King Cobra...who will buy one?

[evan price]

Nope, got one already. How many do I need? (I say, as I look at the stack of S&W k-frames in the safe)

 

[hAkron]

To build a great revolver is an expensive proposition. To justify the required tooling and staff training you would need to sell a bunch. To sell a bunch you need to price them within reach, to do that you need to cut a few corners. When you start to cut corners to save money you start to lower quality.

In almost all cases, you are much better off to buy something old and used.

 

[bannockburn]

Loved my Mk.Vs (regret having to sell them), and would be interested in a new King Cobra if the build quality is great and the price isn't somewhere up in the stratosphere.

 

[buck460XVR]

Would have to actually see one before I can make a decision.
If the quality is there and it's not priced out of the market I could be interested.

Same here. Since I have the majority of my handgun needs already filled, the idea I gotta have one "just because" is not a whole lot of motivation. One needs to remember, that many of us were buying handguns when they were previously being produced and they still quit making 'em because of lack of sales.

 

[BobWright]

Why would I want a King Cobra? I have a S&W Model 586 Distinguished Combat Magnum, in fact two, a 4" and a 6" and Colt would have to do better than that to get my attention.

In my opinion, the 586 stands head and shoulders above whatever else is in second place among DA .357 Magnum revolvers.

Bob Wright

 

[Dframe]

Got to disagree with you on this one Bob. My J frame Colts are incredibly strong and accurate. I'll happily agree that the 586 is a fine revolver but better than my King Cobra? Nope.

 

[Plastikosmd]

Frankly, I don't feel there is that much difference between my 586/686/cobra/pythons that I have or had. I like them all. I do have a king that I won't sell as it was a wedding present.

 

[22-rimfire]

Build it in 41 mag and I will buy one. Otherwise, I already have a few 357's including my beloved Trooper Mark III.

 

[Wishoot]

Depends on the build quality. If it's built like a ruger, pass. if it's comparable to a python, I'm in. (I know, different actions, but they principle applies) If it's built like a king cobra, I'll keep my smith. I guess what I am saying is that if it a mass market gun I already have a couple. If it's a high end awesome gun I have great interest. 5", stainless, exotic wood grips, minimal rollmarks and warnings etc.

Either way they need to make the firing pin replaceable, so don't make it exactly like the old ones.

Not to change gears, but what's wrong with Ruger's build quality? I've got a Security Six and GP100 that are unstoppable.

 

[BobWright]

No experience with the King Cobra, but with the Python and similar Colts, they would not accept my handloads using the 173 gr. SWC crimped in the crimping groove. To make them work had to reduce powder charge and seat bullets deeper. This also applies to the S&W Models 27 and 28, which also had the short cylinders. Did fit in the Model 19, but no way was I going to feed a Model 19 a steady diet of these.

Bob Wright

 

[montanaoffroader]

I wouldn't mind picking up a spare, if they actually make it into production. I'll believe when I see it.......

 

[ColtPythonElite]

A famous gunsmith once said the King Cobra was the strongest mid-framed .357 made. I have no reason to doubt it. My favorite King Cobra has seen about 30k rounds with the majority being pretty warm 125 JHP's. It is still as tight as the day I bought it new over 20 years ago....I am bless enough to own more than a couple of Colt DA's. If I had to sell them all and keep only one, it would be a King Cobra.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Post #27; CorBon....

Post 27 goes back to part of what I said.
Colt would need time(years) to properly train, manage, develop etc the skilled labor(the key phrase; skilled).
These employees/labor won't be cheap(CT). The new DA/SA line would also need a few years of R&D too.
Colt could roll out new King Cobras or a new DA .357magnum, .44, .38spl(snub) but why? Id think the US military & 1911 orders would give them plenty of work.
A new .357magnum revolver could be $1000.00 to $1500.00 too? Is that a big seller?

