The Colt King Cobra is a double-action revolver chambered in .357 Magnum with a 3-inch barrel and stainless steel construction. At 1.75 lbs. with a 6-round cylinder, it's a mid-size revolver that handles both .357 Magnum and .38 Special. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Model: King Cobra 
• Caliber: .357 Magnum 
• Action: Double Action 
• Capacity: 6 Rounds 
• Barrel Length: 3 inches 
• Weight: 1.75 lbs. 
• Sights: Single Bead Front Sight 
• Finish: Stainless Steel 
   

Features 

 
The double-action mechanism cycles the cylinder and cocks the hammer in a single trigger pull, which keeps the manual of arms simple. A 3-inch barrel is a reasonable middle ground: shorter than a 4-inch service revolver but long enough to get reasonable velocity from the .357 Magnum cartridge. 
 
Stainless steel resists corrosion without much maintenance, which matters for a holster gun that sees daily carry or field use. The snake scale walnut grips provide a firm hold and look distinctive. The single bead front sight is simple and fast to pick up. 
 

Usage 

 
The King Cobra works for home defense, field carry, or range work. It's compact enough to carry but heavy enough to absorb .357 Magnum recoil without unpleasantness. The stainless finish holds up to wet conditions better than blued steel. Cylinder capacity is six rounds, which is lower than most semi-auto alternatives, but the simplicity of the revolver operating system has its own appeal for some users.

The Colt King Cobra has a strong following, largely built on the revolver's reputation for tight construction and reliable lockwork. Owners frequently mention the stainless finish and snake scale walnut grips as standouts, and the 3-inch barrel gets credit for being a practical length for carry without sacrificing too much ballistics.

Recoil with .357 Magnum loads is considered manageable given the weight, and the balanced feel comes up regularly in range reports. The double-action trigger pull gets positive marks for smoothness on broken-in examples.

Original models attract collector interest, which pushes prices up. Some discussions center on whether paying collector prices for a carry gun makes sense versus using a current-production King Cobra. The six-round capacity and slower reload compared to semi-automatics is a standard discussion point but rarely a deal-breaker for buyers who specifically want a revolver.

The double-action pull is exceptionally slick, and the revolver handles just as well as it looks. Its stainless finish is beautiful, but that smooth action is what impressed me most.