No issues with mine. Acquired it in Oct and put 800 rounds thru it so far.

 

Don’t have one, my neighbor does went over there for a day of shooting and I thought it was very nice. Fit and finish looked excellent. The dbl action indexes quicker than my GP100. My only complaint would be theSA pull was a tad high for my liking.worked flawlessly. Would buy one if I didn’t have the GP100 already.

Rich

 

If I didn't have two original Diamondbacks, I'd definitely be looking to buy one. It got a VERY favorable review in G&A magazine a couple issues ago.

As to quality control, that's an individual gun thing. If you want one, I'd say go ahead and order it while you still can. Look it over GOOD when it comes in, and if it doesn't meet your standards, don't take it home. If you take it home and shoot it and it doesn't meet your standards, send it back to Colt while under warranty and let them FIX it. I had to do this with a S&W M17 back in the early '90s--Smith fixed the problem FREE and FAST and to my complete satisfaction, and all it cost me was the "To" shipping--and that was money well spent.

 

No issues with mine, purchased end of September this year.

I just today ordered a speed loader and loading block from Speed Beez.

 

IHave had KC 22 LR 4.25BL for 3 months 2700 plus rounds thru it ZERO malfunctions.
Also have 4.25bl Python ZERO malfunctions.
Have KC 357 2 inch ZERO malfunctions.
The fit finish accuracy and quality control are second to none!

 

Great to hear they are worth the wait. Would really like the 6 inch version.

 

I've had one for a week or so...KY Gun Co. in Louisville had six (6) of them in stock and I got to examine them all. Currently, I've got ~125 rounds through the gun. DA triggers on all were outstanding, better than my beloved M-18 Smith in fact. Zero stacking, in this one and a buttery DA trigger pull...Old Colt's had that miserable trait ruined many a DA target for me and consequently, colored my opinion of all Colt revolvers for decades

Fit and finish were excellent through out. But what's with the flattened out bottom of the trigger guard? Did somebody in the prototype shop drop these new Colts? It's a cosmetic thing, I know, but ,,,!

Sights: Why put a ?Tactical? fiber optic front sight on a .22 that's advertised as a "Target" model. They look flimsy in my estimation and do not give as a good paper target sight picture. The rear sight too, is not up to Gold Cup standards. Windage is adjusted with a small screw on the right side, then held in place supposedly by a micro allen screw (size 0.050") which needs a spot of lock tite to keep it from migrating off the gun. Too, the elevation screw, easily 2x bigger than the windage feels loose when compared to a Smith from any decade. Given the price of the King Cobra, MSRP $999, the sights do not measure up for quality or function.

Accuracy, Superb....at 15 yds, from my antiquated modified Weaver stance, unsupported, it's producing 10 shot groups hovering right at an inch and I can't do any better with my M-41 Smith, nor the M-18. CCI Sub-Sonic and Mini-Mags are the current winners. But I haven't had time nor the Wx to test any others...this is one accurate gun. It's got the bbl. and those good/great DA and SA triggers to make for a fine shooter. I'm looking forward to testing it at 25 & 50 yds from a solid rest.

Size/Feel/Grips...while the size and feel of the gun in the hand is just right for my size (L) paws, Colt chose to curse it with RUBBER GRIPS...On a Thousand dollar revolver? which is so good in most other respects?....they could've done better!! What were they thinking? I'm just hoping that Altamont sees fit to offer their wonderful "Roper" target models (in real walnut) for the King Cobra Target .22, or they could down-size one of the target types currently available for the new Pythons and Anacondas.

Even with those abominable grips, the gun hangs beautifully in offhand, with just the right amt of muzzle weight. And despite the less than satisfactory sights, it's an easy revolver to hit with...I attribute that to its lovely DA trigger. It's so good, that you want to stay in the quick fire mode since you're getting almost as good groups as with the SA mode. Geez, it shoots great.

Function: No malfunctions aside from somewhat sticky ejection. With both types of CCI listed above, it's about like a semi-tight chambered M-18 or K-22 Smith. While I've cleaned the chambers thoroughly, it may need a finish reamer job to cure the problem. The cylinder does hold 10 rounds...two more than my J frame Smith...so that may be part of the problem. And while I don't have to beat on the ejector rod to get 'em out, it is sticky....

So, overall I like it a lot and I'm a dyed in the wool, Smith guy. It's easily the most accurate of my .22 revolvers: (four Smiths on J & K frames, an original 1960 Colt Diamondback, and a Ruger SS). I really like its size, just enough smaller than my M-18 Smith and a bit more hand-filling than S&W's J frame models to make it an easy choice for woods walks, here on our farm. It's an all-day gun, comfortable on the belt in a good OWB scabbard, IMHO.

I'm going to give it a six month's warm up then change out the front sight for a Baughman ramped steel post (if I can find one) or Wilson Combat's Gold Bead, and maybe change out the rear as well for one of their custom models. Too, the rubber grips will go as soon as Altamont comes up with something that doesn't look like a Dick Tracy wannabee snubby.

It's a great gun, expensive, yep...but what a shooter!!! Best Regards, Rod

 

A

I've had one for a week or so...KY Gun Co. in Louisville had six (6) of them in stock and I got to examine them all. Currently, I've got ~125 rounds through the gun. DA triggers on all were outstanding, better than my beloved M-18 Smith in fact. Zero stacking, in this one and a buttery DA trigger pull...Old Colt's had that miserable trait ruined many a DA target and consequently, colored my opinion of all Colt revolvers for decades

Fit and finish were excellent though out. But what's with the flattened out bottom of the trigger guard? Did somebody in the prototype shop drop these new Colts? It's a cosmetic thing, I know, but ***!

Sights: Why put a ?Tactical? fiber optic front sight on a .22 that's advertised as a "Target" model. They look flimsy in my estimation and do not give as a good paper target sight picture. The rear sight too, is not up to Gold Cut standards. Windage is adjusted with a small screw on the right side, then held in place supposedly by a micro allen screw (size 0.050") which needs a spot of lock tite to keep it from migrating off the gun. Too, the elevation screw, easily 2x bigger than the windage feels loose when compared to a Smith from any decade. Given the price of the King Cobra, MSRP $999, the sights do not measure up for quality nor function.

Accuracy, Superb....at 15 yds, from my antiquated modified Weaver stance, unsupported, it's producing 10 shot groups hovering right at an inch and I can't do any better with my M-41 Smith, nor the M-18. CCI Sub-Sonic and Mini-Mags are the current winners. But I haven't had time nor the Wx to test any others...this is one accurate gun. It's got the bbl. and those good/great DA and SA triggers to make for a fine shooter. I'm looking forward to testing it at 25 & 50 yds from a solid rest.

Size/Feel/Grips...while the size and feel of the gun in the hand is just right for my size (L) paws, Colt chose to curse it with RUBBER GRIPS...
On a Thousand dollar revolver? that's so good in other respects?....they could've done better!! What were they thinking? I'm just hoping that Altamont sees fit to offer their wonderful "Roper" target models (in real walnut) for the King Cobra Target .22, or they could down-size one of the target types currently available for the new Pythons and Anacondas.

Even with those abominable grips, the gun hangs beautifully in offhand, with just the right amt of muzzle weight. And despite the less than satisfactory sights, it's an easy revolver to hit with...I attribute that to its lovely DA trigger. So good, that it makes you want to stay in the quick fire mode since you're getting almost as good groups as with the SA mode. Geez, it shoots great.

Function: No malfunctions aside from somewhat sticky ejection. With both types of CCI listed above, it's about like a semi-tight chambered M-18 or K-22 Smith. While I've cleaned the chambers thoroughly, it may need a finish reamer job to cure the problem. The cylinder does hold 10 rounds...two more than my J frame Smith...so that may be part of the problem. And I don't have to beat on the ejector rod to get 'em out, but it is sticky....

So, overall I like it a lot and I'm a dyed in the wool, Smith guy. It's easily the most accurate of my .22 revolvers: (four Smiths on J & K frames, an original 1960 Colt Diamondback, and a Ruger SS). I really like its size, just enough smaller than my M-18 Smith and more hand-filling than S&W's J frame models to make it an easy choice for woods walks, here on our farm. It's an all-day gun, comfortable on the belt in a good OWB scabbard, IMHO.

I'm going to give it a six month's warm up then change out the front sight for a Baughman ramped steel post, and maybe change out the rear for one of the boutique custom models. Too, the rubber grips will go as soon as Altamont comes up with something that doesn't look like a Dick Tracy wannabee snubby.

It's a great gun, expensive, yep...but what a shooter!!! Best Regards, Rod

A good review, Rod. I’ve always been a Smith guy, but I have one on order.
My dealer gave me a good price, but was vague when it might come in. Two weeks into the wait game.
I too, would like a non fiber front sight and wood grips. ( solid wood, not plywood)

I believe HRV grip company has some, but all of them have ugly laser checkering schemes.

