chaim
Member
I've had my Colt King Cobra for about 4 years now. I love the gun, quite accurate, incredible DA trigger pull (so much better than any of my Taurus or S&W revolvers), and a great size for carry (I love a 3" revolver. However, after the last couple range trips I'm finding that I'm too used to the S&W and Taurus trigger reset and cylinder release and I'm concerned that the differences could be a problem if I ever have to use the gun in a self-defense situation. On the S&W and Taurus the trigger has a very short reset with a very distinct feel and I can quickly get off my follow up shots. With the Colt, you really need to bring the trigger all the way back to the starting position (or pretty close), yet there is a definite false reset, and more than once I've tried to pull the trigger thinking I hit the reset with nothing, I hadn't and I can't pull the trigger. After 20-25 years of shooting Taurus and S&W revolvers, it would take a very determined effort to retrain for the Colt trigger, and I'd probably have to give up my S&Ws and Taurus for defensive use to make it workable. Similarly, I find the cylinder release that works in the opposite direction slows me down without seriously retraining for it, though slower reloads are potentially less of an issue than trying to pull the trigger and getting nothing.
For defense, I know what I'm doing to "replace" the Colt. I've already bought a 2.75" S&W 66 for when I want to carry magnum rounds. For when I want a smaller or lighter gun (but with a 3" barrel) I'm in the market for a 3" Taurus 856 Defender. Though, with the fact that Taurus are a bit more hit and miss than other brands, I want to find one in person that I can do a thorough check-out on the gun instead of ordering online, so it may take a little while.
Now, with that Colt trigger, I do want a Colt, or Colts, for range use. Shooting .38 only the 3" King Cobra is perfectly pleasant, and it is OK with some limited magnum use (especially with lighter magnums, heck, I can shoot 110gr .357mag all day). However, I do enjoy shooting serious magnums. So, I may trade it. Whether I trade it on the 4" King Cobra Target or on the Python, I'm not quite sure. Keeping what I have will be more limiting, but won't cost a dime. Buying the King Cobra Target will be cheaper than a Python, but it is lighter and I'll still probably have to limit my shooting of heavier magnums. The Python is the most money, but: 1) it is a Python, and 2) I could shoot any .357mag load I want pretty much all day. If I keep it, the King Cobra Target is a bit more likely than the Python, though I'd like to eventually get a Python so I just may take a little more time and just get the Python.
For defense, I know what I'm doing to "replace" the Colt. I've already bought a 2.75" S&W 66 for when I want to carry magnum rounds. For when I want a smaller or lighter gun (but with a 3" barrel) I'm in the market for a 3" Taurus 856 Defender. Though, with the fact that Taurus are a bit more hit and miss than other brands, I want to find one in person that I can do a thorough check-out on the gun instead of ordering online, so it may take a little while.
Now, with that Colt trigger, I do want a Colt, or Colts, for range use. Shooting .38 only the 3" King Cobra is perfectly pleasant, and it is OK with some limited magnum use (especially with lighter magnums, heck, I can shoot 110gr .357mag all day). However, I do enjoy shooting serious magnums. So, I may trade it. Whether I trade it on the 4" King Cobra Target or on the Python, I'm not quite sure. Keeping what I have will be more limiting, but won't cost a dime. Buying the King Cobra Target will be cheaper than a Python, but it is lighter and I'll still probably have to limit my shooting of heavier magnums. The Python is the most money, but: 1) it is a Python, and 2) I could shoot any .357mag load I want pretty much all day. If I keep it, the King Cobra Target is a bit more likely than the Python, though I'd like to eventually get a Python so I just may take a little more time and just get the Python.