The new colt cobras feel so cheap

[chief38]

A year ago I was thinking about getting a new Colt Cobra, but before going to the LGS i took my 3rd Gen. Colt Detective Special out of the safe to look at and operate. After doing so, when I arrived at the LGS the new Cobra was a non starter for me.

While probably not a bad offering in today's world, they don't hold a candle to what Colt made in their hay-day!!

 

[typetwelve]

I'll start with this...I have not had a chance to handle a Cobra as of yet...I will as soon as I come across one.

...but...

Looking at the competition in that range, the Colt leaves me with a "why bother" feeling. Look at the field (using pricing from Buds):

Ruger SP101 26oz .357 magnum, $565
Colt Cobra 25oz .38 +P $675
Kimber K6 23oz .357 magnum $833
S&W model 60 21.4oz .357 Magnum $618

Now, I'm no huge fan of Kimber...but that K6 is a superb (be it ugly) revolver. I have handled one and the fit/finish/trigger on one is superb. I owned a Sp101 for years and it was a great small revolver. I have not handled a Model 60...but it is a S&W so I'm guessing I'd know what to expect with a factory gun.

The 800lb gorilla in the room here is the fact that the Colt is .38spcl only vs the other three.

If I were in the market for another 25oz range, I wouldn't even spend the time looking at the Colt, it's more costly than the Ruger and the S&W and can't handle magnum ammunition.

Just my $.02...

 

[ScottN]

I traded into the new Cobra a couple of months ago and have put about 150 rounds through it. Fit and function have been great. The grip is large but is very comfortable and pretty much eliminates felt recoil for me. Nice front sight that is easy to pick up. I have a tendency to shoot it a little low and left but I think that is me and not the firearm. All in all a nice revolver if you want six shots in a relatively small package.

There are some things I don't like:

1. The cylinder release is pull instead of push.
2. The cylinder rotates in the opposite direction of a Smith or Ruger.
3. The matte silver finish.
4. The trigger pull is very nice but the trigger return is slow/sluggish.

Items 1 and 2 are not a big deal but are different than any other revolver I own. Item 3 bothers me a little bit but still isn't a showstopper.

Item 4 is the biggest deal for me. The trigger pull is great but man oh man the trigger return is noticeably slower than my Rugers and Smiths, even the ones with aftermarket return springs. I guess in order to get the nice trigger pull Colt used a lighter return spring...there isn't a free lunch. The Colt is the only DA revolver I have ever short stroked. In a tense, rapid fire situation I can see this being a problem for me.

So, I'm still on the fence as to whether or not I will keep the Cobra. There is a lot to like but the trigger return and the fact I am still struggling to shoot it straight may lead me to trade it toward something else.

 

[Old Corp]

Wasn't the budget RIA revolver a knock-off Colt design?
So - maybe this is a knock-off of the RIA revolver.

 

[Bubba2014]

I agree with Sheriff Wilson's letter. I've never seen the new Cobra, but with the thousands of people in America with CWP's, plus law enforcement officer's who carry concealed weapons, I'd think they would have made a lighter weight gun that would be much easier to carry and conceal. I have some older Colt guns, but in my opinion, nothing is easier to conceal than a S&W 642.

 

[typetwelve]

I agree with Sheriff Wilson's letter. I've never seen the new Cobra, but with the thousands of people in America with CWP's, plus law enforcement officer's who carry concealed weapons, I'd think they would have made a lighter weight gun that would be much easier to carry and conceal. I have some older Colt guns, but in my opinion, nothing is easier to conceal than a S&W 642.

Exactly...if you want to carry a small .38 revolver, why not go small? The 642 weighs in at 14.4oz, 10oz less than the Cobra.

*EDIT*

There's the weight difference...AND the price tag of $400.

 

[RobertJ.]

It looks to me like they outsourced to Charter Arms. Pass

I'm a Colt fan, and this was my opinion, too.

 

[samnev]

Guess I'll stick with my 1960's old model Cobra. Got it from a retired Detective in the late 70's for $50. Carried but not shot very much.

