Difference between a Colt Python & Colt King Cobra

**RocketFoot** · November 16th, 2007, 04:05 PM

Does anyone know what the difference is between the King Cobra and the Python? I think they are both .357 otherwise...I dunno??

**knight0334** · November 16th, 2007, 04:17 PM

Pythons were hand fitted, assembled and finished. They also had a full length heavy-lugged barrel. minus all of that for the Troopers.

**BUCKMARK** · November 17th, 2007, 05:48 PM

Yeah pretty much what he said...

They are both based on the older Colt Trooper .357 mag. Both the Python and the King Cobra have the heavy lug barrel with the shrouded ejector rod.

The Python was a gun that was hand fitted and had more machining done to it. The Python came in Brite Stainless and Royal Blue ( both very nice) and it had a vent rib barrel.

The King Cobra was a production line gun that had a solid rib barrel. The average King Cobra was matte blasted stainless. Brite Stainless is kinda rare but was introduced. They also produced the King Cobra in Royal Blue, but they are really hard to find, and bring more money than the stainless guns in most cases.

I own 2 Pythons and one king Cobra along with my other Colts. Both of these snake guns are great shooters and I would be very happy with either!

**Mity2** · November 18th, 2007, 01:55 AM

my understanding is that the King Cobra was based on the earlier Trooper (such as the venerable Trooper Mk III) revolvers but featured a more modern design with full length underbarrel lug and solid top barrel rib, and more modern user friendly adjustable rear sights. It was basically intended as a less expensive alternative to the Colt Python

**RocketFoot** · November 18th, 2007, 10:30 AM

Great inf guys, thanks. The Cobra I'm lookin at is bright stainless! I also noticed a small difference on the end of the barrels, the Cobra has a bevel and the Python doesn't. Hammers are a little different too.

**gold cup 26** · November 18th, 2007, 12:27 PM

The Python was also available in a nickel finish. Could be mistaken for bright stainless by an uninformed newbie. Not that there's anything wrong with that ( nickel or being a newbie).

**normanvin** · November 18th, 2007, 03:37 PM

i have heard that the python can be a little on the finiky side. what do you guys think.

**Frenchy** · November 18th, 2007, 05:47 PM

One is pre strike, the other ost strike, that makes the differance in th eprice and the finish too.

Pre strike guns are worth more because they where all well smithed inside, the post strike guns are rough(er)