Colt King Cobra Target

Looks like my post in one of the stocking dealer threads was pulled. I simply pointed out that these are nothing like the original King Cobras. It took me awhile to figure out what looked odd about it. Nice looking gun for sure but too similar to a 686 for my liking. The key point that I finally realised was the one thing that really sets the Colt snake guns apart from all the other big revolvers.....the profile. What's missing on the new model you ask? The beautifully graduated sight ramp that runs from frame to muzzle!! GONE. Instead there is a massive top rib that many revolvers have (as did the original) but that long ramp is kaput. In my opinion the long sight ramp common to all the Colt snake guns is the definitive feature that makes the Colt's stand apart from the rest....at least visually. Sure there's the lack of a scallop on the top strap and the muzzle bushing that protrudes is also gone but these features along with the squared look of the cylinder release nub just add to the cheapening of a great old model. Even if I had the means to buy this gun I wouldn't, not if I was looking for everything that made the King Cobra/Python so attractive. In my opinion Colt scored a big MISS with the new "styling".
 
Last edited:
If Colt offered it with the barrel, shroud and sights of the Trooper Mk III, they would have a real winner on their hands.
 
Aargh!! When is someone going to sell a new fixed sight revolver with 4.2” barrel? I thought there was talk of a 4.2” Cobra for Canada when it was first released but then nothing...

Oh well, the search for a Ruger Service Six continues.
 
kg said:
truthaboutguns wrote about the 3" fixed sights, and says size is between J an K...
Click to expand...

So we have a KC in name only. Even the cylinder release looks awful. And a .357 between a J and K frame in size? The original gun was a beefy beast, more like a Ruger.
Metallurgy must have improved to build a tiny durable .357 for $1500.

Should have called it the Garter and left the KC name alone.
 
The cylinder release looks fine to me. It looks like the old Pythons but I have a hard time getting past that trigger guard which looks like someone banged it on a table and put a flat spot dent in it.
 
Johnnyjellybean said:
The cylinder release looks fine to me. It looks like the old Pythons but I have a hard time getting past that trigger guard which looks like someone banged it on a table and put a flat spot dent in it.
Click to expand...

I agree about the look of the trigger guard. Saw some Colt Cobras (both plain and King Cobra) in the US last weekend and it looks unusual to me.

Could not see the price on the King Cobra but the regular Cobra was $599 US.
 
Still alive said:
So we have a KC in name only. Even the cylinder release looks awful. And a .357 between a J and K frame in size? The original gun was a beefy beast, more like a Ruger.
Metallurgy must have improved to build a tiny durable .357 for $1500.

Should have called it the Garter and left the KC name alone.
Click to expand...

Ha. good one, SA
 
It is early in the release I know but has anyone seen aftermarket grips for these? Not a fan of the Altamonts.
 
Just ordered two different styles of VZ Grips for my Colt. They are very nice if you are looking for something different.


gdawg said:
It is early in the release I know but has anyone seen aftermarket grips for these? Not a fan of the Altamonts.
Click to expand...
 
Seriously though, why couldn't they just remake an exact copy of the original? The biggest argument I ever heard against that idea was quality of finish in polish and blueing. Well that goes out the door if they are only doing S.S. so why the heck would they redesign a model that has a cult following and is basically unobtainium? They took a winning design, tweaked this and that and in the process removed everything that made this gun desirable. I love Colt DAs but after seeing this thing I would rather own an Alpa Proj!!
 
handofzeus said:
Seriously though, why couldn't they just remake an exact copy of the original? The biggest argument I ever heard against that idea was quality of finish in polish and blueing. Well that goes out the door if they are only doing S.S. so why the heck would they redesign a model that has a cult following and is basically unobtainium? They took a winning design, tweaked this and that and in the process removed everything that made this gun desirable. I love Colt DAs but after seeing this thing I would rather own an Alpa Proj!!
Click to expand...

to each their own. I'd rather me a colt lol.
i'm waiting for the anaconda and python to come back, those will be some good wheel guns. not that the king cobra is bad, it just ain't a python.
 
jw8 said:
to each their own. I'd rather me a colt lol.
i'm waiting for the anaconda and python to come back, those will be some good wheel guns. not that the king cobra is bad, it just ain't a python.
Click to expand...

But will they be "some good wheel guns"................. or just imitations?
 
sailor723 said:
But will they be "some good wheel guns"................. or just imitations?
Click to expand...

The Python will be hard to remake well I suspect. The KC and Anaconda were only ever good but standards guns, so not really much to imitate imo.
 
I suspect for marketing reasons they are releasing the KC first - they will sell as many as they can, and then they we release a new Python. Who knows if it will be as good, but if it looks the same they will sell lots.
 
There is this to be said about the new KC vs the original. It’s smaller, lighter, yes but they also did away with the original coil hammer spring and went back to a Python style leaf spring in the action. When compared to a 3-5-7 or Python I was never overly impressed with the Colt Mk V action.

I think this will be an improvement over the original KC’s trigger.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom