Colt King Cobra: Difference between revisions

Colt King Cobra
Colt King Cobra
Type	Revolver
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Manufacturer	Colt's Manufacturing Co.
Produced	1986 –1992; 1994 –1998; 2019 – present
Specifications
Barrel length	2 inch (50.8 mm); 2.5 inch (63.5 mm); 3 inch (76.2 mm); 4 inch (102 mm); 4.25 inch (108 mm); 6 inch (153 mm); 8 inch (203 mm)
Cartridge	.38 Special; .357 Magnum;
Action	Double-action
Feed system	Six round cylinder
Sights	Iron, adjustable rear

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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. Available in blued and stainless steel finishes in a variety of barrel lengths and chambered for centerfire .357 Magnum ammunition.^[1]

Development and history[edit]

Despite its outward similarity to the Colt Python,^[2] the King Cobra design is based upon that of an earlier Colt model, the venerable Trooper MK V, improved with the addition of a heavier-duty barrel, full barrel length cylinder ejection rod protection shroud, and a thicker solid rib on top of the barrel. The King Cobra was introduced in 1986, discontinued in 1992, and returned to Colt's product line in 1994. Dropped a second time in 1998, it was not reintroduced until 2019 as a .357 Magnum, three inch barrel variant of the 2017 Colt Cobra.^[3]^[4]

Features[edit]

Built on Colt's medium-size ‘V’ frame from 1986 to 1992, the King Cobra was offered in very hi-grade carbon steel with Colt's signature bright and highly-polished deep royal blued finish. From 1987 to 1992 and 1994-1998 matte stainless steel was offered, and from 1988 to 1992 the option of polished stainless steel became available as well. King Cobras are equipped with either oversized Walnut target-style or hard rubber black finger-grooved combat-style grips, and an enlarged target hammer.^[1] The Cobra's sighting system consists of a fixed iron red insert front sight and a fully adjustable iron white outline rear.^[1] Various barrel lengths were offered over time according to the finish option chosen.^[1]

In blued steel models, 4- and 6-inch barrels were available from 1986 until the blued guns were dropped from production in 1992, also a 2.5-inch length was offered with the blued finish from 1990 to 1992. In matte stainless, a 2.5-inch length was cataloged from 1987 to 1992, 2-inch barrels were offered from 1988 until King Cobra production ceased in 1992 and then again from 1994 to 1998. Barrel lengths of 4, 6, and 8 inches also were available on models with the matte stainless finish from 1990 to 1992; they returned to the product lineup from 1994 to 1998. In the mirror bright stainless finish, 4- and 6-inch lengths were offered from 1988 to 1992, a 2.5-inch was available from 1990 to 1992, and an 8-inch length was offered from 1989 to 1992. The King Cobra is chambered for the powerful .357 Magnum cartridge, but like all .357 revolvers will also fire .38 Special ammunition.^[1]

In 1998 the top strap was drilled and tapped for the mounting of scope rings.^[3]

Colt also produced a total of six King Cobras with three-inch barrels and fixed sights. These were made for the Montreal Police Department, which had expressed an interest in such a model for plain-clothes officers. The revolver was never adopted and the six samples were returned to the distributor. One surfaced in North Carolina in 2006, was lettered by Colt Archives, listed on Gunbroker.com, and is now in the hands of a private collector. The fate of the other five is unknown.^{[citation needed]}

In 2019, the King Cobra was reintroduced with a three-inch barrel. The gun debuted at SHOT Show 2019.

Like all .357 Magnum revolvers, the Colt King Cobra can chamber and fire the shorter .38 Special cartridge.^[3]

References[edit]

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e “Colt King Cobra” Archived 2007-04-28 at the Wayback Machine, Kitsune Reference Web site. Accessed November 18, 2008.
^ Fjestad, S.P. (August 18, 2015). "Colt's Snake Guns". American Rifleman.
^ ^a ^b ^c Tarr, James (18 November 2013). Standard Catalog of Colt Firearms. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. pp. 124–125. ISBN 978-1-4402-3747-8.^{[permanent dead link]}
^ "New for 2019: Colt King Cobra". shootingillustrated.com. Shooting Illustrated. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.

External links[edit]

[kr-1] “Colt King Cobra” Archived 2007-04-28 at the Wayback Machine, Kitsune Reference Web site. Accessed November 18, 2008.

[2] Fjestad, S.P. (August 18, 2015). "Colt's Snake Guns". American Rifleman.

