colt cobra question

i'm thinking of buying a colt cobra .38 off of gunbroker. can it take a very limited diet of +p ammo? i would probably shoot only 25-30 rounds thru it to see if its contollable enough for SD.

if not, what .38 round would you suggest? maybe buffalo bore.38 wadcutters?

thanks.........Bill

A modern Colt Cobra will certainly handle some +P loads without damage. The cylinder is steel and the frame is Colt's medium-sized D frame. It's a tough-enough gun.

What do you consider modern?

Lets say a 1969 manufactured cobra.

Maybe I'm a little overly cautious but I'm not sure the Cobra's aluminum frame will stand +p loads. I will not subject mine to it. It is a great little .38 spl. though. I like mine more than my J frame Smith and the 6th round is a bonus.

The Speer Gold Dots for snubbys would be a good choice.

I dont run any through mine.

I never thought the +P thing was good. If I want more power than a 38, I'd rather get a 357 mag and use +P through it. Less recoil and would last forever.

Best wishes

Joe

+P and +P+ ammo is OFF LIMITS, even for my Colt 2nd series (1947-1972)
D-frame Detective Specials; and certainly for my '73 Colt Agent~! ;) :D

I don't run +P's in my older cobra's. That wouldn't stop me from buying the gun. Standard 38 special will get the job done and you will have much better control. I carry a 67 Cobra and a 56 Agent with Federal Nyclad 125 HP's standard velocity rounds at 840 to 850. I prefer the pre 73 Colts over the new models.

In my 1972 Cobra I use +P's, but I only shoot them in it very rarely. Most target practice with the gun is done with std pressure 130gr WWB.

In my 1959 Cobra I use the MagTech 158gr SJHP's. They are std pressure and reasonably priced... Althou I had to mail order them from Mid Way. Shooting them into wet news paper at 10yrds gives at least some expansion.

Agulia also has a 158gr SJHP that is std pressure but I have been unable to locate any in stock anywhere.

Never tried the Buffalo Bore 158gr LHP's. They look like a a good round but a bit pricy.
Will

Colt rated the post-1972 shrouded barrel Cobra for "up to" 1500 rounds of +P before the gun would need to be returned to the factory for possible frame replacement.

Cobra's made before 1972, with the exposed ejector rod were NOT rated for any +P ammo.

However, many people did and do practice with standard .38 Special ammo, and load up with +P for "business".
In any case, the gun isn't going to blow up, it'll just wear much faster.