New to me old Colt Cobra

[crazysarge16]

I've recently developed quite the affection for revolvers as of late. Any chance I get lately to grab one, if I have something for trade or the spare funds I try to work a deal. I went from having zero revolvers to 4 revolvers in less than two months.

Recently I had noticed a Colt Cobra being listed for sale/trade on Armslist in my area. I had sent the guy an email, we had exchanged texts working out a deal for an AR I had built but the deal fell through cause neither of us could ever work out a time to meet.

I saw it listed again, so figured I'd try a second time and I'm glad I did. The guy was asking $650 cash or $700 trade value. I offered him the only AR I had available at the moment, which was a built Aero Precision lower with Spike's Tactical upper, and 16" Ballistic Advantage midlength barrel with Omega X9. Plus, the whole rifle was painted in kryloned. Thankfully, he liked the look of it and we worked out a deal.

Need to figure out when this was made, all I know currently is that it's a second generation. Glad to have added this to my collection. Which I could have gotten as good a deal for this one as I did the one time trading a Taurus TCP plus $10 for a Colt Detective Special.

Also looking at different grips, while the ones on it provide a good grip just aren't aesthetically pleasing to me. A good polishing is also in order as well

 

[jframejoey]

Colt Firearm Serial Number Lookup - Year of Manufacture

follow link Sarge and put in serial number it will generate year made for model

 

[crazysarge16]

Colt Firearm Serial Number Lookup - Year of Manufacture

follow link Sarge and put in serial number it will generate year made for model

Thanks! I know now it's a 1975 production

 

[DWalt]

The Colt snubbies can get addictive. My choice for the best one is the postwar Detective Special. I can't abide the extractor rod shroud on the barrel. There are lots of them around, but seldom is one found priced cheaply.

 

[Old cop]

My first off-duty Cobra was purchased new in 1968 for $85. I still have it and plan to shoot it today. Great guns, congrats.

 

[Guitslo]

I've got a 1951 that was my backup when I was in LE. Great ol' shooter. A lot of the frame finish is gone from the years of carry. I still carry it for my CCW, probably as much or more than any of my others.

 

[crazysarge16]

It's definitely lightweight, this one will mainly be for the range with occasional CCW usage. I've got other ones I'll use for CCW, but nothing like carrying an older CCW piece sometimes. Especially after I polish her up

 

[Sixgun100]

Lots of Colt Cobra Fans. They are excellent carry revolvers. You can find lots of grip options on eBay by searching Colt D Frame Grips. Here is mine with my Ruger LCR. My two favorite carry revolvers. Old school wth new school. Enjoy that Cobra!

 

[crazysarge16]

Lots of Colt Cobra Fans. They are excellent carry revolvers. You can find lots of grip options on eBay by searching Colt D Frame Grips. Here is mine with my Ruger LCR. My two favorite carry revolvers. Old school wth new school. Enjoy that Cobra!

I've been browsing eBay alot, just trying to decide if I want to go back close to original or not

 

[mojave30cal]

Nice pickup. I have a Cobra Light Weight alloy revolver made
in 1968. It was a LEO gun, and has lots of character. It is one
of my favorite conceal carry guns.

 

[crazysarge16]

This is my first Colt revolver in quite some time. Is it recommended to take off the side cover to oil everything? I do it on my S&Ws but I've never had a Colt long enough to bother with it.

 

[sodacan]

Cobras are nice carry or backup revolvers. Carry it a lot, shoot it very little, and it will last a long time. Shoot it a lot, and you'll end up with a nice paperweight. The frame is fairly fragile. Good luck.

 

[iPac]

Cobras are nice carry or backup revolvers. Carry it a lot, shoot it very little, and it will last a long time. Shoot it a lot, and you'll end up with a nice paperweight. The frame is fairly fragile. Good luck.

This is true. Don't run any +P or other loads that are stouter than standard.

Not saying it won't shoot them or it will blow up, but if you want it to last any length of time you won't. Jerry Kuhnhausen, who wrote the shop manuals on Colt/S&W revolvers even states that excessive firing with standard ammo would wear these guns out.

So the comment above about carrying it a lot and shooting a little is good advice. I have a '61 Cobra and rarely fire it. Really no reason to when I have a '68 Detective Special.

You can open the side plate up and clean/lube it. Just be cautious like you would a S&W.

 

[moralem]

You might want to update to the latest Cobra.......so minty new that I had to have two of them.

 

[rockquarry]

These are great guns and I find them a little easier to shoot well than J-frame S&W's, probably because the Colts are a little larger. The advice about shooting them infrequently is very good advice. I shot my Agent (almost the same gun as the Cobra) probably more than I should have, but never with +P ammo or equivalent handloads. The frame cracked in the usual spot beneath the barrel shank.

However, mine was a 60s gun with the unshrouded ejector rod. Perhaps the later Cobras, as depicted in your photos, are stronger. Still, alloy frames will not be as durable as steel frames.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I use my vintage Colt Cobra as my fanny pack carry gun for when I am on my bike.

I never liked the Colt stocks so I switched them out a long, long time ago. Every time I find the original stocks in the box where I put them it makes me laugh because at first I don't remember what they are. Then, after a second, I do - and it just amuses me.

Old people are easily amused.............

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

My first off-duty Cobra was purchased new in 1968 for $85. I still have it and plan to shoot it today. Great guns, congrats.

In 1968 that was over 2 week's pay in this part of the country.

 

[Absalom]

My first off-duty Cobra was purchased new in 1968 for $85. I still have it and plan to shoot it today. Great guns....

Famous guns, too. Jack Ruby paid $62.50 for his Colt Cobra in 1960. Or rather, his friend, Dallas PD officer Joe Cody, did, and then handed the gun to Ruby outside the store. Officers didn't have to pay tax. Today, we'd call that a straw buy

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I use my vintage Colt Cobra as my fanny pack carry gun for when I am on my bike.

I never liked the Colt stocks so I switched them out a long, long time ago. Every time I find the original stocks in the box where I put them it makes me laugh because at first I don't remember what they are. Then, after a second, I do - and it just amuses me.

Old people are easily amused.............

Looks like you have a pretty nice set of grips on that one. However, for some folks' hands, like mine, the factory grips are fine if you add a Tyler. Much better than a J-frame S&W, but, of course, slightly larger.

 

[DWalt]

I wonder how the new Colt Cobras are selling?