I finally got a chance to look at one of the new Colt Cobras in the flesh today. I noticed a couple of things that really put me off, other than the $799 price tag.

It has what looks like a miniature UID label etched into the frame on the right side just ahead of the serial number. I suspect it is the serial number in UID format, or it may contain much more information.

The grip feels good, but just looks wrong, it looks like it sits back off the frame, I don't know how else to describe it. Makes the gun much larger overall than I expected. More like a 2" K frame.

I was all set to buy one, based on the reviews I've seen. But I think I'll pass.

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I don't care for the shape of the trigger guard.

For that kind of money, I recommend the Kimber K6S. It's a 6 shot 357 Magnum and it's not much bigger than a J-frame. Plus it has actual sights, not a channel rear sight. I don't care for fiber optic on a Snubby.


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S&W 640 Pro Series all day long over either the Colt or the Kimber (I've fondled and dry fired, with snap caps, both).

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John

I was able to scan the code in your picture with a reader app on my phone. It is only the serial number.

I am sure they are nice revolvers, but they are not like the original Cobras at all. There are plenty of "Snake" names out there they could have selected.......

$800 for a snubbie.......No thanks

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That is too much money. I'll wait for the price to get to where it belongs.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

You are all so right on so many points, but I got not just one but two of them anyway. When is Colt ever going to produce another DA revolver? It took them over two decades to return to the DA revolver space, and I think from how they manage themselves that they won't stay in this space for much longer. Since I never was in a position to ever buy a Colt DA in any configuration in my younger days and everyone that I have had before this Cobra was purchased used, I wanted to experience what it would be like to be the original owner of a DA Colt. And I must say I really enjoyed opening those cases and being the first person to ever own them. I know the gun is not perfect but I have other more perfect guns for carry and caliber, that is what my SWs are for. So I acquired them for the experience and nostalgia more than anything else, and at this stage in my life I can do so.....but I agree if I were designing this gun I would make it so much better.....I would have better grips, I would offer it in bright stainless and blue and I would have a .357 version.

Funny thing is, earlier in the day I stopped in Cabelas. They had a new Model 642 for $299. It was the last one, and it's mine now. The Colt is closer to a 2" model 10 than a J frame.

Picked up a new Colt SFVI years ago and found it hiding in the back of the safe so dont need a new Colt snub... also except for the Colts higher 6 rd capacity prefer My Model 37 for CCW.

On a side note just dont get why in the world Colt would invest the time and money into producing a SS snub when the market is flooded with .38 snubs and it would have cost about the same in time and money to produce a new SS version of the Python or Diamondback which seem to be in much higher demand.

Well I won't be buying one anytime soon since it won't be replacing my S&W Airweight 638 (new) I got for less than 50% of the price the Colt is.

That price tag will keep it out of my collection.

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Life is short,live it fully.

I say if you like it, and it works, buy it. I support anyone's decision to buy a quality revolver!

I love my Colt snubbys (not quite as much as my Smiths, though)...I have two each: Detective Special, Cobra, and Agents, one each of the pre shroud and the shrouded versions. Also have a 2 1/2" Diamondback, as well as a couple of older Colt snubs. Around ten Colt Snubs altogether.

They have given me a feeling for what a Colt snub should be, and unfortunately, the new "Cobra" (as a steel model, it should be a Detective Special) is not what I had hoped that they might someday produce. Here is what I think a Cobra should look like:



I have read really good reviews of its excellent trigger, and other favorable features, but it just doesn't have the panache that the earlier versions have. But that is all subjective, so please don't think that I'm trashing your nice Colts. Just a grumpy, set in his ways, old man grumbling that "they don't make them like they used to".

Best Regards,mLes

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

hmm... Is the serial number located anywhere else on the frame? Even if it is, would it still be illegal to remove the phone-scanable thingie? I know that other guns intended for military markets have these scan codes on them, but they're on a sticker.

Colt has been a lesson in how to mismanage and lose market dominance for decades now, and it looks like it'll never stop. If I had plenty of disposable funds, I might buy one of these just for the collection, but for practical application I'll pass.

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TEAM DNF

I like the looks but that QR code on the frame is an eyesore. I'm starting to see it show up on other guns too. What's wrong with just stamping a serial number?

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Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

Good looking sixgun, but Cobra should be aluminum frame. An all steel gun that size should be .357 Magnum. Didn't Ruger go through this when the SP101 came out?

My LGS has one for $850. MSRP is $699. I was thinking about it. Then, I picked it up. Felt cheap compared to my Lawman MKIII. If the price eventually comes down I may rethink about it.

Bought one off GunBroker a week ago...it arrived NIB, but looked to me to have an entire box of 25 fired thru it! Sent it back to seller who prompty refunded me-
Have to say, in my mind...it was a total piece of dog **** with a waaay to heavy trigger. If this is the best Colt can do in a revolver, they are done in my book!

Yep, they first came out in .38 Spl only, my brother bought one & still has it. He carried that chunk of steel in his pants pocket as a back-up on duty, wouldn't listen to me when I told him to ream it out for .357. A lot of people did ream theirs out, although it could only use the shorter 125 gr JHPs, but since that was the most popular SD round anyway, it was fine. After a while Ruger gave in and did the same, marking the guns with the ammo restriction, then eventually started making them with a longer cylinder.

Ruger knew the guns could take it, because during development they had put a .357 cylinder on one and proceeded to fire something like 5,000 rounds of full-power .357 through it. That was Ruger's idea of a good solid .38!


That's crazy! No, wait, I stand corrected. Just went and looked on GB, and the things are selling for twice what nice original Cobras are going for. There are several that are over $850 with days left in the auction.

Oh well, if I understood the market I'd be living a lot better, that's for sure.

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TEAM DNF

I agree, the fact that the Kimber weighs even less and still handles .357 magnum ammo shows how much Colt missed the boat. I'm still happy we got to see any new DA revolver from Colt but I won't be buying this one.

That Colt looks like an expensive Charter.
If I'm going to carry a snub Colt then let it be this Agent, with grips added of course.

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I'm with you!!! Here's my old Agent with grips and Tyler T Grip, slightly finish challenged, but I do carry it sometimes:



Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Les, thanks for righting my pic.

My pleasure... I love the older Colts, just like I love the older Smiths. What I guess bothers me about the newer production is that with the improved metallurgy and more efficient CNC machining methods, that both companies could manufacture revolvers that would be just as aesthetically pleasing as the older ones, while being stronger and capable of handling more robust loads. But they can't just do that, they somehow seem to feel the need to tinker with the inherent beauty of the older designs and add unasked for and aesthetically displeasing touches such as the Internal Lock on the Smith, with its ugly hole in an otherwise attractive firearm, and Colts tinkering with the shape and balance and beauty of the old standbys, for no good reason, and adding their own bit of ugly, the computer code on the frame, the reshape Trigger Gaurd, changing the frame so that older stocks will not fit... Why do these things??

Just want to add a thought on the Kimber that was mentioned above. As far as I'm concerned, I would go for the Kimber instead of the new "Cobra", for several reasons. One, it is a six shot .357 Magnum, and appears to be more compact than the "Cobra". Two, because it is the first Kimber, we don't expect it to match the aesthetics of the previous models, as it is breaking new ground. Third, it is, in my opinion, a better looking gun than the new "Cobra", although it is really not my cup of tea, either!!.:



Well, this is the original limited edition offered at more than twice the regular model, but it does showcase the inherent attractiveness of the model...take note, S&W...no IL...and although it is somewhat unusual in styling, that's OK, because it doesn't pretend to be a recreation of a traditional model.

OK, rant over.... But I'll keep collecting and accumulating the older versions of both manufacturers, Colt and Smith and Wesson.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I got a chance to handle one of the new Cobra's a few weeks ago, wasn't impressed. The trigger guard is odd, the finish really does look like a Charter Arms product, and that computer thingy is weird. The price didn't win me over either. They wanted $799 for a gun with an MSRP of $699. Personally $699 is too high, I wouldn't go past $499.

When the Cobra was announced I was interested in it, but that interest has definitely faded. I'd rather buy another Detective Special, it's cheaper for a start. The new Cobra mainly served to remind me that I should've bought a Magnum Carry when I had the chance.

