Few firearm lines are more revered than the Colt Snake Guns. Colt has been a giant in the revolver market for almost 200 years, and the Snake Guns were a major force in the mid to late 20th century.
Colt introduced seven Snake Guns between 1950 and 1986. Each had its own perceived role and model-specific features. Some were more successful than others, but all were cool in their own right, with one, the Python, becoming iconic. Colt has been bringing back certain Snake Guns, so now is a good time to briefly look back at these legendary revolvers, while celebrating their reintroduction.
The Colt Cobra
Introduced in 1950, the Cobra was the first Snake Gun. At first glance, the Cobra looks just like another classic Colt revolver, the Detective Special. The two guns are essentially the same, though the Cobra offered an available 5-inch barrel, where the Detective Special only had 2 and 3-inch barrels. Most Cobras came with the 2-inch barrel, and there were a few 3-inchers as well.
The biggest difference was the Cobra’s lighter aluminum alloy frame, compared to the all-steel Detective Special. The original Cobra was available in .38 Special, .38 S&W, .32 Colt New Police, and .22 Long Rifle. The new 2-inch barreled Colt Cobras are unsurprisingly available only in .38 Special (+P), as modern shooters don’t consider .22LR a viable self-defense cartridge and the other chamberings are no longer popular. The new model is limited to a stainless-steel frame, where the original was blued.
The Iconic Colt Python
Colt rolled out the .357 Magnum Python in 1955. The gun was an instant classic and was Colt’s top-of-the-line revolver until it was discontinued in 2005. The Python was reintroduced in 2020, three years after the new Cobra, and is once again Colt’s flagship wheel gun.
Many consider the original Pythons that were made between 1955 and the mid-1980s to be the finest revolvers ever made. The trigger, crane, and locking system were all top-notch, and the stainless-steel frame, full underlug barrel, and vented rib gave it a very distinct look. Vintage Pythons still command top-shelf prices.
The new Pythons are still chambered for .357 Magnum, but are available in multiple barrel lengths, and even a sharp blued finish in addition to the traditional stainless steel. As one might expect, Colt enthusiasts argue whether the new Pythons are as good as the old Pythons. That’s a valid question that only time and experience will answer.
The Colt Diamondback
Colt debuted the Diamondback in 1966 as a more affordable option to the Python. Featuring a vented rib, full underlug barrel, and multiple barrel lengths, the Diamondback was a nice gun in its own right, despite lacking the Python’s refined finishing. Chambered in .38 Special and .22 Long Rifle, the Diamondback was discontinued in 1986, though it remains popular with collectors. Colt has not reintroduced the Diamondback as of this writing.
The Colt Viper
The Viper is among the most collectible Snake Guns since it was only made for one year, beginning in 1977. A variation of the Cobra, the Viper was chambered in .38 Special and featured a 4-inch barrel. It weighed in at a svelte 20 ounces thanks to its aluminum alloy frame. Sales, however, were slow, and Colt discontinued the Viper in 1978.
The new Viper rocks a stainless-steel frame, an unribbed, half-lug 3 or 4.25-inch barrel, and is chambered for .357 Magnum, making it a very attractive package tailored for everyday carry. It’s a nice mid-size revolver, landing somewhere between the Cobra and the Python.
The Elusive Colt Boa
The Boa is the rarest, and therefore possibly the most collectible, of Colt’s Snake Gun lineup. The Boa was a special run of 1,200 guns in 1985. There were 600 4-inch barreled Boas and 600 with 6-inch barrels. All were chambered for .357 Magnum.
They feature the vented rib and full underlug like the Python. The serial numbers begin with “BOA” and run from 001 to 1200. The odd-numbered guns had 4-inch barrels and the even numbers were 6-inch models. Half were sold as consecutive-numbered box sets with one of each model. Those box sets, and even individual Boas, fetch premium prices at auction. Colt has not reintroduced the Boa as of this writing.
The Colt King Cobra
The King Cobra, introduced in 1986, was the Cobra’s sequel, while borrowing heavily from the Python. The gun was actually based on the Colt Trooper Mark V. It has a full underlug, though the top rib is not vented. Barrel length varied from 2 to 8 inches and the King Cobra was chambered in .357 Magnum. Colt also offered a 10-shot .22 Long Rifle version. You could choose between a blued or stainless-steel finish.
Colt reintroduced the stainless-steel King Cobra in 2017. The new .357 Magnum models are available with 3 and 4.25-inch barrels, while the .22 Long Rifle guns come with 4.25 or 6-inch barrels. The King Cobra’s role is similar to the Viper’s, just with a few different features. It’s nice to have a choice.
The Colt Anaconda
The Anaconda is Colt’s big-bore Snake Gun. Introduced in 1990, the Anaconda is built on Colt’s beefy MM frame and chambered in .44 Magnum, though a few came in .45 Colt. It was marketed to hunters, especially in grizzly bear states.
The stainless-steel gun has Python-esque features like a vented rib and full underlug barrel. Colt offered the Anaconda with 4, 6, and 8-inch barrels. This big serpent returned in 2021, still in stainless steel with the same features, including all three barrel length options. All new Anacondas are chambered in .44 Magnum.
A Nest of Snakes
The Colt Snake Guns are classic American revolvers, even the ones that didn’t last long. I’m glad the company has brought back five of the seven, even if the Diamondback and Boa are likely gone for good. I’m particularly attracted to the Viper, and who doesn’t want a Python?
I’ve recently been getting into revolvers after years of eschewing them for semi-autos. I’ve been drawn to wood and steel lately, a trend that carries over to rifles as well. So, the Snake Guns have returned just in time for me to get in on some Colts.
Whether the new Snake Guns measure up to their predecessors remains to be seen, but Colt is putting a lot of effort into these guns. Revolvers are experiencing a bit of a Renaissance, which is no doubt driving that effort. This nest of snakes is poised to strike at a new generation of gun owners. I see that as a very good thing indeed.
