Now that the revolvers have been out for a few years, what is the general consensus on the quality? How do they compare to S&W and Ruger?

I am thinking of picking up a Cobra.

Whatever you do don’t order it . Buy from a store so you can give it a good inspection first . With that out of the way I look at all new revolvers that my LGS gets in and only one I saw (Colt ) that the QC was iffy . Bad end shake .

I have a King Cobra and it is excellent in every way.

I looked at the King Cobra, I bought a Smith 640.   The extra $300 ($699 vs $999) wasn't worth the extra shot, or the risk based on other's reports.  

Smith trigger is better, I can tell you that.  But, do your research.

ETA: https://www.ar15.com/forums/General/New-Colt-Python-chatter-marks-/5-2602678/

The money they get for revolvers now is criminal. If I was you, I'd get a Taurus. They're like 300 dollars.

Its a revolver. Twice the price for half the quality of the old school revolvers doesn't begin to justify it. Who pays 1k for a revolver? It's not even a collector's item. They're junky repros of stuff they stopped making 30 years ago plus.

I must have better luck.

I collect both Smith and Colt and my experience from the Cobra / King Cobra including the target to the new Python and Anacondas, they all have good triggers.  The DA only trigger on my Night Cobra is better than my Smith 642 out of the box.  The 642 was less expensive but it doesn't have a tritium front sight, DLC coating, high end composite grips either.  And I had to put a spring kit in it for the same trigger pull as the Night Cobra.  

But I carry the 642 way more due to it's size and weight.  

But to say a new 686 has a better trigger than a new Python, I can't really agree with that.  I have seen some real crap come out of S&W and I have seen some phenomenal examples.  Best Smith trigger I have bought in the last 20 years was a 625-8 at a S&W sale, if you bought a revolver they would tune the trigger on the spot, I'll stack that 625 against any revolver.  

My point being, the Colt triggers are fine, yep you might get one that is a little heavy, or an excellent one, just the same as a Smith.  But I dare you to find a current S&W with some of the features of a Colt, such as the rib and finish on the Python, the way the King Cobra handles full 357, the finish and fit of the Night Cobra..... for a better price.  

Taurus, LOL they are a good budget gun, that's it.

My 3” King Cobra is going back to Colt, I really like the gun, but the hammer broke.
I believe it is related to the trigger return spring issue.

I am going to pass on the Colt for this reason. I have read many reports of the hammers breaking.

I probably would not mind if Colt was willing to sell parts, but it appears that you have to ship the firearm back to them and wait 3 weeks every time you have a problem.

It's a shame. The Cobra I was looking at was a good looking gun. It was a polished finish, not the brushed stainless. (but it was the same model # and price of the brushed finish Cobras)

I really like my King Cobra Target.  The trigger is vy nice.

Just wish I could find a suitable holster for it.  The GP100 holster I've been using just isn't quite satisfactory.

Attached File

If the Colt Cobra had a firing pin attached to hammer, l would consider buying one.
I already own Ruger snub nose 357 with that transfer bar.  Not a fan of transfer bars.

My Python has been nothing but a joy to shoot. I can't speak for the Cobra but I do like the looks of them.

I have two Pythons, 2020 version, and they are the nicest revolvers I own. And I own more than a few revolvers from S&W, Ruger and Colt

Update on my Cobra. Sent it in right after the new year. Just got notification that it is in transit back.
They replaced the hammer. Can’t complain about the turn around time, I just hope that it is a permanent fix.
Colt was very easy to work with, at least the woman I dealt with.

I would say the same for S&W and Ruger.

Both have sent out some real crap recently

One could probably say the same about 99% of US gun mfgrs, IMO.

I've seen pics & read stories about some unbelievable turds coming from Beretta here in TN. The labor pool isn't what it used to be, sadly. Older "gun guys" are retiring off & they're being replaced with the "diversity" crowd, which doesn't seem to know which end of the bbl the rd comes out of, IMO. Add in the bean counters & production supervisors who want 10% more going out the door than what went out last week & you have the perfect recipe for a super nice goat screw, IMO.

yep

Recently added a Python to go with the King Cobra.  Supposedly a blemish but I can't find a mark on it.  

It is an absolute laser beam.  I have rifles that aren't that accurate.  My only complaint is the single action is a bit heavier than I would like but I'm hoping that improves with use.  The heavy single action seems to be the nature of the beast.

I looked at a new 3" King Cobra today at my LGS.  Beautiful gun.  Nice finish etc.  I had read about the problems folks are finding with the Python bores so I looked down this one.  I didn't see any chatter marks but was surprised to see bore was cut uneven.  That the lands on one side of the barrel were lighter than the other.  Literally could not see one of them.  Didn't buy it.

I have a python that I have not shot yet. But a co-worker just got one last week and he was getting light strikes right off the bat. He tried several types of ammo and still was getting light strikes. Colt said "Send it back and we'll repair it."

My Python has been flawless, can’t wait to pick up a 4” Ananconda.