Colt brought the King Cobra back in 2019 as a mid-size .357 Mag built around a 3" barrel and a 28 oz stainless frame. It sits between pocket snubs and full-size target revolvers, which is exactly the gap most .357 buyers are trying to fill. The 6-round cylinder is one more than the 5-shot Ruger SP101, and the 3" barrel adds roughly 50 fps over a 2" snub while keeping the overall length at 8". The Hogue overmolded rubber grip tames recoil better than the wood grips found on the Python.

The 4.3 lb single-action pull is heavier than the Python's 3.5 lb break but lighter than most S&W factory triggers. The brass bead front sight and trench rear are simple, fast to pick up in low light, and appropriate for a gun meant for defensive distances. The original King Cobra ran from 1986 to 1998 and built a following among shooters who wanted Colt lockwork without the full-size Python frame. The reintroduction delivers the same idea in a modern package with the addition of a transfer bar safety.