A couple of weeks ago I purchased a NIB Colt Cobra. I wanted to add to my Colt collection and use it as an upgrade pocket revolver in lieu of my nolock S&W models 638 or 642.
I took it to the range with my 1961 2nd Generation Detective Special, S&W 638, S&W Model 19 Combat Magnum 4" and my 6" Colt Trooper MkIII. I had a blast at the local indoor range and my friend and manager of the range helped me burn some .38 and .357 ammo. Every thing worked great and shot well except for the brand new Cobra.
First off it simply felt cheap when handling and dry firing. Trigger was great but it just sounded scratchy and funny. Hard to describe. When holding the 1961 DS and dry firing it, opening the cylinder and such the old "man hour intensive" quality shined like a beacon. The Cobra had none of it. When it came to trigger time it shot smooth and well but accuracy was abominable. The indoor range was limited to 50 feet. A hair over 16 yards. Using factory 158gr lead round nose my DS and 638 easily gave me DA groups of 3 inches and nicely centered. The Cobra was so far right that only three rounds hit the edge of the paper and those three rounds were 9+ inches. It was shooting a foot right and with a 9 to 10 inch group for me and the range manager. Same result with some Remington 125gr +P JHP. The Kentucky windage required shooting at the left edge of the target. Both of us were kicking butt with the other revolvers but the Cobra was a big disappointment.
I know that sending it back "might" get it fixed after a wait but not for me. Took it back to the gun shop for a full refund in store credit. As a retiree I have no time for lemons that do not shoot worth a darn.
Some of the "wonderful" reviews I read in magazines stoked the fires but looking back several alluded to "minor" accuracy issues. I hope Colt does not end up with another "All American 2000" gun disaster.