being a high dollar item in the near future but you never know. In ten years from now you might be saying to yourself . . . Damn I wish I bought that Colt. The Detective Special is a gun that I would personally be interested in owning along with a . . . . . . . . . .

Yah it's at a local gun store. I'm not familiar with older stuff. More into modern pieces. I see people going crazy over old colt revolvers so I thought about jumping on this one. It's a cops gun from New York has some blueing coming off the barrel but it's cheap. So thinking about it. I already have a gun I passed up on n regret. Guy came into consign a s&w 686 looked good n only wanted 300 I was there when he turned it in n I passed on it n regret it till this day lol

Be careful buying older revolvers that were once military or police issued. Not that this is a bad thing. But sometimes these revolvers have been abused or at the very least used a lot and are worn. It is kinda hard to describe what to look for but all the normal barrel inspections apply. Especially look for nicks protruding into the grooves around the crowned end of the barrel. Also, with the cylinder locked up try turning it and moving it side to side and front to back. If it turns a lot or moves sideways or forwards and back at all it could need some work. Another thing to look for is wear on the breech end of the barrel where it is spaced away from the cylinder. Sometimes if the cylinder is loose there will be wear or cutting of the breech end of the barrel. Also, if the gap between the cylinder and barrel is too wide you might see the same thing. Or if it is too tight it could cause binding. And if you are serious about a collector's piece then consider buying Revolver Alignment Range Rods from Brownells or Numrich. They can tell you if the timing on the cylinder is good or off. Some of these things can be repaired, some might cost more than it is worth. If there are numbers on parts that can be matched to the serial number make sure they do match.

You did say what caliber it is. It came in 38 Special which may be common. But it also came in 32 and 38 New Police. The 32 New Police is nothing more than a 32 Long I believe. Which you may or may not be able to find. Same goes for the 38 New Police. It is also called 38 S&W. Both of these cartridges are outdated and very anemic. If you are looking for a collector piece then consider the oddball chamberings and find out which one they made the fewest guns with. That might command a higher price. If you are looking for a good shooter I would only buy the 38 Special if you don't reload. If you do reload then no worries. Whichever chambering it was made least in may be the more valuable. It is best to check with a value book like the Blue book or equivalent.

My opinion on collecting older guns like the revolver you describe is only buy one that is in 95% or better condition. Hardly or never fired. Better if the box and instructions are included. Otherwise all you are buying is a good shooter or worse an old worn out workhorse. The only guns that usually command higher prices are the 95% and better condition pieces. Or the super rare and hard to find models. Otherwise any gun less than 95% condition will probably just increase in price at a normal market rate. Which is probably not worth it as an investment.

Now, if you are looking for a good shooter at a good price I say buy it and enjoy shooting it if it is in decent shape.

Good luck with it and show it off if you buy it!!!

To add to inspector's advice...

Sometimes these are department-issued guns, and sometimes they are personally owned.  If the gun was a police turn-in, there is a good chance it was first sent for factory refurbishing to ensure they are in good working order and replace parts that look worn.

The S&W 64 I bought was such a turn-in from either LE or security guards.  It came with a bag of removed parts when it was serviced, too.

You might want to ask if that one was a factory refurbished turn-in.  It might help you to know if it's in better-than-used condition...

For what it's worth.

Why not just get a Single Action Army replica, being that it's pretty much the original gun slinger's standard issue.

Why get a replica when they still make them? The new ones are beautiful BTW.

http://www.colt.com/Catalog/Revolvers/SingleActionArmy%C2%AE.aspx

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That's what I meant.

When I think SAA, I think a first gen; everything the is just a replica. LOL

I agree!!! I thought you were talking about one of those Italian made SAA. They are nicely made and modestly priced. But they are not a real Colt!!! 

Are colt detective specials worth buying? Im not looking as buying it to be a shooter. More a collector piece. Sit on it for some years, and maybe my future kids can sell and make a pretty penny on. What do you guy think?

It's a cops gun from New York has some blueing coming off the barrel but it's cheap.

My opinion on collecting older guns like the revolver you describe is only buy one that is in 95% or better condition. Hardly or never fired. Better if the box and instructions are included. Otherwise all you are buying is a good shooter or worse an old worn out workhorse. The only guns that usually command higher prices are the 95% and better condition pieces. Or the super rare and hard to find models. Otherwise any gun less than 95% condition will probably just increase in price at a normal market rate. Which is probably not worth it as an investment.

I agree with Inspector, if you're considering something made in the last fifty years as an investment, I would only get it if it was in like new condition. If it had any blueing worn off, unless I was planning on shooting it, I would pass on the purchase. You never know though, they could use that model in a movie or a popular television series and . . . . .

Ok so taking everything into consideration i guess im going to pass on the detective special. lol. Its far from 95% condition. It would be a shooter but i am not looking for a shooter. Collectors piece for now. Thanks for the input guys.

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So SAA?

Idk ill keep my options open. maybe quest for a colt python idk? lol.

If you want to talk SAAs send me a message, theres a few things to check and watch out for, I can help with pickin one or two out.

Thanks I'll lyk if anything