With Colt ever expanding their line of revolvers, it made sense for them to introduce essentially a scaled-down King Cobra Target reviewed here to a .22 Long Rifle version. Currently available in a six-inch and four-and-a-quarter-inch barrel configuration. My test sample is the King Cobra Target four-and-a-quarter version, which is quite a nice rimfire revolver.
This revolver benefits from all the same advancements as the new Colt revolvers, such as better metallurgy, updated trigger mechanisms, and modern machining tolerances. The cylinder latch is the same as all others, on the port side, sliding to the rear, allowing the ten-round cylinder to swing out. Trigger pull was a smooth non, stacking eight and a half pounds in double action and a crisp three pounds in single action.
The rear target sight is all black and fully adjustable, contrasting well in the nondescript U notch to the orange fiber optic front sight. This is my preferred sight picture: no color rear sight and distinct front sight,
There were no issues with the revolver throughout about 1200 rounds of various types. This being a revolver. It is not dependent on energy from the round to actuate, so we had a lot of fun with CB Caps. For those who do not know, CB caps are .22 ultra-low velocity and quiet ammunition; they do not generate enough pressure to operate an autoloader. For me, .22 makes an excellent trainer for those new to handguns or revolvers, and with the CB Caps being so quiet, they work well for those who are noise-sensitive and have not gotten used to the report of a firearm.
Conclusions
The Colt King Cobra Target in .22 LR turned out to be a multi-faceted revolver. With my favorite aspect being the fun factor, everyone who shot it truly enjoyed the little .22, especially with .22 Short or CB Caps. The Colt would make a fine trainer, with the cost of centerfire ammunition so expensive now that the .22 has come down a bit; this revolver would be an excellent stand-in to keep your fine motor skills honed at a reduced cost. Also, in the training aspect, with a double action trigger pull about eight and a half pounds and a single action trigger pull of 3 pounds, this revolver would be ideal to introduce the new shooter to revolvers or shooting sports altogether. The shooting principles are the same for pistols and revolvers, so with a ten-shot cylinder, you are not disadvantaged by most .22 LR pistols. As far as self-defense or carry, well, to be honest, it would be better than harsh words but would not be my first choice unless .22 LR was about all you could manage. Overall, I am very satisfied with the Colt King Cobra Target and feel it was a sorely needed line to the Colt revolvers. As far as barrel length, while that is mostly preference with the six-inch, you will get a tad more velocity and a longer sight picture, but the four-and-a-quarter will be a bit easier to carry and wield.
Specifications
Material: stainless steel
Capacity: 10
OAL: 8.6″
Barrel length: 4 1/4″
Trigger pull: 8 1/2 pounds DA, 3 pounds SA
Weight: two pounds
Width: 1 1/2″
Rear sight: fully adjustable U notch
Front sight: orange fiber optic
MSRP $999
Acknowledgments