*Price Check* Colt Cobra

[Brian040]

Well I went to one of my local gun stores today and staring back at me from the display case was a Colt Cobra.

Details:

-.38 Special
-Blue
-2" Barrel with shrouded ejector rod
-Mechanically sound (good timing and lockup)
-Quite a bit of holster wear on the top-strap, front lower edge of the crane, and edges around the trigger guard. The gun was owned previously by 2 different Portland Maine police detectives for (I assume) backup and/or off duty carry, and it shows in the finish.

Asking price with a holster included is $425 including Maine 6% sales tax, so around $400 plus tax. The holster wear doesn't bother me because this would be a carry gun, not a safe queen but I wanted to get everyone's thoughts on the asking price, and maybe some opinions on Cobras in general because I don't really know much about Colts.

This particular dealer usually does not budge on pricing (although this is on consignment), and is not known for having the best deals around.

Thanks in advance.

 

[earlthegoat2]

That sounds about fair for one with the wear you describe. Not a good deal but fair.

 

[David E]

Asking price with a holster included is $425 including Maine 6% sales tax, so around $400 plus tax.

Sooooo, Maine sales tax is deducted from the cost ?

(if only that were true!)

 

[miss lead]

Think I'll move to Maine.

 

[Brian040]

Haha. You guys know what I meant This particular dealer includes the tax in the sticker price of $425.

And I wouldn't recomend moving here for tax purposes :banghead:

 

[earlthegoat2]

Asking price with a holster included is $425 including Maine 6% sales tax, so around $400 plus tax.

Read it more carefully.

$425 including Maine 6% sales tax, (< thats a comma right there) so around $400 plus tax.

AND, I know, it is all in good fun.

 

[Brian040]

Thanks Earlthegoat.

Any more opinions from the Colt guys?

 

[Phydeaux642]

I paid $465 a little over a year ago for a nickel Cobra in the box that has only had a half a box of ammo through it. The finish is a little cloudy on part of it from being stored for thirty years in a drawer, but other than that it's really nice (and I think that could be polished out). Nickel goes for a bit of a premium and guns have gun up in the time since I bought this one, so, figure the price of yours with those considerations in mind.

On the other hand, I picked up a Detective Special about two years ago in the shape you describe for $320. It's making a trip to visit Grant Cunningham in the not to distant future for some custom work.

 

[Guillermo]

good price

if you like light snubs you should buy it

 

[joed]

I owned a first generation Cobra that I purchased unfired. It was a nice gun with one flaw, it's not steel but an alloy. After searching the internet I learned that the frame stretches after 1500 rounds.

Used mine for concealed carry but sold it when I realized it was worth to much.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I learned that the frame stretches after 1500 rounds.

Im pretty sure this should read I learned that the frame stretches after 1500 rounds of 38 +P.

Cobras are +P rated for what I believe was 1000 rounds before they needed to be returned to the factory for inspection. No such stipulation is in place for standard pressure ammo. Of course this was probably also in the days when standard 38 Special was hotter than todays +Ps.

 

[Guillermo]

After searching the internet I learned that the frame stretches after 1500 rounds.

the standard pressure 38's that the Cobra was rated to shoot are LESS POWERFUL than todays +P ammo

(+P+ has no industry standard and the above truth DOES NOT APPLY)

 

[Gordon]

You got a good deal if you bought it. That gun here would be $500 in the condition you discribe and up to $700 in 95+% or NIB. It is an extremely desirable gun as a CCW or cop BUG (less so now though since Glock 26 and 27s go with duty Glocks) . They weigh a pound empty and hide in pockets very well. They should last for at least 1500 rounds of today's +p, I put more than that thru Agents (which are the same basically) of the old "Treasury" +P+ before they loosened.You could shoot 10s of thousands of wadcutters or 130 grain Ball out of one I believe.

 

[stu454]

Not a bad price, especially if it's really blued and not that God awful parkerizing that COlt used for a while on some of their revolvers.

 

[frisbee2421]

paid $220 for mine. lots of finish wear. but very tight lockup. if you find one that is new and carry it, well, it won't look very new for long. they are nice pistols. very lightweight.
i recently spied a shrouded colt detective for $360 that is pristine. i am really wanting to jump on that deal.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I occasionally carry a Colt Detective Special -- the steel version of the same gun. These are really fine revolvers. That's a fair price -- I would jump on it.

 

[Brian040]

Thanks for the info guys!

I was in the market for a no-lock J-frame airweight, but maybe I'll give this a try. Seems if I don't like it I can always get my money back out of it.

I'll keep you guys posted! Pictures may be coming soon...............

 

[Voodoo1951]

Go for it...!!!

Great Lightweight carry piece. I love mine for EDC. Don't even know it's there because it's so lightweight. + it's a Colt! Heres mine...

 

[Ed Harris]

The X-bar+3Sigma maximum average pressure for .38 Special +P+ per the contract specs was 15% over industry +P standard when I was last buying it.

That Cobra is a good buy for the stated condition and asking price.

 

[Brian040]

Thanks for the help guys!

I went ahead and bought it today. Wow what a sweet trigger for a small framed gun!

I'll get some pictures up asap, and hopefully a range report on Sunday!

Thanks again for the input!

 

[Brian040]

As promised here are some pics. It's a sweet shooter!









Thanks again for the input! I'm a happy camper

 

[Low Budget Shooter]

Dear Brian 040,

I'm glad you found that, bought it, shot it, and like it. I have had a similar experience with mine. It has a charm to it, something about being old-fashioned and high-quality, with a high utilitarian value, but not devoid of artistic value, either.

LBS