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08-08-2017, 10:31 PM
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New to me old Colt Cobra
I've recently developed quite the affection for revolvers as of late. Any chance I get lately to grab one, if I have something for trade or the spare funds I try to work a deal. I went from having zero revolvers to 4 revolvers in less than two months.
Recently I had noticed a Colt Cobra being listed for sale/trade on Armslist in my area. I had sent the guy an email, we had exchanged texts working out a deal for an AR I had built but the deal fell through cause neither of us could ever work out a time to meet.
I saw it listed again, so figured I'd try a second time and I'm glad I did. The guy was asking $650 cash or $700 trade value. I offered him the only AR I had available at the moment, which was a built Aero Precision lower with Spike's Tactical upper, and 16" Ballistic Advantage midlength barrel with Omega X9. Plus, the whole rifle was painted in kryloned. Thankfully, he liked the look of it and we worked out a deal.
Need to figure out when this was made, all I know currently is that it's a second generation. Glad to have added this to my collection. Which I could have gotten as good a deal for this one as I did the one time trading a Taurus TCP plus $10 for a Colt Detective Special.
Also looking at different grips, while the ones on it provide a good grip just aren't aesthetically pleasing to me. A good polishing is also in order as well
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08-08-2017, 10:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jframejoey
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Thanks! I know now it's a 1975 production
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08-09-2017, 12:08 AM
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The Colt snubbies can get addictive. My choice for the best one is the postwar Detective Special. I can't abide the extractor rod shroud on the barrel. There are lots of them around, but seldom is one found priced cheaply.
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08-09-2017, 06:53 AM
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My first off-duty Cobra was purchased new in 1968 for $85. I still have it and plan to shoot it today. Great guns, congrats.
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08-09-2017, 07:10 AM
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I've got a 1951 that was my backup when I was in LE. Great ol' shooter. A lot of the frame finish is gone from the years of carry. I still carry it for my CCW, probably as much or more than any of my others.
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08-09-2017, 09:10 AM
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It's definitely lightweight, this one will mainly be for the range with occasional CCW usage. I've got other ones I'll use for CCW, but nothing like carrying an older CCW piece sometimes. Especially after I polish her up
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08-09-2017, 09:27 AM
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Lots of Colt Cobra Fans. They are excellent carry revolvers. You can find lots of grip options on eBay by searching Colt D Frame Grips. Here is mine with my Ruger LCR. My two favorite carry revolvers. Old school wth new school. Enjoy that Cobra!
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08-09-2017, 11:32 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sixgun100
Lots of Colt Cobra Fans. They are excellent carry revolvers. You can find lots of grip options on eBay by searching Colt D Frame Grips. Here is mine with my Ruger LCR. My two favorite carry revolvers. Old school wth new school. Enjoy that Cobra!
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I've been browsing eBay alot, just trying to decide if I want to go back close to original or not
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08-09-2017, 11:37 AM
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Nice pickup. I have a Cobra Light Weight alloy revolver made
in 1968. It was a LEO gun, and has lots of character. It is one
of my favorite conceal carry guns.
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08-09-2017, 02:07 PM
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This is my first Colt revolver in quite some time. Is it recommended to take off the side cover to oil everything? I do it on my S&Ws but I've never had a Colt long enough to bother with it.
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08-09-2017, 02:16 PM
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Cobras are nice carry or backup revolvers. Carry it a lot, shoot it very little, and it will last a long time. Shoot it a lot, and you'll end up with a nice paperweight. The frame is fairly fragile. Good luck.
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08-09-2017, 02:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sodacan
Cobras are nice carry or backup revolvers. Carry it a lot, shoot it very little, and it will last a long time. Shoot it a lot, and you'll end up with a nice paperweight. The frame is fairly fragile. Good luck.
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This is true. Don't run any +P or other loads that are stouter than standard.
Not saying it won't shoot them or it will blow up, but if you want it to last any length of time you won't. Jerry Kuhnhausen, who wrote the shop manuals on Colt/S&W revolvers even states that excessive firing with standard ammo would wear these guns out.
So the comment above about carrying it a lot and shooting a little is good advice. I have a '61 Cobra and rarely fire it. Really no reason to when I have a '68 Detective Special.
You can open the side plate up and clean/lube it. Just be cautious like you would a S&W.
Last edited by iPac; 08-09-2017 at 02:44 PM.
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08-09-2017, 02:59 PM
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New to me old Colt Cobra
You might want to update to the latest Cobra.......so minty new that I had to have two of them.
Last edited by moralem; 08-09-2017 at 03:01 PM.
