Q. So I love my semi-autos and my VEPR in 7.62 x 54r but for a revolver newbie, which is the market think Colt is addressing, this one is a winner. It was supposed to be one of their lightest weight pieces available, and the blue/black finish on aluminum is, well, feh. 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. They started with compact revolvers because concealed carry revolvers are the biggest sellers The new Cobra (l.) sports a stainless steel frame whereas the original was aluminum. To make the guns royal blue and perfect is not a hard thing to do its simply tumbling the parts until you get the finished you need to apply the bluing. Although he wasnt entirely clear, I took his comments to mean that they would have more Cobra options soon. New Colt King Cobra Target Doesn't Work. I really wish I some of those Colts back todayId be a lot richer. For starters, parts were built from 410-series steel, which is stronger than what was used on previous versions. That was the shortest part of the article and didnt seem to be central at all. Actually, the Boys in Brazil are cranking out some really nice stuff nowadays. All this negativity 38s a weak caliber, why isnt it aluminum, a Python, an Anaconda, a 3, a 4, a 5, a 357, blah, blah, blah. I was able to find a DeSantis belt holster and a speed loader without much effort that seemed to be made for the Cobra. They are located in the Peoples republic of Connecticut and buckled to the political pressure of the anti-gun crowd, concern for class action lawsuits on gun manufacturers, thanks to Clinton. The all-stainless steel Colt Cobra revolver is built for concealability. Ive been hearing hype about this gun since late 2016. Though Ive owned only S&Ws, Im a revolver guy and definitely will look at the Cobra. Colt CAN make high end firearms, their latest 45/70 custom Gatling gun and BAR 3006 semi auto version are works of art. I agree with the comment above regarding the answer from Colt as to why they didnt make this in .357 magnum is utter nonsense. The success of the Cobra saw Colt bring two more of its iconic revolvers out of retirement. Let us make you an offer! He is right about the Bulldog having no competition at the moment. I have gone to carrying the S&W J-Frames. In my admittedly limited experience with various revolvers, the only one Ive personally experienced that locked up (and not in the good revolverish way) was a colleagues Taurus. The other snake revolvers had OK-to-nice finishes, but they were not the Royal Blue of the Python. If I move the cylinder latch lever a little, the cylinder will rotate on the . It may not be the people in Miami who have the communication problem. Survival Trainer and Author. First of all, I like the idea that they made it a bit heavier but I think they made it too heavy. According to our friends at Revolvy, the first model of Cobra was made from 1950 to 1971 with a 2-inch barrel. (If youve already posted a passing review of it, let me know I probably missed it in the deluge.). It is my choice for EDC for my own unique needs. The IWI Galil ACE Full Review, Previous post: US Responds to Russians After Shooting Down Syrian Fighter Jet: We will not hesitate to defend ourselves, Your email address will not be published. there are more models coming. These loads make the four-inch barrel Python a top-flight small-game revolver. There is minimal recoil on this Colt. Before they stopped making revolvers they made a Lawman (.357 mag) with a 2 barrel. Since the department required we carry a S&W or Colt revoler. The front sight pops into view immediately. As for the old Detective Specials: but Economic reasons restricted my opportunity to own one of the percussion colts in the second release in the late 20th century. I know Colt is a weird company when it comes to selling Firearms they want to only deal with authorized Colt dealers only. Some of these vintage gems can be found in the Guns.com Vault. Revolvers, https://www.colt.com/Catalog/Revolvers/Cobra, https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?Keyword=Colt%20cobra, An Israeli .308 AK? The Ruger SP101 was made for a concealment purpose a little brother to the GP100. A. Leave the .357s to longer barrels where they belong. That changed this year when Colt reintroduced a newly redesigned Cobra. hand. The one concern I experienced was the cylinder latch button lever is loose, it works fine but shakes when I touch it. Gist of what I heard: Hoping this is the start of the return of the Colt snake guns to the market. Posts: 787. We fed a mix of ammo to the test Cobra with decent accuracy. There is a definite market. Dont need 357 magnum. The fit and finish of this gun is crap. I always practice with 38s, but when I carry it is 357 or 38+P, ususally 357. And 25 ounces sounds too heavy. They laughed it off and got the defective gun out of sight as quick as possible but not before a bunch of us realize what was going on and reported it to our friends and I believe the truth about guns had something about it too maybe in this article previously. Best trade I ever made. Remington's Nylon 66 semi-automatic .22 LR rifles have grown from 1950s bargain buys to 21st century collectors darlings. Give us a grip option with more meat in the web area just behind the hammer (like my K.Cobra). Additionally the reason their triger pulls are all over the map is no one left at Colt has any in-depth revolver tuning knowledge. Does anyone think that they will continue Manufacturing the snake gun series into the king cobra anaconda and python? Probably get the interest of soldiers, police and home defense and doesnt recoil as strongly as the .357 Magnum and a little more than a .38 Special but they are a hard hitter with ball or JHP bullets. I wish Colt would come back with their snake guns but lets bring them back the way they were originally created instead of this mass-produced mumbo-jumbo garbage crap. If a gun that was specially prepped and pampered by Colt failed, how many of the ones shipped to their distributors that did *not* get that special love and care are likely to fail? I fired the gun double action first shot cylinder started to rotate probably 15 degrees or so and the trigger stopped wouldnt let me press any further and the cylinder stopped as well. 