Colt Python vs King Cobra Target

[Mr. Mosin]

Celebrate !!! My new brother in law has the wheelgun itch, and intends to scratch it with a new production Colt. He asked my thoughts on the new Python vs the KC Target; and I give em to him, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Told him if he ever sold em, they're both Colt, they'd both sell; but the Python would probably sell easier.

He intends this for a range piece, woods gun, and general "do-all" revolver. Whichever he bought would be the 4" barreled version, but he said "I'm only buying one. I work plenty, but I just married your sister and you know how expensive she is. I couldn't afford two of em."

Anyways, whichever he bought would not be a safe queen. Cleaned, maintained and taken care off; but not a safe queen. What should I advise him as to "The One Colt To Rule Them All" ?

 

[Oldschool shooter]

I can't speak to thd new Colts, and I own a couple, a Detective Special and a Police Positive that I shoot and enjoy. One thing about the Colts, they do seem to need tuning every so often, and finding a good smith locally that is capable of working on them can be difficult. They are great guns, but I agree with Uncle Ed, tell him to at least look at the S&W and the Ruger,

 

[Kleanbore]

ne thing about the Colts, they do seem to need tuning every so often, and finding a good smith locally that is capable of working on them can be difficult.

That is not true with the new models.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

I can't speak to thd new Colts, and I own a couple, a Detective Special and a Police Positive that I shoot and enjoy. One thing about the Colts, they do seem to need tuning every so often, and finding a good smith locally that is capable of working on them can be difficult. They are great guns, but I agree with Uncle Ed, tell him to at least look at the S&W and the Ruger,

He was adamant in regards to wanting a Colt.

 

[Rubone]

He was adamant in regards to wanting a Colt.

Narrow mindedness is the downfall of all things.....

 

[Oldschool shooter]

Like I said, I own and enjoy my Colts, as long as he is aware that they are slightly more finicky and good Colt smiths are fewer and farther between. That said, in no way would I say Colt is not a good revolver.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

That is not true with the new models.

Newly designed mechanism? If that is the case, then disregard my post. My Police Positive needed some timing work, boy did I have a tough time finding someone local to do the work.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

Newly designed mechanism? If that is the case, then disregard my post. My Police Positive needed some timing work, boy did I have a tough time finding someone local to do the work.

Aye. The new model Pythons are supposed to have resolved most of the old issues- mainly being a .38 bullseye target revolver shoehorned into the role of .357 duty sidearm. The King Cobra and Cobra work off the Trooper Mk III guts, and never had that issue, from my understanding.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

Aye. The new model Pythons are supposed to have resolved most of the old issues- mainly being a .38 bullseye target revolver shoehorned into the role of .357 duty sidearm. The King Cobra and Cobra work off the Trooper Mk III guts, and never had that issue, from my understanding.

Then by all means, go with the Colt. I always liked the Python, and Colt has aways been known for having a really nice trigger. Which ever model he choses, best of luck to him.

 

[Rock185]

Mr. Mosin, Just thought I'd mention that the new "King Cobra" is not the beefy mid frame King Cobra of old. The new Python is similar in size to the original. The new "King Cobra" is smaller than the original, more like Detective Special/Diamondback . 38 Spcl. size. Colt gave the new "King Cobra" a big name for a small gun. Just clever merchandising I guess.....

 

[Mr. Mosin]

Mr. Mosin, Just thought I'd mention that the new "King Cobra" is not the beefy mid frame King Cobra of old. The new Python is similar in size to the original. The new "King Cobra" is smaller than the original, more like Detective Special/Diamondback . 38 Spcl. size. Colt gave the new "King Cobra" a big name for a small gun. Just clever merchandising I guess.....

Similar to the "D" frames of old from my understanding. Still what I call a duty sized gun, but a hair smaller than a K frame. Certainly no genuine pocket gun like a S&W "J" frame. Are the guts of the old Trooper Mk III type ?

 

[golden]

MOSIN,


A suggestion, since they are both new and expensive and so not likely to be available for rent at a range, try something of similar size and weight. Since he wants to use this gun as an outdoor gun, then he will probably start using .357 magnum loads with heavier bullets. These are not going to be comfortable to shoot in a lightweight gun like the King Cobra, but should be fine in a PYTHON. However, everyone is different, he may be fine with the King Cobra or he may decide to drop it altogether.

A Ruger Security Six with HOGUE grips or PACKMAYR Grabber grips, a RUGER SP-101 with at least a 3 inch barrel, a S&W 19 or 66 with a 4 inch barrel or even a COLT like the Magnum Carry would give him an idea of the recoil he will be dealing with. An original PYTHON, a TROOPER or anything similar like a S&W 686 or RUGER GP-100 will show him what he can expect from the PYTHON. It is easier to avoid buying a gun than to buy one you do not want to shoot.

Jim

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Similar to the "D" frames of old from my understanding. Still what I call a duty sized gun, but a hair smaller than a K frame. Certainly no genuine pocket gun like a S&W "J" frame. Are the guts of the old Trooper Mk III type ?

I believe the new ones are closer to the SFVI/ Magnum Carry action than the MK3 action, and use a "V" main spring rather than a coil spring.
http://www.coltfever.com/SF-VI.html

I would be very surprised if they didnt reuse some of the tooling from the SF since it had very low mileage, being only in production from about '97 to '99.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

That is not true with the new models.

