Cobra Studies

[Kleanbore]

I remember watching an episode of the 1951 Dragnet series in which Sgt Friday was expecting package. Ben Alexander's character Frank Smith repeatedly asked Sgt Friday what it was that he expected . Joe wouldn't answer.

The package arrived. Friday unwrapped it and took out a snub revolver with the distinctive Colt grip frame. It was a Colt Cobra.

Friday enthusiastically described it--the weight, six shots of .38 Special--it might as well have been a Colt commercial.

Ten or a dozen years later, thirty seven years ago today, we saw Jack Ruby shooting a Cobra on live TV. His had a hammer shroud.

He fired one shot. He was pulling the trigger for a second, but a quick thinking officer grabbed the gun and prevented the cylinder from turning. That saved Officer Jim Leavelle from becoming a victim.

I wonder how many police officers would think to do that today....

I remember that Colt specified more frequent servicing for the Cobra than for the Detective Special.

Has anyone here had any experience with the original Cobra?

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

I got an excellent example of the older style Cobra a few months ago. I paid about half of what one in such nice shape should go for.



It was made in 1966 according to records I was able to find. I would say it’s every bit as accurate and shootable as I could hope for, and very smooth in function. The weight really is remarkable. Loaded with 6 rounds of 158gr Speer lawman in aluminum cases, it comes in at a little less than 15 ounces which even today would be hard to beat.