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Wheel guns are real guns.

I can afford to wait. I still have my

1941 DS


and my 1957 Cobra

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Now that what I'm talking about!!!

Mike, those are two beauties, and I would rather have one of those than half a dozen of the new "Cobras"!!! Nice photos as well. I take all my photos with my iPhone or iPad, and the lighting is t very good either, but those are sure pretty, and steeped in the atmosphere of the Film Noir era!!

I can see Humphrey Bogart or Alan Ladd with one of those "gats" in his mitt!! Ready to take on the bad guys!!

Here's another classic Colt snubby, a Banker's Special from the early 1930s...some of you have seen it before, issued to the Boston Police Department:



Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

This is not my gun but it is what mine will look like when it comes home from the polisher. Colt should have offered this as an option.

Look, it wears the pony.

That's all that matters (to some people).

Looks much better now, not so Charter Armish.

The pony is not all that matters, but you can't have to many in the stable!

Talk about a tough crowd.

Everybody whines that the sights on small guns are hard to see. Colt fits a bright fiber optic to fix the issue, and half the world cries foul. Colour me baffled.

Colt shape the trigger guard to take gloves forward of the trigger but avoid extending in downwards and folks complain. Wait, what?

As for the price, that's a bad joke.

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Release the Kraken

I'm not in need of another EDC but if I was, I would seriously look at it if buying a new gun. I have a pristine 3rd. Gen. Dick Spl. and think it looks 10 times better than the new Cobra - HOWEVER given the choice of an I/L or a funny looking trigger guard, I'd opt for the Colt. The front sights are replaceable (I would put on a standard type) and I'm sure after market grips will be available soon too.

While I do EDC a Smith M60-7 I can say that shooting my Colt 3rd. gen. DS is a sheer pleasure with stiff loads and the 6th shot is a welcome asset. The new Cobra is not really a pocket gun (even with smaller grips) but anyone who carries OWB might like it. As we all know....... the good ole' days are gone and no Company is going to make 'em like they use to. From what I have read, it is an accurate 6 shooter with an exceptional double action. I have not yet had the opportunity to handle or shoot one and will as soon as I stumble onto one.

I like my old Colt Cobra but did have to put good years on it because with the original grips it bit me in the web of my hand!

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

There is room enough in my safes for the Pony along with the SW. My next step on the Cobra is to ship the one that is not going to be polished off to Frank Glenn in Arizona, the well respected gunsmith that tunes Colt DAs. He as agreed to at least take a look at the Cobra trigger action to see if he can work some magic. He has not even seen one in the flesh so he was unsure if he could even do anything to it, but he accepted my offer to ship him the gun for an assessement of what he can do, or not......pretty cool to possibly be the first one to have him work the trigger action on the New Cobra.......now if I can only find a custom stock maker to make me a set that will look a lot better than those rubber boots. I was thinking if some would could build a set more similar to the combats I have on my 24 and 624. Oh the things I want to do to these guns.

This is a Cobra, the new one is a Detective Special that looks like Charter Arms finished it. Someone then stamped Cobra on it. At 25 ounces it's even heavier than the old Dick Special. What was Colt thinking?

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LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

I just picked one up today. I haven't shot it yet but it locks up tight and has a great trigger. I think I'm going to like it.

I will see your "Kimber is not my cup of tea" and raise you as follows: "that Kimber is astonishingly ugly."

I've handled and shot both Cobra and K6, and not impressed with either; however, if I had to choose I'd pick the K6. For me the fit and finish of the Cobra was similar to that of a Charter Arms, while the fit and finish of the K6 was nice, But I didn't like the sharp edges at the top of the backstrap. I am completely content with my 2" M60.

I almost pulled the trigger on a K6 but happened to pull out my old SP101 and remembered again that it fits the bill perfectly for a small steel frame .357. I've got too many good guns tucked away that I don't carry/shoot so I'm not gonna buy the Kimber to tuck away and gather dust. For now....

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Forum consigliere

Everytime I look at a new compact revolver that comes out, I notice none of them really surpass the SP101 in most regards. I really just need to go get a 3-inch one. For some reason Ruger seems set on keeping the 3-inch LCRx in .38 Special only.