Recently got my hands on a new Colt King Cobra, and man this gun is
nice. I have about 250 rounds through it at this point - a mix of .38+P and .357 and it has run perfectly.
• The attention to detail, fit & finish on this Colt are really good. This isn't a cheap revolver, and it shows. And while detractors will always say, "they don't make 'em like the used to," this wheelgun shows that Colt isn't just trying to re-create the same thing they made 30 years ago to cash in on being "retro." Instead, they have made updates that I think are real improvements, primarily in terms of the trigger. I think this is one of nicest modern production revolvers available. Quality is on par with the Kimber K6S I've handled.
• The trigger is the best I've felt on a new, out-of-the-box revolver, period. I'm convinced this is in large part due to the new leaf spring design that does away with a coil spring hammer mechanism completely. The trigger travel has none of the feel of a compressing spring - no stacking, no grittiness or 'ticks' as it travels rearward. Just smooth and linear right up to the break. And the SA? Amazing. Zero pre-travel, zero creep and almost scary light.
• Colt really nailed it on the sizing of the new KC, and it is exactly what I've been looking for. The original King Cobras were almost L-frame size. The new KC sits somewhere between a J-frame and a K-frame. Colt shrank the overall frame size, and at the some time beefed up the frame, so while it feels smaller and lighter in the hand than the old King Cobra, it's still feels plenty stout to handle magnum loads. In fact, it's very comparable in size/weight to the 3" SP101 - only one ounce more in weight than the SP101 and offers the bonus of a 6th round on tap. I used to own a 3" GP100 but eventually sold it as it was just too big and heavy for concealed carry. This King Cobra is a much more compact package and I can easily carry it IWB.
Brass bead front sight:
Recessed crown:
