Ready to Strike: The New .38 Special Colt Cobra - Full Review. I have not seen the new Cobra. 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. After all, it is what the market demands more than anything else, the name Colt still carries a lot of weight with people, and they could leverage that. Hogue overmolded grips come standard and a red fiber optic front sight comes factory installed. ALL of the parts for the Cobra are contracted out and made off site, they are just assembled at the factory. 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 actually an updated Detective Special with a fiber optic front sight. 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. Nor anywhere near as light as the Charter Bulldog. The. I handled one at my local gun shop and all I can say is WOW! Does anyone think that they will continue Manufacturing the snake gun series into the king cobra anaconda and python? The Detective Special was closer to what this new Cobra revolver is, and I have no idea why Colt marketing decided to muddy the waters with a name re-assignment like this. 03/18/23 Firearms & Sporting Goods Auction | Pa Auction Center Mine is Nickel though, which I prefer! Some of these vintage gems can be found in the Guns.com Vault. Install a nice large WHITE ramped-post front sight (better than my K.Cobra). The fit and finish of this gun is crap. Outdoor Sporting Consignment Online Auction | Harmeyer Auction The grips do not stick to clothes. The new owners understand that abandoning the consumer market was a mistake. It stood alone not only in Colts line at that time, but in American mass-production gunmaking at that time. First, the cylinder stop will drop before it even hits the recesses in the cylinder. Looks good in the pictures and magazine/internet reviews, but does it really exist? Is it produced by Colt 100%, or has Colt partnered with anyone else? Although we expected no less than perfection, the Cobra fired all ammo with 100 percent reliability. Ive been hearing hype about this gun since late 2016. However, it showed my lack of skill with revolver reloads using speed loaders or strips. This weekend I will have my new holster and will switch to the Cobra. It appears that the trigger pin is more centrally located, and the trigger itself is straighter. Thats far more than what most average income gun owners can afford. According to our friends at Revolvy, the first model of Cobra was made from 1950 to 1971 with a 2-inch barrel. And 25 ounces sounds too heavy. Field Report: The New Colt King Cobra | SOFREP 38 is a bit light for a defensive caliber. But if you criticize the company for its perceived poor communication skills, perhaps you should sweep off your own porch before commenting on anothers mess., Im disabled combat veteran that was blinded in Afghanistan by an IED I use voice text and I cant check my spelling very well or my sentence structure and I live in Florida so I think I know about the people in Miami a little bit better than you. Would it have killed them to polish the thing? The trigger pull needed some work. I cant think of any other gun from any other manufacture that got the level of attention and finish that the Python did in its heyday. 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. The front red fiber optic sight is an insert that can be changed, as it is set into a recess in the barrel shroud and then secured by an Allen screw through the front. You could get the Cobra in .38 Special, .32 Colt New Police, .22 LR, and a few were produced in .38 S&W. I. there are more models coming. I would buy a light weight Cobra rated for +p preferably with a shrouded hammer, otherwise, no thanks. Give us a grip option with more meat in the web area just behind the hammer (like my K.Cobra). I found many positive features. I just replaced it with the Ruger LCR 9 when the Colt made it in steel . It may not be the people in Miami who have the communication problem. The new models are updated small frames like the old Detective Special and Diamondback. Seems as though you are a Colt fan boy! Lower the cylinder release a bit. deep Colt blue and Ill take it. I had to leave it there when I rotated as this type of thing, along with ammo, disarmed hand grenades, M16s and disassembled M60s were sneaking out of country on a regular basis. Review: The Colt Night Cobra - RevolverGuy.Com 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. Do us all a favor and dont discredit the quality and craftsmanship that you once had by turning out inexpensive mass-produced garbage. 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 grouping opened up only slightly in double-action. I agree with you that would have been a much better plan of attack. I wish Colt & Smith&wesson would revamp and reintroduce a 100th Anniversary Model 1917, in .45 ACP. 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. New for 2017 Colt has heard the peoples request and is giving them what they want. , rifling 1/14 LH twist. You may as well tell us youd prefer a Nighthawk 1911 over a Colt 1911. Quote of the Day: D.C. The double/single-action Cobra is the baby in Colts wheelgun lineup. The New Colt Cobra: the Good, the Bad, and the very, very Ugly That's on purpose, as it is not proofed for the higher .357 Magnum pressures. 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. They seem to really like the gun with its special new grip design & larger trigger & trigger guard. Fourth, offer a shrouded hammer variant as well. 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. William Tiewater. The King Cobrawas re-released in 2019, and the Pythonin 2020. But the best news inside this article is the trigger pull. I dont think my small town gun stores carry them. That .357 Magnum, 4-inch barreled gun served as my introduction into shooting IPSC in the late 1970s. I havent found a stainless version of the old Detective Special. I was hoping for better reviews. Served me well for many years. It was like an afterthought for Colt to do something like that. When. Have a gun thats collecting dust? So, Colt has done the hard work for us here. I think its too little too late. Not meant to disparage, but to point out that the downgrade Troopr looks a lot nicer than the new Cobra. If you criticize the company because you have legitimate concerns about the quality of its product, fine. I remember the 90s like it was yesterday and I can remember seeing a lot of revolvers not just the snake series guns but Smith and Wesson Taurus and a half a dozen other ones sitting in the gun cabinets constantly collecting dust. In single-action our test model's trigger broke consistently at 4 lbs., 1 oz., with no grittiness or take-up. Colt 38 Special Guns for Sale - Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore Where are they? 