2017 - New Colt Cobra

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Dain Bramage said:
I'm trying to make order out of the decision to market a .38 Spl +P model first.
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I think it makes sense. In my state, last year was a record setter for CC permits issued. Now, one in six adults have a permit where I live. That means new carriers, and a lot of folks are content with a 38 Special. I would think a mid sized 38 that will soak up some recoil would be a lot more ideal than a lot of the airweight, and LCR type guns out there for new shooters and carriers. I think women will find the new Cobra an easier gun to master, primarily because they will find it more pleasant to shoot, with average hand size being a bit smaller, and perhaps less musculature (not being sexist, just stating that women are usually built differently than men.). That means they are more inclined to practice more.

But that doesn't just apply to women. While recoil doesn't bother a lot of people, myself included, There is something nice about having a right sized gun, and not a bunch of unnecessary mass for folks who have no interest in magnum revolvers.

I will be watching for a 44 magnum myself, but I think Colt is trying to go after their share of the CC and defense market, which makes sense since I'm pretty sure that is the fastest growing market in the gun industry.
 
...I bet the current Cobra frame is already sized for the .357 Magnum cartridge...
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I don't think so - frame looks just the right size for a .38 Spl. cylinder. You either need a longer cylinder (which I believe is not the case here), or a frame with wider cylinder window as evident on S&W 10/67 heavy barrel - .357 frame blank, but chambered in .38.
 
I have only one complaint about this revolver. It is a snubnose.
A 4 inch would make more sense, but I just cannot see any reason for a snubnose, any more. The extra barrel length of a 4 inch cuts the muzzle blast and usually increases velocity, plus you get a longer sight radius and slightly less recoil due to the additional weight of the longer barrel.
I had a COLT SF VI with a 3 inch barrel and a third generation Detective Special and they were both good guns, but I sold them off with most of my snubnose revolvers including a S&W model 24.
I carried either a S&W model 38 or CHARTER ARMS Undercover as a pocket gun for many years as my off duty gun or a 2 inch S&W model 12 in a pancake holster for when I went for an exercise walk after dinner.
I have switched over to semi-autos for SD and my duty carry gun for the past 20 years has been a semi-auto. For me, wheelguns are just for the range, now. Though a 5 inch Cobra might make a nice field gun if it was fitted with a non full length underlug. It would just add to much weight with the full length underlug.
 
RealGun said:
it is problematic to try to discuss a new model while too many are going on about how they wish it was something else.
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Well, that is the nature of the beast, isn't it? Colt's decisions and omissions on reintroducing the DA revolver after so many years will elicit many more, and broader, opinions than..let's say, a new texture pattern on a Glock. Of course, I could be wrong.
 
My wife carries a 38 S&W airweight but the recoil limits the range time. She is interested in this one or the new Kimber. We will see if she likes one over the other. She has no interest in a 357.
 
I am pleased to see Colt reviving their DA/SA revolvers. Having owned a Detective Special as well as handling and shooting a Cobra I have these insights.
First, this is more a Detective Special than a Cobra. The original Cobra is an alloy frame and much easier to carry & handle. But it is not a Detective Special.
Second, product life cycle. Colt is not going to (re)introduce a product without thoughts towards future upgrades to garner continued interest in what will be coming next. I suspect barrel lengths, bluing, moon clips, hammer shrouds, etc are awaitng. And likely additional models, including Pythons and maybe Anacondas.
Third, it makes good sense it become a magnum model. My personal reason being a greater availability of ammunition. But my favorite reason for being pleased Colt re-entering the DA/SA revolver market is real competition to S&W that will bring revolver prices back to earth.
 
BlondeBear63 said:
I am pleased to see Colt reviving their DA/SA revolvers. Having owned a Detective Special as well as handling and shooting a Cobra I have these insights.
First, this is more a Detective Special than a Cobra. The original Cobra is an alloy frame and much easier to carry & handle. But it is not a Detective Special.
Second, product life cycle. Colt is not going to (re)introduce a product without thoughts towards future upgrades to garner continued interest in what will be coming next. I suspect barrel lengths, bluing, moon clips, hammer shrouds, etc are awaitng. And likely additional models, including Pythons and maybe Anacondas.
Third, it makes good sense it become a magnum model. My personal reason being a greater availability of ammunition. But my favorite reason for being pleased Colt re-entering the DA/SA revolver market is real competition to S&W that will bring revolver prices back to earth.
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If there is ever a shortage of 38 Special, it is because that is what everybody likes. Versatility of the gun design only really matters to the manufacturer. Personally, I am particular about a gun being well suited to what I shoot in it. The truth seems to be that 38 Special is enough of a challenge to shoot in these smaller guns. I have a Smith 637 lightweight that is way overpowered with standard, off-the-shelf 38 Special. This 25 oz steel gun should be much better, but would be over driven as 357 Magnum in my estimation.

The 2" barrel makes sense to me for appendix carry or cross draw.
 
RealGun said:
The LCR is 8 ounces lighter. The Colt at 25 ounces seems to me like a belt holster gun. With 6 rounds, you'd think that was the intent of the design.
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I used to pocket carry my '78 Detective Special regularly for a couple of years, until I traded it towards a SAA.
 
It does make me wonder if Colt offering new DA revolvers will at the very least force S&W to step up their quality control. If the prices are competitive, and you can get a Colt that is more refined from the factory, Smith will undoubtedly find some of their business drifting away.

I know it's wishful thinking but I wonder if it could possibly cause them to drop the lock.
 
RealGun said:
If there is ever a shortage of 38 Special, it is because that is what everybody likes. Versatility of the gun design only really matters to the manufacturer. Personally, I am particular about a gun being well suited to what I shoot in it. The truth seems to be that 38 Special is enough of a challenge to shoot in these smaller guns. I have a Smith 637 lightweight that is way overpowered with standard, off-the-shelf 38 Special. This 25 oz steel gun should be much better, but would be over driven as 357 Magnum in my estimation.

The 2" barrel makes sense to me for appendix carry or cross draw.
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Not demanding it, but just 0.040" additional length means having the option of magnum rounds should .38 Special be unavailble.
I also am in the camp hoping competition will be good for S&W customers.
 
I just went to the Colt web site and the only revolvers I see are the SAA. Is Colt waiting for the Shot Show to formally announce or maybe we are being fooled.
 
Thanks, at 25oz it hits that range where the weight is not obnoxious and the recoil is helped by the weight. Of course some will want a lighter one and some will want a longer one and some will want a 357 but this is a good start and I am sure there will be options in the future. Good for Colt getting back in the DA game.
 
I'm excited to see a pony on the side of a wheelgun again. I was too young to buy one when they dropped the revolvers, and I have had a few on the used market, but never the ones I was really looking for. I know that this "steel cobra" is essentially a DS so I'm not interested in it, but if they make a new Trooper I'm on it like stink on a warm turd.
 
WestKentucky, I'm with you - a Trooper, or modern equivalent thereof (that is to say, a medium frame 4-inch .357) is the Colt revolver I want.
 
Sergei Mosin

WestKentucky, I'm with you - a Trooper, or modern equivalent thereof (that is to say, a medium frame 4-inch .357) is the Colt revolver I want.
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That would make three of us then! Would love to see a new version of the Trooper Mk.V with a 4" barrel.
 
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