I think I got quite a bit more for it than I paid. Theres a market for them today, and Im surprised that Colt didnt jump in with both feet, instead of teasing the market with a hideout gun. Back in the mid 90s they couldnt give the King Cobras away. Remington's Nylon 66 semi-automatic .22 LR rifles have grown from 1950s bargain buys to 21st century collectors darlings. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com). Rifle, Savage 22 Cal. He bought it for his father, who was stationed in the Philippines while serving in the Veterans Administration. I guess you have to fill up space and sell clicks but coming out of the gate with a slam like this is a bit lame. The new Pythons are definitely the sort of guns that will go with you to the range every time you head out this year, and probably also next year and the year after that But they're also serious shooters. Has the shrouded ejector (making it the 2nd edition). The Cobra name is actually a little misleading here this will be a steel framed gun, not aluminum like the original Cobra. The revolver points easily and the fiber optic red front sight is quick to acquire. Buzz, I just replaced it with the Ruger LCR 9 when the Colt made it in steel . There are a number of Colt small-frame .38s in the house here, but in the end, the one that goes for a ride in the big world most often is the Agent, the dull-finish version of the real Cobra. The design work began where the last generation of Detective Special, the SF-VI, left off. Like a dummy I sold it years ago. At least the current vapor blasted finish (or whatever theyre using) doesnt look nearly as rough as the Parkerized Agent and Commando Special guns of the 1980s strike-era when the few craftsmen capable of creating that Royal Blue finish were not available in enough numbers to handle the lower profit margin D-Frame revolvers (Python and Gold Cup models took priority). I think I'll wait on a .357 variant. In all I may try one when the price becomes more reasonable. Light. ***** In memory of Bill West / tommix who shared his vast knowledge and passion of Colt's with the forum for so many years. This would never happen if they would have followed the original blueprints of hand fitting the action and the parts that cause the cylinder to rotate such as the Paul and everything else that goes into making a revolver revolve. Glad to see the come back! You just described, minus the .32 calibers, an original 1950s-1960s era Colt Cobra / Detective Special. You could shrink the height and width a. I read a story of a woman in Ohio (as I recall) who shot a home invader who had chased her and her children up to the attic. COLT (In Stock) 0.0. Interesting reading, I dont believe any of it. Yeah I would suppose they are changing some things I was there the day at Shot Show when they revealed that when it broke at the shooting range there was a bunch of chatter that I overheard people were not impressed. The problem was that she used jacketed round nose, because that was all she had at the moment. The Cobra was designed to be a family name. While manipulating the trigger on the gun, I was impressed by just how nice the trigger felt. Im just confused about one thing. This seems to be SOP for any new gun these days regardless of manufacturer. He said it was a fluke that I got this NRA model, it has not been officially released but a batch accidentally shipped out. Since I carry Two at all times I dont feel the need to run out and buy Colts for $699 to get one more round. Regardless, the MSRP is $670, which means the gun will actually settle in at around $525 retail. Theyre the only Gun Company besides Caltech that you you have a constant supply of firearms being shipped back to the manufacturer because of design problems and just poor quality parts. Additionally Colt isnt even accepting old Pythons back to the factory for repair because A) They are out of most of the partsand more importantly B) Most if not all of the Colt employees who could actually time them are gone. Glad to see a come back by Colt but the only problem is that the price is a little high compared to Smith& Wessons new ultra light 38 at 499 that makes the Colt 200 more and consumers look at or for brand name bargains. SMITH & WESSON (In Stock) 0.0. I suspect the new Cobra will be about the same. Thats far more than what most average income gun owners can afford. owned by my Uncle Pete, a small- town deputy sheriff in the 1940s. Out of the box, there was one inner internal scratch, not noticeable until one opens the cylinder, in a spot where it would not affect function, so I did not mind, it added character like a body scar. The original snake guns from Colt were high-polish, hand fitted masterpieces. Left the top strap bead blasted, and top grip frame a little more muted polish. The other snake revolvers had OK-to-nice finishes, but they were not the Royal Blue of the Python. So if Colt can do this with a new production gun, I say bring back the 4" and 6" Python and give us another . Q. I mean, look at how successful Henry is in a market thats saturated with ARs. Colt spent many years carefully planning before re-entering the revolver market with the Cobra. That was the shortest part of the article and didnt seem to be central at all. We are building all Cobras right here in our factory in West Hartford, Connecticut.. That would be the bomb. Here's what it's like to shoot this classic scattergun. Thats not necessarily a bad thing for a concealed carry styled handgun, but the better option for this specific line would be something similar to the deep blueing that came on the original guns. Are you sure about the specs? Federal, Remington and Winchester have all proven accurate and useful. Could it have beed dressed up a bit more? The Phlster Floodlight Holster - Concealed Carry Ready, New Legislation Would Create a Centralized Database of Gun, Full Pistol Review ft. We are building all Cobras right here in our factory in West Hartford, Connecticut. LOL. Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Also they should make a Centennial type concealed hammer as the exposed hammer is a huge disadvantage in concealed carry draw, prevents it from being able to reliably fire through a pocket or purse and a liability in a self defense situation when the perp claims you cocked the hammer on him before you fired. Colt didn't stray far from the original King Cobra design with its first new .357 Mag. The trigger action in DA and SA is incredible. Mine too! The author was impressed by the design, operation and performance of the new Colt Cobra. Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC A few. I have had the trigger break on an HK P7 during the first range session. Colt was not happy with their original CNC shop and switched after finding a machine shop with state of the art machines and equipment that could fit their needs better. I would welcome the same. Why go with a .38 Special over .357 Magnum? As they have more time, I would expect to see versions with a myriad of options. Hogue overmolded grips come standard and a red fiber optic front sight comes factory installed. Give us a grip option with more meat in the web area just behind the hammer (like my K.Cobra). Its gone now and I dont miss it at all. S&W 617 vs. Colt King Cobra Target .22. To purchase on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?Keyword=Colt%20cobra. You could choose between 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-inch barrels. The GP100 is not small, though. Colt being in the situation financially that they are would have made much more money had they built the guns the way they were built before the dawn of the Glock back when gunsmith actually assembled firearms and hand fit things that were a little rough to make sure theyre perfect before they leave the doors. The IWI Galil ACE Full Review, US Responds to Russians After Shooting Down Syrian Fighter Jet: We will not hesitate to defend ourselves. With an MSRP of $699, the, The Colt Cobra: A Capable Snub-Nosed Snake Gun. Have a gun thats collecting dust? Oh mommy. . We all have a story to tell about or involving a Colt revolver. Then when theyd gotten a feel for those, then do a test run of Pythons. These loads make the four-inch barrel Python a top-flight small-game revolver. When that same customer takes a Colt Cobra to the range, with its steel frame and revised grip structure, theyll have a much more pleasurable shooting experience, and theyll be inclined to shoot more often, and more importantly, feel confident enough to carry it. In that era, Colts Python was, in many ways, the last hurrah of the excellence that once used to be available in American gunmaking. and sometimes thats a little much for non-belt carry. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com), The fixed rear sight and front red fiber optic. 327 Meteor. Three down sides were the grips had a very light white bleach stain, but might darken with gun cleaner and gun oil. One of the earlier versions of the snake line to be retired (1981 to be exact) the Colt Cobra is a revolver designed for the concealed carry and law enforcement market. Muzzle jump and flip, commonly associated with small revolvers, is nonexistent on the Cobra. Like they say about changing the oil and washing your car, clean your weapon, and oil it, and it will return in its work. Another modification has been made, this one to trigger geometry. The success of the Cobra saw Colt bring two more of its iconic revolvers out of retirement. For a return to the double-action (DA) revolver market, a market we have a long and storied history in, .38 Special makes a lot of sense. Would it have killed them to polish the thing? To address these problems and to create a stronger and more durable revolver than the original, one of the first things Colt did when it redesigned the .357 Magnum-chambered Python was to beef up the frame. However, it likely SAVED HER LIFE, regardless of how ideal the weapon and ammunition were for self-defense. Caliber: .357 Magnum, .38 Spl, .38 Spl +P. Re-profiled and radius the trigger face more like an vintage colt or S&W pad. Every one I have found was nothing like a Python. The way Ive heard it, there are two easily defined camps: Sig people and Glock people; every manufacturer and their mother is trying to be the next Glock, but the Sig people have far fewer options. Alberts achieved six-shot. These guns are now held to extremely tight tolerances and Colt isnt shy about rejecting even the smallest flaws. I have gone to carrying the S&W J-Frames. I read you Email every time I receive it, I enjoyed your Stories and reviews and look forward to them. You really shouldnt have built these pistols if you actually hope to stay in the gun industry without total failure. Third, and here is the big one, why not offer it in .327 Federal Magnum with a 6 round cylinder? Colt Viper 38 Special Revolver (Like New in Box) Notify Me When Available; Brand: Colt; Item Number: VIPER USED; Colt Cobra 38 Special +P Double-Action Revolver $769.99; . The only reason why they discontinued them is because they were not selling. Insert your serial numbers by clicking them. First, the cylinder stop will drop before it even hits the recesses in the cylinder. They are awesome. I hope it turns out to be a commercial success for Colt they need one. Stroking the side of the revolver feels less like stroking the slick scales of a cobra and more like a cat licking your hand. We worked hard to ensure that if the market wants more Colt DA revolvers, the Cobra design would be flexible enough, and robust enough, to handle future model variations that customers may want. Colts rotate into the window. Accurate? Guns.com writer Kristin Alberts took a Cobra for a test drive, discovering the Cobras trigger broke at 3.6-pounds in single, and a hair over 7-pounds in double-action. Dont need 357 magnum. Now sit down and ponder what that means for how solid the lockup feels. Q. Will wood grips for previous Colt models