A friend of a friend has a Colt Cobra 2" that he will part with pretty cheap. He doesn't know much about guns and really don't want to. From what I have seen on the net, they are expensive. I'm pretty sure he said that it is nickel plated, stainless? maybe? If you have one of these I would love to see a pic and any other information you may have regarding this gun.
thanks alot folks,
Gordon

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better have that checked

Sorry, no pic but I have one made about 1968 that I paid $350 for a few months back. I'd say an average price for one in good shape is $350-400...a mint one in the box will be more. They were made in blue or nickle, not stainless, and had an alloy frame.

Do you know what "generation" Cobra he has? The big classic (read "used") gun dealers usually identify D frame Colts as first or second generation. First generation guns have an exposed ejector rod while the second generation guns have a shrouded ejector rod. There are also some minor internal differences, mainly part dimensions.

The first generation guns have two different frames. The first has a long grip frame (if you need grips for a long frame, good luck and don't forget to bring you wallet). The second has a short grip frame like an Agent. It's easy to find factory and aftermarket grips for these.

I carried a Cobra (first generation, long frame) for several years in the late '60s through about '77 or so. Loved it. The weight was about 15 ozs and I shot it a little better than a J frame. If you are not familiar with Colt trigger pulls, there might be a little learning curve involved.

Colts look like a fine Swiss watch on the inside and if they develop timing problems they are a bear to correct. The truth is, I don't know anyone locally that I would trust with the job. I sure there must be a few people who are good with them. But they have been out of production quite a while and working on Colt revolvers will soon be a lost art.

I sold all my D frame Colts some years ago. Based on what I see around here, depending on condition, any price under $500 would be OK and anything under $400 would be great.

As far as I know, the Cobras were never offered is SS. The frames are aluminum and bbls, etc. carbon steel. Nickel was a fairly common finish option.

Hope you buy it. They are excellent little revolvers.

Prices are all over the place based on condition. Nickel would be a premium and they never were stainless. My 1953 Cobra sat in the gunshop for over a month two years ago for $300. Nobody liked the lack of finish I guess. I offered $250 and got a gun that appears to have been carried forever but hardly ever shot. It's one of my favorites and I hope your freind comes up with a good price for you. You'll love that little classic, especially if it's nickel plated which is extra special.
Here's mine with the lefty holster (yay!) that came with it. I love the feel of those cheap "Coltwood" plastic grips of the era. Good Luck!

Just an aluminum frame Detective Special if it's the older model (no ejector shroud).
Same frame size as their Police Positive Special revolver line also.
Same internal parts too.

They did make it in 32cal (32 Colt New Police) and .22 rf. I forget what the RF variation was called,,had a special model name to it.

The Agent was the same aluminum frame gun but with a shorter grip.

The 'Air Crewman' military model was an all aluminum version of the Cobra or Detective Special which ever way you want to look at it. They didn't work out any better than the S&W's did.

If the timing is good (usually an issue w/ Colts) and the bore and chambers OK, the Cobras in 38special usually bring around $250 and up depending on finish wear around here. Many are very finish worn but nearly unused as far as being shot. $350 will usually buy a nice one.

The newer variation I don't know much about. I had a Nickle plated one back a ways and it seemed to be a fine revolver w/ no problems.
They appear to be better sellers than the older version as shooters. As collectables, the pristine older guns get the top money.

2152hq- colt had a 22 cobra and another one called the courier. they look the same with different stampings. mine is a 3in. cobra but i think they other bbl. lengths too.

Anything under $400 for a nice, nickle Cobra is a good deal.

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Professional Trainer

G T,

Here's my only example of the l'il snake:



Proofhouse says '54-55, grips are not correct for this vintage.

Mike

I have an Agent that was made in 1974. I gought it about 10 years ago in NIB, unfired condition and had treated it as a "safe queen" until recently when I had to ask whether I was planning on selling it?...Answer is NO! and Who am I saving it for? Nobody really!...So, I now carry and shoot it.

