[hdmac]

I have a colt 38 detective special Trying figure out around what year it was manufactured. Serial number starts with a P 226xx number can't find any numbers that starts with a P

[gunsmoke11]

www.proofhouse.com shows no serial# starting with a P up until 1978. The 3rd series with the ejector shroud and wraparound wood grips was manufactured from 1973 to 1986. The 4th series was made from 1993-95 and had rubber wraparound grips with a gold medallion. If it's a 3rd series then I would guess yours was made between 1978-86. For an exact date you may have to get a letter from Colt if it's that important for you to know.

[hdmac]

I had checked on proof house also

[hdmac]

It does have wrap around wood grips and a n ejector shroud

[gunsmoke11]

Originally Posted by hdmac

It does have wrap around wood grips and a n ejector shroud

Then it was mfg between 78 & 86. They're exc revolvers and I carried mine from the late 60's to the mid 80's when I retired. It still feels like a part of me and I still carry it from time time. As a matter of fact, that's the one I feel most comfortable with. Good luck with yours.

[trainman]

I had one of them, and at 25 yards, I couldn't hit a 3 ft square piece of card board. At 15 ft it was just fine. I sold it fast. I now have a Ruger lcr that i can hit the bulls eye at 25 yards.
That was maybe the most inaccurate gun I ever owned.

[gunsmoke11]

Originally Posted by trainman

I had one of them, and at 25 yards, I couldn't hit a 3 ft square piece of card board. At 15 ft it was just fine. I sold it fast. I now have a Ruger lcr that i can hit the bulls eye at 25 yards.
That was maybe the most inaccurate gun I ever owned.

You should've taken it to a gunsmith. No one I ever knew had one that shot like that. I used to hit a 3'x3' steel plate repeatedly at 75 yards along with my 122 year old BP Colt SAA. Glad your Ruger works fine.