Colt Cobra vs. Colt Dectetive revolvers - The Firearms Forum

Cowbuddy406 · 06-04-2010, 11:21 AM

Hello fellow gun owners. I am new to this forum and hope I can get some helpful insight as to choosing a lightweight quality revolver for personal carry. I have a very nice SIG P245 with night sites that is a great shooter and I have all the confidence in the world in it. However, it is heavy. I am a Colt fan, always have been and always will be. So I have decided to purchase a second concealed carry handgun, a revolver, and like the Colt Agent, Cobra and Detective Special models. The Agent and Cobra are lightweight, 14 and 15 oz. respectivly, while the Detective comes in at 21 oz. My question is how much difference would I notice between the lighter weight Colt vs. the Detective? Since the Detective is all steel I do tend to lean towards it but if I received enough feedback that the Cobra, or Agent, was the cat's meow, I would probably go to the Cobra (or Agent).

Please let me hear from those of you who have some experience in working with or carrying both models.

Thanking you in advace,

Cowbuddy406

oscarmayer · 06-04-2010, 11:34 AM

you'll notice about 6 oz of difference

, but seriously i'd go with the cobra, the extra weight of the detective special will wear on you, but consider this it'll hold up longer . if you plan on shooting it a little but carry it alot go lighter. now the debate is still on going about +P's in the cobra, but again if you plan on shoting it hardly go lighter . but if you practice alot not only will the steel frame hold up better it'll also soak up recoil better. the grip frame on the agent doesn't fit me well so between the 3 you listed i'd stay away from the smaller grip of the agent but thats just me your hands might fit it better.. now yet another choice if you want to stay with a colt if you elect to go with the detective consider the lawman with a 2 in barrel. you'll have a 357 mag option.

pinecone70 · 06-04-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oscarmayer

you'll notice about 6 oz of difference

, but seriously i'd go with the cobra, the extra weight of the detective special will wear on you, but consider this it'll hold up longer . if you plan on shooting it a little but carry it alot go lighter. now the debate is still on going about +P's in the cobra, but again if you plan on shoting it hardly go lighter . but if you practice alot not only will the steel frame hold up better it'll also soak up recoil better. the grip frame on the agent doesn't fit me well so between the 3 you listed i'd stay away from the smaller grip of the agent but thats just me your hands might fit it better.. now yet another choice if you want to stay with a colt if you elect to go with the detective consider the lawman with a 2 in barrel. you'll have a 357 mag option.

I agree with the above. For comfortable shooting, a heavier firearm is always the best choice. For carry comfort, a lighter frame is the way to go.

Oh! Welcome to the forum, too!

Terry_P · 06-04-2010, 02:56 PM

Just curious why two revolvers that are no longer made?

Ursus · 06-04-2010, 07:22 PM

Because he¨is a Colt fan?

fleetwood1976 · 06-04-2010, 09:42 PM

I accidently shot +p in my cobra and will not be doing it again. Nothing happened but I do not think it would do it very many times. mine is a 1961 and well used, so that might be why it did not do so well with them.

BigEasy · 06-04-2010, 11:43 PM

I carry concealed everyday in my front pocket either a Colt Cobra
or a Detective Special. The weight difference is not noticeable.
They are both very well made and great shooters.

I carry in an Uncle Mike's holster in my front pocket. I carry in jeans,
khakis, cargo shorts or any other pants. If I wear a suit, the Colt
and holster fit perfectly into a inside pocket

Good Luck,

Thanks,

Dan

Terry_P · 06-05-2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ursus

Because he¨is a Colt fan?

I know and they are both excellent it's just with a current model you get warranty coverage and support. I passed on a new stainless dick special in the 90's and have kicked my own butt ever since. My SP101 has filled the void and is a great carry piece but it would be nice to have the Det Spl as well.

trex1310 · 06-06-2010, 10:31 AM

I'm a Colt fan too. I carry a Detective Special all the time. I load it with normal pressure 158 grain hollowpoints. The grips are rosewood replicas.

Laserlips · 06-12-2010, 07:02 PM

JMOfartO:

I have two Cobra's and one DS.

The DS is a pretty sucker..

When I chose to carry a Colt snubby for cc the Cobra's get the nod every time.

The difference in weight between the Cobra and DS may not sound like a big deal, but FOR ME, it "feels" like a big deal.

Both revolvers are in my opinion the "high water" mark for American made snubby's.

You won't be disappointed with either..

Just personal opinion, no offense to those who might disagree.

Best Wishes,

jesse

P.S. And, blasphemy: I find the J-frame Smith 638 Airweight Bodyguard a better choice than ANY snubby I've ever owned. The 638 has a much better very light target trigger (smooth vs serrated) and is S W E E T... Add Crimson Trace Lasergrips and it's about as good a small revolver as you will ever find.

