Colt’s D-frame snub-nosed revolvers are the stuff of legend — both among cops and civilians of my generation. What baby boomer gun enthusiast isn’t familiar with NYPD detective Robert Thorn (Charlton Heston) wearing a D-frame Colt in an upside-down shoulder holster in the film Soylent Green (1973) or the detectives on Dragnet or other 60s cop shows who packed the same firearm?

Since I’ve carried all three of Colt’s original D-frame variants — the Detective Special, Cobra and Agent — during my 40-year law enforcement career, I was thrilled when the company started manufacturing a 21st century version of the D-frame revolver series after a 22-year hiatus.

Author’s D-Frame Experience

The author has carried all three original D-frame variants (Detective Special, Cobra, and Agent) during a 40-year law enforcement career.

Previous Colt Experience

I reviewed the Colt Night Cobra a couple years back for the blog. This revolver is an updated all-steel six-shot D-frame revolver finished in matte-black DLC. It is also equipped with a spurless double-action-only hammer and trigger.

While the Colt Night Cobra is an outstanding combat handgun, it lacks the original walnut service grips with the gold Rampant Colt medallions. Instead, it sports practical G10 grips that don’t harken back to the original D-frames that suit my taste.

Then one day a new Cobra variant caught my eye while I was browsing the Vance Outdoors website: the Colt Cobra Special.

Limited Issue

The Colt Cobra Special is the model I’d been waiting for! It is a matte-black DLC-finished Cobra with a hammer spur and brass-bead front sight. The revolver is equipped with the classic Colt D-frame checkered walnut service grips and gold Rampant Colt medallions.

Cobra Special Pricing

It is priced at $799.99

The Search for Authenticity

Adding the service grips to my Night Cobra would give me a feel for a Cobra Special without having to request one for testing. But the Cobra Special wasn’t available on Colt’s website; neither were the replacement service grips.

A call to my contact at Colt revealed two things. The Cobra Special was a limited-production run sent out to various distributors and not featured on Colt’s website. Also, the retro walnut grips were not available for sale — but my contact was able to snag me a set.

Limited Availability
  • Limited production: Distributed to select dealers only
  • Not on Colt website: Special distributor-only model
  • Grips unavailable: Service grips not sold separately
  • Increasing rarity: Becoming harder to find

First Impressions with Service Grips

I received the service grips in short order. The grips looked spectacular and changed the dynamic of the Night Cobra. The Colt service grips are mated to the outline of the grip frame, leaving the front and rear straps exposed.

Younger shooters might find that service grips take a little getting used to since there is more of a gap between the rear of the trigger guard, front strap and lower frame. That gap is normally filled by modern oversize grips.

Advantages

Are there any practical advantages to the Cobra Special’s retro grips compared to the standard G10 grips? Of course there are.

Concealment Benefits

Service grips are less bulky than the G10 grips and don’t extend below the frame. This reduces printing against outer clothing. The base of the service grips are rounded, further softening the outline. The smoothness of wood prevents fabric from clinging to it.

Concealment Advantages
  • Less bulk: Don’t extend below frame
  • Reduced printing: Better concealment profile
  • Rounded base: Softens outline against clothing
  • Smooth surface: Prevents fabric from clinging

Enhanced Control and Draw

The gap left between the rear of the trigger guard and the front strap of the service grips allows the shooter to grasp the gun more efficiently when drawing from the holster. This gap permits the shooter to wrap all four fingers around the grip quickly, enhancing overall control.

The tips of the shooting hand’s middle and ring fingers will lock against the base of the thumb, helping to keep control in a gun-grab attempt. The Cobra Special also sits lower in the hand for better control of recoil and more natural pointing.

Control and Draw Benefits
  • Efficient draw: Gap allows quick finger placement
  • Enhanced control: Four-finger grip wrap
  • Retention advantage: Fingers lock against thumb base
  • Better positioning: Sits lower in hand
  • Improved recoil control: More natural pointing
Service Grips Advantages
  • Better concealment
  • Faster draw
  • Enhanced control
  • Gun-grab resistance
  • Classic aesthetics
  • Natural pointing
G10 Grips Trade-offs
  • More bulk
  • Extend below frame
  • Modern practicality
  • Easier initial grip
  • Full frame coverage
  • Contemporary design

Wrap Up

If you’re interested in a Colt Cobra as a defensive revolver, see if you can locate a Cobra Special. It is the model most like the original D-frames.

But don’t wait too long to try to get one! They’re becoming more challenging to find. I would like to see Colt offer the service grips for sale as an accessory for other current Cobra owners who want to go “back to the future.”

Are you reading this, Colt?

Collector’s Advisory

The Cobra Special is a limited production model becoming increasingly difficult to find. If you want the most authentic D-frame experience, act quickly!

Cobra Special Summary
Feature Specification
Finish Matte-black DLC
Hammer Hammer spur (unlike Night Cobra)
Front Sight Brass-bead
Grips Classic checkered walnut service grips
Medallions Gold Rampant Colt
Price $799.99
Availability Limited production – distributor only

Sources

Colt: Colt.com

About Scott W. Wagner

Scott W. Wagner has been a law enforcement officer since 1980, working undercover in liquor and narcotics investigations and as a member, sniper and assistant team leader of a SWAT team. He currently works as a patrol sergeant.

He is a police firearms instructor, certified to train revolver, semi-automatic pistol, shotgun, semi- and fully automatic patrol rifle, and submachine gun. Scott also works as a criminal justice professor and police academy commander.