Colt Firearms, a legendary name in the firearms industry, has experienced a remarkable resurgence in recent years. Known for their precision and quality since the early 20th century, Colt has been one of my favorite handgun manufacturers since 1980. However, Colt took a hit in the 1990s due to mismanagement and high production costs associated with their renowned hand-finished revolvers. Known for their blue exterior and a glass-smooth action, Colt revolvers became collector guns rather than those for use by the average shooter.

Despite these challenges, Colt’s commitment to craftsmanship never wavered, and it has re-emerged as a modern powerhouse thanks to advancements in CNC machining, a strategic partnership with CZ firearms, and improved leadership. This revitalization has made Colt’s iconic revolvers more accessible to a broader audience, blending modern manufacturing techniques with the timeless designs that made them famous.

Amidst Colt’s revitalization, it has maintained all the classic revolver models from the hand-crafted days. Among Colt’s impressive lineup, the Colt King Cobra Carry .357 Carry revolver stands out as a prime example of this blend of tradition and innovation. This revolver, part of the revered King Cobra line, offers the reliability and power expected of a Colt revolver, combined with modern enhancements that make it ideal for concealed carry.

About the Colt King Cobra Revolver

The original King Cobra line was manufactured between 1986 and 1998 to mimic the Colt Python at a lower price. It had a solid sight rib to distinguish it from the Python, plus an impressive “King Cobra” emblem on the left side of the barrel. The new King Cobra series, introduced in 2019, retains the solid top rib. (The .22 LR Target Models, however, have vent ribs.) Today, the King Cobras still have a decidedly different price point than the Python: $999 vs. $1,499. I requested and in short order received a 2-inch DAO King Cobra Carry for evaluation.

The first thing that caught my attention was the beautiful high-polish finish of this solid 26-ounce revolver. Far from a matte stainless finish, it rivals nickel or properly executed hard chrome of handguns in days gone by. Only the top strap, spurless hammer, smooth-faced trigger and rear sight channel are not brightly polished.

The traditional rampant colt emblem is underneath the cylinder latch release, which pulls to the rear on Colt double-action revolvers. The distinctive King Cobra emblem is etched on the full lug barrel. Colt kept its traditional free standing style for the knurled end of the ejector rod.

During firing, the cylinders of Colt double-action revolvers rotate in a clockwise direction, unlike the counterclockwise rotation of other revolvers. Colt asserts, and I agree, that the clockwise rotation of the cylinder toward the frame enhances the cylinder lock during firing. Like all the other Colt revolvers I have tested over time, the lockup on the DAO King Cobra Carry is also “bank vault” tight. Opening and closing the cylinder is glass smooth in operation while secure in its lockup. Clearly, the switch to CNC manufacturing methods did not result in a lower-quality product.

The trigger pull is very close to the original Colt DA revolvers that I remember. If you have never experienced a Colt DA trigger, you should check out the new King Cobra’s trigger. My Wheeler Trigger Pull Gauge measured the double-action pull at 8 pounds, 7 ounces. You really can’t ask for better than that!

The King Cobra DAO is equipped with what appears to be a set of pebble-finish Hogue finger groove grips marked with the Colt insignia. These grips are compact and fit the Colt and my hand perfectly. They proved to be just what was needed to control the recoil of the .357 Magnum cartridge.

Firing the King Cobra

I divided the range into two sessions, first taking the Colt out with another .357 revolver. However, the range I chose did not allow .357 Magnum ammunition, so I was limited to two .38 Special loads: Norma’s 158-grain FMJ Range and Training .38 Special Truncated Cone, which has muzzle velocity of 968 feet per second with 329 foot-pounds of energy, and PMC’s Bronze .38 Special 132-grain FMJ round nose ball with a muzzle velocity of 917 feet per second and 247 foot-pounds of energy.

Both .38 Special loads delivered groups in the 2-to-3-inch range on an Ohio Peace Officer Training silhouette qualification target. It was a bright, sunny day, and I noticed the brass bead front sight tended to wash out when framed by the matte-finished rear sight/top strap, despite the blade being black with a brass bead and equipped with serrations to cut down glare. This can be easily remedied, though, with fiber optic or Tritium inserts.

Now knowing the King Cobra Carry went “bang” accurately, I wore the revolver to the range for my second testing to get a feel for how it would carry concealed. A Galco Combat Master CM318B Open Top OWB holster I had on hand fit the King Cobra just fine, supporting the Colt firmly and positioning it to make drawing easy. It would be comfortable enough for all-day carry.

I tested two loads again. The first was the HSM 158-grain lead semi-wadcutter, a lower-powered version of the original .357 Magnum. Though classified as a cowboy-action load, it still launches at 1,175 feet per second, delivering 484 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. The second load was the Liberty Ammunition 50-grain .357 Magnum, a 21st-century take on stopping power that launches at 2,100 feet per second and delivers 500 foot-pounds of energy. I also brought a 5-Star .357/.38 K6 aluminum speedloader.

I fired from 20 feet, standing, with a two-handed grip. The HSM ammo had pretty stout recoil, although the knuckle of my middle finger did not get smacked by the trigger guard thanks to the excellent grips. The recoil caught me a bit by surprise, but I delivered a six-shot group in the head of the silhouette, which measured 5 ½ inches — 4 inches without one flyer. The Liberty .357 surprised me oppositely with a comparatively mild recoil. Four rounds landed in a 11/4-inch group, with the other two stretching things out to 5 inches.

The Colt King Cobra Carry: A Modern Classic for Everyday Carry

The Colt King Cobra Carry DAO 2-inch revolver is nothing short of excellent. It is elegant in a way that you only tend to see on high-end custom guns. It is an easy shooter with .38 but a bit more challenging with .357. While polymer-framed guns have their place and offer superior qualities in certain aspects, their arrival in the firearms world has resulted in the loss of elegance. Visit your favorite gun shop and take a look at the new Colt revolver lineup. You may find yourself saying “wow.”

Sources:

Colt: Colt.com
Galco: GalcoGunLeather.com
HSM: HSMAmmuntion.com
Liberty: LibertyAmmo.com
5 Star: 5StarFirearms.com