06-04-2010, 11:21 AM	#1
Cowbuddy406 Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1	Colt Cobra vs. Colt Dectetive revolvers Hello fellow gun owners. I am new to this forum and hope I can get some helpful insight as to choosing a lightweight quality revolver for personal carry. I have a very nice SIG P245 with night sites that is a great shooter and I have all the confidence in the world in it. However, it is heavy. I am a Colt fan, always have been and always will be. So I have decided to purchase a second concealed carry handgun, a revolver, and like the Colt Agent, Cobra and Detective Special models. The Agent and Cobra are lightweight, 14 and 15 oz. respectivly, while the Detective comes in at 21 oz. My question is how much difference would I notice between the lighter weight Colt vs. the Detective? Since the Detective is all steel I do tend to lean towards it but if I received enough feedback that the Cobra, or Agent, was the cat's meow, I would probably go to the Cobra (or Agent). Please let me hear from those of you who have some experience in working with or carrying both models. Thanking you in advace, Cowbuddy406 -->

06-04-2010, 11:34 AM	#2
oscarmayer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Contributor Posts: 2,387	Re: Colt Cobra vs. Colt Dectetive revolvers you'll notice about 6 oz of difference , but seriously i'd go with the cobra, the extra weight of the detective special will wear on you, but consider this it'll hold up longer . if you plan on shooting it a little but carry it alot go lighter. now the debate is still on going about +P's in the cobra, but again if you plan on shoting it hardly go lighter . but if you practice alot not only will the steel frame hold up better it'll also soak up recoil better. the grip frame on the agent doesn't fit me well so between the 3 you listed i'd stay away from the smaller grip of the agent but thats just me your hands might fit it better.. now yet another choice if you want to stay with a colt if you elect to go with the detective consider the lawman with a 2 in barrel. you'll have a 357 mag option.

06-04-2010, 02:56 PM	#4
Terry_P Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NH Posts: 2,513	Re: Colt Cobra vs. Colt Dectetive revolvers Just curious why two revolvers that are no longer made? __________________ NRA and NAHC Life "Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of their arms." -Aristotle

06-04-2010, 07:22 PM	#5
Ursus Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: El Salvador, Central America. Posts: 1,030	Re: Colt Cobra vs. Colt Dectetive revolvers Because he¨is a Colt fan? __________________ SI VIS PACEM, PARABELLUM.

06-04-2010, 09:42 PM	#6
fleetwood1976 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Southern Indiana Contributor Posts: 1,339	Re: Colt Cobra vs. Colt Dectetive revolvers I accidently shot +p in my cobra and will not be doing it again. Nothing happened but I do not think it would do it very many times. mine is a 1961 and well used, so that might be why it did not do so well with them.

06-04-2010, 11:43 PM	#7
BigEasy Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4	Re: Colt Cobra vs. Colt Dectetive revolvers I carry concealed everyday in my front pocket either a Colt Cobra or a Detective Special. The weight difference is not noticeable. They are both very well made and great shooters. I carry in an Uncle Mike's holster in my front pocket. I carry in jeans, khakis, cargo shorts or any other pants. If I wear a suit, the Colt and holster fit perfectly into a inside pocket Good Luck, Thanks, Dan

06-06-2010, 10:31 AM	#9
trex1310 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 72	Re: Colt Cobra vs. Colt Dectetive revolvers I'm a Colt fan too. I carry a Detective Special all the time. I load it with normal pressure 158 grain hollowpoints. The grips are rosewood replicas. Attached Images __________________ Vietnam Vet 67-68 NRA Life Member Certified in laziness Certified in watching TV Certified in napping Certified in BBQ on the Green Egg

06-12-2010, 07:02 PM	#10
Laserlips V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 72	Re: Colt Cobra vs. Colt Dectetive revolvers JMOfartO: I have two Cobra's and one DS. The DS is a pretty sucker.. When I chose to carry a Colt snubby for cc the Cobra's get the nod every time. The difference in weight between the Cobra and DS may not sound like a big deal, but FOR ME, it "feels" like a big deal. Both revolvers are in my opinion the "high water" mark for American made snubby's. You won't be disappointed with either.. Just personal opinion, no offense to those who might disagree. Best Wishes, jesse P.S. And, blasphemy: I find the J-frame Smith 638 Airweight Bodyguard a better choice than ANY snubby I've ever owned. The 638 has a much better very light target trigger (smooth vs serrated) and is S W E E T... Add Crimson Trace Lasergrips and it's about as good a small revolver as you will ever find. __________________ "Laus Deo"