A friend of mine has one of these in a 380 cal. A boyfriend of hers bought it for her, telling her that she "didn't need a 9mm" it was to much gun for her. I should note, he has a Bersa 380 which is generally regarded as a decent gun (at least for a BUG). This Cobra appears to be kind of big and clunky for a 380, but I don't know anything about it. We went to the range with it, and it jams all the time, with different Ammo (WWB, Remington, etc). I suggested she get a Bersa or a Kel Tec if she wanted to keep a 380, but need some info on this gun for her.
Anyone heard of a Gun called a Cobra?
- Thread starter tmslow
- Start date
- Status
1KPerDay
Member
Sounds like you got all the info you need.
Yes, Cobra's were (I believe) over by Phoenix Arms. The Cobra Raven (Sub Compact) comes in .25 cal, .32 cal and .380 cal. The Cobra FS (Compact) comes in .32 cal and .380. If this was a new pistol, and the warranty card was filled out and sent in, Phoenix Arms will fix and defects or replace the firearm. They are a good company, it just happens that these particular guns aren't that great. I recommend cleaning it after every use and keep it lubricated!!! I have a Phoenix Arms HP22 (.22) and it's great, I just have to keep it up (clean/lubricating) after each use. Another problem could be the magazine, not feeding the ammo effectively.
Hope this helps you out. Sorry your have a bad experience with the gun, I'm sure you didn't pay much for it, so you know how the saying goes...best of luck!
Hope this helps you out. Sorry your have a bad experience with the gun, I'm sure you didn't pay much for it, so you know how the saying goes...best of luck!
http://www.gunblast.com/RKCampbell_CobraPatriot.htm
Decent review on Gunblast but that's for the .45. They are inexpensive semi-autos that are probably a notch better than the Hi-Point but don't expect a S&W or SA quality. That's just from reading about them. I do not owe one. Bersa would be a better choice in my humble opinion.
Decent review on Gunblast but that's for the .45. They are inexpensive semi-autos that are probably a notch better than the Hi-Point but don't expect a S&W or SA quality. That's just from reading about them. I do not owe one. Bersa would be a better choice in my humble opinion.
ugaarguy
Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2006
- Messages
- 13,828
The metal frame Cobras are straight blow back guns with very heavy slides, much like Hi Points. That makes the .380 Cobra (and Hi Point) recoil worse than many similar size & weight locked breech 9mm pistols. The Cobras are made from crappy pot metal castings, and, from what I've seen having to sell both brands, at least a step below Hi Point.
If she needs a cheap gun the FEG PA63 in 9x18 Makarov is the best thing I've seen for well under $200. If she can spring for about $300 the German police surplus SIG P6 9mm pistols are probably the best handgun buy still on the market. If the P6 is too big you are correct that a Bersa Thunder or Kel-Tec in .380 are the next best things at that price point. You can usually find the Taurus M85UL (S&W J frame Airweight style revolver) for $300 or less, and those are also good guns.
If she needs a cheap gun the FEG PA63 in 9x18 Makarov is the best thing I've seen for well under $200. If she can spring for about $300 the German police surplus SIG P6 9mm pistols are probably the best handgun buy still on the market. If the P6 is too big you are correct that a Bersa Thunder or Kel-Tec in .380 are the next best things at that price point. You can usually find the Taurus M85UL (S&W J frame Airweight style revolver) for $300 or less, and those are also good guns.
They are a local manufacturer to me and I keep meaning to go check them out. The Patriot 9 and 45 look interesting, but the rest of their stuff, not so much.
Patriot 9
Calibers:
9mm & .380 ACP
Dimensions:
3.3 " barrel length
6.0 " overall length
4.4 " overall height
20 oz. empty weight
Magazine capacity:
10 Rounds
Locked Breech
Slide:
Stainless Steel or optional Black Melonite® coating
Load Indicator on top of Slide
Patriot 45
Calibers:
.45 ACP
Dimensions:
3.3" barrel length
6.0 " overall length
4.74" overall height
1.0" width
20 oz. empty weight
Magazine capacity:
6+1 Rounds
Locked Breech
Slide:
Stainless Steel or optional Black Melonite® coating
Grip:
Checkered Ergonomic design
Apparently these models are not pot-metal.
Patriot 9
Calibers:
9mm & .380 ACP
Dimensions:
3.3 " barrel length
6.0 " overall length
4.4 " overall height
20 oz. empty weight
Magazine capacity:
10 Rounds
Locked Breech
Slide:
Stainless Steel or optional Black Melonite® coating
Load Indicator on top of Slide
Patriot 45
Calibers:
.45 ACP
Dimensions:
3.3" barrel length
6.0 " overall length
4.74" overall height
1.0" width
20 oz. empty weight
Magazine capacity:
6+1 Rounds
Locked Breech
Slide:
Stainless Steel or optional Black Melonite® coating
Grip:
Checkered Ergonomic design
Apparently these models are not pot-metal.
Last edited:
Cobras are not made by Phoenix Arms. Phoenix Arms is a Ring of Fire producer of junk guns. (Okay, that statement needs documentation - here: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/guns/ring/hazard.html. Ring of Fire guns can't pass the tests. And I have one that was given to me, so I know whereof I speak. It has gone bang the few times I've shot it, but I really would rather trust my life to my baseball bat.)