 

[DMcBB]

I picked up a 2017 Colt Cobra earlier this year and honestly I like like it a lot. I'm more of a semi-auto guy, but I also have a 2015 S&W 686 and my grandpa's old S&W 14-1 that he had modified to be single action only. The Cobra has a better trigger than the 686, but not quite as nice as the 14-1. I like the fiber optic front sight a lot, although the gutter rear sight isn't my favorite. I'm not in love with the cylinder release because its oriented opposite to the S&Ws, and it requires a very precise pull. If you put a small amount of upward or downward pressure on it, it doesn't open the cylinder. You have to push parallel to the barrel. I don't know if that's a weird quirk of my particular gun or if they are all that way, but it is weird.

All that said, I still really like it. No dopey lock, 6 rounds instead of 5, a great trigger, and a nice front sight make it a winner in my book.

 

[Old cop]

I still have my 1968 Colt Cobra, purchased new for $85, as my off duty gun. Not sure what it's worth today but it will never be sold.

 

[GeoJelly]

I just negotiated a trade for one on the local gun trader - pick it up next week. Trading my Beretta 21A and some cash. I have had an. HKS "DS" speed-loader in my drawer of stuff for over 30 years, and it has bothered me not having a Det Spec. I have a couple of other revolvers I can carry and shoot under different circumstances – I just wanted to have this one and the price was right. I would have to agree it kind of looks like the Yugo version of a Detective Special, but it'll be nice to have some variety. 3rd Gen Det Spec's in good condition are outa my price range ...

 

[Loyaljeeper]

I have had an. HKS "DS" speed-loader in my drawer of stuff for over 30 years, and it has bothered me not having a Det Spec. (

I have some HKS 10 Speed-Loaders and I just bought a DS model. I have had the micrometer out and cannot tell a difference in the two models.

You will love the New Colt Cobra; I love mine. I have about 400 flawless rounds through mine to date.

 

[Frank46]

I am probably what one would call an old fart. Aluminum, scandium and whatever. I have an old 17 year old S&W model 36. Feeds just about any 38 loading including +P. Don't know how much it weighs and don't care. Fits in my jeans pocket loaded with Speer 135 gold dots short barrel load. Had occasion to shoot one of the aluminum J frames in 357 magnum. No thanks, me and my model 36 will keep trucking along. May sound silly but like the way it handles and usually quick recoil recovery. Frank

 

[GeoJelly]

Hopefully I won't be ragged out for a wee bit of off-topic ... Have any of you owners found a decent set of grips to replace the awful/ugly factory grips? Altamont has some very nice ones with a Colt logo but I hate to order a set before I actually do the trade next weekend. Supposedly, and I do not know this for sure, older DS and other grips will not fit.

And, to get back on-topic, for those of us late to the game, who want a little bit lighter six-shot revolver, we are officially out of luck! Unless, a person has the money (I don't) to drop $800+ on a Kimber, or this little Colt. There are no other six-shot small-to-medium frame revolvers being made - no K-frames and nothing in the Security-Six series. I like my 2-inch Model 64 a lot, but it's on the heavy side for a six-shooter. This is where the new Cobra comes into play for me - heavier than a Model 36 or 60 - but lighter than the K-snubs.

 

[Loyaljeeper]

The Charter Police Undercover is a 6 shot alternative. I haven't found any grips that don't fit the new Cobras.

 

[Echo40]

Sadly, that's just the way that firearms are being manufactured these days, as cheaply as possible with complete and utter disregard for any legacy that they may have.

Unfortunately, the only classic firearm which is still in production which strictly adheres to it original configuration and is still manufactured to the same high standard of quality is the 1911, but only in limited quantities by custom shops who charge quite a lot of money for them.

 

[Scott in NCal]

Have they said anything about a 4 inch barrel and adjustable sites ?

 

[mozeppa]

this is my cobra...

 

[Cocked & Locked]

...and this is my Cobra

 

[Struckat]

I am a Smith fan no doubt and never rode the colt wave back in the day because I could get in on the Smiths much cheaper when disposable income was limited.....fast foward to now when I can dispose of my income pretty much as I please I have added a few ponies......I like the new cobra and the fit and quality is great.....the dull stainless finish leaves much to be desired but I fixed that on one of the three that I have.

Who did the polish job and how? I have a couple stainless guns that need to look like that.