New to me Cobra

MarkAlt · #1 07-20-2021, 02:22 PM

Two small issues with this little guy. The DLC finish and end-shake. Appears to be new/unfired, so I have no idea how that happened.

Love the retro look.

rockquarry · #2 07-20-2021, 02:33 PM

Is that the latest Cobra? I've been curious about these as to quality, accuracy, etc. The only Cobra I've had experience with is an original alloy-framed '57 model I've had a long time. I would guess the newer model should be a stronger, more durable gun than the old one.

MarkAlt · #3 07-20-2021, 02:50 PM

This one is the new model, with a brass bead sight, DLC finish and retro grips. This was a special run, called the "Cobra Special", around 2017?

The build quality and performance of the new Cobras and King Cobra is top notch.

31FordA · #4 07-20-2021, 10:51 PM

I’ve had a Night Cobra for a couple of years now, been very happy with it. The only thing I’d like to change is to get a set of those retro grips for it, but I’ve had no luck finding them.

ISCS Yoda · #5 07-20-2021, 10:57 PM

Very old Cobra with modern grips:

I have had this 2" Colt Cobra for maybe 25 years. It came with an old leather holster which I also still have. I disliked the original grips (still have those, too) so I put these Hogues on and forever after liked this revolver.

jeffrefrig · #6 07-20-2021, 11:37 PM

I really like both guns' stocks. The OP gun looks like the old detective movie guns, and the Hogues look like that gun is gonna hit what you're aiming at; just a good handle for handling 2nd & 3rd shots.
Maybe I better shut this computer down for the night before I burn my credit card to the limit!
I'll take 'em all, sir!

MarkAlt · #7 07-21-2021, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippyjon Jones

Congrats for the nice Cobra!

On the end-shake. My 2021 King Cobra also shows some when unlocked. But once locked and ready to fire there is no end-shake at all, neither any other kind of cylinder vs. frame movement, it's rock solid. So if your Cobra does the same I would say it's by design.

Here's my new and shiny K. Cobra:

Nice cool blues on that King!

Thanks for that info on the end-shake. I will check with Colt and see what they say. Like yours, once the cylinder is locked to the frame, everything is perfectly tight.

s&wchad · #8 07-21-2021, 06:13 AM

Mark,
Nice gun!
No reason to bother checking with Colt. Front to back movement with an open is typical. End shake is always checked with the cylinder is closed.

lonestar57 · #9 07-21-2021, 08:11 AM

Me, I'm a traditionalist. The Colt Cobra was first introduced as a lightweight revolver versus the all steel Detective Special. To me Colt was only trying to capitalize on the popularity of a "Snake Name" with the new released Colt Cobra. It's a nice well built little pistol but in reality it's a new Detective Special not a Cobra. Here's a real Colt Cobra.

New to me Cobra-img_3302-jpg

MarkAlt · #10 07-21-2021, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s&wchad

Mark,
Nice gun!
No reason to bother checking with Colt. Front to back movement with an open is typical. End shake is always checked with the cylinder is closed.

Thank you for that Chad!

rockquarry · #11 07-21-2021, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonestar57

Me, I'm a traditionalist. The Colt Cobra was first introduced as a lightweight revolver versus the all steel Detective Special. To me Colt was only trying to capitalize on the popularity of a "Snake Name" with the new released Colt Cobra. It's a nice well built little pistol but in reality it's a new Detective Special not a Cobra. Here's a real Colt Cobra.

New to me Cobra-img_3302-jpg

Some might argue that a Colt Cobra for the traditionalist would be the original Cobra without the shrouded ejector rod. However, there is probably little doubt that your depicted later version is probably a stouter revolver than the original model.

MarkAlt · #12 07-21-2021, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonestar57

Me, I'm a traditionalist. The Colt Cobra was first introduced as a lightweight revolver versus the all steel Detective Special. To me Colt was only trying to capitalize on the popularity of a "Snake Name" with the new released Colt Cobra. It's a nice well built little pistol but in reality it's a new Detective Special not a Cobra. Here's a real Colt Cobra.

New to me Cobra-img_3302-jpg

That IS a beauty! ...but for now, I am stuck with these guys

lonestar57 · #13 07-21-2021, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockquarry

Some might argue that a Colt Cobra for the traditionalist would be the original Cobra without the shrouded ejector rod. However, there is probably little doubt that your depicted later version is probably a stouter revolver than the original model.

True, both the original Detective Special and the Colt Cobra went through some changes over the years together like a shorter grip frame and as you noted the heavier shrouded ejector rod barrel assembly. However, my main point is that I wished Colt upon the new release would have stayed with the Cobra's original lightweight frame design which had definitely distinguished it and set it apart from the Detective Special.

JWintergreen · #14 07-21-2021, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonestar57

True, both the original Detective Special and the Colt Cobra went through some changes over the years together like a shorter grip frame and as you noted the heavier shrouded ejector rod barrel assembly. However, my main point is that I wished Colt upon the new release would have stayed with the Cobra's original lightweight frame design which had definitely distinguished it and set it apart from the Detective Special.

I agree. Colt made some very...interesting design and marketing decisions, when it comes to their new small frame revolvers.

Changing the trigger guard/gripframe, calling a new Magnum Carry a King Cobra, not offering a real alloy frame Cobra, dumping the iconic Detective Special name, and offering a King Cobra Target instead of a Diamondback lineup were all bad decisions in my eyes.

Hopefully CZ will take notice of this, and make some positive changes to their small frame lineup.

dsf · #15 07-21-2021, 05:15 PM

I have one of the newer Cobras. Very smooth action, better (pardon me) than Smiths. I 1st went with old model grips and a BK adapter, however switched to the 1973 types.

FWIW, S&W front sights (the interchangeable version) work in the Colt. Takes a bit of dressing down on the lower post, shortening and squaring off. Not too difficult to do though.

Old cop · #16 07-21-2021, 09:26 PM

My first & only Cobra was purchased new in 1968 for $85 for off-duty and I still have it, but don’t carry it much any more. I do shoot it a couple of times a year & it’s more accurate than I am.

sipowicz · #17 07-22-2021, 12:48 AM

Maybe I’m stupid when it comes to marketing but why didn’t they just call it the new detective special? Maybe they feel Cobra sounds cooler or they want to stay with a snake name. And why oh why did they reshape the trigger guard?