[Tarr2013-3] Tarr, James (18 November 2013). Standard Catalog of Colt Firearms. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. pp. 124–125. ISBN 978-1-4402-3747-8.^{[permanent dead link]}

[4] "New for 2019: Colt King Cobra". shootingillustrated.com. Shooting Illustrated. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{About|the Colt King Cobra|other Colt Double Action firearms|Colt Double Action (disambiguation){{!}}Colt Double Action|}}
 {{Infobox weapon
-|image=Colt-KC-357.jpg
+| name= Colt King Cobra
+| image = Colt-KC-357.jpg
-|caption=King Cobra with 6 inch, (153 mm) barrel
+| image_size = 300
-|origin=United States
+| origin = United States
-|type= [[Revolver]]
+| type = [[Revolver]]
-<!-- Type selection -->
-|is_ranged= yes
+<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged = yes
-<!-- Service history -->
+<!-- Service history -->| service =
-|service=
+| used_by =
+| wars = <!-- Production history -->
-|used_by=
-|wars=
+| designer =
+| design_date =
-<!-- Production history -->
+| manufacturer = Colt's Manufacturing Co.
-|designer=
+| production_date = 1986 –1992<br/>1994 –1998<br/>2019 – present
-|design_date=
+| number =
-|manufacturer= Colt's Manufacturing Co.
+| variants = <!-- General specifications -->
-|production_date= 1986-1992, 1994-1998
-|number=
+| weight =
+| length =
-|variants=
+| part_length = 2 inch (50.8&nbsp;mm)<br/>2.5 inch (63.5&nbsp;mm)<br/>3 inch (76.2&nbsp;mm)<br/>4 inch (102&nbsp;mm)<br/>4.25 inch (108&nbsp;mm)<br/>6 inch (153&nbsp;mm)<br/>8 inch (203&nbsp;mm)
-<!-- General specifications -->
+| crew = <!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
-|weight=
+| cartridge = * [[.38 Special]]
-|length=
+* [[.357 Magnum]]
-|part_length= 2 in (50.8&nbsp;mm), 2.5 in (63.5&nbsp;mm),<br> 4 in (102&nbsp;mm), 6 in (153&nbsp;mm),<br> 8 in (203&nbsp;mm)
+| caliber =
-|crew=
+| action = Double-action
-<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
+| rate =
-|cartridge=
+| velocity =
-* .38 Special
+| range =
-* .357 Magnum
+| max_range =
-|caliber=
+| feed = Six round cylinder
-|action= Double-action
+| sights = Iron, adjustable rear
-|rate=
-|velocity=
-|range=
-|max_range=
-|feed= Six round cylinder
-|sights= Iron, adjustable rear
 }}
-First [[New product development|introduced]] in 1986, the '''Colt King Cobra''' is a medium [[Receiver (firearms)|frame]] [[double-action]] [[revolver]] featuring a six [[cartridge (firearms)|round]] [[cylinder (firearms)|cylinder]] which was [[designed]] and [[manufacturing|produced]] by the [[Colt's Manufacturing Company]] and [[Target market|marketed]] to [[law enforcement agencies]] and [[civilian]] firearms [[Fan (person)|enthusiasts]]. Available in [[bluing (steel)|blued]] and [[stainless steel]] finishes in a variety of [[gun barrel|barrel]] lengths and [[Chamber (firearms)|chambered]] for [[Centerfire ammunition|centerfire]] [[.357 Magnum]] [[ammunition]].<ref name="kr">[http://www.kitsune.addr.com/Firearms/Revolvers/Colt_King_Cobra.htm “Colt King Cobra”], Kitsune Reference Web site. Accessed November 18, 2008.</ref>
+First introduced in 1986, the '''Colt King Cobra''' is a medium [[Receiver (firearms)|frame]] [[double-action]] [[revolver]] featuring a six [[cartridge (firearms)|round]] [[cylinder (firearms)|cylinder]] which was designed and produced by the [[Colt's Manufacturing Company]] and marketed to [[law enforcement agencies]] and civilian firearms enthusiasts. Available in [[bluing (steel)|blued]] and [[stainless steel]] finishes in a variety of [[gun barrel|barrel]] lengths and [[Chamber (firearms)|chambered]] for [[Centerfire ammunition|centerfire]] [[.357 Magnum]] [[ammunition]].<ref name="kr">[http://www.kitsune.addr.com/Firearms/Revolvers/Colt_King_Cobra.htm “Colt King Cobra”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428111109/http://www.kitsune.addr.com/Firearms/Revolvers/Colt_King_Cobra.htm |date=2007-04-28 }}, Kitsune Reference Web site. Accessed November 18, 2008.</ref>
 ==Development and history==
