IS THE NEW COLT COBRA A COMMERCIAL SUCCESS??

[Watchdog]

From my observations, the folks who are actually seeking out and buying these "new" Cobras are the very small niche community of Colt collectors/enthusiasts.

Don't think I'd call Colt collectors and enthusiasts a "very small niche community".

I think it's too little too late, but we will see.

Too little, too late for what?

 

[CH4]

AFAIK Colt's MSRP has always been $699 but when they were first released there were scalpers charging what you state. Now they are selling for $629 from what I can see on line but have not seen any locally that I can touch.

Thanks, that's good to know. Unfortunately, I've never seen one at any of our LGS. Finally seeing a good number of K6s around - $899 - $1800.

 

[AR_Black]

I've got one here at my shop that I held back. I think they are good quality but a priced $250-$300 over a J-Frame turns a lot of people off.

 

[apollo99]

I've toyed with the idea of getting one and getting it polished , It would be setting me back over $1000 for the cobra plus the high polish job.

 

[iPac]

I am not a Colt fanatic, collector or true enthusiast. I have more SW than colts. I am just a regular guy that wanted to have an original colt in the box from the start.......

There is nothing wrong with wanting to buy a new Colt from the dealer. I bought a 2015 SAA because I wanted to buy a new Colt product.

Just relating my observations. I'm glad you're happy with new Cobra.

Don't think I'd call Colt collectors and enthusiasts a "very small niche community".

It's more of a niche than you may think, especially if you could ascertain the median age of Colt collectors. They aren't getting any younger. Also, the new sky high prices aren't going to be attractive to the youth of today leaving college in debt to their eyeballs trying to start a life. Which is me, and I guarantee not one friend from HS could even name a post-war2 Colt revolver. So there is one small demographic sample.

Again, just my personal theory/belief.

Too little, too late for what?

From the time Colt quit producing DA revolvers, to present day Cobra release, how much CCW excitement has taken over the country?

Over a good decade of it, and Colt is just now getting a revolver to an already saturated market.

Seems a "too little too late" prediction isn't that off base, but again just an opinion.

 

[Eddietruett]

There were a couple at the last gun show I attended. Marked at $699. Saw a lot looking, but no buyers. They were still there after 2 days. The seller let me handle one and encouraged me to dry fire. While it felt ok, my wallet stayed in my pocket. Didn't try to negotiate. I guess the ones buying must like them. Have not seen a used one for sale

 

[iPac]

I have seen that the initial selling price (well over list) has substantially dropped and are now selling for below MSRP. I am not fond of the orange front sight but understand that with the turn of an allen screw a more traditional one can be installed.

I've heard tale of 6 - 7 pound DA triggers which sounds great and while the quality will probably never equal the original Dick Specials it isn't bad. Couple that with all stainless construction, 6 shot capacity, a choice of grips and no I/L and it has intrigued me enough to want to handle and shoot one.

That's just the thing. Reports of the new Cobra have been pretty good.

The predecessor to the new Cobra was the SFVI and the DSII. The Magnum Carry as well, but that was magnum so I don't mention it. Colt basically took the MkIII action and married it with a V mainspring. No forged steel internals. The action design basis of the new Cobra is the exact same as these late '90 guns with some minor geometry changes, which supposedly helps with smoother pull. They also adopted even more "cost cutting" techniques versus the old ones like slanted ratchet finger design which eliminates the alignment pins and holes, and the reported MIM barrel.

The SFVI/DSII was noted as having a good DA because of the design, so I can believe the new Cobra has a pretty good action too, especially if the geometry changes help. So it should be a very usable gun.

Now, I'm reluctant to believe the 6-7# DA pull, as I can't even get an original D frame down to 7# without light strikes, but who knows. Haven't tried to tweak a new Cobra yet, but can almost assure it's not like that from the factory.

Other than that, this gun should make a great carry gun or duty gun. That's what it's designed for, not a collector piece. I have no expectations beyond that.

I talk about the new Cobra however I want, but never do I bash it or call it junk. Discussion about the "good and bad" of a gun should never result in turmoil as long as kept to a professional level. Some people like to talk engineering and design, and find it fun to "dissect" a new gun.

 

[Joe Kent]

I would disagree about the statement above about Colt collectors being a "niche" market. Ipac , in one sense you may be right about collectors in general but I think it unfair to single out Colt Collectors. Having just attended our annual Colt Collectors Show in St.Louis I can tell you we had a great time with a great bunch of people and unlike our S&W annual convention the Colt Collectors are very open to welcoming non member as well as members who can only attend for a day. Of course non members cannot attend any of the business side of the club but are welcomed into the show hall to see the displays, learn about what they are looking at and yes, spend money at the various member tables. I should add that only members can have tables and time in the room is restricted for non members. If the clubs, like many groups, are going to grow and expand, they have to become more user friendly. As far as the cost of the new Cobra I paid $675. which is $25. under MSRP and did that both to have the revolver and support my LGS. Had I waited I probably could have found one for a little less. All my very best, Joe.

 

[Grayfox]

I set up at a gun show today and as such was in an hour before they opened. One dealer has a new Cobra and I had time to really look it over. Looks to be very well made. Feels pretty good in the hand. Timing is spot on, lock-up is tight and that trigger is really good. Smooth and slick in DA, clean and crisp in SA. Price was $699 which is MSRP.
But still, it just doesn't "do it" for me. Maybe its the finish? I'm not a fan of fiber optic sights or Hogue rubber grips either. I know both are easy to change, but still, I decided to pass. Darn shame too cause I really was looking forward to getting my hands on one.
Maybe if they bring it out in blue or even matte black I'd buy one. Meantime, I'll just let it go. That's just me, I certainly won't knock those who buy them. I do think its a fine gun.
BTW: as I said, I saw it before the show opened. It was still there at the end of the day.

 

[VictorLouis]

I finally had the chance to fondle one locally. I was impressed with the look, feel and the sights. Trigger pull wasn't that I'd expected based off of the reviews. Then, the clerk said to me, "Compare it with the Charter Arms here". Wouldn't you know it? The pull the CA was much, much nicer than the Colt. Then, I checked three MORE CA's they had on-hand in the case. They were also much better. I hope that ONE Cobra was a Friday-gun, LOL.

 

[ShivasIrons]

My LGS has had a couple in stock and they sold right away to Colt Collectors.

Sometimes things bought solely for collector value do not work out.

 

[GB]

I have handled two(not shot). Fit and finish on both was nice and the trigger seemed good. It is priced at 699.00. Therein is the problem. I am an old guy and like wheel guns (even Colts) but I can buy S&W J frames for less, sometimes a lot less. Young people, on the other hand, were not raised on wheel guns and the average 20 something (unless he is a cowboy shooter or a history buff) just ain't into revolvers. The new Cobra is a nice gun and will sell, slowly but will not bring Colt into the financial promised land.

 

[Telecaster]

Colt failed with it back in the late '90s, and they missed the ship on the CCW resurgence of the last decade. I think it's too little too late, but we will see.

Exactly, they had the 3" 1911 which was good, then they brought back the Mustang, which is antiquated even in plastic, but that's it. Probably best that they didn't venture into more plastic.

If the new Cobra had a 3" barrel, or maybe 4", I think it would sell better. The Kimber K6s didn't interest me until they made it in a 3" barrel.