As for the gunsmith remarks, Id say the Ruger GP100 is the "king" of med frame revolvers.
I've read the R&D staff of CorBon uses the GP100 revolver for .357magnum ammunition. That's a real endorsement IMO.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Yep, the GP is a fine revolver if you like cast over forged and don't care that it's finish is completed with a wire brush and some 200 grit sandpaper. GP's sell well because they are good guns, value priced, and easy to get. That doesn't make them the top of the heap, though.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Yep, the GP is a fine revolver if you like cast over forged and don't care that it's finish is completed with a wire brush and some 200 grit sandpaper. GP's sell well because they are good guns, value priced, and easy to get. That doesn't make them the top of the heap, though.

The GP-100 isn't the prettiest revolver on the market, but it's a bet your life rugged and reliable 6 gun that will hold it's own against ANY modern S&W.

Now as to the OP, what are his sources? How does HE know Colt is getting back into the DA revolver game? He could be trolling big time, but IF Colt comes out with the King Cobra again, I might be in the market.

If it's going to be old school Colt fit and finish, it's probably going to be expensive. To tell you the honest to God truth, I'm just fine with that. Some people say they won't buy it unless it's "under ($?)" and then say "it better be the same quality as it used to be", well guess what? In the year 2014 that simply isn't going to happen.

Either this gun is going to be made at a price point like most other guns today, or it's going to be expensive but made with Colt old-school quality in mind. At least that's what I think. JMHO.

YMMV.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

The old King Cobra wasn't a premium gun. Sure, it was well finished, but it wasn't the Cadillac. It's S&W peer was the 686. To be competitive in today's market, the gun would have to be priced about the same as a new 686. If a new KC could be built as well as the old KC in the price range, I would say they would do well.....Honestly, it would be nice to see. The used King Cobra market has gone nuts. I would like to see a new gun that would help drive the crazy asking prices of the old guns down.

 

[357 Terms]

Don't hold your breathe fella's.

I doubt Colt will produce a DA revolver again.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Since the OP is in Connecticut...

... and has: "already said too much", I'll throw my .02¢ in.

Would I buy one? Already have.

Hell, were the price right - I'd buy two more and replace a couple of my favored Tauri with the Colts and play with modifying the stainless Tauruses as practice engraving guns and the like.

And by the price being "right", I don't mean to be the average whiner crabbing about how they "think" the price is too high, I just don't want to be paying for perceived legacy - only quality.

Yup. I'd be a buyer - twice more over.

I guess I'll have to see one. I still feel monster disappointment after getting all worked up to get a Smith .500 and then seeing one of those overpriced turds in the flesh.

 

[wproct]

Personally, I will be very surprised if Colt re-enters the double action revolver arena again. I am a fan of the older S&W K and L frame revolvers, and also a huge fan of the GP100. I'm sorry, but Colt will not engineer anything that will come close to the GP100 in design and function, and it's too late in the game to try to go head to head with Smith & Wesson in a more highly finished revolver. I could very well be wrong, but that's the way it looks to me.

 

[Barry the Bear]

I would like some proof of colts' intention to produce these once fine guns. Just saying "Ive spoken too much" leaves this thread to be another "I wish upon a star" thread.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Kicked myself for not buying a 4 inch one in a consignment case years ago.

Let us know when it's not vaporware.

 

[Ed Ames]

Sounds like a CB radio or malt liquor. Is it an attempt to grab some nostalgia cash from boomers? I guess with a name like "King Cobra" we can assume this is not yet another attempt to copy the Judge? Would I know the name if I was 30 years older?

I have so little interest I don't even know why anyone would think I would have interest.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have a 4" that appears unfired. Three or so years ago, I tried to sell it and priced it at $750. I couldn't get a bite. I put in the back of the safe and kinda forgot about it. I am glad I did now.

 

[syr74]

Colt built more than a few King Cobra revolvers in the 80's and 90's and despite this prices on the used market are currently ridiculous and climbing. Those prices make it clear that there is quite a bit of demand for Colt revolvers, and given the reality that tooling up for existing designs shouldn't take more than a couple of years at the most I think this is a market Colt should reenter. I'm not at all confident that they will unfortunately.

 

[Peter Gun]

I would prob buy one if it was cheaper than the current insane used prices.
6" stainless king cobra was my first gun. Also the one I most regret selling. Fell victim to the allure of autos and wasn't able to keep a collection.