Colt cobra

[Ade]

I recently purchased a Colt Cobra. This is my first Colt, and I like it. Everything, that is, except the grips. They're awfully big for a snubby. I've been trying to find replacements, but I have no idea which ones to order, as Colt seems to have made this gun with a couple of different frame sizes, and I have no idea which one mine is. Can someone help me out here?

The serial # is 2257xx, and it has an exposed ejector rod.

Thanks.

Andy

 

[ruger357]

Try calling eaglegrips 1-800-323-6144, they are pretty helpfull. They are making a set of grips for my second gen. Detective Special.

 

[Preacherman]

I'm assuming that your serial number is 6 digits followed by the letters LW, right? If so, your six-digit serial number would give your Cobra a 1967 manufacture date.

A useful link for Colt and Browning serial numbers, and proof house markings, etc., is http://proofhouse.com/index.htm - that's where I looked up this information. Worth bookmarking in your browser for future reference. (Thanks to sm, who pointed me there! )

As to grips: for wood grips, I strongly second the recommendation for Eagle Grips, particularly their Secret Service pattern. If you would like rubber, you may have to hunt around, but I think Pachmayr still makes their Compac grip style for the Cobra, as well as the Gripper - I have two of the latter, and they're very comfortable, if a bit large and "sticky" for pocket carry.

 

[sm]

You're Welcome Preacherman.

Ya know, for some reason it really would be nice if the Colt grips for Cobra's , Agents, Detective Specials and Police Positives were a tad bit simpler

Yes the Eagle Secret Service grips are nice. I have been drooling over many of the fine wood grips on THR.

Standing Wolf ain't helping...neither is Tamara, Markos, Mr. Camp, ...oh and the rest of you folks know whom you are...

I'm not complaining...just drooling over the guns and grips...

 

[popeye]

I do know a good guy who trades in Colt grips. I rececently traded some short (matched to frame contour) Colt Cobra grips to him. This guy does this as a hobby, if you want orig. Colts e-mail me and I'll forward to him.

 

[Preacherman]

Also, check out CDNN's grips here - they have some GREAT prices on Colt grips. They have others that are not shown on the Web site: either phone and ask, or get hold of their latest print catalog (2004/1 - you can download it in PDF format from their Web site) and look through it.

 

[Bart Noir]

On the CDNN site mentioned above, you see two wooden grips for Det. Special, Cobra etc. These are 2nd row down, middle and right locations. I bought a set of each. The one on right, with finger grooves, fits the older, full length frame. It is a hand-filling grip, covers the frame completely, and is marked made in Italy (nice wood). The other one is for the short frame and leaves the back of the frame exposed, for a smaller overall grip. It has a thumbrest on both sides and I had to sand down the side that goes against my palm. I think it is the exact grip that came from Colt, prior to the rubber ones. I believe the rubber grips in the ad will fit the smaller frame and will be good shooting grips, covering the metal on the back of the frame.

Bart Noir

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

Old Colt Grips

My 1920-1979 company made the first aftermarket grips for the Colt weapons for detectives and under cover officers to help them to shoot better for their monthly shooting pay. Most grips today are based on Fitz patented designs in the 1920s.

I have a few wood grips left in my business archives in LIGHT WALNUT OR DARK CHERRY WOOD. I only have the long frame grips left and some fellows put their short frame pistol in my long grips to shoot more accurately. Send me a tracing of your bare grip frame with the pins and bolt holes shown and I will send you back a pic of the grip it fits with your tracing in the grip.

There are two basic frames long and short and all the colt names were made in both sizes of grips. The old frames were identical but with differing lengths and the short version was made in WW2 to save metal.

Email me
Paul Fitz Jones for pics

 

[Ade]

Preacherman,

Thanks for the link to proofhouse. With that and some other clues I have figured out what grip frame is on my Cobra (short, square).



Preacherman and Bart,

The grips on CDNN aren't quite what I'm looking for. I need something a little smaller, as I am going to try pocket carry.



Preacherman, Ruger357, and SM,

Love the Secret Service grips. As soon as I have the extra cash, I will give them a try.




Popeye,

I have found a set of original grips already at a VERY reasonable price, but thanks for the offer. However, if this deal falls through, I'll e-mail you.



Fitz,

I really like the grips you mentioned, but they appear to be fairly large. Perfect for shooting, but a problem for concealment. Thanks, though.



To all,

Thanks for the replies. With your help I was able to figure out what I need. This is a great place.


Take care,

Andy

 

[popeye]

Just out of curiousity, did you get your grips from Mr. Green?