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. 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. That was a non-answer to why its not aluminum. Ive had a SP 101 since it came out Very fine gun BUTTT its made for a small-med. Not true, the Cobra target is a 357 magnum revolver. So if Colt can do this with a new production gun, I say bring back the 4" and 6" Python and give us another . I was a big Colt snake gun revolver man in the early nineties. Items you may find in this auction include 500 firearms to include modern & collectible rifles, shotguns, muzzle loaders, revolvers and pistols. owned by my Uncle Pete, a small- town deputy sheriff in the 1940s. I agree with the writer of this story on what the quality of these guns is probably going to be or their lack of. I lust at them on line but not a reality. They call em like they see em, warts and all. 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. Much nicer than my airlite J-frames. Guns a Homicide Waiting to Happen, Personal Trauma Kit Micro TRN from Blue Force Gear, http://thetruthaboutguns.com/author/foghorn/, State Judge Issues Order Blocking Enforcement of Illinois Firearms Ban Statewide, Protecting and Serving: Springfield, IL Police Seized Homeowners Gun After Investigating Her Report of a Prowler UPDATED, Chicagos Failed Mayor Lori Lightfoot Loses in Reelection EffortBadly. Looks good in the pictures and magazine/internet reviews, but does it really exist? Discontinued in 2005, it remains one of the highest requested line of firearms to be brought back from the graveyard. 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. They hold their value better than 38s and are heavier, plus the heavier gun creates a lesser kick. As the article says Id love to be wrong about that, but indications seem otherwise. But maybe this is the first attempt at revolver building since the cancellation of the king cobra and Anaconda series. That .357 Magnum, 4-inch barreled gun served as my introduction into shooting IPSC in the late 1970s. Firearms dont get much more iconic than John Moses Brownings legendary Auto-5 semi-auto shotgun, affectionately called the Humpback for its distinctive drop at the rear of the receiver. The IWI Galil ACE Full Review, US Responds to Russians After Shooting Down Syrian Fighter Jet: We will not hesitate to defend ourselves. or when cocking to fire? I predict we will see lots of variations soon from Colt and I am excited for where Colt is finally going. In either case, our data indicates that the new Python hasn't impacted the demand for the original. If you criticize the company because you have legitimate concerns about the quality of its product, fine. You have entered an incorrect email address! Keep them coming Colt! The problem with that was a sharp contrast of the polished muzzle and the blued barrel. This new Colt feels right in the hand. I would buy a light weight Cobra rated for +p preferably with a shrouded hammer, otherwise, no thanks. Looks like a handsome gun to keep in the fishing bag though. Just like if youve been in a car crash, you dont go run a marathon the day after you get out of the hospital. Colt's 357 Magnum Concealed Carry Revolver Returns. This new design appears to be more where it should be. The original Cobra had numerous options/variations; will we see these or similar guns coming? To correct a previous post the original Cobra was a 6 shot snubby not a 5 shot like the S&W J frames. Otherwise well proportioned revolver. The Cobra was designed to be a family name. However, it likely SAVED HER LIFE, regardless of how ideal the weapon and ammunition were for self-defense. They are great guns. I had one, and fired several other pythons that belonged to an uncle. Posts: 307. My hope is that Colt does so and builds them with the same care and quality of the older Pythons, Anacondas and the like. Colt claims it is as smooth or smoother than the original cobra's. They also said that the metal was stronger and a .357 might be in the future. The craftsmen who polished the Pythons used more than THIRTY different buffing wheels and various compounds to just prep for the blueing process (which has been changed by EPA regulations since the old days). While manipulating the trigger on the gun, I was impressed by just how nice the trigger felt. In single-action our test model's trigger broke consistently at 4 lbs., 1 oz., with no grittiness or take-up. I have Dreamed of owing one. Colt, much like many other gun companies, has gone with MIM parts. Some of the new features introduced with the new breed of snake revolvers from Colt include user replaceable front sights, a thicker top strap that is drilled and tapped for mounting a scope rail, and new adjustable rear sights. I served on a jury many years ago that involved a fellow who was shot twice by the lowly .25ACP. Finding a Cobra has been a problem since Colt discontinued it was in the early 1980s and originals became collector items. The only reason why they discontinued them is because they were not selling. Has the shrouded ejector (making it the 2nd edition). That's on purpose, as it is not proofed for the higher .357 Magnum pressures. One of the defining features of the line is the hand fitting of parts and highly polished exterior, things distinctly missing on the new Cobra handguns. She fired five times and I seem to think that she hit him five times before he decided hed had enough and left the house. I am not happy with sharp edges on trigger guard. 