[hatchetbearer]

looking for a new snubbie, and a trip to a shop in the middle of nowhere has a colt cobra "first issue" for $450. has only a small amount of wear on the sharp edges of the top strap. finish is about %90, good lockup and cylinder gap and original stocks, I just have never seen another one in person and dont know if i should jump on this or not.

the gentleman said it was made in the early 50's, not sure if he was trying to pull a fast one on me or not.

[mjb]

That is a good price. Just don't shoot +P ammo in it.

[SharpsDressedMan]

Here is mine. A top notch gun for concealed carry; a great "compromise" in all directions. Reliable, comfortable, tried and true, AND will hold its value. Most guys who have used or carried the Colt Det. or Cobra become lifelong fans of them. Mine is from 1952. http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m247/matquig/DSC05347.jpg

[wad]

In my neck of the woods, $450 is a very reasonable price. One in the condition you describe would list for about $100 more. My pair, one in the foreground is 1967 and the one at the back is 1961.

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae60/wdelack/CobraPair.jpg

[hatchetbearer]

well, looks like ill be picking it up in the morning, thanks guys.

[wad]

This is some very good information from Grant Cunningham on Colt revolvers.

http://www.grantcunningham.com/blog_files/colt_python_delicate.html

[Guillermo]

450...buy it.

Also ignore the +P warnings.

+Ps these days have lower pressure than standard rounds did when your "new" gun was made

[WC145]

I'd go for it, there's something a little special about Colts. I recently bought this nickel 1972 Detective Special at a gun show for $500 and I'm quite taken with it. It shoots great, locks up much tighter than my brand new S&W's, and is just plain cool.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/__3_AZOV0zhc/SsfOUHE6K3I/AAAAAAAABFM/QA2-NR14uL0/s640/SDC10659.JPG

[SwampWolf]

I bought one last year,circa 1968, nib, for $510.00. I think the price you're looking at is a fair one. There's something special about a revolver that weighs the same as a Smith "J-frame" Airweight, only slightly larger (the clylinder diameter is just 1/10th of an inch wider) and holds 20% more ammunition.

As for using +P ammunition-you're on your own. It's not dangerous but will generate a little more wear and tear on the gun over time (as is true for any other revolver; the question being is the alloyed Colt D-frame more susceptible than equivalent others to accelerated wear/tear issues?). Personally, I'd play it safe and limit +P ammunition to the very occasional use, if any. I always stick to the regular stuff-though Guillermo may well have a point.

[hatchetbearer]

I went up today and it was being sold as i walked in, still had that new gun-itis, and found a real nice glock. not what i had in mind, but hey, it works