Colt King Cobra

[DC Plumber]

So I had a Ruger Vaquero 44 magnum that I was trying to sell and didn't have any luck so I bit the bullet which I really didn't care too much about the gun anyway and I took it to the local gun store and traded it in on something that I thought I would like better like a double action revolver and another caliber that I reload for. A 3-inch Colt King Cobra caught my eye. We negotiated out a very nice little deal. I have not shot it yet but I will tell you being a complete Smith & Wesson nut,I love old Smith & Wesson revolvers and I love double action revolvers. This cold king cobra has great fit and finish and a very nice double action trigger and a fairly decent single action trigger. For a modern production gun I am very pleased with it. I may never shoot maximum 357 Magnums out of it but I will certainly shoot my target load of a 357 Magnums. It actually fits my nylon pancake holster perfectly and is easier to grab than my J frame out of the holster. I think this is going to be a nice addition so if anyone is considering a six shot revolver and you don't know what to get make sure you throw the Colt King Cobra on your list. I actually like the nice deep Square trench rear sight and the gold bead front sight. I plan on making this a daily driver and having a lot of fun with it.

 

[dh1633pm]

I like mine. I have shot magnums from it. No ill effect. It just works. The fit and finish excellent. Enjoy your new pistol. Shot it yesterday. This picture from Dec.

 

[airfoil]

After a few hundred rounds and countless dry firings...the single action gets very good. When I first purchased my Target model, I convinced myself I wanted a trigger job. The fella who does it said about a years wait. I waited and kept shooting. I'm going to call him and tell him to forget about my request, It doesn't need it now.

 

[JDeere]

I have Smiths and Rugers. I really like my KC Target I added to the stable. Nice action and accurate.

 

[shoebox1.1]

Make sure to keep side plate screws tight, mine went back for misfires twice and it’s fixed but I did find them loose the other day. Great guns

 

[bigpower491]

I have the Target model and it has a fabulous trigger.
Overall a good piece, got me thinking I may want to pick up a new Python as well.

 

[lincen]

Have posted this before but must say after owning all four for three or more years, the Colt King Cobra and the Kimber are my favorites !

Top one is a Ruger GP100 Wiley Clapp. Second is a S&W 686 plus.

 

[UncleEd]

Have posted this before but must say after owning all four for three or more years, the Colt King Cobra and the Kimber are my favorites!

Curious as to why? Size? Triggers? Handling of various loads?
The Kimber and Colt are smaller than the Ruger and Smith.

 

[Old Dog]

Have three of the "new Pythons." Have owned several old Colt revolvers (Police Positive Special, Trooper, New Service, Official Police, Diamondback).

My 3" King Cobra has the best trigger of any Colt revolver I've ever owned, and it's better than all but a couple of my many S&W revolvers (J, K, L frames, all pre-lock, pre-MIM). Great size for packing, easy concealment, friendly sights, light enough for packing... What's not to like? With the S&W Model 13, arguably two of the best three-inchers ever made.

 

[jdc1244]

I have the Target model and it has a fabulous trigger.
Overall a good piece, got me thinking I may want to pick up a new Python as well.

My thinking as well – I bought a Python a few months after getting my KC Target.

 

[lincen]

Curious as to why? Size? Triggers? Handling of various loads?
The Kimber and Colt are smaller than the Ruger and Smith.

Really glad you asked that question because I never seriously thought through that.

First I would say that the older my hands get the less 357 magnum I shoot. Both thumbs have de Quervain’s tenosynovitis so 38 special is more comfortable and a bit cheaper. All four handle 357 very well with the heavier guns, Smith and Ruger, having less perceived recoil.

Next I would have to say that I like the triggers on the Colt and Kimber. They are smooth and light enough to help with accuracy.

I guess it comes down to lighter guns, 38 special mainly, better trigger = less pain. I will add that if I were down to only one of these it might be the Smith because of the 7 rounds.

 

[Tallball]

@Old Dog I like the Spyderco. My EDC is a similar model.

Congratulations for the OP on the new Colt. I've heard a lot of good things about them.

 

[UncleEd]

In regard to the Colt King Cobra, its advertised weight is
32.1 ounces. The S&W most comparable to it is the
Model 66 with 2.75-inch barrel, advertised weight 31.5 ounces.

I believe the S&W Model 66 has a standard DA trigger weight
of around 10 pounds; the King Cobra around 8 pounds.

A factor in any revolver and its handling is how well the
particular grips fit a shooter's individual need. It could be a
slightly heavier revolver might actually feel better than a
lighter one if the grips are more suitable.

Slight differences do make a difference in any gun handling,
revolver or auto.

 

[gconang]

I got the regular Cobra. I also like Kimbers.