Because of this serial numbers and markings may be different than those in the photos. What is the difference between a Colt Cobra and a colt agent? In the case of the King Cobra, that pleases me greatly, as its an old sentimental favorite of mine (as I shall elaborate upon later). Support Veteran Journalism . Jun 7, 2010. The latest Cobra also features a redesigned leaf mainspring that produces an excellent double-action pull. (SA) Safety: Transfer bar Like all .357 Magnum revolvers, the Colt King Cobra can chamber and fire the shorter .38 Special cartridge.[3]. The confluence of features found in the Colt King Cobra make a gun that is exceedingly pleasant to shoot comfortably and accurately. After concluding the Field Test results I will offer my personal conclusions. Standard Cobras were blued with round-butt grip frames. Call it a dressed-up Mark V or a budget Python, it was unique. I also observed this issue with my girlfriend. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. By comparison, Smith & Wessons Model 60 stainless 2-inch in the same caliber has a retail of $729 but only has a five-shot capacity. This particular gun dates to 1989. With robust designs and vintage classic style, discover the heritage of military timepieces today! What was the serial number of the Colt 38? The cylinder is held in place by Colts distinctive rearward-activated cylinder release latch. With its medium size and 3 barrel, shooting at a mere ten yards made me feel like I was doing the gun a disservice. Despite these shortcomings, the Colt King Cobra is one of the best revolvers Ive ever shot. The first was fired at three yards with rounds 50 through 100. And of course, the three-inch, Goldilocks barrel and the beefy frame really make this revolver something special. The longer Target variant weighs 36 ozs., while the Carry, coming with a bobbed hammer in double-action-only, is a slim 26 ozs The entire run is rendered in stainless steel with a brushed finish that falls between the matte and bright stainless options on earlier King Cobras.. His marksmanship accomplishments include: the Air Force Small Arms Ribbon w/one device (for M16A2 rifle and M9 pistol); Pistol Expert Ratings from U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP), Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Criminal Investigator Training Program (CITP); multiple medals and trophies via the Glock Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF) and the Nevada Police & Fires Games (NPAF). The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". I believe, due to the slightly larger frame, the Colts revolver would edge out the Kimber in a head-to-head comparison for best middleweight round gun. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Id also ask for the market to get on board with this excellent revolver and provide us with holsters and inline-operated speedloaders. in .44 Mag. This time around, according to the manufacturers official info page, the gun was reincarnated for 2019 as the 6-Shot .357 Magnum big brother of the Colt Cobra Double Action revolver, which in turn had been reintroduced back in 2017. (DA), 3.75 lbs. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ , The Colt Python A Legend in Service Weapons, PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States, P.O. OH-58 Kiowa: The Forgotten U.S. Army Helicopter. In light of the accuracy results below, I dont dislike this setup as much as I otherwise might. The frame and action are that of a Trooper while the distinctive full-lug barrel is a Python trait. The box exhibiting some minor typical edge wear. [1], In 1998 the top strap was drilled and tapped for the mounting of scope rings. The gun was offered in blued and stainless finish options, with most versions sharing black, finger-grooved, neoprene stocks, and solid barrel ribs; these latter features both help to absorb the recoil of the harder-kicking Magnum loads, and the solid barrel rib in particular shows the influence of the Python. One such pistol is the Stoeger Cougar 8000. Borrowing the solid rib heavy barrel/full underlug profile of Colts Python series but coming in at a more affordable $400 smackers at the time, it was half the price of the iconic serpent. Material: Stainless steel Finish: Brushed; semi-gloss Grip: Hogue, rubber, textured Trigger: 9.5 lbs. The muzzle crown is deeply recessed, which both protects the crown and presents a certain aesthetic appeal. The questions raised in this footnote (and the footnote above it) probably merit benching the guns and doing some true inherent accuracy testing. The left side of the trigger bears an unsightly circle from the MIM mold where this component was born. Happily, with the exception of the Diamondback, Colt is bringing em back. In December 2016, it was announced that Colt would be producing a new run of the Colt Cobra . The third issue debuted from 2017 in stainless steel finishes and are rated for 38 +P Spl. Whats more, the prestigious Python was the first in Colts Snake Gun line of double-action revolvers, which also included the, in .38 Special, the King Cobra in .357 Magnum, and the. Colt serial number format F.A.Q colt serial number lookup: 1. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. With an overall length of 9.25-inches, the six-shot full-lug target revolver is pitched for use by competitive shooters and those who just like to hit the range. 1.The Quick Method: It is the simplest method for reading colt serial numbers, and all praise goes to modern technologies. It was announced in 2016 that Colt would re-release the Colt Cobra in 2017. I was excited to try one of these triggers, but also had to wonder if some of the hype was the result of inflated memories of, or nostalgia for, yesteryear. I foresee few issues with carrying the King Cobra, but well test it just the same. Guns International #: 101301786 Seller's Inventory #: 2 1 of 8 2 of 8 3 of 8 4 of 8 5 of 8 6 of 8 7 of 8 8 of 8 I managed to score a 48 out of a possible 50. The Colt King Cobra fills a notable niche in the defensive revolver market: the medium-sized revolver. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. I pulled of a 47 out of 50. Colt marketing materials indicate this is to increase the size of the trigger guard to facilitate gloved firing. The original Agents were very well made, with high polished finishes and highly checkered walnut grips. Showing they were serious about the series, Colt followed up with the King Cobra Carry. Though released earlier this year there has been precious little in-depth media coverage on this gun, and were proud to take an early and long look at it here. King Cobras are equipped with either oversized Walnut target-style or hard rubber black finger-grooved combat-style grips, and an enlarged target hammer. The Colt serial number format is generally a six-digit number, with the first three digits representing the year of manufacture, and the last three digits representing the model of firearm. In the owners' manual accompanying some post-1972 Cobra revolvers, Colt recommended the use of +P ammunition for 2nd Model Cobra frames only, with the stipulation that the gun be returned to the factory for inspection every 1,000 rounds (compared with a 2,0003,000 round interval for the 2nd Model steel-framed Detective Special). Colt King Cobra Revolver. The Colts trigger famously exhibits stacking and becomes gradually heavier as it moves through its rearward cycle, but I didnt find this to be detrimental in any way. It is capable of using either .38 Special or .357 Magnum loads. cal with 6 inch bbl., and stainless finish. . [1] Various barrel lengths were offered over time according to the finish option chosen. The alternative was to content oneself with carrying a J-Frame/SP101-class revolver with a reduced round count. The Cobra was produced in calibers .38 Special, 32 Colt New Police, .22 LR, and a rare few in .38 S&W. Recoil was a bit more spirited with .357 Magnum ammunition. I did find that after a couple of weeks of daily handling I ceased to notice this little distinction. These were made for the Montreal Police Department, which had expressed an interest in such a model for plain-clothes officers. The longer Target variant weighs 36 ozs., while the Carry, coming with a bobbed hammer in double-action-only, is a slim 26 ozs, The entire run is rendered in stainless steel with a brushed finish that falls between the matte and bright stainless options on earlier King Cobras, The King Cobra is an old sentimental favorite of mine, as it was both the first revolver of any kind and the first Magnum-caliber handgun I ever fired. First introduced in 1986, the Colt King Cobra is a medium frame double-action revolver featuring a six round cylinder which was designed and produced by the Colt's Manufacturing Company and marketed to law enforcement agencies and civilian firearms enthusiasts. Below it is a very tidy, .357 MAGNUM. I believe that Kimber also saw this gap in the market when they released the 3 K6s and perhaps Colts sensed the same