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

J frame concealment

As a Deputy Marshal I carried my Smith 60 in an inside belt holster above my right rear wallet pocket where most officers carry their off duty weapons. Carrying a pistol in a pocket is more obvious than inside of a belt and a holster is required for officers. Incidents and deaths have been recorded where an officer dropping his pants in his bathroom had a pistol drop out and fire killing some one in an apartment nearby. Also officers have died where his unsecured weapon dropped from his pocket into the hands of his killer during a fight. Secured weapons are a must.

The Fitz grip was designed in the 1920s for officers to have the grip orient the weapon like pointing a finger and to fire accurately in the dark when the weapon cannot be seen. It is of utmost importance to fire accurately the first and subsequent shots. So weapon control is of utmost importance for many thousands of officers with the Fitz grips patented in 1924. They have outsold all the other brands of grips combined as they were the first and best made and Fitz designs have been much copied since and have been the basis of many other company designs.

Paul Jones Retired
Fitz Pistol Grips
The Choice of Champions
Since 1924

 

[Old Fuff]

Colt made a version of the Cobra called the "Agent." The only difference was the grips, which were made as small as possible for pocket or ankle holster carry. Agent grips will fit on the Cobra. If you are interested I'll try to find you a source. I believe that either Numrich/The Parts Corp. or CDNN have them. I also seem to remember that someone on GunBroker.com had a pair.

Another trick. Ajax (www.ajaxgrips.com) make a ivory-type grip for your version of the Detective Special/Cobra that can be shortened to the Agent size (for all I know they might do this for you). Why bother? Because the grip is the same color as most pockets and therefore less likely to be detected than a darker colored one.

 

[Old Fuff]

I would respectively comment on some of the points made by Paul "Fitz" Jones.

Pocket carry of a handgun should be restricted to a DEEP side pants’ pocket, and the gun should always be in a quality pocket holster designed for the particular make and model pistol or revolver being carried. Under such circumstances it is unlikely to fall out or be grabbed. One advantage of pocket carry is that an individual can place their hand on the gun without appearing to brandish a weapon. A subsequent draw, if that becomes necessary, will be lightning fast. Another advantage for a civilian (and some officers) is that the weapon may be carried without having to cover it with a coat or some other garment.

As for the “dropped gun going off†issue. Yes indeed that has happened, but not with a Colt revolver made since 1908 that was in proper condition. All Cobra revolvers (since that’s the one under discussion) were equipped with a mechanical hammer block that absolutely prevented the hammer and firing pin from hitting a primer unless the trigger was deliberately pulled and held back while the hammer was falling. If one cocks an (unloaded) revolver, pulls the trigger while holding the hammer, and then lowers the hammer while letting the trigger follow forward they will see that the hammer never goes far enough to set off a cartridge. Of course if you hold the trigger back the hammer will go all of the way.

Smith & Wesson J-frame revolvers were, and still are equipped with a similar device, and are equally as safe.

Of course police officers (and others) sometimes carry other guns that don’t have the above feature, and they can and do accidentally discharge if dropped.

While the FITZ grips may be a little too big for optimal pocket carry they are ideal for many who carry their handgun in a belt or shoulder holster. The advantages described by Jones are very valid, and the design, material and workmanship exhibited in them makes them highly recommended. Unfortunately they won’t be around much longer. For the record, I am one of those who has used FITZ grips over many years on different guns, and I have always found them to be very satisfactory when they are used and carried in the way intended.

 

[FotoTomas]

I am a big proponant of the pocket carry and have a S&W model 38 Bodyguard in my pocket as I type. The Uncle Mikes pocket holster has provided excellent service for over three years now.

My Colt Cobra of years past had the Agent grips, Tyler T-Grip, Colt hammer shroud and was a great addition to my pocket. The J frame Smith just feels a little better due to the 5 round cylinder and a friend wanted the Colt for a lot more than I paid for it. Another deal of regret.

One option that I carried for awhile was a Detective Special with a radically relieved grip that had a major portion of the backstrap ground away and the factory grips sanded to match. A birds head style that disappeared in an ankle holster or pocket. I purchased it for a song due to the grips condition and later sold it for the same. I would not choose that way myself in the future.

 

[PX15]

Barami Hip Grip

I have two 1st series Colt Cobra's (w/exposed ejector rod). I have the original grips on one with tyler t-grips for use in my wife's car, the other has Barami Hip Grips on it which I keep in the garage and when we go "golf carting" down our country roads I take it with us. The Barami Hip Grips are very functional, and you don't need a holster. I have a few J-frame Smiths too, but for some reason just love the old Colts.. They are just more fun to shoot for me.