The Frontier Sixshooter Community Message Board - You're welcome. BTW, neither one is new, both are

You're welcome. BTW, neither one is new, both are (reply)

Hobie — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 23:22:45 +0000

used.

Thanks Hobie. (reply)

Hoot — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 13:47:46 +0000

I am also just emerging from a semi-expensive home repair so new guns are out of the question for a while. I'll start paying attention at the shows and see what follows me home.

Can a Flat Latch Chiefs Special....... (reply)

jgt — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 09:29:00 +0000

Well I'm gettin senile, callin a "chief's special" a "detective special". In a post with the name and picture already posted. What's the sayin? Better to be thought of as a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

We have a DS AND a Cobra at the shop (or did on (reply)

Hobie — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 22:58:09 +0000

Monday). 540-886-3061 Ask for Chris, Wayne or Jim

Now stop that! (reply)

Catoosa — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 16:16:40 +0000

Man, I love the absolutely sensuous feel of a Colt round butt D-frame - it's like it was melted and poured into my hand. Comes up perfectly on target and in line with my forearm..... then you stroke that trigger back and a hole magically appears right where you want it. Come on Hoot, you know you gots to have one. It's only money.....

Now stop that! (reply)

Hoot — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 12:25:10 +0000

Sheesh. I have been successfully avoiding the Colt bug all this time and here you go exposing me to that virus again.

And here we are in the middle of the "No Gun Show in Sight" season.....

Dang, Hobie (reply)

Catoosa — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 02:45:29 +0000

That is just like the one I bought last month, except it's got just a we bit more barrel - mighty nice.

Like Charles said, Dick Specials RULE!

A flat latch Chief special looks like a Rossi. LOL (reply)

Bob Hatfield — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 21:13:23 +0000

From a distance that is.

Bob

Yep. (reply)

Hobie — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 20:42:19 +0000

And another thing.... (reply)

Charles — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 15:03:13 +0000

There was never a Chief Special/Model 36 ever made that is as easy to shoot accurately at a Colt Detective Special. Again, a 3" barrel DS is the best of the breed. These six guns (yes 6 shots and not 5) will shoot as well as a 4" service pistol on a larger frame. They rule!

Ahh..The Chief Special (reply)

Charles — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 14:53:19 +0000

I have had a love hate relationship with the Chief Special for 50 plus years. I keep buying them and selling them, but it has nothing to do with the latch. I am neither a fan nor offended by the flat latch. A latch is a latch is a latch.

Now the shape of the grip frame is another deal. The round butt J frames are all but unshootable for me. The distance between the trigger and the backstrap is just to short for me to control the pistol well.

The square butt is a whole nother critter. The little extra distance makes all the difference in the world. I can shoot them well, which is what it is all about anyway.

Along with the 1954 SB flat latch in the pic above. I have a 3" 1957 vintage Chief Special. It is the best of the breed in my humble opinion. The esthetics of the Chief Special mean nothing to me. It is all about shooting the little machine as well as possible.

So, flat latch, smat latch, I don't care one way or another. I certainly don't care enough to spend real money to change it out.

So send it to me... (reply)

Hobie — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 14:38:01 +0000

Wouldn't want it to pollute your parts box.

Can a Flat Latch Chiefs Special....... (reply)

Otony — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 14:16:10 +0000

I am a bit obsessive, but just a bit.

Otony

Can a Flat Latch Chiefs Special....... (reply)

jgt — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 12:46:12 +0000

Ok, got it. Sorry. You have my support not to like that flat, cheap looking piece of scrap. I'll not like it too!!!

Can a Flat Latch Chiefs Special....... (reply)

Otony — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 11:08:12 +0000

If it was such a terrific piece of equipment, why was it discontinued within a few years? Why not use it on all frame sizes?

It would be interesting to see exactly why it was introduced, and more importantly, why it was discontinued. I am willing to wager its disappearance had more to do with customer satisfaction than any other reason, or else why is it not used to this day?

Otony

Can a Flat Latch Chiefs Special....... (reply)

jgt — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 10:48:09 +0000

In stead of thinking of it as a cheap manufacturing cut, You could think of it as a latch designed not to hang up on clothing while being carried concealed. It is known as a "detective special" right?.

Can a Flat Latch Chiefs Special....... (reply)

Catoosa — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 02:05:24 +0000

Oh, you are gonna have FUN with that Terrier, I just know it!

It is a horse race, guys.... (reply)

woody — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 20:54:26 +0000

Otony I'm with you on the flat latch. I have the same gun you posted and I've always liked the other style latch. I probably wouldn't ever swap it out since it's a house gun that I never carry but I would like to know how you make out.

I like flat gates, but not flat latches! (reply)

Otony — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 20:29:56 +0000

Otony

It is a horse race, guys.... (reply)

Otony — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 20:29:20 +0000

...... or apples and oranges. I have never liked the flat latch "look" from the moment I first saw one in the '60s. No great mystery, it simply looks less "finished" or less "machined" than the rest of the gun. I have always regarded the flat latch as an economy measure on an otherwise well made revolver.

The early Chiefs have the rounder trigger guard of the I-frame, and to me, the flat latch juxtaposed with that guard looks wildly out of place. It mars those classic lines like a mustache on the Mona Lisa.

For that matter, I don't like Magna grips either. I've always preferred Smith grips that end at the half moon of the frame. I will probably store the grips with the latch, and fit earlier style grips made of bone or ivory.

Hey! At least I didn't ask where I could get it coated in pink Duracoat. Gimme a break!

Otony