void. The second serial number of the colt model code is the weapon caliber. Need Help?service@guns.comCall (866)582-4867, PO Box 1131 13800 Nicollet Blvd Burnsville, MN 55337 2023Guns.com. Partially for these reasons, but mainly for reasons of nostalgia, Id be more inclined to purchase a surplus revolver from the original production run on the used gun market, either a four-inch or a six-incher (though Lord knows the three-inch would be more practical for CCW purposes). This particular King Cobra left the Colt factory in November 1987. Sure, there are faster 'Vettes (ZR1), examples that are more mechanically interesting (the '57 Arkus-Duntov-era car with Ramjet injection), some that are arguably prettier ('63 split-window), and more comfortable it didn't even have an option for air conditioning or power steering but the L88 is incredibly rare, with just 216 driving out of the factory over a three-year run. In the case of the King Cobra, that pleases me greatly, as its an old sentimental favorite of mine (as I shall elaborate upon later). The original Colt King Cobra was introduced in 1986 and produced until 1992 and again from 1994 to 1998. The King Cobra is chambered in .357 Magnum. It was made from 1954 to 1956. The photo below illustrates that group. Starting off with a Colt .380 ACP auto, followed by a Beretta .25 ACP, a Chipmunk single-shot bolt-action rifle in .22LR and then topping off with that Snake Gun a 4-incher with the full-powered Magnum loads and a dozen rounds of leftover ammo that the range attendants were nice enough to gift to me. Single-action Colts (models Frontier Scout, Peacemaker, etc.) The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". And the Magnum Carry. From 1987-1992 and 1994-1998 matte stainless steel was offered, and from 1988-1992 the option of polished stainless steel became available as well. Always give the model for a Colt revolver. Perhaps the best fit in this gap was (at the time) the S&W K-Frames, but even these are fairly large for concealed carry. Glock has decided to capitalize on the growing custom trigger trend and offer a factory version: the Glock Performance Trigger (GPT). This load produces a mighty roar and a massive muzzle flash, but isnt otherwise intolerable to shoot. The problem is, theyre hard to find at a reasonable price. My specimen weighed in at 1 lbs, 12.2 ounces (just 0.2 ounces over an advertised 28). Overall dimensions of the 3 model are 8x5x1.4, and, at 28 ozs., it is one of the lightest in the .357 Mag., six-shot class. Happily, with the exception of the Diamondback, Colt is bringing em back. You plug in the serial number and it will give you a list of guns it could be. For me the Cobra derringer points and fires naturally. By signing up you agree to Guns.com's Comes with box, unsure if it is the original box as the serial number part has been torn off in parts, see photos. The Cobra should never be fired with extreme-pressure +P+ ammunition as there are no industry standards for such loads. Provenance: Colt Factory Archive Collection. Mike later confirmed that two older Colts revolvers exhibited this same trait. There weren't any custom shop guns that were later turned out in small batches. The odds of finding an L88 for sale in good condition are incredibly low. What is the difference between a Colt Cobra and a colt agent? The double action pull weight as measured on my Timney Trigger gauge averages a very reasonable 9 1/4 pounds. SEE GREAT DEALS ON CLASSIC & NEW KING COBRAS, Stoeger Cougar 8000 9mm: Newer Isn't Always Better. Standard features on the BOAwere the same Accro-style sights and Royal Blue finish of the Python, and a wide, target-style trigger with three grooves. hVmk0+}`E %MX;hu`MN]lcFY;G2g:&pf Serial Number - KV7623 mfg. The cylinder feels as if it is spinning on ball bearings. The firstit seems to induce what I termed a premature reset response. When one completes a cycle of the trigger and releases it, there is an audible and tactile click and accompanying drop-off in return-spring tension about 2/3rds of the way through the trigger return. The third serial number specifies the caliber of the gun. Drat! If I didnt know better you could tell me this gun cost a third more than that and Id probably believe you. Press ESC to cancel. When we do we will post that as a separate, followup article that will be linked here. Only show this user. Colt King Cobra Stainless .357 Magnum, 1989 manufacture with 6" Barrel, black colt neoprene grips, solid rib barrel, white outline adjustable rear