The Colt Bright Cobra has a very high polished finish and stainless steel construction. (Photo: Colt)
Colt’s Manufacturing is unveiling the latest addition to the revamped line of Cobra-series revolvers, the Bright Cobra! This high-polish revolver follows the Night Cobra as the third new double-action revolver from the Connecticut-based company.
The Bright Cobra is tailored to enthusiasts and shooters looking for something flashy to add to their collection. Still, there’s no mistaking the Bright Cobra for a shooter—the small-frame revolver is rated for the hottest modern .38 Special loads.
The newest Cobra is a double-action, single-action six-shot revolver. It uses Colt’s Linear Leaf mainspring to give it a very smooth, consistent trigger pull. In double-action it has a factory 7-9-pound trigger, and in single-action the trigger breaks at 3-4 pounds.
Chambered for .38 Special +P, the Bright Cobra is a modern 6-shot revolver more than capable for self-defense. (Photo: Colt)
It gets its name from the high-gloss polished stainless steel construction. It has a compact frame with wooden medallion boot-cut grips embellished with the Colt logo.
The Bright Cobra is built for everyday carry with an oversize trigger guard, a brass bead front sight and a notched frame for a snag-free rear sight. The front sight is user-serviceable and can be removed by loosening a simple set screw.
It has a 2-inch barrel and measures in at just over 7 inches long, just under 5 inches tall and only 1.4 inches wide at the cylinder. Unloaded it weighs 25 ounces which is a happy medium between light enough to carry and heavy enough for high-pressure loads.
Whether you’re looking for a Cobra for carry or for show this one delivers on both fronts. There’s almost nothing like the Bright Cobra in production today, and that makes it really stand out.
The price is up there—suggested retail price is expected to be in the $1,100-1,300 range—and even though real-world prices will be less than MSRP, it’s clear that Colt can pick their price when there’s no competition.
See Also: Colt Updates the Cobra for the Night with Concealed-Carry Model
If you want a new-production Cobra the standard model and Night Cobra are downright affordable starting around $600-700. The night Cobra — with its bobbed hammer, black DLC finish and front night sight — costs a little more in the mid-$800 range.
In any of its three configurations, the new Colt Cobras are proving themselves to be modern self-defense guns, not just collector pieces. They’re making sure the revolver stays relevant well into the 21st century.
3/4″ longer than a S&W J-frame, so not a pocket carry gun..
In the old days that’d be a skilled fellow and lotsa time in front of a polishing wheel.now the probably clamp it in a fixture and walk off while my computer does it
I see Colt is still over pricing their guns, might want to consider there is competition out there and who wants to carry a blinding reflective piece like that, give me a dull black finish any day!
If we keep begging and crying Colt will have to get to it and get two of the best revolvers made back in production, keep it up guys and Colt will eventually hear us. we need to get together and send a batch of letters to Colt. I like the little revolver but i am 4, 6 and 7 inch barrel guy
well i guess that the cobra is all wright. so if colt can make that weapon why can they not make the diamond back and python as they are the best ones that was made. as i carry the python doing my work as a police officer. and my weapon was stolen in my home state by a family member . a no count. and i can not replace it as colt stop making them . and i is a mad person. so make the good guns again colt.
I never cared for the dull finish on the Cobra. Now this is something I would consider buying. Colt, you did a good thing.
I picked up a S&W 586L, 7 rounds of 357, 3″brl, changed to a green FO front. Bought on a whim, shoots great. A bit heavy for concealed but it’s a sweetheart, love it.
I hate to think of what a Python II would cost and really doubt if it will match the original.
Looks good, but if I were in the market for a new revolver I would probably go with the new Smith @ Wesson Model 19. Ironically the old S&W Model 19 and a Colt Diamondback were my first handgun purchases back in the prehistoric 80’s. Both great revolvers, but do I wish I had them back? No, they both had a bad reputation for being weakly built.
Throw adjustable sights on it, a 2 & 1/2″ Barrel, and engrave DIAMONDBACK on it and I’ll stand in line to buy it. What is taking Colt so long. Better yet, chamber it in .357 and engrave Python II on it………..Art
Where’s a new Python? Where’s the mass production Single Action Army? Where’s the new Trooper? The Diamondback? The Anaconda? Endless variations in the finish of one model don’t get it done.
Here now, seeing the headline in my E-Mail – I thought this would be a hi-polish, blued example.
Hell – I could have pimp-nickled the first one if that’s what I wanted.
Todd.
I, like Alex have no trouble finding night sights.And I for one am happy to see Colts back in the revolver game.Revolvers are back!Well they never went away. For the last 30 years the Madison Avenue marketeers have convinced us that high capacity plastic autoloaders are the only solution to social problems.A revolver takes care of 99% of my needs.My days of working in 3 man combat fire and maneuver teams are long over. My little 638 goes wherever I go these days.So if a new Python is introduced I’ll get one.
If you can’t shoot them… blind them with it.
Another dumb marketing move. Most companies trot out a pretty model first, their workhorse version a bit later. A gun this size and weight should be chambered in 357. Their first issues were and are ugly, poorly finished and overpriced. Kimber proved you can sell a thousand dollar snub revolver, and make it pretty and functional. Colt-I’m still waiting. (Okay, not really, cause I doubt Colt can produce a revolver I want to buy anymore.)
Colt needs to complete the pimpification and put fake pearl grips on it.
Like others have said, bring on the Python🐍
That’s the only model I’m waiting for.
Colt will be ready to with a new Python “like” pistol to cash in when all interest is faded.
They just move to slow as a company.
Sorry guys, to call something a carry gun without offering night sights or at least a front night sight is silly.
I believe that is the reason for the decline of the revolver in the 90s. I would have gladly carried my old 686 on duty if someone offered a night sight option instead of the Glock I was issued which had standard night sights.
Offer it or any other good small or medium frame revolver with a night sight option and I will readily buy one.
Until then enjoy living in the late 80s and I will carry almost ANY pistol made with their offered night sight option.
I am less worried about the ” Bump in the Daytime” as I am about the “Bump in the DARK”.
But then again, what do i know, i am just a potential customer.
Seriously? I am a police officer in Brazil and I always was able to buy Meprolight night sights for my SW J-frames and my trusty 66… I even bought a new set of XS night sights for my 7-shot 586 now that the tritium of its first set of Meprolights died… and I live 5,000 miles from the shops in USA where I bought them…
We are getting closer and closer to the new Python and Anaconda. Colt is obviously using the new Cobra as a beta to test the waters for the upcoming medium and large frame DA revolvers. Since this is the 3rd variation of the new Cobra, it is clearly time to move on to the next level. Colt needs to unleash the new Python at ShowShow 2019.
Glad the Cobra has been a sales sucess for Colt, they needed one. And it’s one of their traditional revolvers too. I just keep wishing for a target model. 6″ barrel and adjustable rear sight would do the trick.
Very nice, but nobody wanted this gun. Get on with it and bring back the Pythons and Anacondas already Colt!
Start a classics or legends line up and bring back the Python. Probably one of, if not the best, revolver there ever was.