As most revolver aficionados know by now, Colt has resurrected its once dead King Cobra .357 magnum, but in a new, trimmer body. Colt has also announced it will be introducing a two-inch, double-action-only model.
But that is not the only classic revolver that has been revived. Smith and Wesson re-introduced two variants of its K-frame classic, the Model 19, a/k/a the Combat Magnum. The first variant is a four-inch model with a polished blue finish. The second is the Performance Center Model 19 Carry Comp with a three-inch barrel and a matte blue finish (more on that later).
The three-inch barreled models of Colt and SW are the subjects of this review and comparison. They both seek to fill a similar niche, a six-shot .357 magnum revolver suitable for field use or defensive use and either open carry or casual concealed carry. To be sure, there are other current production .357 magnums that seek to fill a similar niche, but KC and Carry Comp are perhaps the two newest to come to market.
The original King Cobra weighed from about 41 to 44 ounces, depending on whether it had a four or six-inch barrel. The new version with the three-inch barrel weighs in at a relatively svelte 28 ounces. It shares some features with its little brother that Colt also recently brought to market, the steel-framed Cobra in .38 special. For example, the factory grips are the same and the front sights are the same size and can be removed by loosening a set-screw and then replaced with a different style sight. Colt has pointedly noted that the King Cobra’s top strap is thicker than the Cobra’s in order to prevent or minimize any frame stretch form the increased pressure of .357 magnum rounds.
Smith and Wesson took a different route. It beefed up its K-frame a bit to hold up better to a steady diet of .357 magnums. The Carry Comp weighs 34.1 ounces. The original Model 19 version with a 2.5 inch barrel weighed 30.5 ounces and the 4 inch version weighed 36 ounces. Smith and Wesson beefed up the forcing, especially at the bottom. This addressed the problem with the forcing cones cracking from a large number of 125-grain magnum rounds.
Proving that size is relative, SW designates its K-frame revolvers, like the M19 Carry Comp, medium-frame revolvers. Colt advertises its lighter weight King Cobra as a large frame revolver.
To my eyes, the cylinder on the M19 Carry Comp looked bigger in diameter than the old-style Model 19. I measured the cylinders on both the Carry Comp and my Model 19-3 snubbie. They both measured 36.81 mm. However, the fluting on the cylinder of the newer gun is not as deep as that on the older gun, making the Carry Comp’s cylinder appear larger in diameter to the eye.
The diameter of the King Cobra cylinder measured the same as the Colt Agent (.38 spl) I have carried off and on for years — 35.57 mm. I had suspected that because the KC properly fit in a Simply Rugged Silver Dollar holster I used for the Agent.
The first thing one probably notices on the Carry Comp is that the front sight sits back about a quarter of an inch from the front of the barrel. This is done to accommodate the ported vent at the top of the barrel. The gun’s matte blue finish is markedly different than the polished finish on the traditional Model 19 or even the finish on the new “Classic Model 19.” It appears to be a durable finish suitable for a carry gun. The overall fit is fine, but I do have a small gripe. The gun comes with two sets of grips, a nice looking set of wood grips and a synthetic set. There is a gap at the butt of the grip frame when the wood grips are mounted. It looks ugly.
I have small hands and was just able to get all my fingers on the wood grips. Those with larger hands won’t be able to do so. The synthetic grips cover the bottom of the grip frame, leaving no unseemly gap. They also have a little extra room for the pinky, though I suspect those with large hands may still not get a full purchase on the grips. The SW synthetic grips are about an eighth of an inch longer than the synthetic grips of the King Cobra.
True to the traditional Model 19 design, the Carry Comp comes with a rear sight that is adjustable for both windage and elevation. The front sight is non-traditional as it includes a small tritium insert. The insert is noticeable to me in the dark but some may prefer a sight with a larger tritium insert. On the other hand, the tritium insert does not overwhelm the black portion of the sight during daylight shooting. I personally like the sight.
The top of the gun is serrated to cut down on glare. There is a break in the serrations from the top strap to the where it picks back up on the barrel. I have read that SW did this because their barrel installation method has changed, making it more difficult to precisely line up the serrations on the barrel to those on the top strap. In any event, the serrations are functional and are one of the features that separated the original Model 19 from the Model 13.
The King Cobra’s frame is satin stainless steel except the top strap and barrel, which are more of a matte stainless finish to help with glare. The revolver is nicely fit. The grips are synthetic and covered the bottom of the grip frame, so no unseemly gap at the butt. My hand fit on the grips, but, again, I have smallish hands. The sights appear to be functional for a carry revolver. The rear sight is of the trench-type, common in many revolvers. The front sight is fixed and contains a brass dot to stand out in dim light. There is a set screw in the front of the sight that allows for easy replacement. Colt says the sights will exchange with any made for the new Cobra.
My trigger gauge maxes out at 8 pounds. Both guns exceeded this limit in double action, but the Colt is perceptibly lighter than the SW. Both were very smooth in double action. Conversely, the SW trigger broke at about five pounds in single action and the Colt at about five pounds, six ounces in single action. The Carry Comp has an adjustable trigger stop.
The King Cobra displayed Colt’s traditional trigger stacking; with the trigger being heavier at the end of the double action pull than at the beginning. I found I didn’t notice the stacking when firing double action quickly. That has also been my experience with other Colt revolvers. Overall, I would rate the trigger superb in double action with one caveat. It feels like there is a trigger reset about half-way on the return, but the trigger does not reset until full return. This might throw some shooters off until they get used to it. It didn’t bother me in dry firing the gun rapidly.
Shooting evaluation soon, I hope.
I have put some rounds downrange on the Model 19, but I haven’t had a chance to get the Colt to the range yet. I’ll have to put off any shooting comparisons until I have done so. I will say that the Carry Comp is a relatively soft shooter for a .357 magnum due to its porting. But I'm looking forward to see how the Colt trigger works in action.
But that is not the only classic revolver that has been revived. Smith and Wesson re-introduced two variants of its K-frame classic, the Model 19, a/k/a the Combat Magnum. The first variant is a four-inch model with a polished blue finish. The second is the Performance Center Model 19 Carry Comp with a three-inch barrel and a matte blue finish (more on that later).
The three-inch barreled models of Colt and SW are the subjects of this review and comparison. They both seek to fill a similar niche, a six-shot .357 magnum revolver suitable for field use or defensive use and either open carry or casual concealed carry. To be sure, there are other current production .357 magnums that seek to fill a similar niche, but KC and Carry Comp are perhaps the two newest to come to market.
The original King Cobra weighed from about 41 to 44 ounces, depending on whether it had a four or six-inch barrel. The new version with the three-inch barrel weighs in at a relatively svelte 28 ounces. It shares some features with its little brother that Colt also recently brought to market, the steel-framed Cobra in .38 special. For example, the factory grips are the same and the front sights are the same size and can be removed by loosening a set-screw and then replaced with a different style sight. Colt has pointedly noted that the King Cobra’s top strap is thicker than the Cobra’s in order to prevent or minimize any frame stretch form the increased pressure of .357 magnum rounds.
Smith and Wesson took a different route. It beefed up its K-frame a bit to hold up better to a steady diet of .357 magnums. The Carry Comp weighs 34.1 ounces. The original Model 19 version with a 2.5 inch barrel weighed 30.5 ounces and the 4 inch version weighed 36 ounces. Smith and Wesson beefed up the forcing, especially at the bottom. This addressed the problem with the forcing cones cracking from a large number of 125-grain magnum rounds.
Proving that size is relative, SW designates its K-frame revolvers, like the M19 Carry Comp, medium-frame revolvers. Colt advertises its lighter weight King Cobra as a large frame revolver.
To my eyes, the cylinder on the M19 Carry Comp looked bigger in diameter than the old-style Model 19. I measured the cylinders on both the Carry Comp and my Model 19-3 snubbie. They both measured 36.81 mm. However, the fluting on the cylinder of the newer gun is not as deep as that on the older gun, making the Carry Comp’s cylinder appear larger in diameter to the eye.
The diameter of the King Cobra cylinder measured the same as the Colt Agent (.38 spl) I have carried off and on for years — 35.57 mm. I had suspected that because the KC properly fit in a Simply Rugged Silver Dollar holster I used for the Agent.
The first thing one probably notices on the Carry Comp is that the front sight sits back about a quarter of an inch from the front of the barrel. This is done to accommodate the ported vent at the top of the barrel. The gun’s matte blue finish is markedly different than the polished finish on the traditional Model 19 or even the finish on the new “Classic Model 19.” It appears to be a durable finish suitable for a carry gun. The overall fit is fine, but I do have a small gripe. The gun comes with two sets of grips, a nice looking set of wood grips and a synthetic set. There is a gap at the butt of the grip frame when the wood grips are mounted. It looks ugly.
I have small hands and was just able to get all my fingers on the wood grips. Those with larger hands won’t be able to do so. The synthetic grips cover the bottom of the grip frame, leaving no unseemly gap. They also have a little extra room for the pinky, though I suspect those with large hands may still not get a full purchase on the grips. The SW synthetic grips are about an eighth of an inch longer than the synthetic grips of the King Cobra.
True to the traditional Model 19 design, the Carry Comp comes with a rear sight that is adjustable for both windage and elevation. The front sight is non-traditional as it includes a small tritium insert. The insert is noticeable to me in the dark but some may prefer a sight with a larger tritium insert. On the other hand, the tritium insert does not overwhelm the black portion of the sight during daylight shooting. I personally like the sight.
The top of the gun is serrated to cut down on glare. There is a break in the serrations from the top strap to the where it picks back up on the barrel. I have read that SW did this because their barrel installation method has changed, making it more difficult to precisely line up the serrations on the barrel to those on the top strap. In any event, the serrations are functional and are one of the features that separated the original Model 19 from the Model 13.
The King Cobra’s frame is satin stainless steel except the top strap and barrel, which are more of a matte stainless finish to help with glare. The revolver is nicely fit. The grips are synthetic and covered the bottom of the grip frame, so no unseemly gap at the butt. My hand fit on the grips, but, again, I have smallish hands. The sights appear to be functional for a carry revolver. The rear sight is of the trench-type, common in many revolvers. The front sight is fixed and contains a brass dot to stand out in dim light. There is a set screw in the front of the sight that allows for easy replacement. Colt says the sights will exchange with any made for the new Cobra.
My trigger gauge maxes out at 8 pounds. Both guns exceeded this limit in double action, but the Colt is perceptibly lighter than the SW. Both were very smooth in double action. Conversely, the SW trigger broke at about five pounds in single action and the Colt at about five pounds, six ounces in single action. The Carry Comp has an adjustable trigger stop.
The King Cobra displayed Colt’s traditional trigger stacking; with the trigger being heavier at the end of the double action pull than at the beginning. I found I didn’t notice the stacking when firing double action quickly. That has also been my experience with other Colt revolvers. Overall, I would rate the trigger superb in double action with one caveat. It feels like there is a trigger reset about half-way on the return, but the trigger does not reset until full return. This might throw some shooters off until they get used to it. It didn’t bother me in dry firing the gun rapidly.
Shooting evaluation soon, I hope.
I have put some rounds downrange on the Model 19, but I haven’t had a chance to get the Colt to the range yet. I’ll have to put off any shooting comparisons until I have done so. I will say that the Carry Comp is a relatively soft shooter for a .357 magnum due to its porting. But I'm looking forward to see how the Colt trigger works in action.