sight. For years individuals wishing to carry a revolver for defense have had to make the same miserable choice. Introduced in 1977 and only produced that year, the Viper did not sell as well as Colt expected and was discontinued. Christian D. Orr is a former Air Force officer, Federal law enforcement officer, and private military contractor (with assignments worked in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kosovo, Japan, Germany, and the Pentagon). I do bring it up because of the second issue, however. The King was popular on range day, with Colts booth crowded with those looking to give it a workout (Photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com). The new 2017 reintroduction Colt Cobra revolver is rated to accept +P ammunition. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Introduced first in a blued metal finish with black neoprene round butt grips, the King Cobra was only chambered in .38Spl/.357Mag and available in 4- or 6-inch formats. Short Barrel JHP, Hornady Critical Defense .38 Special 110-grain, 100 rounds Winchester Service Grade .38 Special 130-grain FMJ, 26 rounds Remington HTP .357 Magnum 110-grain SJHP, 18 rounds Federal .38 Special +P 130-grain HST Micro JHP, 6 rounds Speer Gold Dot .357 Magnum 125-gr. In the mirror bright stainless finish, 4 and 6 inch lengths were offered from 1988-1992, a 2.5 inch was available from 1990-1992, and the 8 inch length was offered from 1989-1992. In a lesser revolver this would hardly be noticeable. This model was released in early 2017. Speaking of follow-ons, stay tuned because Ill be hanging on to this gun for a bit longer and Ill make you guys aware of anything else I find out while using it. The single action trigger consistently and cleanly broke at an even 5 pounds. The revolver offers excellent accuracy, balance, and controllability. This firearm was designed to meet the needs of new shooters and seasoned professionals alike. Features a red ramp front and white outline rear sights on a solid rib barrel, serrated hammer and trigger, six round fluted cylinder, and black checkered three finger combat style grips with Colt 150th Anniversary gold plated Rampant Colt medallion inlays on both sides. The Hogue handle bears a subtle Colt serpentine logo on each side and encloses the backstrap of the revolver. (Photo: Guns.com). The rear notch is not sufficiently deep to allow one to see the entire front bead. Which is correct poinsettia or poinsettia? With Colts re-entrance into the revolver market, wheelguns bearing the Rampant Colt Pony are once again on dealer shelves. Fast-forward to February 1991, and I returned to Santa Anita Firing Range, this time with a year-and-a-half of shooting experience under my belt and my shooting techniques grip, stance, etc. #K]|tL^ @_[ I fired the prescribed two iterations of Dot Torture. I Carry Spotlight: New for 2023 Colt King Cobra .22 LR Revolver | An Official Journal Of The NRA. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The rear sight on the Colt King Cobra is more traditional, consisting of a milled groove in the top strap. Read Next: The Colt Python A Legend in Service Weapons. Everyone and their brother seems to have an anecdote about the beautiful, glass-like trigger of the legendary Python. Some wear and minor scratches see photos. And I have to say, I was impressed. He did note that the lockup was not as tight as a Python and had a small amount of play in the cylinder, but in the end said of the BOA, "I don't know whether or not those who buy one will actually shoot it, but it does make a good showing on the range.". Had the King Cobra been an option when I initially entered the revolver market I daresay it would have been at the top of my list, provided aftermarket support made it a feasible carry option, and theres a good chance Id still be carrying it today. The Colt Agent was another model similar to the Cobra. Atop the barrel sits a front sight post that I will address separately, further along in this review. The Colt Python. The six-shooter has a replaceable brass front bead front and an MSRP of $899. The King Cobra did not like this particular load. The gun was offered in blued and stainless finish options, with most versions sharing black, finger-grooved . Then the Colt Python is the Rolex. 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The left side of the trigger guard to facilitate gloved firing of this serial numbers and may! Defensive revolver market: the glock Performance trigger ( GPT ) were n't any shop...