SHOT Show 2018 Solid Snake Tamara Keel January 27, 2018 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More Find out more about how we test products. After generating more rumors and speculation than a soap opera cliffhanger, Colt’s revived Cobra revolver started shipping units to stores last year, and for 2018, Colt followed up the Cobra by doubling the number of revolver models in its catalog. Well, they sort of did, anyway. The new gun is just a variation on the existing Cobra, but it includes a number of upgrades to make it more concealed carry friendly than the base model. Tritium night sight is standard on the Night Cobra. Dubbed the “Night Cobra”, the new variant is most immediately recognizable by the fact that its stainless construction is finished with a satin black Diamond-Like Carbon. The only part of the gun that isn’t an inky black is the white outline around the tritium vial in the front sight blade. For a compact revolver, this is a pretty usable set of sights, actually. The hammer spur on the gun is bobbed to prevent snagging on clothing during a concealed draw, and the single action notch is gone, leaving a double-action only trigger pull. We’d hate to try and guess the trigger weight based on the sample at the show, especially since there’s no telling how many dry snaps the passing crowds had put on it, but the pull was eminently manageable. If this is what new production guns are going to feel like, there shouldn’t be a problem getting hits. Bobbed hammer for snag-free draws. Rather than the usual soft rubber grips that bind on clothing which are commonly found on small revolvers, the Night Cobra has lightly textured G10 grips that are scalloped to clear a speedloader. Common with the base model, the Night Cobra sports a shrouded ejector rod as well as a six-round cylinder, a pair of features that differentiate it from its J-frame rival at Smith & Wesson. All told, the various upgrades bump the MSRP of the gun a full two hundred dollars, to $899, but you’d pay well more than that to have them all done in the aftermarket, so the price differential is not a bad deal. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
