Colt Cobra Ammo

[Shooter*man12]

I have a Cobra, 2", with a Tyler grip adapter and a Colt hammer shroud. It has the steel barrel and steel 6 shot cylinder. I carried it with 38 special loads for a couple of years. I replaced it with a model 66 when we began to wear duty hosters. I don't need to tell you folks that I've shot more "pleasant" firearms. My question: Can this gun be shot using +P ammo? Would you carry it for defense with those loads? I'm wondering if it can handle Winchester 110 Gr +P hollow points. Thanks.

 

[GRIZ22]

You probably could shoot +Ps for a while and get away with it. I wouldn't. You really don't gain a lot with +P ammo in a short barrel. Many seem impressed with the big flash and heavier recoil to gain 40-50 ft/lbs of energy. You might shoot standard 38s for practice and carry with your +Ps . You mention you find it a bit of a bear to shoot. +Ps only make that worse. Better to carry standard 38s that can be put on target than +Ps that make the gun hard to control.

 

[Old Fuff]

When Colt was working on the gun that would become the Cobra, they made an experimental prototype chambered in .357 Magnum. Now in those days the .357 was really a Magnum, and not what is generally put out now. They put something like 3000 rounds through the gun while watching for the frame to stretch. It didn't. The people test firing it gave in before the gun did.

On the other hand I once examined a .38 Special Cobra that the owner had unwisely had rechambered to .357 Magnum. I have no idea what the round count was, but the gun was a mess. It ended up being scrapped. He tried to send it back to the factory for repair, but Colt would have nothing too do with it.

Occasional use of Plus P .38 Special ammunition will not hurt the revolver, but more extensive use will put it out of time in quick order. Then it's back to the factory for a tune-up and a kick-in-the-butt repair bill.

Some S&W and Taurus lightweight snubbies are rated for Plus-P ammunition. I would personally stick with the Cobra with appropriate ammunition, but those who feel hopelessly underguned unless they have the hottest available loads should stick to revolvers that are rated to use them.

 

[GrantCunningham]

This is a question that comes up quite a bit with regards to Colt. Here's a short article I wrote that explains Colt's position, and some recommendations based on my experience:

http://www.grantcunningham.com/coltammo.html

 

[Shooter*man12]

THank you all for the help. This alloy Cobra will not see any +P.

 

[Haywood]

Cobra & +p Ammo

Colt O.K.ed + P in the Cobra and the Agent. They stated that the frame should be checked after 1000 rounds. Test it to see how it hits but don't use +p a lot.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Since Colt isn't producing those anymore, once its been abused to the point of needing repair, its pretty much junk. And, now ya gotta search for a good used one again.

Stick to standard pressure for shooting, and load +P if it tickles you while you carry it. But, be kind to it.

 

[Old Fuff]

Ah... Bullfrog... Sir...

Would you care to send me some of those "junk" Colt D-frames???

I agree concerning the choice of ammunition...

 

[Gordon]

I wore out(didn't think about sending it to Colt-they were striking) my first of three Agents (same as Cobra pretty much) by regularly shooting the Govt. issued 110 grain JHP +p+ "Treasury Load" in it. I shot a few out of the second one before going to 158LSWCHP , which hits to sights too. That one got traded off to a dear friend, I now CARRY #3 with Rem. 158 LSWCHP +p , I don't need to shoot many rounds any more to stay "Qualified" with the system.

 

[sm]

I have a 1928 Colt Detective Special.

Standard Pressures is all I have fired through it. It is loaded with Std 158 gr. SWC.
It likes this load, shoot POA/POI and umm, it is what I have. Before I shot up the few 148 gr WC it liked them. It liked the std pressure 158gr LSWC-HP, I tried a few of, but since I only have what I have, I'll run what I brung.

Always did like the Std pressure 158 SWC for some reason - main one being they shoot POA/POI in too many snub nosed guns no matter the mfg.

 

[Old Fuff]

I know that this news will shock you so sit down while you read it...

Back when they made your revolver in '28 they actually shot and targeted it before it was shipped. Of course they used the old 158 grain standard Police Load. I have shot a fair number of these Detective Specials that were made during the 1930's and early '40's, and never found one that didn't shoot to point of aim with the specified ammunition.

Of course today they'd never do such a thing.... And sometime it shows.