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08-09-2017, 03:17 PM
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These are great guns and I find them a little easier to shoot well than J-frame S&W's, probably because the Colts are a little larger. The advice about shooting them infrequently is very good advice. I shot my Agent (almost the same gun as the Cobra) probably more than I should have, but never with +P ammo or equivalent handloads. The frame cracked in the usual spot beneath the barrel shank.
However, mine was a 60s gun with the unshrouded ejector rod. Perhaps the later Cobras, as depicted in your photos, are stronger. Still, alloy frames will not be as durable as steel frames.
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08-09-2017, 03:35 PM
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I use my vintage Colt Cobra as my fanny pack carry gun for when I am on my bike.
I never liked the Colt stocks so I switched them out a long, long time ago. Every time I find the original stocks in the box where I put them it makes me laugh because at first I don't remember what they are. Then, after a second, I do - and it just amuses me.
Old people are easily amused.............
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08-09-2017, 04:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old cop
My first off-duty Cobra was purchased new in 1968 for $85. I still have it and plan to shoot it today. Great guns, congrats.
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In 1968 that was over 2 week's pay in this part of the country.
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08-09-2017, 04:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old cop
My first off-duty Cobra was purchased new in 1968 for $85. I still have it and plan to shoot it today. Great guns....
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Famous guns, too. Jack Ruby paid $62.50 for his Colt Cobra in 1960. Or rather, his friend, Dallas PD officer Joe Cody, did, and then handed the gun to Ruby outside the store. Officers didn't have to pay tax. Today, we'd call that a straw buy
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08-09-2017, 05:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ISCS Yoda
I use my vintage Colt Cobra as my fanny pack carry gun for when I am on my bike.
I never liked the Colt stocks so I switched them out a long, long time ago. Every time I find the original stocks in the box where I put them it makes me laugh because at first I don't remember what they are. Then, after a second, I do - and it just amuses me.
Old people are easily amused.............
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Looks like you have a pretty nice set of grips on that one. However, for some folks' hands, like mine, the factory grips are fine if you add a Tyler. Much better than a J-frame S&W, but, of course, slightly larger.
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08-09-2017, 05:26 PM
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I wonder how the new Colt Cobras are selling?
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08-09-2017, 05:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt
I wonder how the new Colt Cobras are selling?
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Really well actually,They are selling for MSRP or slightly above on GB.
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08-09-2017, 05:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old cop
My first off-duty Cobra was purchased new in 1968 for $85. I still have it and plan to shoot it today. Great guns, congrats.
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I paid $250 for my 1951 Cobra about seven years ago. It was in a gunshop and came with a lefty Bianchi holster. It sounded like you were describing my gun. I love this gun. It obviously was carried constantly yet is mechanically perfect. I figured a police off duty gun. Even the "Coltwood" plastic grips are worn smooth. I was hesitant at first but I swapped stags for it. Pictured here with my chopped 1917 Colt.
BTW, that nickel 1975 Cobra is beautiful. Quite a score and much more interesting than an AR.
EDIT: My mistake, old cop. I was referring to the '51 Cobra Guitslo described, but same applies to yours, especially since you carried and relied on one, too, like whoever owned mine.
Last edited by Wyatt Burp; 08-09-2017 at 06:05 PM.
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08-09-2017, 07:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by moralem
You might want to update to the latest Cobra.......so minty new that I had to have two of them.
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All my local shops didn't even have them in yet, but you've got two. How are the too shot? I only got to look at one cause I was at a store on vacation in the mountains that someone had special ordered one
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08-09-2017, 08:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rockquarry
These are great guns and I find them a little easier to shoot well than J-frame S&W's, probably because the Colts are a little larger. The advice about shooting them infrequently is very good advice. I shot my Agent (almost the same gun as the Cobra) probably more than I should have, but never with +P ammo or equivalent handloads. The frame cracked in the usual spot beneath the barrel shank.
However, mine was a 60s gun with the unshrouded ejector rod. Perhaps the later Cobras, as depicted in your photos, are stronger. Still, alloy frames will not be as durable as steel frames.
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I don't plan on shooting any +P in this, and have already worked out a plan in my head when I go to shoot it to have only standard 38Special on the table to prevent any accidental shooting of +P. Granted, one or two rounds probably won't hurt it but why take the chance. Way I figure it, the revolver survived from 1975-2017 in the care of several people, why not continue the tread. Plus, might get some of the you get shooters interested.
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08-09-2017, 08:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee's Landing Billy
In 1968 that was over 2 week's pay in this part of the country.
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I wasn't even a twinkle in my father's eye yet back then.