38 round is more than enough with +p. The aqua blast finish isnt my favorite, but looks pretty nice in person. When US Patent/US Firearms went out of business it all went to the scrapper. I know every reviewer uses this stupid line, but it shoots like a dream. But theres no comparison. By signing up you agree to Guns.com's COPYRIGHT 2021, THETRUTHABOUTGUNS.COM. 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. I own a Diamondback and a detective, both are good quality revolvers. The S&Ws rotate out of the window. I dont expect Master Blue but still, this Cobras finish is pretty dreary. Will wood grips for previous Colt models fit? I think its too little too late. We spend a day shooting and comparing it to S&W K frames and J Frames. Looks like a charter arms for a whole lot more money and who wants heavy, big, bulky, outdated, .38spcl caliber either yawn waste of time reporting on this dead out of the gate no one wants revolver . For how long we will see. That had a very rough finish. I ran the gun both strong hand and weak hand. Something isnt right in Colt-Land with either the design, manufacture or QA of that gun. Then when theyd gotten a feel for those, then do a test run of Pythons. He bought it for his father, who was stationed in the Philippines while serving in the Veterans Administration. Are you sure about the specs? A. I heard an interview by one of their guys. Bean counters were the reason why you went bankrupt the first time dont you think you might want to listen to the people who purchase your products? Colt didnt quite get the SF stainless series trigger right- I have a DS-II thats no better than okay, and the Magnum Carry I had was better but not sensational. Caliber(s):.22 LR, .32 Colt New Police, .38 Special; Weight: 0.94 lbs (0.43 kg) Barrel length: 2 in (51 mm), 3 in (76 mm) Capacity: 6 . Its there, but we all know it wont look like polished steel. According to internet forums and YouTube personalities like Hikock 45, the new Colt Python has issues causing malfunctions. And this was refinished and repaired in 2007 so its been 10 years but I had sent another Colt back just recently and had the same bluing done they call it royal blue finish and it looks just as good as my 6 inch python thats never even been shot. Mine too! The extra-large trigger guard allowed ample room for gloved fingers and the hammer pull and mechanics were slick and sound. Whaaa, they named it something that was better OK, well get this, probably 90% of the firearm crowd has never seen an original or if they did they didnt know what it was. Stroking the side of the revolver feels less like stroking the slick scales of a cobra and more like a cat licking your hand. .38 Special, I hope the Cobra fares better. The King Cobra fits between a S&W K frame and a J frame in size. grip helps. 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. Features & Specifications of New Colt King Cobra: New Colt King Cobra Common New Colt King Cobra Problems and Solutions Slide Plate Screw Misaligned The LCR is the same story. Insert your serial numbers by clicking them. 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. The lock-up on this Cobra, if they are using the original Colt lockwork requires attention from a gunsmith who knows how to time up a Colt mechanism to make the lock-up what Colts were known for. The reason why the snake gun revolvers werent selling very well in 1990 through the discontinuation of them was simply because everyone had made the jump from revolvers to semi automatic handguns such as a clock. Good Lord guys, Colt does the unthinkable and comes out with a revolver and all you hear is complaints. The Pythons were always desirable, the King Cobras and Anacondas were scorned for having transfer bar triggers. The trigger is absolutely horrible. I handled one at my local gun shop and all I can say is WOW! Disregard.more comments popped up as I was writing the above. The Cobra shot well with both loads tested, including this Sig Sauer Elite Performance load. KING COBRA 357 MAGNUM. It made a solid click when I press the cylinder into the gun and I rocked the cylinder left and right to make sure that it was locked up previous to shooting. They both produced very nice groups double action with a two-handed grip at 10 yards. The finish on the original Cobra was rather utilitarian by comparison to the Python. I was hoping for better reviews. A well place bullet (even a pellet gun) will kill you if the round finds vitals. And dont think Colt has gotten rid of all those guys that made the pythons and the anacondas and the cobras and king cobras because there are still working for Colt you can still get your