So my Kid brought his new King Cobra Target .22 over last night and we compared it to my old Diamondback (and Python and original King Cobra .357). We haven't shot the KCT yet; hopefully, soon.
Functionally, the KCT is the equal of the DBK, with two “improvements”--it's stainless, and it's 10 shots instead of six. Weights are very similar, and the KCT is a little longer than the DBK due to its Canada-mandated 4 1/4” barrel. The KCT will DO anything the DBK will do.
In appearance, it's not quite a DBK. It actually reminds me more of a very high quality Taurus or Rossi DBK copy/knockoff than it does a real Colt DBK.
Overall quality seems to be excellent. The stainless steel is polished to a high shine and reminds me of old-school nickel plating. Personally, I prefer the “brushed” finished stainless of my old King Cobra and older S&Ws.
Front sight is a red fiber optic. Rear sight (adjustable) is plain black. I'm not a fan of fiber optic sights. This one at least is replaceable, so I'd imagine that sooner or later, someone will offer other options—plain black, red insert, white dot, tritium, etc.
The KCT barrel rib has three slots in it, rather than the old DBK's two. This is jarring and unpleasant to my old-school eye. Three slots are for 6” barrels, not 4” ones.
I don't have a trigger scale, just an experienced trigger finger. I thought the DA pull on the KCT was very nice—it's smooth and there's no stacking near the end like old Colts with V-springs. Kid thought the DA pull was better on my DBK, but I didn't. The KCT might be a little heavier, but it's MUCH smoother. SA pull was definitely better on my DBK. I'd estimate it at a bit over 3 pounds, while the KCT seems to be on the high side of 5#. This seems to be par for the course these days for all DA revolvers. I'm spoiled—I was brought up in a world of S&W revolvers with VERY clean 3# triggers, with Colts only a little heavier.
The hammer is VERY thin—almost comically thin to my eyes. The spur isn't even as wide as non-Target S&Ws, and nowhere near as wide as the spur on the DBK. Trigger seems to be about the same width as the DBK. Kid says it's “too thin” for his liking. I told him I've got a bunch of trigger shoes and we'll play with them till we find something that fits and he likes. (My own DA revolver trigger preference is the S&W .312” wide smooth “Combat” trigger as the perfect compromise between the S&W .256” grooved standard trigger and the .400” wide grooved Target Trigger.)
The soft “rubber” Hogue-ish grips fit my hand and were comfortable to hold, but IMHO look like ass. They work great but cheapen the look of the whole gun. What, Colt, for $1000 you can't give us wood grips?
Please. I was interested to see if older D-frame grips would fit. Here's why I hate Hogue grips: I experimented with them back in the'80s (on both Python and Smith Ns) and found I REALLY didn't like the Hogue mounting system, which required you to drive the locating pin out of the frame, to be replaced with the Hogue pin and stirrup gizmo. I did this and discovered the Hogues weren't great for me, but switching them back out requires a reversal of the whole silly pin-driving process. I am a bit of a Revolver Grip **** and like buying new or (better yet) old used grips at gun shows and trying them out, which is why I own a BIG cardboard box of all kinds of revolver grips. When I find some I like in both feel and looks, I swap them to suit my mood about as often as ladies change out their handbags. Kid (understandably) didn't want me driving out that pin on his brand new gun. I THINK that pin hole is in the same place a normal grip screw hole would be, but can't be 100% sure. If it is, then yes, old D-frame grips should fit the new KCT grip frame, or fit with minor modification. If not, you'll have to modify or re-drill that hole to make it work.
So, to sum up, the new KCT is a good gun functionally, maybe even a GREAT gun if it shoots well. Aesthetically, It's much less impressive (to me, anyway). I'm not rushing out to buy one of these, and hope to continue shooting my old DBK for years to come. If I didn't HAVE a DBK already, I might be more enthusiastic about it.