fit? The trigger on this sample was perfect; I checked the pull on my Wheeler Digital Trigger Gauge, and the single-action breaks at just over 2 pounds, while the double-action is a consistent 7 pounds. Massey Hardware, what a magical place that was! The trigger is absolutely horrible. However, on the Colt as an EDC, since not using it much, pain on the hand is of little concern, because in a real emergency of 1-6 shots, there is no pain in the moment, and even if shooting 40-50 rounds, pain dissipates over a week. But the gun look absolutely amazing just like the day I bought it in 1983. I was a big Colt snake gun revolver man in the early nineties. In any event, I like the DA pull weight, and it is a nice looking gun, but Id like to see it with a bit more barrel, say somewhere between 3 and 4 inches. Some of these vintage gems can be found in the Guns.com Vault. You sir are very correct. The latest Cobra also features a redesigned leaf mainspring that . Perhaps Batman as well. (My 53 Colt Cobra is about 15oz, spec sheet for the new model lists 25oz). I have an original Cobra and it is a sweet handling revolver. As I looked the gun over, I realized that Colt must have come to believe that their customers are actually adults, as the gun had no key lock, nor were there endless admonishments to read the instruction manual (and avoid running with scissors) inscribed on the gun. Where are they? This revolver is of the same quality as a Taurus 85. And with 7 shots? The best gun is the one you have when you need it. Colt 1911 Series 70 A full review of the GI model here. And in the event you got a Friday or Monday gun, you better hope it was purchased from Davidson's, or any other outfit that offers a replacement warranty. The grouping opened up only slightly in double-action. Instead of a high polish it looks like Colt went for a bead blasted exterior. The general lines of the frame and hammer also bear a resemblance, but the new Cobra is a larger handgun7.2 inches in overall length compared to the original snake gun's 6.75 inchesand with its stainless steel construction, a hand-filling 25 ounces next to the First Issue's weight of just 15 ounces. 20 ounces loaded with 158s, a scant three ounces heavier than a loaded 642. It holds 6-rounds of .38 Special and is capable of firing the hotter +P ammunition as well. I waited almost an hour to shoot it and when it was my turn to shoot I got handed the revolver and I loaded it went to take my first shot and the cylinder stuck in between Chambers and locked up and even the cult Smiths that were there couldnt figure out what happened so they just put it away. Feeling that his dad needed something for personal protection, he gave him the Colt Trooper, which served him until he passed away a few years ago. The aqua blast finish isnt my favorite, but looks pretty nice in person. The pain on the hand is prominent after practicing. Is there any word on when these will be released? It was marketed as, and was, a PREMIUM revolver. Now old and retired, it is my wifes preferred concealed carry, and we both love to shoot it just for fun. Like you said if I want to junk revolver Ill borrow a Charter Arms or a Taurus. Im pretty sure Colt got rid of their custom shop so now who knows you probably cant get it done anymore. Ever since they announced a six-shot Cobra Ive been scratching my head. I get the sneaky feeling that this is a desperate cash grab attempt from a company on the brink of insolvency and I just hope they dont ruin what was an amazing line of firearms. There was a few comments made by me to the cult Smith in a joking fashion about mass production of revolvers LOL. At $699 MSRP, that type of blued finish just isnt possible these days. I just dont get it. Spl. Make the same gun in a nice I personally Believe The Colt 1851 is the most beautiful firearm ever produced. The new Kimber revolver at least looks great for the money. In 2022, Colt chose to expand its King Cobra lineup with a rimfire chambering, and the new King Cobra Target packs 10 rounds of .22 LR inside its classically styled frame. I may take it with me. Buy a Smith & Wesson. Survival Trainer and Author. Back around 1974 I bought the colt detective special which is still my carry gun today. The grips do not stick to clothes. They kept the same good looks but modernized the internals. The new Colt Cobra is in that same vein, and while it bears the same name and specs as the original it falls short on a few key features. Im hoping the new Pach. Colt Cobra TT 38 Special +P Rated Double Action Revolver with Black DLC Cylinder $749.00 $619.99; Notify Me When Available; Brand: Colt; YES WHY DONT THAY MAKE THE COLT 38 LEFT HANDED?????? I need a crappy built replacement model snake gun like I need a big hole in my head. Every cowboy needs a revolver. I think its too little too late. Great to carry brutal to shoot when using the +P loads. Then come out with the Detective Specials again. The Detective Special I carry is probably only an 85% finish gun; thats why I carry it. It stood alone not only in Colts line at that time, but in American mass-production gunmaking at that time. The stainless steel finish of the Colt Cobra ensures durability and ruggedness. The front sight pops into view immediately. The Pythons were always desirable, the King Cobras and Anacondas were scorned for having transfer bar triggers. Install a nice large WHITE ramped-post front sight (better than my K.Cobra). My 1974 Cobra is my usual carry. Cougar attacks are on the increase in several western states, and the new King Cobra would be an ideal carry gun for hikers, mountain bikers, and others who would rather not end up as kitty kibble. The new Cobra is pricey, too, just like any other Colt. We spend a day shooting and comparing it to S&W K frames and J Frames. Fits my hands perfectly and is light weight enough to carry, but Ive been looking at Kimber Micros to replace it for carrying because they are so much lighter and slimmer, but just cant make the switch.