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08-09-2017, 08:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Model520Fan
Looks like you have a pretty nice set of grips on that one. However, for some folks' hands, like mine, the factory grips are fine if you add a Tyler. Much better than a J-frame S&W, but, of course, slightly larger.
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Only markings I've seen on the grips are on one panel marked Colt Detective Special. The gentleman I got it from didn't have the original grips, as he got it with these installed.
I'm considering running the Tyler, an old boss of mine had one on his S&W Model 36 that fit my hand perfectly
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08-09-2017, 08:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wyatt Burp
I paid $250 for my 1951 Cobra about seven years ago. It was in a gunshop and came with a lefty Bianchi holster. It sounded like you were describing my gun. I love this gun. It obviously was carried constantly yet is mechanically perfect. I figured a police off duty gun. Even the "Coltwood" plastic grips are worn smooth. I was hesitant at first but I swapped stags for it. Pictured here with my chopped 1917 Colt.
BTW, that nickel 1975 Cobra is beautiful. Quite a score and much more interesting than an AR.
EDIT: My mistake, old cop. I was referring to the '51 Cobra Guitslo described, but same applies to yours, especially since you carried and relied on one, too, like whoever owned mine.
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I would have bought those as well, mainly cause I'm weird and like good honest wear. Where did you find those stag grips?
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08-09-2017, 08:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crazysarge16
I would have bought those as well, mainly cause I'm weird and like good honest wear. Where did you find those stag grips?
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I got them on Ebay last year for $94. Seller didn't know what they went to but they looked like Cobra/Det. Special grips to me. I had to redarken the bark groove areas on the left side and did it using many, many very light coats of leather dye. Here's before and after. Or after then before.
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08-09-2017, 08:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wyatt Burp
I got them on Ebay last year for $94. Seller didn't know what they went to but they looked like Cobra/Det. Special grips to me. I had to redarken the bark groove areas on the left side and did it using many, many very light coats of leather dye. Here's before and after. Or after then before.
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That's a nice set of stag grips! I wish I could find a set, they look beautiful
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08-09-2017, 10:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crazysarge16
All my local shops didn't even have them in yet, but you've got two. How are the too shot? I only got to look at one cause I was at a store on vacation in the mountains that someone had special ordered one
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Actually I have not been out to the range yet with them. One went immediately to my polisher who is going to put s bright polish on it.....I am not too keen on the brushed stainless look.
The sister gun is still unpacked and may just go to the range with me this weekend. I was waiting for a holster from Galco so that I could see how it wears and draws as a carry weapon. The holster is here now but is going to need some breaking in before it is usable.....as soon as I shoot one I will report back.
As far as I can tell whatever amount Colt is producing they are being sold. I have not seen a single gun in any local shop or big box store here in North Texas. I had to order mine from a sporting goods store in Houston. When I called them I asked how many I could buy and they said a limit to two per person so I bought them. My thinking is that Colt is never going to fix thier management problems and this gun may simple fade away before really being given a chance to succceed. I paid 40 bucks over MSRP but to me that was a small price to pay to ge able to get a couple of them. Fit and finish is good quality and the gun is basically a good solid 600-700 gun.....no complaints from me on its appearance. Would it be nice to have in blue or in .357, sure but for now it is all that we got so I grabbed a couple. I am happy with the purchase.
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08-10-2017, 04:27 AM
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I'll have to start stashing some money away and hopefully be able to purchase one. But knowing me, when I go to my favorite store they will probably have something else I want and I'll put that on layaway instead
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08-10-2017, 09:23 AM
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Post 1973 Cobras, the ones with the shroud, were rated for +P as long as it was inspected after 1000 rounds by Colt or one of their approved smiths. I shoot regular 38 semi wadcutters through mine at the range and usually have 125 gr 38 Nyclads loaded in it when I carry but in the winter I switch to the Speer 135 gr. +P for short barrels. I've shot a few at the range and they are a handful but compare their energy to 38s special rounds of the 60s and 70s.
The new Cobra is 10 oz. heavier than the old one, a boat anchor compared to the old style. They just thought calling it a Cobra would do more for sales than calling it a Detective Special. It's a "snake gun" thing.
My 1974 Cobra everyday carry. Love the Pachmayr Compacs.
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08-10-2017, 09:52 AM
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So long as I have my early 60s DS, I don't need the new Cobra.
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08-10-2017, 12:31 PM
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My first hand gun purchase was a Colt back in the 60's, still have it and it still shoots better than I do. Followed that about a year later with a Colt mod.11 in 38 super and I still have the super.
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08-11-2017, 09:14 PM
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Does the new Cobra have the same lock work as the old one???
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08-12-2017, 12:40 PM
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Having one Colt is bad, I'm already searching for another
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