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. Lets hope Colt ups the finish quality a bit, too. By signing up you agree to Guns.com's All Colts locked up tighter than S&Ws or Rugers, if done correctly at the factory. I dont believe all the Colt revolvers were great. While manipulating the trigger on the gun, I was impressed by just how nice the trigger felt. The LCR is the same story. As the article says Id love to be wrong about that, but indications seem otherwise. As a wheelgun fan, Im also very interested in an indepth hands on review of the Korth offerings from Nighthawk. Come on Colt with the Pythons already We want new Pythons. A. I have gone to carrying the S&W J-Frames. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com). In 2017 the costs are totally reversed, and hand-fitting would make the new Cobra a $2,000.00+ gun instead of a $699.00 gun. If I move the cylinder latch lever a little, the cylinder will rotate on the . Ergonomics on the Cobra are exceptional. It is the perfect frontal fanny pack gun. Best trade I ever made. Shroud the hammer to be nearly snag-free. The items in this catalog will be sold at a live auction with online bidding starting on Saturday March 18, 2023 @ 9:00am. I need a crappy built replacement model snake gun like I need a big hole in my head. The Colt Cobra: A Capable Snub-Nosed Snake Gun :: Guns.com So if Colt can do this with a new production gun, I say bring back the 4" and 6" Python and give us another . The new Colt Cobras are a little more affordable for people who just need a new Pony. It was clearly the gun I remembered seeing at the 2017 Shot Show (click this link to see our coverage from SHOT Show 2017). My dad has a story of his own, which he is quick to tell. Mine too! I am about the same age as Mr. Hodoway and I too remember the 60s / 70s when the Colt D frame and their Smith & Wesson brethren K frames were the Glocks of their time. If you have an issue with this SP101 being a little small try one of the new GP100 with 2in OR 3in carry Barrel its pretty dang small for a full size 6 shot capacity. Springfield XP-9 Cal 9MMX19 in Case, Colt Python 357 Magnum Revolver, Winchester Model 12 12 Ga., Winchester Model 70, 30Gov't06 Cal., Browning Over/Under Citori, 12 Ga., 1871 Remington Rolling Block Rifle, Eclipse Double Barrel 12 Ga., Marlin 30-30 Cal. I am very interested in the Cobra for these very same reasons. The only chambering currently offered is .38 Special +P. Tradition and nostalgia are important for a lot of gun enthusiasts. I have only one Comment. Never gonna happen, Colt left most of the Python tooling in the old Colt building in the area where US Patent/US Firearms was making their SAAs. Is there any talk from Colt to bring back the other lines of revolver will guns?? 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. I have had several of the lightweight Smith-Wesson revolvers. SMITH & WESSON (In Stock) 0.0. And they are RARE. Are you sure about the specs? The King Cobra fits between a S&W K frame and a J frame in size. Following your click, you would see an option labeled "Serial Number Lookup.". Im pretty sure Colt got rid of their custom shop so now who knows you probably cant get it done anymore. Also, I always liked the looks of the Detective Special (my first gun), and Python (my third gun a Colt Combat Commander was my second gun) but by changing the grip length and barrel, they made it real ugly it now looks just like a Taurus. S&W 617 vs. Colt King Cobra Target .22. Exactly. 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. Is it produced by Colt 100%, or has Colt partnered with anyone else? Retain the allure of the Python by offering only a limited run every year. Colt on the other hand is EVERYWHERE. only in 9.mm. COPYRIGHT 2021, THETRUTHABOUTGUNS.COM. The little Colt Cobra arrived in an innocuous brown cardboard box. It will be interesting to see what Colt does next. Original Cobras were produced from 1950 to 1981. I wish I could take apart a trio of S&W, Ruger, Colt DA revolvers side-by-side and show people whats really going on inside a DA revolver, and what is required to get the timing right. 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. Just my $0.10 worth. Revolvers, 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). There still are some jigs that survive at the East Hartford plant in the testfire area but they look rusted beyond salvation. This is not John Waynes revolver it is a modern work of art! Give us the option of a nice fat trigger (like my K.Cobra). The new Colt Cobra and King Cobra models are not medium frame revolvers like the old King Cobra. Like a dummy I sold it years ago. I would have brought out a King Cobra, just to show the market that they could do the finishing correctly again. My 1974 Cobra is my usual carry. 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. 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 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. You really shouldnt have built these pistols if you actually hope to stay in the gun industry without total failure. Like the 6 rounds. You can always deal with too short, but not too long. There is minimal recoil on this Colt. Light. Make the same gun in a nice Any (new) Colt Cobra owners here? | Page 2 | Ruger Forum Those 12 and 16 ounce revolvers are too light. Im pretty sure that particular model has been out for quite a few years. They are awesome. This article originally appeared in CONCEALMENT Issue 13. Colt Python Prices, Values and Trends - Rock Island Auction Company Making the parts on CNC, EDM or MIM machines does, however, more than suffice in a S&W or Ruger. I owned the 3 of the snake guns. Gist of what I heard: 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. 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. The Cobra holds 6-rounds, one more than many revolvers the same size. The New Colt Cobra is heavier than its namesake, as the original was made with an aluminum frame rather than steel.