American Rifleman Colt Night Cobra Review

Status
Not open for further replies.
The MSRP was $900.00, just looked at Bud's, the model spread goes from $769 to $600. Same web site, a plain jane Taurus M85 is $300 and a titanium and stainless version is $480. I could not find what was stainless and what was titanium on that model. Now the local gunstore is running a sale: a Ruger LCR is $355, a M642 $333. In 2016 I purchased this, out the door for $294, and I believe prices have gone down!

3OHkYhD.jpg

I have not handled a Colt Cobra, at least not the new. I do have an "original Colt Cobra" and several of these:

2qh3TRm.jpg

I don't know how the latest version of the Cobra's stack up against the old, but the old DS's and old Cobra's were dynamite little pistols. And then, the current Cobra is at best $600. When the competition is offering functionally similar revolvers for half the price, is the Pony worth double?
 
I’ve got one that is back at colt being worked on, but the trigger is nice on it. I don’t think it is appropriate to compare it to 5 shot revolvers like the LCR, 642, etc, given that it is a six shot revolver. There aren’t many options to choose from for a six shot weighing at 25 oz or less. Charter, Taurus, Kimber and Colt offer them, but undoubtedly the Colt and Kimber are better in terms of fit, finish, trigger, and sights.

If Ruger and Smith would offer similar models perhaps we would see more competitive pricing, but right now Colt really only has the Kimber to compete with.
 
SteadyD said:
I’ve got one that is back at colt being worked on, but the trigger is nice on it. I don’t think it is appropriate to compare it to 5 shot revolvers like the LCR, 642, etc, given that it is a six shot revolver. There aren’t many options to choose from for a six shot weighing at 25 oz or less. Charter, Taurus, Kimber and Colt offer them, but undoubtedly the Colt and Kimber are better in terms of fit, finish, trigger, and sights.

If Ruger and Smith would offer similar models perhaps we would see more competitive pricing, but right now Colt really only has the Kimber to compete with.
Click to expand...

I tend to agree that comparing a 5-shot Smith or Ruger with a 6-shot Colt isn't fair. The Colt's salient point is the extra round in the cylinder.

Is the one additional cartridge worth the extra money? And if capacity is a primary purchase concern maybe a semi-auto should be what you're after.

Still, it is interesting to see the new Colt on the market if for no other reason than to spur some innovation. Maybe Ruger will make a 6-shot LCR or Colt will launch a lightweight version.

BTW--why do you have one back at the factory? What is wrong with it?
 
USBP379 said:
I tend to agree that comparing a 5-shot Smith or Ruger with a 6-shot Colt isn't fair. The Colt's salient point is the extra round in the cylinder.

Is the one additional cartridge worth the extra money? And if capacity is a primary purchase concern maybe a semi-auto should be what you're after.

Still, it is interesting to see the new Colt on the market if for no other reason than to spur some innovation. Maybe Ruger will make a 6-shot LCR or Colt will launch a lightweight version.

BTW--why do you have one back at the factory? What is wrong with it?
Click to expand...
Too much endshake and the ejector rod is sticking rearward. According to them it will be another month before it returns as they shut down for the holiday.
 
I've handled one and compared it to the Kimber. The Kimber one for me for several reasons.

The Colt was very nice though and if I had the money I'd happily own both. But as it is I own neither at the moment.

Vehicle repairs suck.
 
I haven't handled the Kimber (would like to just haven't seen one for sale) but I've seen some complaints about quality control.
 
If im gonna pony up that kinda money, I greatly prefer the Kimber. Much more so the new 3" DA/SA Kimber.

They are both nice guns though and if money were no issue I'd own both.

As is I'm happy with my J and K snubs.
 
I'm satisfied with my Cobra. Comparing the price against plastic guns and Charter Arms isn't really a valid comparison.

There are pictures floating around of the new 3" King Cobra in .357. I'll buy one of those also if they offer it with adjustable sights.
 
A 3" King Cobra in .357? I so want one. $899 MSRP? Works for me. A used 3" Model S&W Model 13 in decent condition is almost as much everywhere.

For the OP, I have a Cobra in .38, and I love it. Great trigger, nice red fiber-optic front sight, quite accurate.
 
460Shooter said:
Now that interests me. Put a 5" barrel on it and I'd be real interested.
Click to expand...

At least a 4" barrel. And some real sights.

It is interesting that they are calling this magnum version the King Cobra even though the old Cobra and King Cobra were different. Makes me wonder if Colt has any plans for a medium frame 357 service-type wheel gun.

And where the heck is the revamped Anaconda???
 
1KPerDay said:
Dunno why they seem to think the trigger guard has to be ugly. I guess it works better?
Click to expand...

Many people will probably never understand nor appreciate the focus some of us put on how the lines of a trigger affects the general (and admittedly wholly subjective) aestheticism of any firearm. For whatever reason, over the past couple of decades, gunmakers seem to have gone out of their way to make trigger guards look as goofy and ungainly and, yes, as ugly as possible. Some of the biggest "offenders", imo, are shotgun manufacturers; the best (worst) example maybe being Benelli.
You addressed an on-going, if picayune pet peeve of mine, 1KPerDay. :thumbup::thumbdown:
 
Iron Sight said:
Why a moving exposed hammer on a gun that can be fired in double action only?
Click to expand...

Depends on your training. Some teach to cover the hammer with the shooting thumb during reholster as a safety measure. If something snags the trigger the shooter should feel the hammer move and know to stop before going further. Especially important for AIWB carry.
 
So the Colt King Cobra is not DA/SA despite having an exposed hammer? As far as the Night Cobra vs K6s, I don't believe I've come across one person who actually owns or fired both claim that the Colt was a better build, had a better trigger, or was on par with Colts of old. So far the biggest draw and selling point seems to be one extra round, nostalgia, and the Colt branding.
 
SwampWolf said:
Many people will probably never understand nor appreciate the focus some of us put on how the lines of a trigger affects the general (and admittedly wholly subjective) aestheticism of any firearm. For whatever reason, over the past couple of decades, gunmakers seem to have gone out of their way to make trigger guards look as goofy and ungainly and, yes, as ugly as possible. Some of the biggest "offenders", imo, are shotgun manufacturers; the best (worst) example maybe being Benelli.
You addressed an on-going, if picayune pet peeve of mine, 1KPerDay. :thumbup::thumbdown:
Click to expand...
Exactly.... People who buy Charter Arms, Taurus, etc want shooters. People who buy and pay a premium for S&Ws, Colts, and Kimbers want nice aesthetics and high build quality to boot... The new Colts don't seem as nice as Smiths and Kimbers... If S&W responds with a 6 shot J-framish snubbie of their own, I fear the new Cobras sales will drop off big time. Colt will have taken a back seat to S&W and Kimber. That, or they'll have to drop the price by hundreds to be able to compete... IMHO...
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
Colt Cobra 4in,1952 how rare?Worth??
Replies
2
Views
1K
Gordon
Gordon
C
  • Locked
Colt Cobra questions
Replies
19
Views
1K
fearless leader
fearless leader
D
Colt King Cobra
Replies
13
Views
994
gconang
G
USBP379
  • Locked
American Rifleman .357 Mag Tests
2 3
Replies
50
Views
3K
DPris
D
P
  • Locked
Colt King Cobra 357 Mag.
Replies
6
Views
780
XavierBreath
XavierBreath
Back
Top