Colt Cobra Grips

[REB]

I am a little confused on grips for the colt cobra. I know there are at least two types, long frame and short frame. My question is when did this change occur? I have a Cobra made in 1969 according to the SN that has the unshrouded barrel and what I think is the short grip frame, the factory grips extend well bellow the frame. Which grips will fit this particular Cobra? Most of the grips state they are for post 1971 short frame.

 

[golden]

Same Problem

REB,

I ran into the same problem. I ended up buying a pair of wooden grips for $12.99 from the CDNN website.

They fit the old model Cobra, but do not to absorb recoil. I am still looking for a good pair of rubber grips. They really kicked with +P.

PACHMAYR is only listing grips for the post 1971 design.

HOGUE lists a monogrip for COLT small frame revolvers, but I have not tried it yet.

Jim

 

[doc540]

Visit the Colt forum for an accurate answer. It's been a common topic.

If I knew the details I'd post them here, but the Colt forum experts know much better.

 

[Old Fuff]

The short frame was introduced in 1966, the shrouded barrel in 1972. So between 1966 and '72 Colt made Cobra's with the short frame but round barrel (sometimes called a "pencil" barrel).

Finding stocks for the older "long" frame can be difficult these days. Those that fit the shorter frame (post-1966 Detective Specials, Cobras, Agents, Police Positive Specials, Vipers, and Diamondbacks are relatively easy to obtain.

 

[batmann]

If the grips will fit an Agent, I have a set of Colt Detective grips with the 'ledge' for the shorter frame.
Plain talk, they should fit.
Pay postage and they are yours.

 

[Old Fuff]

Excluding the Diamondback (that has adjustable sights) all of the short-frame D-frame model frames are identical, except for material (steel vs. aluminum) and stocks interchange between them.

 

[REB]

The short frame was introduced in 1966, the shrouded barrel in 1972. So between 1966 and '72 Colt made Cobra's with the short frame but round barrel (sometimes called a "pencil" barrel).

Does this mean that the post 1966 short frame cobra has the second generation metallurgy?

Thanks!

 

[Old Fuff]

Colt made the Cobra from the beginning using raw forgings (not castings) purchased from The Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA), and the alloy was a special one formulated for Colt. The frames were strong enough to withstand 3000 rounds of original .357 Magnum loads without measurable distortion.

Before anyone gets any ideas, this was not a rechambered .38 Special, but a prototype built around the magnum cartridge.

When they shortened the grip frame it made no difference in overall strength. The part that was cut off did nothing but support the old-style slab grips.

The later change to a barrel with an underlug neither increased or decreased the strength of the frame, all other things being equal.

Over time ALCOA might have tweaked the alloy a bit but I don’t think would have had any substantial effect on the frame’s strength, which was more then acceptable in the first place for the cartridges/loads it was regularly chambered.

 

[REB]

That's interesting. I always thought the first generation and second generation Cobras were made from a different alloy. I also thought maybe mistakenly that the first generation was not rated for +P and the second generation was rated for a light diet of +P.

 

[Old Fuff]

I don't know of any Plus-P or Plus-P-Plus loads that will blow up a Cobra or other aluminum Colt D-frame. However extensive, regular use will quickly shorten the revolvers service life, and given that parts and qualified service is getting less and less while expense is getting higher and higher, I consider it foolish to shoot any large quantity of Plus-P loads that are on the hot side (some aren't). If one is so inclined a steel Detective Special will unquestionably last longer. For those that insist on the" mostest in barnburners" I suggest S&W or Taurus revolvers that are rated (in theory) for Plus-P loads. Better that we sacrifice one of those expendables rather then a good Cobra...

 

[REB]

Don't worry Old Fluff, the only thing this cobra gets a full diet of is mild 148g WC and not a lot of those I have several other revolvers for the hard stuff. It is nice to know that if I needed to I could run some Corbon DPX +Ps through it and they are not that hot.

 

[Old Fuff]

I don’t consider Colt’s aluminum D-frame revolvers (Cobra, Viper and Agent) to be delicate, but as a rule of thumb I prefer steel versions unless the revolver is going to be ankle or pocket carried. There is, in my opinion, no good reason to go to the lightweights when conventional holsters are used. I would say the same about S&W or Taurus products. The slightly heavier weight is no burden if you have to hit something, do it quickly, and do it repeatedly.

That said, a few hot loads now and then will not do any serious damage.

 

[SwampWolf]

Other than the length of the grips, how does a Cobra with a shorter grip frame differ from an Agent?

 

[Old Fuff]

Other then the marking on the barrel, there isn't any difference. If you have two sets of stocks (one long and one short) you can have both configurations in one revolver.

 

[batmann]

Reb, I have mailed the grips with my return address. If they work, just mail the postage back to me. Hope you loke them.

 

[REB]

Thanks again batmann.

 

[SwampWolf]

Thanks, Old Fuff. Guess I'll be looking for a set of Agent grips!

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Did someone say Cobra? A 1973 one.

 

[mustachio]

Beautiful. I have one of 1975 vintage and almost as pretty as yours. I just ordered silver/black Badger boot grips for it. I will post pics when they arrive and I install.