That said, it does sound like this particular specimen is less than acceptable. Based on its description, it appears the slide is probably made of zinc, a characteristic shared with many cheap guns.
I agree with the suggestion to get a Bersa (if affordable), or maybe a Keltec. In its current condition, the Cobra is best used only as a paperweight. Made non-operative first, of course.
That said, it does sound like this particular specimen is less than acceptable. Based on its description, it appears the slide is probably made of zinc, a characteristic shared with many cheap guns.
I agree with the suggestion to get a Bersa (if affordable), or maybe a Keltec. In its current condition, the Cobra is best used only as a paperweight. Made non-operative first, of course.
AZAndy
Member
Actually, an FEG PA-63 can be had for less than that, and it's not bad as an inexpensive carry gun. 9x18 caliber is just a tad hotter than the .380. Aluminum alloy frame, so it's not overly heavy. Double action trigger is very stiff but that's fixable with a lighter spring. I have a couple of FEGs that have never given me any trouble.
Just in case price was an issue in the first place...
trekgod3
Member
Here's my Cobra. Got it at our local gun show a few months back. I put 50 rounds through it without a problem. The only problems I had were when I used a cheap 1911 mag I got from Cheaperthandirt. The trigger pull is downright awful (about 12#). My accuracy was all over the place, I actually shot up the wooden frame we staple our targets to trying to shoot this thing.
It's now my "truck" gun.
It's now my "truck" gun.
A friend once showed me the "DEAL" he got on a pistol, and it was a Cobra 9mm.....
We took it to the range and it was a true POS Jam-o-matic, he could only hit the paper in about 1 of the 3 rounds it actually managed to chamber and fire. He sold it the next day.
We took it to the range and it was a true POS Jam-o-matic, he could only hit the paper in about 1 of the 3 rounds it actually managed to chamber and fire. He sold it the next day.
Stop Hate'n on Phoenix Arms! Mine's just fine, great company, and I'm sorry if you've had a bad experience with them.
I thought they did make Cobra's, my mistake...sorry. But as Phoenix Arms goes, my HP22 is great. Fires not problems, rarely jams, pretty accuract, and for the $$$ is a decent gun. Just clean it after every use and make sure it is lubricated well and I have not problems!
I do this with all my firearms, take care of your firearms are they'll take care of you.
BTW: If you are not happy with the firearm you have, spend the extra money and get one that better meets your needs. CZ makes a great .380 if that's what you're look'n for. Other wise get something with a little more potency CZ 75 is another good one, HK USP is always good, or even a Beretta 92. You get what you pay for and maintance is also a key factor in that equation!
Again, sorry about the miss-hap with Cobra & Phoenix Arms and I hope you find the gun that is best suited for you.
I thought they did make Cobra's, my mistake...sorry. But as Phoenix Arms goes, my HP22 is great. Fires not problems, rarely jams, pretty accuract, and for the $$$ is a decent gun. Just clean it after every use and make sure it is lubricated well and I have not problems!
I do this with all my firearms, take care of your firearms are they'll take care of you.
BTW: If you are not happy with the firearm you have, spend the extra money and get one that better meets your needs. CZ makes a great .380 if that's what you're look'n for. Other wise get something with a little more potency CZ 75 is another good one, HK USP is always good, or even a Beretta 92. You get what you pay for and maintance is also a key factor in that equation!
Again, sorry about the miss-hap with Cobra & Phoenix Arms and I hope you find the gun that is best suited for you.
Last edited:
BHPshooter
Member
Cobras are not made by Phoenix Arms.
Cobra (in SLC, Utah) acquired the old Davis patents for their derringers and POS semi-autos. Yes, they are junk.
Their Patriot line is not horrible, but I still wouldn't buy one. Every one we got into our shop had a trigger pull that our Lyman trigger guage wouldn't measure (so, over 14 pounds IIRC).
I like to support local companies, but I just can't like Cobras. I guess that means I'll have to continue to support Browning.
Wes
Cobra (in SLC, Utah) acquired the old Davis patents for their derringers and POS semi-autos. Yes, they are junk.
Their Patriot line is not horrible, but I still wouldn't buy one. Every one we got into our shop had a trigger pull that our Lyman trigger guage wouldn't measure (so, over 14 pounds IIRC).
I like to support local companies, but I just can't like Cobras. I guess that means I'll have to continue to support Browning.
Wes
SomeDude
Member
A woman at the range had one yesterday. She couldn't get it to fire. Range officer tried, failed. He told her to get a better gun.
Dan-O
Member
I have one. It is ok. Better off spending the extra couple hundred bucks and getting a Kahr or Gluck.
The trigger is pretty stiff. Much like shooting a double action revolver.
I had to replace the extractor, but I think that was my fault. I shot some +P stuff out of it which it does not recommend.
The trigger is pretty stiff. Much like shooting a double action revolver.
I had to replace the extractor, but I think that was my fault. I shot some +P stuff out of it which it does not recommend.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked