Colt Cobra questions

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rbuck82

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Hey, all,

I just bought a Colt Cobra snubbie in .38 special. It's an older one with the exposed ejector rod. Haven't run the serial number yet to see the year it was made, but regardless of what people say is ok, I don't want to run +P's through it.

I just have a couple of questions:

1) I'm thinking I'll try out 158gr. LSWC, because that seems to have been a popular non +P .38 special load for quite awhile now. Any thoughts on this or recommendations for something else that would be good for defense out of a 2" barrel? Is this load ok or should I really use HP? I know if the velocity's too slow, the HP is worthless b/c it won't expand, etc.

2) If I carry this, do I need to keep the hammer on an empty chamber? There's no transfer bar. (If I'm not mistaken, Ruger had this patent for awhile).

Thanks in advance for replies!
 
Just ran the serial number. It was made in 1954.

I bought this off a guy I work with whose dad used to be a police detective. This was his police gun. It's in excellent shape and he left me have it for $50. Now is that one hell of a deal or what?! :D
 
>> 1) I'm thinking I'll try out 158gr. LSWC, because that seems to have been a popular non +P .38 special load for quite awhile now. Any thoughts on this or recommendations for something else that would be good for defense out of a 2" barrel? Is this load ok or should I really use HP? I know if the velocity's too slow, the HP is worthless b/c it won't expand, etc. <<

It's getting hard to find LSWC in standard load form. Be that as it may, soft lead unjacketed hollow points will expand at lower velocities then the jacketed kind. You might be interested to know that when the developed the Cobra, Colt tested a prototype chambered in .357 Magnum, and put 1000 rounds of hot 158 grain Magnum loads through it with no ill effects. Of course this isn't recommended, but still a few +P 38 Specials won't hurt the gun. You can also get higher velocities within standard pressures by going to lighter bullets in the 125-130 grain range.

>> 2) If I carry this, do I need to keep the hammer on an empty chamber? There's no transfer bar. (If I'm not mistaken, Ruger had this patent for awhile). <<

No, since 1908 Colt has used an internal mechanical hammer block somewhat like the one S&W has used since 1945. Colt's hammer block is just as sure as Ruger's transfer bar. Carry 6 rounds and don't worry about it.

So ya bought it for fifty bucks?? Look out!! Any number of members on this forum would mug you for that, or offer more then 5 times your purchase price. :D
 
Thanks, Old Fuff....you pretty much covered everything!

Yes, Standing Wolf, it was pretty much theft, but he said it was more about making sure someone had it who would take care of it and appreciate it than about getting money out of it. I'll go for that! :p
 
Sounds like a great deal, good luck with it.

A comment on the "I'll use semi-wadcutters because a hollow point might not expand". I could never understand that argument. It seems to mostly be promoted by big bore fans. If you use a swc it will not expand, a hp maybe. If the hp does, great. If it doesn't you wind up with a swc. I'd rather take a chance at expansion than guaranteeing none. Just another opinion.
 
My choice would be the discontinued non+P Federal Nyclad 125 gr. lead hollowpoint (looks like ammoman.com has them).
 
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