Hello, thank you, and my lovely Colt Cobra

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TrakHack

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Hello All,

I am a new forum member but wanted to thank the posters here for great information that helped me in my recent gun purchase. After a horrible horse trailer accident in which the horse was severely injured but did not die immediately (not my horse or trailer, thankfully), I decided I never want to trailer again without a gun.

My best friend happens to be a cop, and she greatly encouraged me over the weekend to get a gun (we live in separate cities and I was visiting). I started my research for an appropriate weapon and ammunition that could effectively dispatch a horse and could also serve for CCW. Based on what I read here and in other places, I decided an older Colt Cobra would be good for me and would definitely be a purchase I would not regret. The stars aligned and there was a beauty for sale in a gun shop of the city I was visiting (pic attached). From the serial number, I believe it was made in 1959. I don't have it in my possession yet, as the seller has to ship it to a firearm dealer in my city (different state), but that didn't stop me from placing an order with Midway for accessories (in pink!), ammunition (FMJ hollow-point, NOT +P), and a speed loader.

I know I've got a ton to learn, and already have my CCW class scheduled for the end of the month. My friend whose husband is big into guns wants to get the permit as well, and I just hope she is not jealous of my beautiful Cobra. She likes her guns a little bigger, so we should be fine. :)
 

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that is a BEAUTIFUL Colt Cobra...congratulations on your new purchase...mine works well with Federal Nyclad 125GR (standard velocity) and I believe Speer Gold Dot short barrel 135GR? are a nice choice...I've yet to find those though...

Bill
 
Very nice choice and a beautiful handgun. If you are carrying it along in case you may have to put a horse down I strongly suggest you get instruction on how to properly do it. That gun is perfectly capable but only if used properly. If you use it without a good idea of exactly where to place the round things will be hard on both you and the animal in question.

If you don't know how and would like to know or if any other readers of this post would like to know the proper procedure I recommend this site:

http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/health/senior/eqeuthan2466/

I put the link rather than the information directly because there are other considerations and information at the linked page that are of interest and the information is a bit extensive for a post.

Paul

P.S. No, I've not had to put down a horse but I've had to put down other livestock and have seen it done correctly and incorrectly.
 
did you notice in the article it says you should hold the gun further from the horses head so the bullet can gain more velocity, especially with a .22

wrong

bullets begin decelerating the instant they are free of the barrel
 
Silversport, I saw that Midway had the Federal Nyclad 125grain on back order. That seems to be a very popular ammunition for this gun, and I will definitely try it at some point.

Thanks for the equine info, phoglund. I thoroughly researched all euthanasia options for my horse a couple months ago when it was being discussed on a horse bulletin board, and am familiar with the placement of the of the shot and the best ammunition. Another great resource for equine euthanasia is http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vetext/inf-an/inf-an_emergeuth-horses.html (includes a diagram showing the proper placement and angle of the bullet).

I actually think gunshot is the best way to euthanize a horse, although many don't agree. I've seen lethal injection take way too long, and I'm not a fan of captive bolt and definitely not exsanguination. I've got an "end of life" plan for my guy, and while I probably would not want to deliver the shot for my own horse unless it's an emergency, I would prefer he be put down by gunshot. I'm planning to have him cremated (I don't own land for burial and am ok with the extra cost involved), but even if I weren't gunshot allows for more disposal options than lethal injection.

Anyway, I'm glad my homework here paid off and I got a good gun. I already have one expensive hobby with the horse, and I am going to try very hard not to get seriously addicted to guns and have another expensive hobby on my hands. So far I'm not having much success...
 
After a horrible horse trailer accident in which the horse was severely injured but did not die immediately (not my horse or trailer, thankfully), I decided I never want to trailer again without a gun
Click to expand...

Now that's one I wouldn't have thought of.... but it sure makes a lot of sense.

I swerved to miss a dear this summer and the oncoming car nailed it. I sure wish I had my carry piece in my trunk to dispatch it, as I'm sure the poor lady who hit it felt terrible.

This was up in boonyville and I'm sure it took a while to get either a deputy or a statey on the scene.

I was making a site visit at a customers facility, so I wasn't carrying that day.
 
Congrats on a fine choice.

I trust my life to a Cobra while praying to God I never have to use it.

(dolled her up a bit)
DSCN0954-1.jpg
 
Colt Cobras are fantastics revolvers. I have two. One that was handed down to me and one that I carry on my ankle. I love how light they are and the fact they hold 6 shots as opposed to the 5 that most others hold.
Nice find and congrats.
 
:mad: I foolishly traded its close relative (a post-1972 Agent with factory hammer shroud) for a third of its worth to buy something else, which turned out to be a lemon. :banghead:
 
I love seeing pics of other people's Cobras! Very nice. Mine arrived yesterday but I couldn't pick it up because Nebraska requires a buyer's permit for a non-antique handgun, and I didn't do ALL my homework to know this. I am somewhat annoyed that I need a permission slip to spend money; I understand there can be tragic outcomes if a gun is mishandled, but heck, the same is true of many things we buy.

I am also thinking about picking up an LCR since the Colt is so pretty and part of my mind is already in "keep it beautiful and don't use it" mode. The other part of my mind is in "something is more beautiful when it's actually used" mode, so I'm not sure where I'll land on this...
 
Trak,

Nice gun! Consider either after market grips or a Tyler-T-Grip for a better purchase on the gun. I got a Detective Special that looks like your Cobra and added the T-Grip and it made a world of difference without detracting from the original stocks.

Doc, who made those grips on yours?
 
I am also thinking about picking up an LCR since the Colt is so pretty and part of my mind is already in "keep it beautiful and don't use it" mode. The other part of my mind is in "something is more beautiful when it's actually used" mode, so I'm not sure where I'll land on this...
Click to expand...

After buying a mint Cobra a few years ago, I had the same misgivings re the "keeping it beautiful and not using it" refrain. However, I happily got past that mind-set and have carried it often since because "something is more beautiful when it's actually used" for its intended purpose. You have one of the very best concealed carry snubbies ever made and you'll never regret your choice.
And welcome to The High Road!

P.S.: Keep in mind that the LCR (a fine revolver, no doubt) carries 20% less ammo than your Cobra does and doesn't weigh much less nor is not that much more compact...
 
Doc's gun *is* gorgeous...

I would love to have mother of pearl grips for their look, but I suppose they wouldn't help much for functionality. I've arranged for private instruction to make sure I get off on the right foot, and I'll ask about the grips. The instructor's wife happens to be a horse person, so we're already off to a good start.

If I get the LCR it would definitely be in addition to the Cobra. I'm actually wondering which of my nieces I would leave the Cobra to (must plan ahead and don't have any kids of my own yet!). I've now got two posessions that I will never sell: my grandmother's stunning diamond ring and the Cobra. I wear that ring every day and love it. It probably makes sense to carry the Cobra every day so I can enjoy it, too.

Thanks for the welcome :). I've spent some more time reading through THR's forums and am realizing my choice of a .38 special is considered "old school" by some and probably "not cool" by a lot of people in my age demographic. I prefer to think of it as "classic" and can see that a lot of experienced folks here would agree.
 
The reason to hold the gun a distance away is from my experience, so that stuff doesnt come flying back in your face. I was practicing some tactics in the desert a few years ago. So I got a piece of plywood pressed the barrell of my snubnose .38 up against it and pulled the trigger. Had a target behind the plywood. I was a new shooter and I wanted to simulate shooting through a door. Why? IDK saw it in the movies. Anyways when I pulled the triger chunks of wood and muzzle flash/ gases. came back and hit me in the face. Never doing that again. I was fine, just learned to never put the muzzle up against something hard like that. Imagine getting a spoon full of powdered suger holding it up under your face then blowing really hard. Kinda like that.

As for the gun its very beautiful. love the nickle.
 
Revolvers are the second kind of cool, as Nutnfancy says. Not gonna preform like a new automatic. Its like comparing a 57 chevy to 98 volkswagon golf. The later will probably drive faster with less gas, but the former is on another level as far as style goes. Theyll both get the groceries. But which one is better? thats up to the individual.
 
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