Coal Dragger
member
I am really happy to see Colt reentering the DA revolver market. I know many of you are disappointed with this offering compared to older Colt DA revolvers due to cosmetics. Well my advice for those who are upset that Colt is not interested in making very labor intensive revolvers that are as cosmetically appealing is twofold: First of all, get over it, there is a reason Colt stopped making those expensive to produce revolvers and that is because not enough people were buying them. Secondly be patient, in order for Colt to think of making some of the older designs or offering at least some of the older levels of fit and finish the base model working quality guns have to succeed.
I for one am glad to see that Colt is actually going about this in the way they are. If they had decided to only offer an expensive custom shop gun like they do with the SAA this would always remain a limited production collector gun. Colt can't make a viable business model in the consumer market on collector guns that you just look at don't actually use. What I want from Colt is a well made firearm regardless of type that is made to the standards of their M4's. In other words made first and foremost to work as a hard use duty grade working gun, be it an actual M4, a 1911, or now their revolver line. That means good materials and metallurgy, thorough testing of parts, proper assembly and function checks, and rigorous quality control. I'm looking for competitive prices that offer good value for the money. Notice I didn't say cheap, I just said competitive, quality costs money and I'm willing to pay but I want value for that dollar spent. If Colt can accomplish this I think they'll do well with their new revolvers and the line can expand.
In order to have the fancy models with Royal Blue finishes or hand tuned actions the base model guns have to be good. I know I have said this already, but it remains the pivotal point. If the base models perform like champs, and sell well the case is there for line expansion.
The new offering itself has some merits that should make it a solid contender as long as quality control is good. For example the decision to make it from all stainless steel and bead blast it is a smart one. The material is tough and will make for a robust little revolver, and the finish will hide a lot of sins in manufacture as well as resist a lot of obvious holster wear. I know everyone loves the high polish blued guns, but how many of you would actually run one everyday out of a kydex holster as an EDC with the finish being abraded off from the holster or corroded off from contact with your skin and sweat? I wouldn't, I'd take that bead blasted stainless every time. Other plusses are that it is a 6 shot, not everyone is happy carrying a J Frame Smith with only 5 rounds on board, or a Ruger SP101 with only 5 rounds that weighs just as much.
The easily exchangeable front sight is an excellent, and long overdue, idea for a DA revolver that has no adjustable rear sight, it is a boon for any revolver at all and is one of my favorite features. My Freedom Arms M83 has a nearly identical system for retaining and changing front sight blades and it makes the iron sights outstanding. Need to change point of impact? Get a different front sight height. Need a different sight picture? Get a different style sight blade, or fiber optics, or tritium insert, or brass bead. I trust this will be a feature on any future Colt DA revolvers and it is an excellent one. I would also love to see the Cobra offered with a dovetailed rear sight adjustable for windage, then you could actually perfectly zero your snub nose revolver with carry ammo between the rear sight and front sight.
I eagerly await the introduction of a new King Cobra, and Anaconda. Here's hoping that materials are top notch and that quality is high! I'd also love to see all these revolvers be offered in a salt bath nitride finish for maximum durability.
I for one am glad to see that Colt is actually going about this in the way they are. If they had decided to only offer an expensive custom shop gun like they do with the SAA this would always remain a limited production collector gun. Colt can't make a viable business model in the consumer market on collector guns that you just look at don't actually use. What I want from Colt is a well made firearm regardless of type that is made to the standards of their M4's. In other words made first and foremost to work as a hard use duty grade working gun, be it an actual M4, a 1911, or now their revolver line. That means good materials and metallurgy, thorough testing of parts, proper assembly and function checks, and rigorous quality control. I'm looking for competitive prices that offer good value for the money. Notice I didn't say cheap, I just said competitive, quality costs money and I'm willing to pay but I want value for that dollar spent. If Colt can accomplish this I think they'll do well with their new revolvers and the line can expand.
In order to have the fancy models with Royal Blue finishes or hand tuned actions the base model guns have to be good. I know I have said this already, but it remains the pivotal point. If the base models perform like champs, and sell well the case is there for line expansion.
The new offering itself has some merits that should make it a solid contender as long as quality control is good. For example the decision to make it from all stainless steel and bead blast it is a smart one. The material is tough and will make for a robust little revolver, and the finish will hide a lot of sins in manufacture as well as resist a lot of obvious holster wear. I know everyone loves the high polish blued guns, but how many of you would actually run one everyday out of a kydex holster as an EDC with the finish being abraded off from the holster or corroded off from contact with your skin and sweat? I wouldn't, I'd take that bead blasted stainless every time. Other plusses are that it is a 6 shot, not everyone is happy carrying a J Frame Smith with only 5 rounds on board, or a Ruger SP101 with only 5 rounds that weighs just as much.
The easily exchangeable front sight is an excellent, and long overdue, idea for a DA revolver that has no adjustable rear sight, it is a boon for any revolver at all and is one of my favorite features. My Freedom Arms M83 has a nearly identical system for retaining and changing front sight blades and it makes the iron sights outstanding. Need to change point of impact? Get a different front sight height. Need a different sight picture? Get a different style sight blade, or fiber optics, or tritium insert, or brass bead. I trust this will be a feature on any future Colt DA revolvers and it is an excellent one. I would also love to see the Cobra offered with a dovetailed rear sight adjustable for windage, then you could actually perfectly zero your snub nose revolver with carry ammo between the rear sight and front sight.
I eagerly await the introduction of a new King Cobra, and Anaconda. Here's hoping that materials are top notch and that quality is high! I'd also love to see all these revolvers be offered in a salt bath nitride finish for maximum durability.
