+P ammo in Colt Cobra?

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Preacherman

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Hello, all. I recently acquired a Colt Cobra (alloy-frame Detective Special), 6-shot .38 Special revolver, in a trade. Can anyone tell me whether this gun is OK for limited use of +P ammo? I know the Detective Special (steel frame) is fine for this use, but I'm not sure about the Cobra.
 
+ power is safe for real limited uses IMHO , like a box of 20 to sight in with ; for impact check and keep tthe rest for serious business. You can shoot lots of std 158's and 130's but wadcutter 148's will be less strenous on you and gun. BTW 148grain wadcutters make a good defensive load; cut a clean full caliber bleed hole,adaquate penetration and rapid repeat capability. It's what i've come to stoke my Cobras and Agent with!;)
 
Colt OKs the Cobra and Agent for limited use with +P. How old is your gun? If it is an early one (the Cobra has been around since 1950) with the grip frame the same length as the grips themselves, it should be very limited. If it has the shorter Agent grip frame with a skinny barrel and unshrouded ejector rod (1966-72), or is a post-1972 version with the heavy barrel, shrouded ejector rod and shallow-sloping front sight, you have a little more leeway. BTW, I have a post-1972 Agent with the factory add-on hammer shroud, to which I added Eagle Secret Service grips. Although the juncture of the bottom of the hammer shroud and the grip frame stings my hand a bit when shooting, it is one of my favorite compact revolvers.

I agree about the sharp-shouldered wadcutter bullet shape being a good idea, but the target wadcutter load would be lucky to get 600 fps out of a two-inch barrel. I would think that would cancel out the advantages of the bullet shape. Get the velocity up, seating the bullet further out of the case if necessary, and it would work a lot better. It is also fine for the first load to carry in the gun, but would make an unsuitable reload, IMO, especially with speedloaders.
 
The post-1972 shrouded Cobra was rated for up to 1500 rounds of +P ammo, but the gun then needed a trip back to Colt for probable frame replacement.

Since Colt has no more frames, I'd limit usage to as little as possible.
The Cobra was always a "carry much, shoot little" gun.
I'd practice with light loads, and load the +P's for carry.
 
I agree with "dferriswheel's" statement that the post '72 Cobra can fire up to 1500 rds. of +P and then it should be sent to Colt factory for inspection.
 
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