To be fair, I dont think the new ones have been around long enough, or in sufficient numbers, to fairly judge their long-term durability. Time will tell.

It took hundreds of thousands of guns and decades for the cracked forcing cones on the K-frames to become a widely known problem.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

To be fair, I dont think the new ones have been around long enough, or in sufficient numbers, to fairly judge their long-term durability. Time will tell.

It took hundreds of thousands of guns and decades for the cracked forcing cones on the K-frames to become a widely known problem.

Exactly.

 

[Kleanbore]

To be fair, I dont think the new ones have been around long enough, or in sufficient numbers, to fairly judge their long-term durability. Time will tell

We cannot know their durability, but we can reasonably judge it.

The cylinder lock up mechanism, an Achilles heel in the old DS, has been replaced by the S&W design--a known quantity.

It took hundreds of thousands of guns and decades for the cracked forcing cones on the K-frames to become a widely known problem.

The K-Frame was designed for the .38 Special. The problem arose when they fired .357 Magnums in it.

The frame for the King Cobra is beefed up considerably over the Cobra.

Today's analytical tools are far more powerful than those available when the old Smiths were designed and tested.

 

[ThomasT]

Wait! I thought in your other Colt thread that you stated there were lots of problems with new Colts and that the gunwriters who reviewed them and gave them 2 thumbs up were just paid schills for the gun company? Have you told him of all the problems you have uncovered about Colts?

I wonder how much the respective gun rags were paid to wax eloquent about the new Pythons ? Like I said- actions speak louder then any words, and Colt's actions thus far are absolutely abysmal for what should have been their shining moment and return to glory. Butchering the re-release of their flagship revolver because of their attempt to cut corners.

From this thread post #30

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/needed-king-cobra-new-owners-experience.878324/

 

[Mr. Mosin]

Wait! I thought in your other Colt thread that you stated there were lots of problems with new Colts and that the gunwriters who reviewed them and gave them 2 thumbs up were just paid schills for the gun company? Have you told him of all the problems you have uncovered about Colts?



From this thread post #30

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/needed-king-cobra-new-owners-experience.878324/

It should come as no surprise to you my friend... I changed my mind.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

We cannot know their durability, but we can reasonably judge it.

The cylinder lock up mechanism, an Achilles heel in the old DS, has been replaced by the S&W design--a known quantity.

The K-Frame was designed for the .38 Special. The problem arose when they fired .357 Magnums in it.

The frame for the King Cobra is beefed up considerably over the Cobra.

Today's analytical tools are far more powerful than those available when the old Smiths were designed and tested.

One would question today's prevalence of common sense.

 

[Kleanbore]

One would question today's prevalence of common sense.

???????

 

[Mr. Mosin]

???????

I was clear. Yesterday's "analytical tools" were composed mainly of a first line defense called "common sense".

 

[Kleanbore]

I was clear. Yesterday's "analytical tools" were composed mainly of a first line defense called "common sense".

I really don't know what you mean by that.

One could never use "common sense" to compute the tensile strength, sheer strength, and compression strength requirements, and therefore the material properties and dimensions of parts, to design a revolver.

One used hand calculations and primitive geometric representations such as Mohr's Circle.

Today's highly computerized design tools provide much more accurate calculations much more quickly and with much more certainty. in the adequacy of the design.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

I really don't know what you mean by that.

One could never use "common sense" to compute the tensile strength, sheer strength, and compression strength requirements, and therefore the material properties and dimensions of parts, to design a revolver.

One used hand calculations and primitive geometric representations such as Mohr's Circle.

Today's highly computerized design tools provide much more accurate calculations much more quickly and with much more certainty. in the adequacy of the design.

You still ain't grasping the concept. Just forget it.

 

[brutus51]

Don't mean to interrupt your ensuing argument but I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. I've owned a Python for over 45 years and never had a problem with it. It's my most cherished revolver and I have owned quite a number of Smiths. Colts, Dan Wessons and Rugers. As for the new models I have purchased 2. The 2" Colt Cobra 38 special is awesome, always wanted a DS just never got around to getting one so when this model became available I ordered one and have been very happy with it no problems to report. On the other hand. the Cobra target I purchased has been somewhat problematic. I have experienced several failures to fire in both single and double action.
In addition the chambers are tight and certain brands of ammo tend to require some extra effort to seat in the chamber which may explain the light strikes.
Sent it back to the mother ship about a month ago and as of last week I was told the gunsmith had sent it off for testing, have not heard anything since.
I'm confident Colt will take care of the problems. I'll let you know.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I really don't know what you mean by that.

One could never use "common sense" to compute the tensile strength, sheer strength, and compression strength requirements, and therefore the material properties and dimensions of parts, to design a revolver.

One used hand calculations and primitive geometric representations such as Mohr's Circle.

Today's highly computerized design tools provide much more accurate calculations much more quickly and with much more certainty. in the adequacy of the design.

Fair enough, but mistakes still happen. Materials may not meet the specs due to process QC failures, tolerance stacking can rear its ugly head, and human error is still a thing. Garbage in, garbage out......

Not to mention management telling the engineers "Thanks for designing a 100,00 round gun, now go back and make it cheaper." It happens- Remington R51 anyone?

Im not saying that the new Colts are bad, just that it is too soon to judge their quality relative to the vintage guns which are a known quantity at this point.