{"id":312910,"date":"2022-09-07T07:00:11","date_gmt":"2022-09-07T13:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/?p=312910"},"modified":"2022-09-07T17:48:25","modified_gmt":"2022-09-07T23:48:25","slug":"colt-king-cobra-if-you-could-only-have-one-wheel-gun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/colt-king-cobra-if-you-could-only-have-one-wheel-gun\/","title":{"rendered":"Colt King Cobra \u2014 If You Could Only Have One (Wheel) Gun"},"content":{"rendered":"
The big news for revolver fans in 2019 was the return of the Colt Python\u2014a gun regarded by many as an almost perfect double-action. While this snake receives most of the love, there are other vipers in the pit. The Cobra, a compact concealed carry .38 is an underappreciated wheel gun, and the King Cobra, the .357 version, may be an even more versatile design.<\/p>\n
As the medium-framed Colt, the King Cobra offers the best of both worlds: run the .357 for defense or the .38 Special for practice. Carry it IWB for ease and simplicity in concealed carry, or carry it OWB in the woods for an effective do-it-all sidearm. The King can do just about everything you’d want a revolver to do.<\/p>\nThe Remington UMC runs like .38 should. It is a solid performer and readily available. The jacketed ball is great range ammo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
King Cobra Specs<\/h2>\n
\n
Barrel Length: 3 in.<\/li>\n
Capacity: 6 rounds<\/li>\n
Sights: Brass Bead Front<\/li>\n
Frame Material: Stainless Steel<\/li>\n
Frame Finish: Brushed Stainless<\/li>\n
Grips: Hogue Overmolded<\/li>\n
Action: Double-Action<\/li>\n
Weight: 28 oz.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe cylinder on the King Cobra swings out to the left. It rotates clockwise.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Snakes Abound<\/h2>\n
So why isn’t there more love for these Colts? They’re hardly neglected. Those that like wrist-snapping rounds have the Anaconda to carry. I’ve never liked the .44 Magnum as a round. I prefer the faster follow-ups of well-placed shots from a .357, and I tend to do better (psychologically) with rounds that don’t generate that kind of this-is-going-to-hurt anticipation.<\/p>\n
And the biggest threats I tend to face in this neck of the south are small-ish hogs and the two-legged snakes you hear so much about. And for those threats, the .357 is ideal. The King Cobra weighs in under two pounds, making it as easy to carry as it is to shoot.<\/p>\nThe cylinder catch on the left side of the frame is easy enough to operate one handed. Even so, reloads don’t happen fast.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Why the King Cobra?<\/h2>\n
When you’re the King, you get an additional caliber. While the Cobra is a .38, the King Cobra is a .357. This adds some versatility.<\/p>\n
This is the 3″ version, but there’s a 4″ barrel and two shorter 2″ versions (one with a hammer and one that’s DAO). The 4″ version is called the Target and has an adjustable rear sight and a fiber optic front sight. The two shorter versions are built more for concealed carry.<\/p>\nThe King Cobra’s hammer hits a transfer bar that acts as a safety device between the hammer and the pin when the hammer is in the down position.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Why limit yourself to .38? That’s a different quandary. The .38 peaked years ago. There’s still some ammo development being done, and plenty of rock-solid options for .38 Special ammo, but most of this seems to be geared to the lighter range loads or the self-defense crowd that wants a handgun that performs well and doesn’t kick too hard.<\/p>\n
Running .38 Special through the King Cobra is easier on the hands than the equivalent load in a Cobra. The extra mass on the larger revolver helps to hold things in check\u2014but we’re splitting hairs. The Cobra weighs in under 25 ounces\u2014the king Cobra weighs 28. That difference isn’t as noticeable as the additional real estate on the grip.<\/p>\nThe shine of the stainless is tempered by the flat-top approach to the brass bead front sight, which cuts out almost all of the glare.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
There’s a bit more barrel, too. The King Cobra has a three-inch barrel. Still easily concealed, but large enough to shoot accurately, too.<\/p>\n
Shooting the Smaller .357<\/h2>\n
The .357 in this gun, though, provides the expected increase in recoil. It is jumpy.<\/p>\nWhile some revolvers, like the Python, are big enough for two hands, I find it hard to get a second hand on the Cobras. As such, I do most of my shooting one-handed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The Python, by contrast, almost manages itself. It is so smooth, even under an increase in pressure. Still, I don’t know anyone who goes target shooting with .357\u2014or not exclusively. The .357 is more of a working round.<\/p>\n
And that makes the King Cobra a solid do-it-all gun. As a .357, it is a hard-hitting gun. At three inches, the revolver is still easy to conceal. If you need a concealed carry revolver for some reason, this is a gem.<\/p>\nSix shots, one-handed, at 25 yards. I’m holding decent groups of two, even though I’m hitting a bit low of my intended mark on this torso plate.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The King Cobra is also a great option for the woods or the trail if you don’t mind the stainless finish. While the .357 is a bit anemic for really big bears, it is solid for most other hunting tasks. I’m always surprised when I find hunters who go into the woods without a handgun.<\/p>\n
The King Cobra is ideal for OWB carry, in almost any position from small-of-back on around to cross-draw. Yet it may be best suited for wearing on a chest rig.<\/p>\nThe rampant pony. He’s holding a broken spear, defending\u2014the rumor goes\u2014a fallen knight.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Can you smell the nostalgia?<\/h2>\n
I had an interesting conversation about the role of revolvers in concealed carry recently with a venerated name in firearms training circles. His outlook was simple\u2014he has a hard time taking them seriously.<\/p>\n
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