 

I bought a new KC 22 just after Thanksgiving. Quality Control? the one I bought had a little scratch on the frame from the punch slipping when installing the pin on the rear sight. It was declared a "Blemish" and I got a $100 discount. Other than that the gun runs beautifully. Very light trigger for a .22 revolver. I don't mind the rubber grips, but I wish they were a little bigger.

 

Got mine about 2 weeks ago, very nice. The only issue I have is ejecting spent rounds. Very tight. Ejector works fine with no rounds and ammo seems to have plenty of room but when fired you cannot eject with your hand, I use a spent round over the ejector rod. Will be contacting Colt.

 

Try another brand of ammunition first.

 

I did. CCI Stinger, Federal punch, Aguila SV And others.

 

I just picked one up yesterday at my LGS. Fit and finish are impeccable and I am looking forward to sighting it in sometime soon.

I wish I had been able to find one a year ago, but, they are very scarce. Last year my LGS had an S&W 63-5 in stock and it was the first .22 SS revolver of that size (J frame, as I found the K frame .22's too bulky) that I had seen in quite a long time. So, I bought it and was surprised how S&W quality has deteriorated over the years. These are the issues I have had with it:

1. The cut in the rear sight was not deep enough to show the entirety of the orange circle of the front sight, so, I had to file it deeper.
2. The grip was nowhere fit for anyone, except maybe a preteen. I replaced it with a Pachmayr.
3. The finish was not as smooth as one would expect for the price.
4. Upon attempting to sight it in, cartridge heads would contact the firing pin bushing and made cylinder rotation very, very difficult.
5. One of my first rounds splattered my cheek with lead fragments.
6. Off to S&W it went to correct the bushing and cone issues, which they corrected.
7. Accuracy has been so-so, as there is substantial creep, unlike the Colt. The 3" barrel may also have some impact. It can't be my age (79).

The action on the S&W is very smooth, however. I hope the Colt will get there as I oil and work the moving parts.

I have had Colts before: a .357 Python in the late '60's, a .357 Trooper in the early '70's, a .45 LC Peacemaker in the early '80's, a nickel .357 Cobra in the mid '80's and a .22 Diamondback in the late '80's. I only had one issue with any of them and it was an insufficient cylinder-barrel gap on the Peacemaker that required a return to Colt for correction.

So, I'm up for Colt and down for S&W.

 

So, I'm up for Colt and down for S&W.

I'm not too far behind you (65), so I've seen some things. I've worked gun shops and/or gun shows for over 30 years. Taken in all sorts of trades, looked at older guns on other tables, etc. All mfgrs have had their eras of crappy quality.

Colt went on strike back in the early 1970s (I think it was) & years later their employees told (bragged?) how they sandbagged/sabotaged the guns in production so they would have things wrong with them. Good old UAW union help.....................

Sadly, Smith seems to be having theirs currently. Beretta is as well. Since moving production to TN, Beretta has gone to hail in a handbasket, IMO. I've seen Beretta owners showing machining chatter, just awful barrel bores & off-center barrels in the slide. Beretta has told them "no problems found".

Smith moved some production to TN, but not a lot. I don't know which models are here now, I should know that as I'm a Smith junkie. 😖

CZ-USA owns Colt now, in case you didn't know that. Many Colt owners think the quality has gone up since they bought Colt. I know my CZ's are excellent builds.

I've only bought a few Smiths that were recent makes in the last 10 years or so. A 19C (.357mag with a comp), a 648 (.22mag) & a 22A-1. Thankfully, all have been trouble free.

Unlike vehicles (or women, LOL!), age on a revolver doesn't detract from its value nor its performance. Stick with the pre-lock years & you'll most likely have an excellent gun with no issues, IMO.

My .o2

 

Locktite doesn't really "lock" screws/nuts, it just fills the gaps in the threads between the screw and the threaded recipient with a plastic-like substance that keeps them from loosening due to jarring/vibrations. Locktite "blue" is the least "locking" and does not keep the screws from being turned with minor torque. I use the "red" version for large nuts and bolts (e.g.: strut tower braces on my cars) and I have no trouble loosening these.

The windage adjustment screw on the Cobra has no detents to prevent it from moving, hence the locking screw. I don't understand Colt's purpose for not using detents on both the windage and elevation screws, but, there must have been one.

