+P Loads in alloy Colt Cobra

A

AlleyGator

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I just bought an alloy Colt Cobra in 38 spl at the local gun show. Is this gun capable of handling +P loads on a regular basis? This is my first Colt, so help me out Colt Fans. It has never been fired and is in like new condition, the trigger is sweeeet! :D
 
Contact Colt and ask them directly.

I would think that an alloy framed gun chambered in .38 special should NOT be fed a stead diet of +p's, but its best to actually ask Colt since they could give you a far more accurate answer than anyone on a message board could.
 
I have a Cobra, 2nd generation as well. Its my carry piece 95% of the time. Great little revolver, you're going to love it.
Paraphrasing the Owner's Manual; as to ammo, the Cobra is rated for use with +P. However a steady diet of +P will accelerate wear. Colt recommends a service check after 1000 rounds for the alloy frame D line of revolvers.
Take Care
 
This depends on the model of Cobra you have. Most of the older thin barrel guns were not factory rated for +P ammo.
The newer, post-1972 heavy shrouded barrel guns were rated for up to 1500 rounds, then the gun needed to be returned to Colt for possible frame replacement.

Since Colt no longer has any "D" frames for use as replacements, you might keep the amount of +P rounds down.

Still, this is the King of snubbys, and a few hundred rounds of +P won't ruin it. You own one of the finest defense guns ever made.
 
My answer is NO.
The alloy Cobra can handle hot[er] loads better than it's S&W competitor, the model 36/Chief's Special. As a carry gun it is excellent but if you need to carry a +P load it would be better to shoot a "regular" load for practice.
 
Personally, I would not feed any Colt D-frame or Smith &
Wesson J-frame a steady diet of +P ammunition. However,
I believe its O.K. to stoke these little revolvers with +P's
for self defense purposes.:)

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
A few (+P) loads is not likely to destroy most 38's. A steady diet of such loads could wear them out considerably faster than standard or target loads. If you really don't want to wear out a gun, don't shoot it at all.
 
Hello. What Ala Dan said.

I once ruined a non +P-rated S&W M37 by shooting hot handloads through it. No catastrophic failures, just frame stretching, which while invisible to the naked eye does show itself in increasingly large numbers of FTFs.

Shoot a few +P loads to determine POA with a non +P rated revolver (if you must) and use standard pressure for practice.

The only D-frame Colt I have is a Pre-71 Agent. I feed it only std pressure ammunition.

Best.
 
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