I have always wanted a Detonics Mark VI, for 19 years!!!! Shooting Fiend sold me one!!! It came today....looking like NIB!!!
The Detonics Story
Material gathered by Rick Brenemen
The Detonics Combat Master was the first really small and compact 1911-pattern pistol to be produced in significant numbers. Law enforcement fell in love with it immediately due to its diminutive size and quality. It received "star quality" when Don Johnson as Sonny Crockett in Miami Vice was seen carrying one in a leg holster in the show. Far more important than the media exposure was the revolutionary reliability work done inside the pistol. The Detonics introduced the bulged barrel end so that the pistol did not require a bushing. It also incorporated double and triple recoil springs. It was the first production 1911-pattern which was throated and ramped for hollowpoints. The high price and limited market for the pistol doomed the company, but were the Combat Master to be reintroduced today, it would no doubt be a different story. Those fortunate enough to own a Detonics pistol treasure them.
"Although there are six different models available to the general buying public, a Detonics is a Detonics is a Detonics. Only finish, type of material used and adjustable rear sight differentiate one model from another. The plain-Jane entrant is the Combat Master Mark I, attired in a matte blue finish, fixed sights. Stepping up a notch, the Mark II is a fixed-sight model dressed in a satin nickel finish. The Mark III is handsome in its hard chrome appearance with fixed sights. Variation number IV is resplendent in a mirror-bright blue finish and adjustable rear sight. The Mark V is a brushed-finish, stainless steel model with fixed sights.. And, finally, the top-of-the-line model is the Presentation-grade, Professional Mark VI"
The Detonics Story
Material gathered by Rick Brenemen
The Detonics Combat Master was the first really small and compact 1911-pattern pistol to be produced in significant numbers. Law enforcement fell in love with it immediately due to its diminutive size and quality. It received "star quality" when Don Johnson as Sonny Crockett in Miami Vice was seen carrying one in a leg holster in the show. Far more important than the media exposure was the revolutionary reliability work done inside the pistol. The Detonics introduced the bulged barrel end so that the pistol did not require a bushing. It also incorporated double and triple recoil springs. It was the first production 1911-pattern which was throated and ramped for hollowpoints. The high price and limited market for the pistol doomed the company, but were the Combat Master to be reintroduced today, it would no doubt be a different story. Those fortunate enough to own a Detonics pistol treasure them.
"Although there are six different models available to the general buying public, a Detonics is a Detonics is a Detonics. Only finish, type of material used and adjustable rear sight differentiate one model from another. The plain-Jane entrant is the Combat Master Mark I, attired in a matte blue finish, fixed sights. Stepping up a notch, the Mark II is a fixed-sight model dressed in a satin nickel finish. The Mark III is handsome in its hard chrome appearance with fixed sights. Variation number IV is resplendent in a mirror-bright blue finish and adjustable rear sight. The Mark V is a brushed-finish, stainless steel model with fixed sights.. And, finally, the top-of-the-line model is the Presentation-grade, Professional Mark VI"
