King Cobra Pistol Information

Design

• The King Cobra features a modern design based on the previously issued Trooper revolver. The sights are fully adjustable. With a heavier barrel and thicker, solid rib on the barrel top, the King Cobra included a cylinder ejection rod protected by a full barrel length shroud.

  According to Modern Firearms, the Cobra is technically similar to other mk.V. style revolvers, making it suitable for law enforcement, sporting, defense and hunting. Colt manufactured the King Cobra to directly compete with Ruger's GP-100 and Smith &Wesson's various L-Frame revolvers.

Chambering

• Colt chambered the King Cobra for the center-fire .357 Magnum. In addition to the .357, the Cobra will fire the .38 special and the .38 special "+P" cartridges.

Finishes

• Colt originally produced the King Cobra in a high-grade carbon steel, finished with a deep royal blue. During both production runs, Colt gave gun buyers the option of a matte stainless steel finish. From 1988 to 1992, a high-luster polished stainless steel was also available.

Barrel Lengths

• Colt manufactured barrel lengths of 4 inches and 6 inches on the blue-steel models from 1986 to 1992. From 1990 to 1992, a 2.5-inch barrel was available in the blue finish.

  Colt offered several barrel lengths in the matte stainless steel finish, including the 2.5 inch in 1987 to 1992, the 2 inch from 1987 to 1992 and 1994 to 1998, and the 4, 6 and 8 inch lengths from 1990 to 1992 and 1994 to 1998.

  The high-luster stainless steel finish came in barrel lengths of 4 and 6 inches from 1998 to 1992. The 2.5-inch barrel was available from 1990 to 1992. Colt offered an 8-inch cartridge from 1991 to 1992 in the high-luster finish.

Additional Features

• Depending on the length of the barrel, the King Cobra ranges in weight from 1.16 kg for the 2.5-inch barrel to 1.36 kg for the 8-inch barrel. With simple black neoprene grips, the Cobra features a trigger mechanism with a transfer-bar safety.