detective special

**swifty** · 12-06-2011, 06:17 PM

is it possible colt made a detective special in stainless, not nickle
i have a new to me 1978 vintage as per internet list serial #S240**
i get conflicting info from gun people who know more than me.
the gun looks stainless but internet info says they did not make a
stainless example in 1978.
thank you;
KEN "newbi to the forum"

**RedneckRampage** · 12-06-2011, 06:37 PM

Maybe check to see if it's magnetic....

**mjbskwim** · 12-06-2011, 07:56 PM

Redneck,the nickel plating will still be magnetic with a steel gun underneath.

**orygun** · 12-06-2011, 08:26 PM

But, is stainless magnetic?

**civilian75** · 12-06-2011, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by mjbskwim

And Redneck,the nickel plating will still be magnetic with a steel gun underneath.

Yeap. And stainless steel alloys are ferromagnetic, but not all to the same degree. Some may be so weak that a magnet may not stick, but should still affect a compass needle.

**1in9twist** · 12-06-2011, 09:10 PM

I am confused, is the special dick magnetic or not?

**coop44** · 12-06-2011, 09:31 PM

I suspect it may have had a hardchrome finish applied, very durable finish for a carry gun.

**civilian75** · 12-06-2011, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by 1in9twist

I am confused, is the special dick magnetic or not?

Who cares?! Can't go wrong with either stainless steel or nickel finish.

**mjbskwim** · 12-07-2011, 12:43 AM

Originally Posted by coop44

I suspect it may have had a hardchrome finish applied, very durable finish for a carry gun.

This or nickel as I believe colt did nickel back then
And yes a strong magnet will pick it up.The barrel is going to be steel,the cylinder most everything under the nickel (if it's nickel) and stainless is magnetic.

**RedneckRampage** · 12-07-2011, 07:14 AM

You should be able to tell the difference between stainless and steel with a magnet. That was my point. The magnet will stick if it is hard chrome or nickle, with stainless, it should be very light if at all. A magnet is what the scrap yards use to check, and 5 minutes ago, the stainless screws I was using were not sticking to the magnet in the driver...unless gun stainless is different....I don't have a stainless gun to check...