Return of the King Cobra? - Page 2

dfariswheel · 12-23-2018, 02:36 PM

As far as quality, the King Cobra was a premium model bettered only by the Python.
It was a good step above Ruger in fit and finish, and arguably slightly above S&W in finish.

Master gunsmith Jerry Kuhnhausen thought the Mark III-Mark V-King Cobra was the the strongest medium framed DA revolver of all, including the S&W 686 and Ruger GP.
He thought this was due to Colt's superior heavy duty heat treated frame and cylinder.

People report having had problems with the King Cobra, but they tend to forget that at the same time S&W was being abused by various owners who were busily vampiring the company and turning out some really bad revolvers.

The reason Colt brought out the Mark III in 1969 was because their totally hand fitted and adjusted revolvers had simply priced themselves out of the market.
Even the budget models like the Official Police cost more then some other makers premium models because of the cost of the human labor needed to build Colt's.

They weren't the old Colt's but they were stronger and more trouble free and kept Colt in the revolver market until 2000.

DavidE · 01-09-2019, 12:39 PM

Seen on the Internet today.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/art...OE9augE7PBXvqY

<https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2019/1/9/colt-introduces-357-mag-king-cobra-revolver/?fbclid=IwAR1Ds4O1_EOJHbfE5s4LkFpY15xEOOOlh21cS1SA 32xZNOE9augE7PBXvqY>

DFaris may be psychic. Snake, this is close to what you were saying, too.

Snake45 · 01-09-2019, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidE

Seen on the Internet today.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/art...OE9augE7PBXvqY

<https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2019/1/9/colt-introduces-357-mag-king-cobra-revolver/?fbclid=IwAR1Ds4O1_EOJHbfE5s4LkFpY15xEOOOlh21cS1SA 32xZNOE9augE7PBXvqY>

DFaris may be psychic. Snake, this is close to what you were saying, too.

It's darn near EXACTLY what I wanted! If it had the trigger and trigger guard shape of the old D-frames, it would be perfect, but functionally, assuming a weight of around 24-26 ounces, it IS IMHO the perfect carry revolver. I might need to own one of these.

DavidE · 08-22-2019, 12:51 PM

Looks like Colt has introduced a Target Model.

The barrel is a little over four inches on this one.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/art...rget-revolver/

dfariswheel · 08-22-2019, 04:42 PM

The New King Cobra with adjustable sights is basically an updated Colt Diamondback, only in stainless steel, .357 Magnum, and a version of the transfer bar safety-ignition models Colt introduced with the Mark III in 1969.

It's still a small frame revolver with the frame and cylinder the same general size as the old "D" frame models like the Detective Special and Diamondback.
It's NOT a medium frame model like the original King Cobra.

Id'd look for the New King Cobra to be eventually offered in .22LR.

There are still rumors that Colt will be introducing a New Python, but it won't be the old Python and I strongly doubt it will have even the old type action.
The old Colt action is simply too expensive to build because it was virtually a hand made gun.

Snake45 · 08-22-2019, 05:54 PM

Oh my!

I have a 4" Python, a 4" (real) King Cobra, and two 4" Diamondbacks (.38 and .22). I might have to get one of these just to complete the set.

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12-23-2018, 02:36 PM	#21
dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 1,413	As far as quality, the King Cobra was a premium model bettered only by the Python. It was a good step above Ruger in fit and finish, and arguably slightly above S&W in finish. Master gunsmith Jerry Kuhnhausen thought the Mark III-Mark V-King Cobra was the the strongest medium framed DA revolver of all, including the S&W 686 and Ruger GP. He thought this was due to Colt's superior heavy duty heat treated frame and cylinder. People report having had problems with the King Cobra, but they tend to forget that at the same time S&W was being abused by various owners who were busily vampiring the company and turning out some really bad revolvers. The reason Colt brought out the Mark III in 1969 was because their totally hand fitted and adjusted revolvers had simply priced themselves out of the market. Even the budget models like the Official Police cost more then some other makers premium models because of the cost of the human labor needed to build Colt's. They weren't the old Colt's but they were stronger and more trouble free and kept Colt in the revolver market until 2000.

01-09-2019, 12:39 PM	#22
DavidE Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,166	Seen on the Internet today. https://www.americanrifleman.org/art...OE9augE7PBXvqY <https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2019/1/9/colt-introduces-357-mag-king-cobra-revolver/?fbclid=IwAR1Ds4O1_EOJHbfE5s4LkFpY15xEOOOlh21cS1SA 32xZNOE9augE7PBXvqY> DFaris may be psychic. Snake, this is close to what you were saying, too.

08-22-2019, 12:51 PM	#24
DavidE Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,166	Looks like Colt has introduced a Target Model. The barrel is a little over four inches on this one. https://www.americanrifleman.org/art...rget-revolver/

08-22-2019, 04:42 PM	#25
dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 1,413	The New King Cobra with adjustable sights is basically an updated Colt Diamondback, only in stainless steel, .357 Magnum, and a version of the transfer bar safety-ignition models Colt introduced with the Mark III in 1969. It's still a small frame revolver with the frame and cylinder the same general size as the old "D" frame models like the Detective Special and Diamondback. It's NOT a medium frame model like the original King Cobra. Id'd look for the New King Cobra to be eventually offered in .22LR. There are still rumors that Colt will be introducing a New Python, but it won't be the old Python and I strongly doubt it will have even the old type action. The old Colt action is simply too expensive to build because it was virtually a hand made gun.

08-22-2019, 05:54 PM	#26
Snake45 Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: "Close, but no donut!" Posts: 13,108	Oh my! I have a 4" Python, a 4" (real) King Cobra, and two 4" Diamondbacks (.38 and .22). I might have to get one of these just to complete the set.