Henry Rifle Forums

Picked up a 3" Colt King Cobra in 357mag today. I ordered it a week ago so the delivery was fast. Nice smooth trigger SA/ DA and feels good at 28 ozs. Tight, seems well made but I may replace the front sight. Not real fond of the brass button and will probably go with a high viz replacement. I carried revoIvers back in the 80s when I got my first CCW until about 15 years ago when I transitioned to semi autos. Lately I have gone back to carrying a S&W 38 J frame and felt it was time to get a new carry gun in 357 mag. I am comfortable with a revolver, I was seeing good reviews on the new Snake Guns so it was an easy choice.
When the rain stops I will go try it out. Mean while I am going to order a holster from Kirkpatrick.Here is the inspector general giving me approval to bring a new gun into his house.

Congratulations, Ernie. I have one with a 2" barrel and I really like it. Not that I ever have, but I bought it as a "potential" carry gun. I also wanted a .357 DA revolver. I shoot the same, fairly mild .357 handloads that I use in my Big Boy and Single Action revolver. It has a stout, but not unpleasant recoil in the King Cobra. The last time I took it to the range, I ran a box of fifty and enjoyed each shot. I think the Hogue grips absorb a lot of energy.

By the way, I also live with an inspector general who looks quite a bit like your friend.

Beautiful gun. Enjoy, have fun and I'm glad to see the inspector general gave his approval.

Paul

Good to hear, Ernie. I've gone back to revolvers, too. I was using semi autos for my potential carry guns and loved the way they shoot, but my old nemesis of arthritis keeps creeping back at unexpected times, so now I just carry a revolver and call it good. Better option for me and, hey, I love revolvers, any way.

Let us know how that Colt shoots for you. Looks impressive.

I'm looking forward to your shooting results. Congrats on a nice revolver.

Nice Ernie I hope it gives you trouble free service out of the box

Congrats on the new wheel gun.
Always liked the look of those Colts, and that barrel length looks great.

Range closed this weekend. I have an assortment of ammo but will have to wait another week.

Congrats on the new Colt, Ernie.
I have one of the originals, mine has the 6" barrel.

RP

Got to the range today. Shot 110 gr & 158 gr 38 cal as well as 125 gr and 158 gr 357. 50 rounds each 38 and 357. Gun definitely likes the 158 gr 357 better. Targets were tough to starting out as I have blurry vision in my right eye and had surgery on that eye 4 weeks ago. Can't see very well so after 50 shots I figured I would try cross eye. My left is 20/20. That was better but it will take MORE practice. I was shooting 30 feet and was keeping shots in about 6". Can't blame the gun. Before I left I took some shots at 40 yards just because and I was hitting in about 18" circle just point shooting. That was fun and I left feeling better. Will go back soon.

Ernie wrote: ↑

Thu May 29, 2025 2:21 pm

Got to the range today. Shot 110 gr & 158 gr 38 cal as well as 125 gr and 158 gr 357. 50 rounds each 38 and 357. Gun definitely likes the 158 gr 357 better. Targets were tough to starting out as I have blurry vision in my right eye and had surgery on that eye 4 weeks ago. Can't see very well so after 50 shots I figured I would try cross eye. My left is 20/20. That was better but it will take MORE practice. I was shooting 30 feet and was keeping shots in about 6". Can't blame the gun. Before I left I took some shots at 40 yards just because and I was hitting in about 18" circle just point shooting. That was fun and I left feeling better. Will go back soon.

I hope the eye surgery continues to improve, Ernie. Sounds like you had a great time, regardless. I've only fired jacketed 158gr .357s in mine, so thanks for the report about the calibers and bullets.

A buddy of mine picked up a barely-used one recently at a really good price. They're outstanding guns!

Congratulations! I have the 2" carry version as well. I like it! The trigger pull is long, yet smooth. I could probably shot 357s in it all day long. I was not planning to buy another revolver. When I dry fired it, I decided that I would take it home. My wife and I were looking for her a handgun. For whatever reason, the owner handed me a Smith and Wesson Bodyguard then a Colt. I guess he wanted to buy something too. I was not impressed with the Bodyguard. But, the Colt caught my attention. However, it went back to the factory first. The lockup was not tight at times. However, it has been tight since the return trip. Nonetheless, happy shooting!

I was pleased with the light recoil when shooting 357. I expected to shoot six shots and have to switch to 38 but it was not that bad. Holster is supposed to get here Monday. That is pretty quick turnaround for custom made holster.

I have been looking for a 357 with a 4 inch barrel. LGS had some vintage Colts for a ridiculous amount, a couple of Rugers that I wasn't fond of and some S&W with the locks that I refuse to buy. I looked hard at a Taurus 686 with 4 inch barrel and took it home since it looked fine and the price was right. Put about 24 rounds through it and was really not pleased. At 15 yards I was shooting with about a 12 inch spread. Thinking it might be me I shot 12 rounds with the King Cobra and determined it was the gun. Cleaned it and took it back to the LGS yesterday to order a new Python. Ordered a 357 mag Python in ss with a 4.25 inch barrel and Hogue grips. Negotiated a trade for the Taurus and an older 22 Buckmark pistol to take some of the sting away. It should be here in a week. I am gravitating back to more revolvers.

Ernie,

I bought the wife a Taurus 856 which she didn't care for due to the very heavy trigger pull, something like fourteen pounds. I ordered a spring kit for the gun, recommended by another member here, and swapped out the springs, dropping the double action pull into the nine pound range. Groups dropped dramatically. The 856 is a six shot 38, about half the cost of a Smith. I'll keep it, likely be a knock around gun.