[ghost228]

Colt Cobra <- Cracked Frame

As you can see there is a fracture on top of the frame where the frame and barrel meet. I do not plan on shooting it again without repair.

A little background. The gun was sold to me in a private deal "as is" months ago and I do not plan to track down the seller. I inspected it and took my chances. From my research I've read that Colt doesn't have the parts to replace these and it's under no warranty so trying to send it to colt would be a waste of time. What I haven't found is if someone has successfully repaired the frame on one of these or if it's even worth the time/money.

I've shot about 100 rounds of 130 grain winchester white box .38 and 20 Winchester PDX1 Bonded .38 Special +P rounds. I read that these guns could handle a limited amount of +P ammo and I shot some through the gun as I do with all my SD ammo. Upon cleaning it after it's 2nd range session is when I noticed the crack.

I have already come to terms with the fact that I might need to offer it up for sell as a parts gun. Are these aluminum frames repairable? If so what should I be looking for in a welder?

 

[kevin hines]

Colt Cobra <- Cracked Frame

As you can see there is a fracture on top of the frame where the frame and barrel meet. I do not plan on shooting it again without repair.

A little background. The gun was sold to me in a private deal "as is" months ago and I do not plan to track down the seller. I inspected it and took my chances. From my research I've read that Colt doesn't have the parts to replace these and it's under no warranty so trying to send it to colt would be a waste of time. What I haven't found is if someone has successfully repaired the frame on one of these or if it's even worth the time/money.

I've shot about 100 rounds of 130 grain winchester white box .38 and 20 Winchester PDX1 Bonded .38 Special +P rounds. I read that these guns could handle a limited amount of +P ammo and I shot some through the gun as I do with all my SD ammo. Upon cleaning it after it's 2nd range session is when I noticed the crack.

I have already come to terms with the fact that I might need to offer it up for sell as a parts gun. Are these aluminum frames repairable? If so what should I be looking for in a welder?

Parts gun.

 

[Cruiser RN]

A cracked frame is the kiss of death for this gun.Colt will not refinish any of the Cobra or Agents due to the danger of the frame cracking when the barrel is removed. It is a parts gun.You can sell it and use the proceeds to buy another one......Mike

 

[chaosrob]

Wallhanger.

 

[John Fugate]

Colt Cobra <- Cracked Frame


I read that these guns could handle a limited amount of +P ammo and I shot some through the gun as I do with all my SD ammo.

It looks like the " limited amount" may be what got you. Speaking of limited amounts, I ran a limited amount of straight gas through my 2-stroke weedeater once,, it turned around 28,000 rpms for a whole 30 seconds,, before abrupt silence filled my garage. ,,,,,,

Limited Amounts,,,, just another loose term for reckless temptation.

John Fugate

 

[Major Dad]

A sad ending indeed, Ghost, but you came to the right place for help & answers. And welcome aboard the Forum!

 

[Hawk Eye Tom]

I will buy the ejector rod end/head from you and the stocks if they are wooden with the colt medallion .

 

[Cruiser RN]

Yep it fell victim to the +p rounds.When you go to John or Marc to buy a new Cobra use this as a learning experience.With the Alluminum frame it is unwise to use +p ammo. In my Detective Special and 1960 Cobra I use Nyclad 38 Special non +P hollowpoints for carry.If they are good enough for NYPD they are good enough for me.Many use the Buffalo Bore 158 grain rounds also because they have near +p velocity in a standard load.Colt says in the non shrouded guns you can carry +p ammo and run one cylinder to get used to handling characteristics but practice only with standard loads.You have a great excuse to buy another gun.......Mike

 

[Monsai52]

To the experts, and only out of curiosity, why isn't this repairable? Aluminum and alloys are successfully welded up all the time. Couldn't the bbl be removed, the frame welded, the threads re-cut, and the bbl re-installed?

Best regards,

 

[John Fugate]

To the experts, and only out of curiosity, why isn't this repairable? Aluminum and alloys are successfully welded up all the time. Couldn't the bbl be removed, the frame welded, the threads re-cut, and the bbl re-installed?

Best regards,

Its simply a liability factor,, the cold hard truth is any attempt to fix the gun could result in somebodys death. Is it repairable,, who knows ? Probably yes. Theoretically it can be repaired with todays modern technology, anything is possible. A repair could hold for forever and may be stronger than ever before but it may also blow up right out of the gate. I fixed a loose crown "tooth" once with J-B Weld it held for a longtime but then it later became infected. Lesson learned on my part.

Id rather be safe than sorry applies here, more than ever.

J.F.

 

[Geichal71]

If you choose to part the gun out, I would be interested in the damaged frame.
Geichal


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[Monsai52]

I spend a lot of spare time working on old Alfa Romeos and I've seen a number of rare Alfa and Ferrari blocks that had totally detonated on the track that were welded back together, even some with new material spliced in; once finished they were as strong as ever. Amazing what a good welder/machinist can do. If that Cobra was mine, I'd take it to one of the real experts working with alloy. If they said they could weld it "as new", and the price reasonable, I'd probably go for it, (at least with moderate loads). If on the other hand, if they weren't totally confident in what they could do, then I agree, it's to the parts bin.

Best regards,

 

[John Fugate]

I spend a lot of spare time working on old Alfa Romeos and I've seen a number of rare Alfa and Ferrari blocks that had totally detonated on the track that were welded back together, even some with new material spliced in; once finished they were as strong as ever. Amazing what a good welder/machinist can do. If that Cobra was mine, I'd take it to one of the real experts working with alloy. If they said they could weld it "as new", and the price reasonable, I'd probably go for it, (at least with moderate loads). If on the other hand, if they weren't totally confident in what they could do, then I agree, it's to the parts bin.

Best regards,

Risk vs Reward :bang_wall:


Part that dead horse out and live to ride another day.

 

[DPris]

It's dead.
Nobody will repair that frame.
Denis

 

[chaosrob]

Oh ye of little faith, never say that....there is always someone that will try and ask you to hold their beer while they do it. Everyone has a friend of a friend who can weld anything.

It's dead.
Nobody will repair that frame.
Denis

 

[dogface6]

Sure, it 'might' be able to be re-welded and reassembled, and look 'right' - but I'd never trust it again, and I'd never sell it to someone else.

The obsession folks have today with being able to use +P ammunition continues to mystify me - because there are good, hard-hitting, expandable bullets available in less-punishing formats, and like Paris Theodore (Seventrees) said a long time ago - 'The only thing that will put a man on the ground the first time, is a supersonic telephone pole...'

Part it out, and be happy in the fact that you still have your fingers and eyes.

 

[chaosrob]

I'd still keep it intact as a wall hanger and a reminder of why I would not shoot +p's in my new one when I got it. It's also a nice education tool for those who do not know any better. Parting it isn't going to get you much.



Edit: Nice when you type "education" wrong lol

 

[gruesome]

what would this be worth as a parts gun?

 

[capstan]

Well, if the grips are the originals and not too chipped or beat up too bad you should get somewhere between $30 to $50 for them.
The parts you could probably get around $50 for(even though they have been fitted for that specific gun and MAY not fit well in another)
The barrel I would Guess $20 to 50$ So, my guess is around $100 to $150.

That gun may have allready had a micropscopic crack from someone blasting away with many hot reloads or older +P factory loads. Maybe the few you shot through it enlarged the crack or maybe it was already there and you just didnt notice it before.

Good Luck with it.

 

[porsche]

Gun parts kits sell all the time on gunbroker. I think the above estimates are accurate, the aluminum frame on the Cobra means shoot it very little, carry it a lot.