I picked up a Colt Cobra last week, dated to 1952 by the guys in the Colt forum. Basically a Detective Special with an alloy frame.
This thing was obviously carried a lot, as it has considerable finish wear. Apparently shot little, as the lockup is good and the bore is perfect, and there was just the hint of a line on the cylinder (until I cleaned and started dry-firing, that is).
First impression - wow, this thing is light. Feels the same as my Smith Airwieght Centennial, but with one more round. Very solid feel to the lockwork, and I love the way it looks with the tapered barrel and unshrouded ejector rod. The stocks, while pointing nicely, seem to be a throwback to one-handed shooting days, making a two-hand hold feel somewhat awkward.
Shooting impressions - I shot 158gr S&B ball. I'll use 125gr +p very rarely, and for carry, but none today. The trigger is nice, light with a very slight hitch or stack just before firing, making it easy to stage the trigger. Single action is crisp and light. I didn't shoot any slow fire or bench, but found accuracy to be acceptable, six round groups fired quickly and/or rapid fire went into four inch groups at about seven yards.
The sights are acceptable for a hideout gun, and it shot to point of aim.
Recoil was on the light side of stout, certainly not painful or unmanageable. My first impression of the grips being designed for one hand shooting seem to be true, and I'll likely try a set of Pachmeyer's soon.
Overall, I'm very pleased. A quality piece with history, and it will make a fine backup. The six round cylinder isn't noticibly thicker than a five round J frame Smith in the pocket, and that sixth round would make me feel better if this were carried as primary. Also, I shot better with the Colt than the Smith.
The Airweight Centinnial will remain my on duty ankle gun, primarily because of the concealed hammer keeping crap out of the innards, but the Colt will be my slip in the coat pocket as off-duty backup on cold nights (primary on hip, under the coat), and my backup pocket gun when off duty.
Seems we haven't come far in this realm in the last fifty years...
1952:
2002:
This thing was obviously carried a lot, as it has considerable finish wear. Apparently shot little, as the lockup is good and the bore is perfect, and there was just the hint of a line on the cylinder (until I cleaned and started dry-firing, that is).
First impression - wow, this thing is light. Feels the same as my Smith Airwieght Centennial, but with one more round. Very solid feel to the lockwork, and I love the way it looks with the tapered barrel and unshrouded ejector rod. The stocks, while pointing nicely, seem to be a throwback to one-handed shooting days, making a two-hand hold feel somewhat awkward.
Shooting impressions - I shot 158gr S&B ball. I'll use 125gr +p very rarely, and for carry, but none today. The trigger is nice, light with a very slight hitch or stack just before firing, making it easy to stage the trigger. Single action is crisp and light. I didn't shoot any slow fire or bench, but found accuracy to be acceptable, six round groups fired quickly and/or rapid fire went into four inch groups at about seven yards.
The sights are acceptable for a hideout gun, and it shot to point of aim.
Recoil was on the light side of stout, certainly not painful or unmanageable. My first impression of the grips being designed for one hand shooting seem to be true, and I'll likely try a set of Pachmeyer's soon.
Overall, I'm very pleased. A quality piece with history, and it will make a fine backup. The six round cylinder isn't noticibly thicker than a five round J frame Smith in the pocket, and that sixth round would make me feel better if this were carried as primary. Also, I shot better with the Colt than the Smith.
The Airweight Centinnial will remain my on duty ankle gun, primarily because of the concealed hammer keeping crap out of the innards, but the Colt will be my slip in the coat pocket as off-duty backup on cold nights (primary on hip, under the coat), and my backup pocket gun when off duty.
Seems we haven't come far in this realm in the last fifty years...
1952:
2002:
