Colt showed up at NRAAM loaded for bear (sorry). They’ve announced three new revolvers that have been drawing crowds around their booth here in Dallas. First two, the Grizzly and the Kodiak are designed for backcountry duty.
Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC announces the release of the Colt Grizzly, blending timeless craftsmanship with modern enhancements tailored to meet the demands of the modern hunter for all back country expeditions.
The stainless-steel frame of the Colt Grizzly features a polished finish complemented by a matte surface on the top rib, ensuring optimal sight acquisition. The smooth, unfluted 6-round cylinder is chambered for 357 Magnum and accommodates 38 Special cartridges, offering versatility with recoil-absorbing Hogue® OverMolded rubber grips.
Crafted with precision and passion, the Colt Grizzly instills confidence in every hunter’s journey, embodying the spirit of adventure and the pursuit of excellence.
Colt Grizzly Specifications:
- Chambered: .357 Magnum
- Capacity: 6 Rounds
- Frame Material: Stainless Steel
- Barrel Description: 1:14” LH, 6 Groove
- Red Ramp Front Sight
- Adjustable Target Rear Sight for Windage and Elevation
- Finish: Stainless Steel
- Double / Single Action
- Grip: Hogue OverMolded Rubber
- Trigger Pull Double Action: 7 to 9.5 lbs
- Unloaded Weight: 41.1 oz
- MSRP: $1,599
Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC announces the debut of the Colt Kodiak revolver in 44 Magnum. Built tough to handle the rugged demands of the wild, the Colt Kodiak seamlessly merges classic style with cutting-edge features, delivering an unmatched shooting experience for hunters alike.
Its ergonomic design, complete with recoil-absorbing Hogue® OverMolded grips, ensure comfort and stability; these grips are interchangeable with Colt Python and Anaconda models, providing versatility in customization.
The Colt Kodiak boasts a one-piece full lug, ventilated rib stainless steel barrel, which is ported to enhance muzzle control promoting shooting stability and follow-up accuracy, even in the most vigorous hunting conditions.
Kodiak Specifications:
- Chambered: .44 Magnum
- Capacity: 6 Rounds
- Frame Material: Stainless Steel
- Finish: Stainless Steel
- Grip: Hogue Over-Molded Rubber
- Trigger Action: Double & Single Action
- Trigger Pull Double Action: 7 to 9.5 lbs.
- Front Sight: Red Ramp
- Rear Sight: Target Sight, Adjustable for Windage and Elevation
- Unloaded Weight: 48.5 oz.
- MSRP: $1,599
And finally, my favorite of the three, the (much) lighter weight Colt Viper with its half lug and slim wood stocks . . .
Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC unveils the Colt Viper, designed to meet the needs of contemporary shooters seeking a streamlined carry option.
This revolver boasts a distinctive 1/2 lug barrel design, meticulously engineered to reduce weight without compromising on performance, thereby enhancing concealability for everyday carry. Forged from stainless steel, the Colt Viper ensures enduring strength, promising an impressive shooting experience with unwavering reliability. Its one-piece barrel, featuring a recessed target crown, guarantees pinpoint accuracy and steadfast performance in every shot.
The Colt Viper embodies precision engineering and reliability, offering shooters a compact yet powerful companion for every day, every shot.
Specifications
- Chambered: .357 Magnum
- Capacity: 6 Rounds
- Frame Material: Stainless Steel
- Black Ramp Front Sight
- U-Notch Rear Sight
- Double / Single Action
- Finish: Stainless Steel
- Grip: Traditional Walnut
- Trigger Pull Double Action: 7 to 9.5 lbs
- Unloaded Weight: 26.9 oz
- MSRP: $999
18 Responses
Are Colts worth the price premium? I’ve never shot one. I can get a Smith & Wesson with an awesome trigger for two-thirds the cost, or a Ruger with an adequate trigger for nearly half.
The classic Snake guns (Python, Diamondback, Cobra) are definitely worth it. The old Python (especially if it had been fine-tuned by the Colt master gunsmiths) was damn near perfect. (JWT did a comparison of the new Pythons vs. old ones and said the new ones (more CNC parts, less hand fitting) were very, very good.)
The later Snakes (Viper, Boa, King Cobra, Anaconda) were good but nowhere close to the classics.
But these . . . I dunno. The classic, super-deep bluing on the old Snake guns was part of the charm. These look like they came off the Taurus line somewhere. Hopefully they shoot better than they look.
I’d want a Python just because it’s iconic and purty. If I was getting a full size for carry, I’d go for the TRR8/R8. If I wanted steel frame carry, I’d go for a GP100 with a trigger job. Out of the box, I’m sure the Colt is better, as it should be for that price. I’d still wait until they’ve been out a year or two.
