Colt King Cobra .357 Magnum Handgun—It’s one mean snake!

Although no long manufactured, the Colt King Cobra pistol in .357 can still be found and is an excellent weapon for field or defense.

By any mention of the name, Colt is indeed a legend. From the early frontier-western days, through two world wars, to modern day, Colt firearms have faithfully served civilians, police and military alike.

Growing up I was fascinated with the entire Colt line as I still am today. When I was 14-years-old, I acquired a .22 caliber Colt SAA, Florida Sesquicentennial model—complete with gold inlay and hardwood case. It was a fine firearm to shoot and one that accompanied me on many an adventure.

Another favorite to carry later as an adult was one mean snake—the legendary Colt King Cobra in .357 Magnum—that was manufactured between 1986-1998 except for a two year period.

Most pistol shooters are familiar with Colt’s Python, but many may not know of its close cousin. Like the Python, it is a double-action, reliable, hard hitting, and well-made handgun.

But unlike the Python, which costs upward to $2,000, the King Cobra’s price tag is a reasonable $850. This is great for shooters wanting a quality pistol, but who don’t want to shell out the money for the more famous snake.

Despite the lower price tag, this is not a low-price gun—just the opposite. The King Cobra’s action is smooth—finely tuned, with a crisp, clean trigger pull.

The matte stainless finish gives it an eloquent look and feel, but this pistol is at home on the street or in the woods.

Adjustable rear sight outlined in white and a front sight with orange insert, allow for quick and easy target alignment and acquisition.

Black neoprene grips make for a comfortable, stable shooting platform, which certainly won’t slip from your palm under the most wet or humid conditions.

Loading and unloading the King Cobra is smooth with no jamming or stuck cases, making for rapid reloads using speed loaders.

Combine all of these features with the punch of the time-tested .357 Magnum, and you have a perfect pistol, whether it is for hunting whitetails or in the line of duty.

Overall, I rate the King Cobra A+ for its excellent workmanship, great quality, reliability, accurateness and affordability.

If you’re looking for a trusty companion when hitting the woods—look no more—because once you shoot it, the Colt King Cobra will be your number one choice.

Kevin Lee McIver

Groovy Outdoors Pro-Staff Team Lead