King Cobra or Cobra?

King Cobra

I have the KC target and it's a sweet revolver. I had to change the grips because of my small hands but that's no big deal.

Colt revolvers aren't my area, but you've used the word collecting.

Collecting is a term with many dimensions. If your interest at this time is limited owning a variety of cool snake guns to shoot, and your question is which is the best shooter to start with, that still counts as collecting. But if you have a more focused interest, or think that someday you might develop one, there are some experienced collectors on THR that can provide advice on the many other factors to watch for when building a collection.

Snake guns aren't cheap, and even if shooting is a primary goal they will still represent a substantial investment. Some food for thought.

Checking the two out what I've found so far is the King has wood grips with a wider trigger.
The trigger guard is supposed to be a little bigger on the King to help while wearing gloves.
It doesn't look like Colt has updated their website for awhile as the .22 version isn't listed.
I'm looking at the King in .22lr. Not sure if I should go with the 4" or 6" barrel.

I'd go with the King Cobra first, just for versatility. If you get the 3" barrel model, it's still compact enough for concealed carry, yet substantial enough to manage recoil even with magnum loads. Does well with .38 Special. It's also a bit prettier than the Cobra's matt finish (unless you score the "Night Cobra" which I've only spotted once in a store). The King Cobra Target intrigues me, as it's not as honkin' big as the Python. The snakes kinda become addicting.








Then one day, you might just find a gem at the used gun counter...

Does not matter which you buy first if you are going to start collecting as you stated, just get the one that is available for you right now.

Forgot to add that my King Cobra has the best out of the box trigger on any revolver I've purchased new in the last forty years or so. It's amazing. The new Cobra has a sweet trigger, as do my "new" Pythons, but the KC is noiceably better.

Am not a revolver fan by any means, but my first snake was the big daddy, followed by the king cobra and than 6" python.

King Cobra 3" or 4". 3" is more versatile for carry. If it's only for the range, go 4" King Cobra Target.

I've been thinking of adding another wheel gun to the stable and I have to say I do like that King Cobra Target.

More than likely I'll get another 44 or 45, but if I find the right one of those at the right time, well........

My 67 Cobra.

Still unfired for close to a year, King Cobra.

I e been really enjoying my kind Cobra. I mostly shoot 38 but have shot 357 and don't find the recoil too bad.

I love my 3 inch KC. 38 is EZ shootin’. The wadcutters are turn it in to a competition cap gun!

If it's mainly for range use then I would go with the King Cobra Target.

If it's going to be for CCW then I would opt for the King Cobra with a 3" barrel.

When I read “collecting,” I picture a guy buying older Colts (Pythons, Boas, Anacondas, etc.) that will be set in the safe for future sale as the values go up.

If you are looking to buy recent issues to shoot, the Pythons and Anacondas are really nice and are selling new for around $1,500 OTD (maybe a bit less) while the King Cobras are several hundred less. My only “snake” is a new issue Cobra .38, which is a 2” snub revolver that is much more of a ccw gun. It has been a great little gun that is easy to shoot and doesn’t beat me up as much as my air weight S&W revolvers do. (It doesn’t carry/conceal as easily, so there are trade offs.)

Good luck with your quest.



Stay safe.

You might start looking at the 100 plus years of Colt's made before the current crop. Look at Police Positive, Officers Model, Detective Special...there's a long list of first class Colt handguns that will never be made again. Admit I bought a new KC Target that I love...just maybe not as much as the originals...hard to say...

I'm of the opinion that the new Colt double actions are the finest made revolvers made to date. YES, early on Smith and Wessons and Colt Pythons that are hand fitted are very, very fine weapons indeed....But these new Colts made with the latest and greatest technology are simply the next step closer to perfection....perfection that isn't attainable, but these are the furthest down the Asymptote anyways...