Asking for options.Should I sale a GP100 to get a King Cobra

[hounddogman]

To make a long story short, went to town today to get a mechanics stethoscope to diagnose a ticking in my wife's truck. Of course I had to stop in my favorite lgs. They have a 3" king cobra for $975 . I had the cash in my pocket but was thinking about the truck repair so I asked the store owner what he would give me for the 2 1/2" gp100  I had on me right then.  I was pleasantly surprised when he offered $625 but decided to wait until I figured out what the truck was going cost to see if I couldn't just buy the colt.  Well the truck is worse case scenario and is going to cost about $2000 just in parts. So I'm back to trading to get the colt. This is a gun that I would carry almost every day. . As I see it, the pros for the colt are, lighter by 8 ounces, stainless steel, simple fixed rear sight and the "just right " 3 inch barrel. The pros to the ruger are it's proven strength and ruggedness, adjustable but still reliable rear sight and I know I can shoot it well.  Also I have other GP100s and sp101s and a redhawk and I  am used to the cylinder release on the rugers but have never used a colt with it's backwards cylinder release. So asking for advice. Anyone with both prefer one over the other ? Is it hard to go back and forth with the different cylinder releases ? I can use Smiths or Rugers no problem. Does anyone think the king cobra is prone to wearing out prematurely shooting 357s like a K frame?  Thank you all .            Levi 

[Chip]

I looked at the 3" King Cobra Saturday. It had a nice double action pull. Nicer than my GP100. It is on my short list.

[sixgun100]

I’ve been carrying a 3 inch King Cobra since last Fall. As stated above, the trigger pull is really nice. It is a great carry revolver. I predict no issues in the long term. My only complaints about the revolver is lack of available replacement grips and no Safariland Speedloaders. The K frame loaders work well with .357 Magnum ammunition, but not with .38 Special. I think you’ll be pleased with it.

[hounddogman]

Yes, the colt had a very nice trigger. My GP is smooth since I polished and shimed it but still a little heavy. The colt feels lightly sprung, has anyone had light strikes with CCI primers ?

[AxeHandle]

Made my personal S&W Colt decision decades ago. DA triggers were just too different. I went S&W and never looked back. Ruger DA revolvers started creeping it to the "Set." They aren't S&W but I love the toughness and durability.

[potatojudge]

Ruger DA triggers require me to over-flex my trigger finger, and once my trigger finger passes the 90 degree bent mark different, weaker, muscles come into play. I'd make the trade.

[Sarge]

One thing I would be concerned about is cylinder length. My SP101 would handle Alaska Backpacker's 200 grain WFN at 1.620" but an old Colt Lawman, I owned at the time, had a cylinder too short for them.

Can any Colt KC owners here comment on this? Thanks in advance-

[ezekiel38]

I have a Colt KC 3" 357. Bought it a couple of years ago. Have posted pics on here several times.It's a great EDC revolver. Mine loves 125 357s, but it will shoot them all. The Hogue grip mitigates recoil nicely. Accuracy is excellent and it has a change out front sight with an allen screw. Night Sights are available for it. As a retired cop have been carrying SD revolvers for decades and I love this new KC with the reworked "long linear" action. BUY IT! I have a WC GP100 3" and it is a shooter. But it's heavy and big. The KC is a constant companion. I would check for cylinder/forcing cone clearance.

[bigbore5]

That has to be your decision and your finances. I only sell a gun if I don't like it.

Me? I'd keep the Ruger and buy/layaway/save for the Colt. I'm stuffing money back for an Anaconda myself.

[contender]

I hate seller/trader remorse.

I'd figure out a way to get the money,, even if I had to make payments to the LGS. I'd keep the Ruger. Once gone,, they don't often come back,, and you get that very remorseful feeling. You'll remember the gun LONG after it's gone,, but to get the money for the Colt,, won't be thought of much.

[hounddogman]

Thank you everyone for replying. Quick update, my dad was in the same store today returning a double barrel 20 gauge for repair and ended up buying the 3"king cobra! Shot it a bit this afternoon and it's a good one ! I'll give more details later, but suffice to say I will be getting one too. Deciding to get the 2 " they still have or wait for another 3 " . And the cylinder is too short for Keith bullets ( no big surprise ) but the Missouri 180 pugnose works well.

[45MAN]

I REALLY LIKE THE MISSOURI 180gr PC'ed PUGNOSE.

[tj3006]

Wait for the 3 inch !
..I would be all over one of those if I did not have a 3 inch Model 66.
I love GP-100s to, but for me they are to big for everyday carry duty, My 66 is about the same size as the King Cobra...tj

[hounddogman]

Jul 18, 2023 6:38:53 GMT -5 45MAN said:

I REALLY LIKE THE MISSOURI 180gr PC'ed PUGNOSE.

Can I ask you for your load data for this bullet ? So far my use with it has been with H110 in a marlin. 

[hounddogman]

Jul 18, 2023 21:52:32 GMT -5 tj3006 said:

Wait for the 3 inch !
..I would be all over one of those if I did not have a 3 inch Model 66.
I love GP-100s to, but for me they are to big for everyday carry duty, My 66 is about the same size as the King Cobra...tj

Yes sir, the 3 inch is very  nice. I keep threatening to cut and dove tail a sight on my model 13 . Make it a 3 " ,round butt . As far as carrying the gp100, I  would appreciate something a little thinner and lighter but as a carpenter it's not that big of a problem. I wear 30 plus pound nail bags most days with a gun on my belt under them .