[PICS ADDED at Post#20] Thoughts on New Colt Viper?

[NCBeagle]

What do you guys think about the new Colt Viper? It looks good, but not alloy framed like the original. Colt brought back the Cobra and Viper names but not alloy frames. That said, I like the profile. It's like a stainless 1977-78 Police Positive (heavy barrel). Looks like Colt brought back the extended D Frame grip too. Interesting.

Here is the 1977 Police Positive

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Oldsalt66]

This is the first I've seen of it and I like it.

 

[NCBeagle]

Oh, just noticed...it is chambered in .357 Magnum. The original was an alloy .38.

 

[mchom]

I’m interested. Soon as I can get one in hand I’m seriously considering getting one.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I haven’t seen one in person but I own a new model 3” King Cobra and an 4.25” Target KC and the Viper looks like it’s a new Model KC with a partial rather than full under lug. Other than that, from photos I’ve seen,I don’t see any difference. If it is the case, it’s a fabulous gun. My two KC’s are as smooth as butter and fit and finish are superb. Honestly I think the double action trigger is better than my new Pythons.

I’d go so fast as to say my 3” is just about perfect in size and balance. I carry it traveling often. I’ve had it for a couple of years and put probably 800-1000 rounds through it and I have no complaints. I’ve not shot any magnums due to arthritis but have been very pleased shooting 125’s and 158 home loads. Accuracy is excellent.

 

[pharmer]

I'm a fan although I haven't seen any for sale. Joe

 

[MSD2343]

I’m interested. Soon as I can get one in hand I’m seriously considering getting one.

Same here. Looks like a serious contender for carry for those who want something beyond a J-frame.

 

[Ameshawki]

I'm intrigued by it. I'm a sucker for three inch revolvers. Already have the King Cobra and a three inch Python; I'm anxious to see one of these. Price tag seems to be around a grand. Not cheap, but by Colt standards not out of the ordinary. I have a four inch Police Positive, it's father, so this would make a nice addition. Kudos to Colt/CZ for coming out with new stuff.

 

[JoeDice]

I haven’t seen one in person but I own a new model 3” King Cobra and an 4.25” Target KC and the Viper looks like it’s a new Model KC with a partial rather than full under lug. Other than that, from photos I’ve seen,I don’t see any difference. If it is the case, it’s a fabulous gun. My two KC’s are as smooth as butter and fit and finish are superb. Honestly I think the double action trigger is better than my new Pythons.

I’d go so fast as to say my 3” is just about perfect in size and balance. I carry it traveling often. I’ve had it for a couple of years and put probably 800-1000 rounds through it and I have no complaints. I’ve not shot any magnums due to arthritis but have been very pleased shooting 125’s and 158 home loads. Accuracy is excellent.

I have a COLT King Cobra Carry 2inch”snubby” . The fit and finish is excellent and it has a really nice trigger . Trigger Pull SA-2LB 10 OZ DA-8LB 6 OZ. I love this revolver . I shoot my 38 Special reloads in it and carry it with 38 Special +P HP’s. Too much recoil for my 76 year old hands with .357 Magnums.

I also have S&W Smith&Wesson Performance Center 686 Plus
5 inch barrel that I bought for a range toy / target shooting. Also excellent fit and Finish . Disappointed in the trigger . Advertises as having a 10 lb (or under) trigger. Actual trigger pull is SA 4LB 6OZS , DA 11LB 10 OZ. My little COLT KING COBRA snubby has a much better trigger.

 

[CH4]

I like the grips. I am also pleased that Colt is making a lot of cool revolvers, but I don’t care for the new Viper, Kodiak, etc. I do like the new pythons, except the blued 4”, and the Anaconda. I’d like to see a blue 2 inch Python and 4” Anaconda in 45,Colt.

 

[Enzo Rules]

I’m hoping Colt releases a blued 3 inch Viper soon.

 

[hdfinder47]

I like it. But I would prefer that Colt would name their new, improved revolvers with their own names (Python II, Viper 2024 or something different all together and unique) rather than confuse the market reusing old names. Kinda like Ford calling the new EV a Mustang - it ain't. JMO. I buy them for what they are, not what sounds familiar and cool.
Ed

 

[Grayfox]

As mentioned, its a stainless copy of the 4th Issue Police Positive chambered for .357 instead of .38.
Here's mine from 1979.

I've always been a fan of Colt's D-frame revolvers and have several.
I'm very interested in one of the 3" Vipers. Especially if they come out in blue.

 

[dobegrant]

I have the 3” Colt King Cobra .357 with the fixed brass bead sight and really like it very much. If this was available when I bought the KC it would have been a tough choice, like the way it looks but haven’t seen one in person yet.

 

[Jakerin]

Colt makes some beautiful guns but this one isn’t.

 

[Jocko-44]

^^ My thoughts exactly, I have 5 of the new Cobra/Pythons but this Viper does nothing for me. I'm patiently waiting for a 2.5" or 3" blued Python to add to my collection of snake guns.

 

[NY-1]

I'm a fan of how it looks since I prefer partial underlugs, and I'm glad that Colt is offering a partial underlug option in multiple barrel lengths.

With that said, it appears the gripes that I have with the new Cobra/King Cobra are still present here. I strongly dislike that square/bent looking trigger guard instead of the classic rounded one, the face of the trigger is too narrow, and the trigger return spring from those aforementioned models wasn't strong enough for my tastes. I also thought the rear gutter sight was a little too shallow. While I do prefer fixed sights, I'm surprised that they'd ask a $999 MSRP for a gun with fixed sights. Additionally, I'm still puzzled as to why Colt altered the grip frame dimensions of the D-frame, making legacy D-frame grips not quite fit on this new frame.

I hope that this leads Colt to bring back the MKIII Trooper though. That'd be great. The longer barreled new Viper looks pretty nifty.

 

[Rick Sanborn]

I’ve got a 4” coming next week. Pricing on Gunbroker came down to retail pretty quick with a couple high volume sellers. I may snag a 3” one day but in no hurry right now.

 

[F224]

I’m hoping Colt releases a blued 3 inch Viper soon.

They had 3" versions at the NRA Annual Meeting in Texas. I already have a 2" Cobra, 3" & 4.25" King Cobra and will definitely buy the first 3" Viper I see for sale at MSRP or less.

 

[NCBeagle]

My friends at Carolina Sporting Arms called to say that a new Colt Viper arrived. I did not buy it, but wanted to see and handle it. Snapped a couple photos.

It is a nice looking gun. Great trigger. Would have preferred a bead blasted or blued finish, but that might be the next round. It feels light, carryable. The 4" might be a better hiking gun. The 3" may work for appendix carry. I would like an alloy frame, like the original, but this is cool.

Good stuff Colt.