-Despite its outward similarity to the [[Colt Python]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2015/8/18/colt-s-snake-guns/|title=Colt’s Snake Guns|first= S.P.|last= Fjestad |date=August 18, 2015 |publisher = American Rifleman}}</ref> the King Cobra design is based upon that of an earlier Colt model, the venerable [[Colt Trooper|Trooper]] MK V, improved with the addition of a heavier-duty barrel, full barrel length cylinder ejection rod protection shroud, and the aforementioned thicker solid rib on top of the barrel. The King Cobra was introduced in 1986, [[End-of-life (product)|discontinued]] in 1992, and returned to Colt's [[Product lining|product line]] in 1994. Dropped a second time in 1998, it has not been produced since until recently at 2019 Shot Show in Las Vegas.<ref name="Tarr2013">{{cite  book|last=Tarr|first=James|title=Standard Catalog of Colt Firearms|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CaxuAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA124|date=18 November 2013|publisher=Krause Publications|location=Iola, Wisconsin|isbn=978-1-4402-3747-8|pages=124–125}}</ref>
+Despite its outward similarity to the [[Colt Python]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2015/8/18/colt-s-snake-guns/|title=Colt’s Snake Guns|first= S.P.|last= Fjestad |date=August 18, 2015 |publisher = American Rifleman}}</ref> the King Cobra design is based upon that of an earlier Colt model, the venerable [[Colt Trooper|Trooper]] MK V, improved with the addition of a heavier-duty barrel, full barrel length cylinder ejection rod protection shroud, and a thicker solid rib on top of the barrel. The King Cobra was introduced in 1986, [[End-of-life (product)|discontinued]] in 1992, and returned to Colt's [[Product lining|product line]] in 1994. Dropped a second time in 1998, it was not reintroduced until 2019 as a [[.357 Magnum]], three inch barrel variant of the 2017 [[Colt Cobra]].<ref name="Tarr2013">{{cite book|last=Tarr|first=James|title=Standard Catalog of Colt Firearms|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CaxuAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA124|date=18 November 2013|publisher=Krause Publications|location=Iola, Wisconsin|isbn=978-1-4402-3747-8|pages=124–125}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=New for 2019: Colt King Cobra |url=https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2019/1/15/new-for-2019-colt-king-cobra/ |website=shootingillustrated.com |publisher=Shooting Illustrated |accessdate=17 February 2019 |language=English |date=15 January 2019}}</ref>
 ==Features==
-Built on Colt’s medium-size ‘V’ frame from 1986-1992, the King Cobra was offered in very [[SAE steel grades|hi-grade]] [[carbon steel]] with Colt’s signature bright and highly-[[metal polishing|polished]] [[Royal blue|deep royal]] blued finish. 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. King Cobras are equipped with either oversized [[Walnut]] [[Accurizing#Handgun grips|target-style]] or hard rubber black finger-grooved [[combat|combat-style]] [[pistol grip|grips]], and an enlarged [[Bullseye (shooting competition)|target]] [[Hammer (firearm)|hammer]].<ref name="kr"/> The Cobra's [[Sight (device)|sighting]] system consists of a fixed iron [[Iron sights#Contrast enhancements|red insert front]] sight and a fully [[Iron sights#Adjustable iron sights|adjustable iron]] white outline rear.<ref name="kr"/> Various barrel lengths were offered over time according to the finish option chosen.<ref name="kr"/>
+Built on Colt's medium-size ‘V’ frame from 1986 to 1992, the King Cobra was offered in very [[SAE steel grades|hi-grade]] [[carbon steel]] with Colt's signature bright and highly-[[metal polishing|polished]] [[Royal blue|deep royal]] blued finish. From 1987 to 1992 and 1994-1998 matte stainless steel was offered, and from 1988 to 1992 the option of polished stainless steel became available as well. King Cobras are equipped with either oversized [[Walnut]] [[Accurizing#Handgun grips|target-style]] or hard rubber black finger-grooved [[combat|combat-style]] [[pistol grip|grips]], and an enlarged [[Bullseye (shooting competition)|target]] [[Hammer (firearm)|hammer]].<ref name="kr"/> The Cobra's [[Sight (device)|sighting]] system consists of a fixed iron [[Iron sights#Contrast enhancements|red insert front]] sight and a fully [[Iron sights#Adjustable iron sights|adjustable iron]] white outline rear.<ref name="kr"/> Various barrel lengths were offered over time according to the finish option chosen.<ref name="kr"/>