eighties model python refinished in a royal blue and it does look amazing. You could shrink the height and width a. Nothing wrong with 38 special (especially with +P) and if you want something else, buy it! 38 is a bit light for a defensive caliber. Great triggers arent the only thing that made a Colt Cobra famous, though. Get ready for a new generation of stories, because Colt is bringing back the Cobra. The above posters that wondered why Colt couldnt come out with a polished, blued finish like the old ones maybe dont understand what it takes for skilled craftsmen to get that finish. Colt's King Cobra is reincarnated for 2019 as the 6-Shot .357 Magnum big brother of the Colt Cobra Double Action revolver. The problem with repairing these revolvers, is a strong tendency to decide to alter a part so that it will work instead of replacing it as intended. This should steer some of you towards the new Colts. This Area is for Discussions on All Breeds of Colt Made Revolvers. by Chris Bird. November 9, 2022.new colt python 2022 3 inch for sale, in stock, buy now, still available. Immensely popular in law enforcement circles, the 38 Special, six-shot revo dominated concealed carry . Making the parts on CNC, EDM or MIM machines does, however, more than suffice in a S&W or Ruger. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com), The fixed rear sight and front red fiber optic. Accuracy was impressive. Why are Colt Pythons so Expensive? The trigger action in DA and SA is incredible. 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. Sadly, its passed into history, but Ill never forget the smell of fresh peanuts roasting or the coal-fired potbelly stove in the center of the lower showroom and the classic mini-tiled entryway and doors. Just thinking! (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com). ***** In memory of Bill West / tommix who shared his vast knowledge and passion of Colt's with the forum for so many years. Im thankful to see something not made out of plastic. Upon first sight I actually thought it was a photo from the Charter Arms booth. Sweet little pistol, for sure! Out on the range the gun shoots just fine, but apparently theres still some bugs to be worked out since one of the test models they had jammed shortly before 11 AM and refused to work for the rest of the day. Rabbit and squirrel are easily taken with this loading. The pace slowed, but not nearly to the degree that some revolvers I have run required to score accurate hits. I hope it turns out to be a commercial success for Colt they need one. After the release of a YouTube video where the The 2020 Colt Python was seen to malfunction, people have made claims that Colt is recalling the firearm. Like the 6 rounds. HORSESHIT Colt mislead you with their verbage. Regardless, the MSRP is $670, which means the gun will actually settle in at around $525 retail. Second of all, why not increase the barrel to 2.5 inches and get just a little bit more muzzle velocity and slightly better balance? 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. 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. This gun is a winner. Everything Ive read elsewhere indicates it is closer to the Colt Detective Special, steel frame and substantially heavier. Federal, Remington and Winchester have all proven accurate and useful. Why go with a .38 Special over .357 Magnum? You sir are very correct. Just received my brand new Colt Cobra. Colt is the Premiere Firearm maker in the History. The only chambering currently offered is .38 Special +P. I spoke with customer service rep at Colt. And it's not just for defense against four-legged attackers. Once people would see that, youd see why just saying Oh, were going to make them on CNC machines! isnt going to quite cut it with the original Colt lockwork design. And Colt still missed the mark with the design. I own a 3in S&W 686+ which holds 7 rnds of 357mag/38spcl, so I dont think thats a new design from Smith. Id love to see the Diamondback in a nice 3-gun set of 4 or 6 models in .38, 22LR and .22WMR, hopefully to be followed by the Python. Exactly. However, it showed my lack of skill with revolver reloads using speed loaders or strips. Workmanship is unsurpassed. Hogue overmolded grips come standard and a red fiber optic front sight comes factory installed. If that was the real reason Colt made this gun in 38 Special, I think it[s beyond ridiculous!! Nobody has cried about price yet though i may have to scroll down more. No need to change the grips, but you could if you wanted and the same can be said of the front sight. Although we expected no less than perfection, the Cobra fired all ammo with 100 percent reliability. But the gun look absolutely amazing just like the day I bought it in 1983. 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. Then come out with the Detective Specials again. Youd have to go back to the pre-Depression double guns of Parker, Fox, et al, and some custom-orders from Winchesters custom shop prior to WWII. Greg, this blog is called The Truth About Guns. I have the original Colt Cobra Agent Aluminum Alloy 38, mfg in 1977. As much as it pains me to say this however what they need is a Glock contender. After I received the gun and had a chance to shoot it for a while, the people at Colt were gracious enough to let me rapid-fire some questions about the new Colt Cobra at them. The Cobra was made infamous when Jack Ruby used a Colt Cobra .38 to kill Lee Harvey Oswald on November 24, 1963. The New Colt Cobra is heavier than its namesake, as the original was made with an aluminum frame rather than steel. 4 Anaconda. It doesnt make sense to market a gun for concealed carry but take the time, effort, and money to put a beautiful, but delicate finish on it. Of course, this revolver has a rampant Colt on its barrel. Colt spent many years carefully planning before re-entering the revolver market with the Cobra. We are building all Cobras right here in our factory in West Hartford, Connecticut.. colt, I found many positive features. Was that from closing the loaded cyl. A vintage Colt Cobra 2nd model located in the Guns.com Vault. I believe the exact opposite to be true. Many times, small-frame revolvers are suggested for new shooters because theyre easy to handle and dependable. 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. 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. What is the reason for this, in this day of superlight guns? The Colt Cobra holds six rounds of .38 Special ammunition, despite its compact dimensions. Not sure that anyone is beating on them for releasing a revolver but to place it in the same genus and species as their renowned snake series, instead of giving it a more generic name is the issue. In my early teens I read about the Different Gun Smiths in the late 1800 that were doing conversions to make it possible to use black powder Cartridges in the Percussion Pistols. I would love to see a stainless king cobra high polish gloss stainless steel with a two and a half two and three quarter inch barrel offer with original Pachmayr grips. 327 Meteor. Comparing the new Cobra to our Kimber K6s stubbies, though, the Kimbers are much better in terms of fit and finish and consistency and they both shoot, great. Ive done my best to summarize my questions and their answers verbatim, below.Where is the new Colt Cobra produced? In double action mode the trigger is smooth, and in single action mode the break is crisp and clean. We simply have not had a large selection of revolvers to choose from when it comes to full size revolvers. Original Cobras were produced from 1950 to 1981. To purchase on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?Keyword=Colt%20cobra. I have an original Cobra and it is a sweet handling revolver. To be fair, you'll get the same wear from opening/closing the cylinder on any revolver. A. Sort of, I suffer from MD and am slowly loosing the use of my hands (legs, arms, ect.) 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. This seems to be SOP for any new gun these days regardless of manufacturer. Too bad you will be under-armed in a life or death gun fight with a .38. In all I may try one when the price becomes more reasonable. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com). Still waitn. 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. How dare you disparage the trooper mkiii its the poor mans python and I love mine 6 in barrel and adjustable sights its a tac driver. And they are RARE. Six rounds rather than five rounds. Will you give an in-depth review of the Nighthawk, please? The New Cobra seems like an updated Detective Special. Like they say about changing the oil and washing your car, clean your weapon, and oil it, and it will return in its work. Colts made a big business decision and its their dough tahtst risk. The best gun is the one you have when you need it. This Cobra looks like a Taurus. It works one time, and then the cylinder doesn't rotate on subsequent shots (double action or single action). The MSRP is a bit rich for my bank account but in line with what others charge. deep Colt blue and Ill take it. Tauruss biggest thing going for it is that they are affordable. I would expect a gun brought in by Colt as representative example of their work would have been gone over by them with by a fine-tooth comb before it was displayed. This is Colts first time wading into DA/SA revolver market in over a decade. While the gun world seems to be all about the automatic pistol these days and I have some nice shooting autosI do love me some revolver. Install a nice large WHITE ramped-post front sight (better than my K.Cobra). I think I got quite a bit more for it than I paid. GOOD ARTICLE!I have the 3.8Det. Only then will I open the wallet for another Colt. I made a mistake on taking ammunition to the range and only had two brands to test with the Cobra. Orrin M. Knutson As for the finish, I carry concealed. In comparison a competitor in the Taurus 38, the Taurus grips resulted in no hand pain at all. We are confident our antique Colt Cobra will serve our children and perhaps our grandchildren and great grandchildren as well. From the moment I found out that the Colt Cobra would be reintroduced and that there would be updates and changes made, I had a few questions running around in my head. My experience with these parts is that they are a little gritty and not as smooth as solid metal parts. When given a choice between a bells-and-whistles K6 for $800+ and a basic Model 605 for around $350, most would go with the 605, especially if theyve got bills to pay. The trigger guard of the new Colt King Cobra, like those of the new Cobra and Night Cobra, looks as though the gun was dropped on it. is beyond me ? Ive never owned a Colt, but that may change when the initial hype cools down. Anyone who wants a small (concealed carry) revolver can choose from Smith and Wesson, Ruger, Taurus, Charter Arms, and probably more.