The trigger pull on a Colt out of the box is equivalent to a S&W that has had a mild action job done on it. Out of the box the trigger pull is smoother and lighter than an out of the box new S&W.
S&W’s aren’t what they used to be. I love the older S&Ws but the new ones aren’t that great. Rugers are over-built. But they still don’t have the double action trigger of the Smiths or Colts. Recently, I’ve been buying Colts and so far, they have been worth the money.
Why?
Maybe it’s the pictures (sorry, Dan) but they look kinda…
Cheaply made, low quality.
I dunno, I’d need to see one them person, but if I’m looking for a .44 Magnum revolver, I’m going Ruger…
If you want a .44 mag revolver, look into finding a used Dan Wesson .44 pistol pak (multiple barrels, easily changed by the user), especially one made at the Monson factory. Great gun. (I prefer the .41 mag version (scarce as hens’ teeth but I finally scored one a few years ago), but that’s just me.)
Or of course the classic S&W Model 29.
I’m familiar with the Dan Wesson’s, in particular, the .357s, very nicely-made revolvers, and the kit of barrels they came with.
I’m kinda missing the SuperRedhawk 7-inch .44mag milled for scope rings I once has before life imploded in the early 00s. Looking in my cleaning box not long back, I discovered the matching scope rings looking very lonely, so I’m thinking of the longer-barreled version (10 inch?) as a reunion piece.
What impressed me the most about firing that gun was that I could physically-feel the concussive blast traveling through my teeth, front-to-back as I touched one off. Nice *BOOM*…
Geoff,
Dude, SAME!!! I thought the “fit and finish” didn’t look as good as my GP100 (which was about 1/3 the price). As some have pointed out, the trigger on the GP100 isn’t perfect, but aftermarket triggers aren’t that expensive, and any competent gunsmith can do a “trigger job” for a hundred or two. I had a classic Python (6″ barrel), and I loved that pistol. These look NOTHING like it (and I highly doubt they shoot as well). Not seeing a compelling case for spending the extra money. If these were just rushed out for the show (which is certainly possible), and don’t represent what the “real thing” will look like, I’d still wait a year or so, read some reviews, and see if I could try one before I even considered it. And at that price point, it better knock my socks off when I try it.
The original Viper was a true, sleek work of art. This one looks like a sad potmetal copy. And it’s supposed to be a .38 Special only firearm, not .357 Magnum.
“This one looks like a sad potmetal copy.”
That was my *EXACT* first impression. The chrome-plated Zinc pot-metal cap gun I had in the late1960s as a kid (and still wish I had).
Dan fessed-up, it was an iPhone pic, not his usual camera, so that kinda explains it, I’ll check one out in-person for myself…
I can’t speak to the originals. I never had one and haven’t shot one. As for these new models, don’t rely on my phone pics when you’re evaluating their quality. I own the new 3-inch Python it is an excellent gun with a wonderful trigger.
See JWT’s very thorough reviews of the new generation Colt snake guns back at that other place:
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/gun-review-2019-colt-king-cobra/
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/gun-review-the-2020-colt-pythons/
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/gun-review-3-inch-colt-python-357-revolver/
They’re not the original guns. And they’re certainly not inexpensive. But they’re very well made revolvers and a joy to shoot.
Dan,
Do yourself a favor, and find a friend who has an original Python (I prefer the 6″ barrel, but the 4″ shoots nice, too). GREAT gun, GREAT trigger, and just flat beautiful. I remain to be convinced that the modern iterations are worth the premium price. Lots of people making some pretty nice wheelguns, right now. Colt wants a lot of money for the cachet of the name. I am skeptical they are delivering the old quality that justifies the price.
And this one from SNW
https://www.shootingnewsweekly.com/2024/03/21/gun-review-colt-python-combat-elite-revolver/
I have the new 6” python and it’s a very nice weapon, that being said it’s definitely not a classic. The rear sight is lose and needs replaced or shimmered and that shouldn’t be with the price of them , aside from that they shoot nice .
I believe the Colt Kodiak 4.25 ported barrel with two vents on the rib in six rounds of 44 magnum and unfluted cylinder may be the concept revolver to purchase. With the 2020 Python action with fewer parts but using the tried and true leaf spring power this is a Showroom ready firearm to USE!!! Just upgrade the rear sight with the aftermarket Wilson Combat offering and you are DONE!!!
Do they come in a blue finish & different barrel sizes?
I only see these new models and they only come in stainless steel. But Colt is making a blued steel Colt Python model using the 2020 design.