Colt’s Redesigned Handguns Make for a Better Shooting Experience

Anyone looking for a solid concealed-carry gun that packs a punch should take a look at the latest Colt options.

This week, Colt representatives brought their latest firearms to the NRA, where America’s 1^st Freedom editors could try them out. Colt has been re-designing its handguns over the last few years, making small but significant changes that add up for better performance.

Take the King Cobra Carry, for example, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $899. This 6-round .357 revolver sports a two-inch barrel, making it easier to conceal. Shooters will appreciate having the stopping power of .357 Mag. while still being able to shoot less-expensive .38 Spl. for target practice.

“Our customers started asking for a .357 version of our Cobra immediately after the release, and at that moment we knew we had to prioritize this great addition to the Cobra family,” said Justin Baldini, Colt’s product director. “We couldn’t be more excited to add the power of .357 Magnum back into Colt’s Double Action Revolver lineup.”

Colt retained its iconic, clockwise cylinder rotation and pull-back cylinder release latch in the King Cobra Carry’s design, along with stainless-steel construction. However, the hand grips are moved back and the trigger is straighter. Together, these small changes make the gun feel better in the hand and can improve the shooter’s control.

Concealed carriers who prefer a full-sized, 1911-style frame should take a look at Colt’s Combat Elite Defender. This gun looks strikingly modern in two-tone black and boasts a number of features not often found at an MSRP of $1,399. Available in both .45 and 9mm, it has a stainless-steel frame, slide, and 3-inch barrel.

To help encourage a secure grip, Colt added 25-line-per-inch checkering on the front of the frame and on the mainspring housing. For added control, the undercut trigger guard works with the upswept beaver tail grip safety to help keep the shooter’s hand higher on the gun.

Novak night sights and an ambidextrous thumb safety round out this pistol’s standard offerings—features that could be critical in situations requiring low-light or non-dominant-hand shooting.

Concealed carriers will find much to like in the latest Colt handguns—from the solid feel and sheer durability of the construction to the greater stopping power in small sizes. It’s apparent that a lot of thought has gone into the redesigns, and though many of the changes seem small, they add up to overall better concealed-carry guns.