 

I had the same issue the first time at the range. I hadn't done a thorough cleaning of the firearm prior to the visit. Since then I have done a very thorough cleaning of the barrel and especially the chambers, finishing them off with patches I cut from a Birchwood Casey lead remover & polishing cloth. The amount of "crud" I removed from the chambers was astonishing! I am looking forward to my next outing, which should be soon.
I suggest you try this cleaning method (or one similar) before contacting Colt, as it may just be buildup in the chambers from test firings by Colt.

 

Cleaning is a must out of the box. I finish my cylinders with Ronson’s Lighter fluid on a Q-tip and my spent shells eject with almost no effort. Same holds true for high velocity ammo, which I only test fire with. STD velocity CCI is it’s regular diet and switch to SK Match Rifle when shooting bullseye matches for rimfire.

 

I just picked up a 6 inch Cobra .22 acouple of days ago. The revolver came in dirty, no attempt seemed to have been made to clean the revolver.
The red cylinder protector was missing, that I got with my four inch revolver. The left side of the barrel has a mean looking gouge from either letting
the buffing wheel dig in, or trying to buff out a deep flaw. Either way, this pistol is a second to me, especially after paying a thousand bucks for it.
They have sent me a call tag, update will follow. It is the exact opposite of the four inch Cobra .22 I bought, it is flawless.

 

Did you get it from a reputable dealer? Got mine from SCHEELS and it came in pristine and shoots as good as it looks.
Sorry your having to deal with those issues on a new firearm.

 

Well, The pistol came in from CDNN. I have never had problems with them as a dealer. The buffing mistake had to be factory. I have always gotten factory sealed weapons from them before.

 

Locktite doesn't really "lock" screws/nuts, it just fills the gaps in the threads between the screw and the threaded recipient with a plastic-like substance that keeps them from loosening due to jarring/vibrations. Locktite "blue" is the least "locking" and does not keep the screws from being turned with minor torque. I use the "red" version for large nuts and bolts (e.g.: strut tower braces on my cars) and I have no trouble loosening these.

The windage adjustment screw on the Cobra has no detents to prevent it from moving, hence the locking screw. I don't understand Colt's purpose for not using detents on both the windage and elevation screws, but, there must have been one.

A

A good review, Rod. I’ve always been a Smith guy, but I have one on order.
My dealer gave me a good price, but was vague when it might come in. Two weeks into the wait game.
I too, would like a non fiber front sight and wood grips. ( solid wood, not plywood)

I believe HRV grip company has some, but all of them have ugly laser checkering schemes.

When wood grips get to be over 180 bucks, I’ll pass every time. My wallet could stand it, but I won’t .

 

Hogue has wood grips as low as $79 bucks . Cobra target and king cobra target .22 use the same grips.

 

………

 

Taking a gamble on a 4.25 from Kentucky GunCo...

 

Picked a 4.25 up a few days ago. No issues yet other than the less than stellar sights. Action is better than a recent production 617 I've got. Wish it had a wider hammer. Case extraction occasionally stiff but not bad. Nothing like my 325 Nightguard that won't extract.

Great Job CZ-Colt.

 

Back in Jan. I posted that I was happy with my King Cobra .22. Things have changed! My Firing Pin Bushing moved forward and closed up the headspacing so that the cylinder wouldn't close with cartridges in the chambers.

I sent the revolver back to Colt and 8 weeks later the gun was sent back to me. Colt said that they "pinned" the bushing, but it seemed that they did not reset the bushing, i.e. the headspacing was still to small to chamber rounds. I sent it back the next day. MAYBE I will have an opperating revolver by Sept. I had sent a Ruger GP100 back for 4 problems, it was returned in two weeks and everything was fixed. If a manufactured has poor Q.C. you would hope that they'd have good customer service.

 

Back in Jan. I posted that I was happy with my King Cobra .22. Things have changed! My Firing Pin Bushing moved forward and closed up the headspacing so that the cylinder wouldn't close with cartridges in the chambers.
I sent the revolver back to Colt and 8 weeks later the gun was sent back to me. Colt said that they "pinned" the bushing, but it seemed that they did not reset the bushing, i.e. the headspacing was still to small to chamber rounds. I sent it back the next day. MAYBE I will have an opperating revolver by Sept.

Did you include a written note/letter outlining the issue? If you did, I would be PO'd as all get out.

 

Doesn't surprise me the repair staff maybe didn't read the return info. Places all over are filled with incompetent hires.

I believe I would've made a VERY unhappy phone call to their service dept.

 

I bought a new Colt King Cobra about a month ago from Scheels that I haven't shot yet. I bess be doing that.

 

Following
Looking
Contemplating
(6” version)

 

Following
Looking
Contemplating
(6” version)

I went with the 6" version as well.