Tag Archives: King Cobra Target

Talking Serpent: King Cobra

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In honor of the Colt’s 150th Anniversary in 1986 a new revolver hit the market, the .357 Magnum Colt King Cobra.

Based on the company’s Mark V system shared by the medium-frame Trooper series of double-action six-shooters, the King Cobra got its name as an ode to smaller Colt Cobra wheelguns which dated back to the 1950s but were only chambered in .22LR, .32 Colt and .38.

Borrowing the solid rib heavy barrel/full underlug profile of Colt’s Python series but coming in at a more affordable $400 smackers at the time, it was half the price of the iconic serpent.

This made it appealing to budding target shooters, law enforcement, and personal protection. Likewise, the price point made more competitive with other full-lug magnums of the time, namely Ruger’s then-new GP-100, S&W’s Model 586, and Dan Wesson’s 15HB.

This Colt King Cobra, a 4-inch model with a serial number that dates to 1988 production, is in what the company billed as “Ultimate Bright Stainless,” a finish that was only used on this model for four years.  

Today, this classic “snake gun” now is in at least its third generation, a transformation I cover more in my column at Guns.com. 

Wheelgun fans, rejoice!

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Well, it looks like both Colt and S&W are giving the roscoe-lovers what they want. This week they both introduced new, and very old-school-looking revolvers.

Massachusetts-based Smith & Wesson on Tuesday announced they are bringing back a celebrated rimfire magnum, the Model 648 revolver, to their catalog.

Now that is a commanding .22 magnum!

The K-frame .22WMR-caliber Model 648 first appeared in Big Blue’s lineup in 1989 sporting a full-lug barrel and stainless steel construction. Retired since 2005, the newest generation of the model still brings a 6-inch barrel to the party, which translates to a very commanding 11.1-inch overall length. Weight is 46.2-ounces in the eight-shot .22 Mag, making the gun attractive for both those looking to fill pots and smoke targets. Of note, the old 648 was a six-shot.

Meanwhile, in Colt is adding another “snake” to their recently rebooted revolver line, and on Tuesday unveiled their new King Cobra Target model in .357 magnum.

Magnum? Now that’s a magnum! 357 that is.

The new wheel gun, following on the heels of their Cobra, Night Cobra, King Cobra, and Cobra Carry revolvers, features a 4.25-inch barrel, adjustable rear sight, elevated fiber optic front sight, and custom Altamont wood medallion grips. With an overall length of 9.25-inches, the six-shot full-lug target revolver is pitched for use by competitive shooters and those who just like to hit the range.

More on each in my column at Guns.com.