642 PowerPort or Colt Cobra?

[dogsoldier]

I'm trying to decide between a LIKE NEW late production (heavy/shrouded barrel) Colt Cobra or a NIB 642 PowerPort to use as an 'always gun'. The dealer wants $549 for the S&W...and a friend wants $350 for the Colt. I really like the Smith, but... Decisions, decisions......

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I for one would go for the Colt. I have lots of S&W's and few Colts and would like to add one to the accumilation.

 

[pred]

If the Cobra times up ok, For the 350 I would go with it.
Then again, I have a 2nd gen one as well as a first gen DS. Lots of us Smith lovers do.
Go get it! The Cobra is a fine gun!
Peter

 

[jframe]

I'd go for the Cobra too. Not wild about a ported gun of anykind, but really not wild about a pocket revolver having them.

 

[18DAI]

Another vote for the Colt Cobra. Extra round on tap and no "innovations". Good luck with your decision! Regards 18DAI.

 

[WC145]

For $350 I'd definitely buy the Colt, you won't get many chances like that.

 

[colt_saa]

I would buy the Cobra and continue saving for the 642PP. Carry the Colt until you buy the 642.

The Colt's had a nice look to them and that price is not bad. My personal concerns over carrying a Cobra is that the factory does not support it any longer so if repair is needed spare parts will have to come from outside vendors like Numerich and Brownells.

My second concern is that the Cobra was not designed for a steady diet of +P or +P+ ammunition. The S&W is much stronger and more durable after all it has a decade or more of machining and metallurgy advancements going for it.

If it must be one and only one of the two, then you need to go for the S&W to use as an 'always gun'.

 

[Armed012002]

I'm not going to say that the Cobra is a poor choice for self defense, but a new production S&W J-frame will handle a steady diet of +P ammunition better than the Cobra.

If you manage to wear out the J-frame with +P ammo, you can send it back to S&W under the lifetime warranty. It even says "+P" on the side of the barrel.

As much as a love Colt double action revolvers, I think you would be better off with a new production S&W J-frame.

 

[Gun&KnifeCountry]

Buy the Colt

Buy the Colt for $350 that's a bargain if the gun is in the condition you say it's in. Then you have a couple of options.

1.Keep and carry the Colt if it checks out good. I would stay away from plus P on this one though.

2. Take the Colt in to your Dealer and see if he will take it and a hundred dollar bill for the Smith you want. I'm not crazy about the Power Port myself but to each his own. You might wind up with the Smith for a $450 investment. I'm not sure about the powerport model but the Colt and the Franklin should get you into a standard 642 for sure. The Smith will be stronger (+P) and more reliable. Colts have been known to go out of time.

3 Not Sure about the sites policy on this but you should be able to sell that Colt for a profit on one of the site availble and work into the Smith a little cheaper.

 

[srgvaz]

Both

Buy them both...

 

[dogsoldier]

What I like about the PowerPort ISN'T the porting, but the front sight. BTW....I got the Cobra.

 

[pred]

Good choice!
How do you like it?
Peter

 

[brushy bill]

I would say Colt if the powerport is MIM/lock.

Yes, parts may be hard to find, but if you know that in advance, you don't shoot it to destruction and avoid +P and +P+. In my opinion the S&W "Lifetime" warranty doesn't mean much. If they don't produce parts for your gun, they can substitute whatever it is they are producing at the time. You may be ok with current procution, but no way to tell what they'll be putting out down the road. For instance, if I sent back a pinned, recessed, early model S&W in for major part replacement and was told they would substitute a 2 piece barrel, MIM, lock model instead, I would let them keep their product. No offense to those who like the new models, I'm sure they have their place...just not for me.

 

[brushy bill]

OOps...sorry, I missed you went with Colt. Good call. Congrats. It should serve you well.