I have always likes the Detective Special/Cobra/Agent revolvers. They are six shot revolvers vs the 5 shot J Frames. They are big enough that I can shoot them well but less bulky than a K Frame S&W. I have never had timing problems with mine. I don't use it for a high volume target gun and I stick to standard pressure ammo for the range with a cylinder or two of 158gr LSWC +P. I know of a couple of local smiths who can work on a Colt D Frame. There are many of them around so there will be a market for parts and repair for a good many years and somebody will provide what the market demands.

As others have said, the value is variable depending on condition. The ones I see in this part of the state go for under $400 are usually pretty worn and have rough finishes. I don't see many really nice ones with box and papers.

If it was me and I was offered a decent one for a good price, I would take it. They don't make them anymore and I doubt they will ever get cheaper!

Colt made a similar model for a short time in the 90's called the "Magnun Carry" or something like that. It was all stainless and chambered .357 Mag. I would love to have a nice one. If it is a Cobra it is carbon steel with an alloy frame.

I had one back before the big flood. Loved it. I've been trying to remember what I did with it.. Maybe one of my ex's sold it. They got everything else.

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Firearms and Saltwater Fishing

i love snubbies, and i must admit to rescueing a colt once in a while. here is a 52 vintage with factory pearls:


here is one from 68. not much different, longer ejector rod, slightly different barrel address on the right side, no more "two-tone" finish.


here is one from 1974. several changes, shrouded ejector rod, ramp style sight, and more "modern" target-style grips without a medallion.


nickel is definitely a little more scarce, it seems, but the nickel ones really start to look bad, if their finish isn't nearly perfect. they are good guns. light, dependable, 6 shots.

My PD issued me a 2" nickel Cobra for a back-up gun. Carried it for several years, until I retired. Tried to buy it, but no go.

About 5 years ago I bought an older Agent as its replacement. I prefer the Agent to the 5 shot Chief.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

1970 Cobra with factory hammer shroud and TylerT. Well pocket worn.

love these little colts, i have a collection of them. the only stainless in the line is the DSII or Magnum carry IIRC.

Just prior to Colt's decision to stop most revolver production they came out with a model called the SFII (small frame) They are Stainless steel. I bought one that was factory bobbed. The lockwork in these guns is different than the DS, although the gun appears the same extrnally. The firing pin is frame mounted. The DA trigger pull is incredibly light. So light that light strikes were a problem the factory addressed with heavier springs. The SF-VI was followed by the DSII and the Magnum Carry. The DS is a better gun in my opinion, than the stainless guns.

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SOS USA

Except for the T-grip, this gun is identical to Jack Ruby's Cobra he used to ventilate Oswald.

I recently sold this one for $700 w/box...

Well, I guess while we're at it...

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Professional Trainer

Nice grips Doc...but i have to admit, the DS is one of the few guns that I think look best with the stock grips...epsecially the older ones with the medallion...would have been nice if they put the medallion on the 3rd gen guns too....

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

Well here is the one I rescued from a gun show late one Sunday. It is not as pretty as most in this thread,but it turned out fairly well with a little work.

Attached Images

Colt Cobra 1.jpg (90.9 KB, 64 views)

Here is my Colt Cobra. Not the best pic. Shows that it is not a collector grade piece, but I like it.

Here's a couple I REALLY stupidly traded off. Cobra and SF-VI.(Stainless)

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SOS USA

I bought a nickle cobra from my LGS 5-6 mounths ago for $235.00.Aftermarket grips, some wear and small pits in the finish.Locks up tight and shoots great, has become my summer carry.

Mine has medallions in the grips.

Wow...never seen medallions in those...is that factory or a mod?

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

Mine is a 50's version but I also love the looks and feel of these. I would get one with that extractor rod lug in a second if it was affordable. I knew a girl in the early 80's who had one (without those medallions) and it shot great. I really liked this girl. When her boyfreind wasn't around she....uh... never mind.

I just assumed they were factory. I didn't buy it new, so I couldn't say for sure.