-In blued steel models, 4 and 6 inch barrels were available from 1986 until the blued guns were dropped from production in 1992, also a 2.5 inch length was offered with the blued finish from 1990-1992. In matte stainless, a 2.5 inch length was cataloged from 1987-1992, 2 inch barrels were offered from 1988 until King Cobra production ceased in 1992 and then again from 1994-1998. Barrel lengths of 4, 6, and 8 inches also were available on models with the matte stainless finish from 1990 to 1992; they returned to the product lineup from 1994-1998. 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. The King Cobra is chambered for the powerful .357 Magnum cartridge, but like all .357 revolvers will also fire .38 Special ammunition.<ref name="kr"/>
+In blued steel models, 4- and 6-inch barrels were available from 1986 until the blued guns were dropped from production in 1992, also a 2.5-inch length was offered with the blued finish from 1990 to 1992. In matte stainless, a 2.5-inch length was cataloged from 1987 to 1992, 2-inch barrels were offered from 1988 until King Cobra production ceased in 1992 and then again from 1994 to 1998. Barrel lengths of 4, 6, and 8 inches also were available on models with the matte stainless finish from 1990 to 1992; they returned to the product lineup from 1994 to 1998. In the mirror bright stainless finish, 4- and 6-inch lengths were offered from 1988 to 1992, a 2.5-inch was available from 1990 to 1992, and an 8-inch length was offered from 1989 to 1992. The King Cobra is chambered for the powerful .357 Magnum cartridge, but like all .357 revolvers will also fire .38 Special ammunition.<ref name="kr"/>
-In its final year of production (1998) the top strap was drilled and tapped for the mounting of scope rings.<ref name="Tarr2013"/>
+In 1998 the top strap was drilled and tapped for the mounting of scope rings.<ref name="Tarr2013"/>
-Colt also produced a total of six King Cobra's with three-inch barrels and fixed sights.  These were made for the Montreal Police Department, which had expressed an interest in such a model for plain-clothes officers.  The revolver was never adopted and the six samples were returned to the distributor.  One surfaced in North Carolina in 2006, was lettered by Colt Archives, listed on Gunbroker, and is now in the hands of a private collector.  The fate of the other five is unknown.
+Colt also produced a total of six King Cobras with three-inch barrels and fixed sights. These were made for the Montreal Police Department, which had expressed an interest in such a model for plain-clothes officers. The revolver was never adopted and the six samples were returned to the distributor. One surfaced in North Carolina in 2006, was lettered by Colt Archives, listed on [[Gunbroker.com]], and is now in the hands of a private collector. The fate of the other five is unknown.{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}
+In 2019, the King Cobra was reintroduced with a three-inch barrel. The gun debuted at [[SHOT Show]] 2019.
-Like all .357 Magnum revolvers, the Colt King Cobra could chamber and fire the shorter but otherwise dimensionally similar [[.38 Special]] cartridge.<ref name="Tarr2013"/>
+Like all .357 Magnum revolvers, the Colt King Cobra can chamber and fire the shorter [[.38 Special]] cartridge.<ref name="Tarr2013"/>
-In January 2019, Colt announced that they will be manufacturing and selling the Colt King Cobra again. The only configuration is in stainless with a three-inch barrel (similar to the 6 that were made for the Montreal Police Department).
 ==References==
@@ Line 58: / Line 53: @@
 ==External links==
-*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070928024649/http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/downloads/Manuals/LoRes/Double%20Action%20Revolver.pdf Colt's Manufacturing  Cobra and Trooper official Safety and Instruction Manual](.pdf)
+* [https://www.colt.com/detail-page/king-cobra-357 King Cobra - Colt's Manufacturing LLC]
+*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070928024649/http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/downloads/Manuals/LoRes/Double%20Action%20Revolver.pdf Colt's Manufacturing Cobra and Trooper official Safety and Instruction Manual](.pdf)
 {{Colt's Manufacturing Company}}
 [[Category:Products introduced in 1986]]
 [[Category:Colt revolvers]]
-[[Category:Revolvers]]
+[[Category:Revolvers of the United States]]
 [[Category:.357 Magnum firearms]]
-[[Category:Police weapons]]