Colt has revived its revolver lineup in recent years, bringing back the Cobra series in stainless steel with updated internals. The King Cobra Target .22 is part of that revival, pairing a .22 LR chambering with a full-size steel frame that mirrors the weight and balance of its centerfire counterparts.

Quick Summary: Part of Colt’s revamped Snake Series, the King Cobra Target is a good-looking .22 rimfire wheel gun built to feel like a centerfire revolver. 
 

Table of Contents

First Impressions
Features
Specs
Range Report
Reliability
Pros & Cons
Final Thoughts

First Impressions

When I think of a .22 revolver, I usually picture light kit guns or trail pistols – something easy to toss in a bag for plinking or small game. Classics like the Smith & Wesson 34 or 617 fit that role well, while options like the Ruger LCR lean toward lightweight carry and defensive use.

What you don’t see often is a .22 revolver that truly replicates the feel of a full-power gun. That’s where the King Cobra Target stands out. 

Colt built this on the same steel frame as its newer magnum revolvers, giving it the size, weight, and balance of a .357. Older Cobras were lighter, built on aluminum D-frames, but since 2019, Colt has transitioned the King Cobra line to reinforced steel frames capable of handling magnum loads.

The result here feels less like a typical .22 and more like a cut-down Python or a modern take on the old Diamondback – minus the Royal Blue finish. Instead, you get stainless steel that’s far more durable and ready for heavy use.
 

Features

The King Cobra feels comparable to a Smith & Wesson K-frame: substantial without being oversized. Colt bills the finish as semi-bright, though it doesn’t seem any less shiny than other stainless guns I own. The stainless is polished evenly and has less swirlies and wear off the bat than my S&Ws as of late. 

The 10-round cylinder immediately stands out to me. The extra fluting from the increased capacity gives it a unique look that I think sets it apart from most rimfire revolvers. Colt fans will feel right at home, but if you’re coming from Smith & Wesson, things operate differently. The cylinder rotates clockwise, and the cylinder release pulls rearward instead of pushing forward.

It’s smooth to operate, locks up tight, and includes modern transfer bar safeties for improved drop safety. The hammer and trigger are more of a matte steel and are MIM parts, to some dismay. 

The top ribbed barrel is classic Colt and one of the best-looking features on this gun. I have long thought that this lineup within the Snake Series (Python, Anaconda, and Diamondback) is the most stunning when it comes to wheel guns. The King Cobra Target features adjustable rear sights and a bright red fiber optic out front. These are robust and easy to adjust. 
 

Most .22 pistols feel like compromises that are built lighter or simplified to match the caliber. The Glock 44, for example, was meant to mirror the 19, but never quite lands due to the noticeable difference in weight. 

The King Cobra doesn’t have that issue. It feels every bit as substantial as its centerfire counterparts, with no corners cut. While it excels as a training revolver, it could also serve as a carry option for those sensitive to recoil. The factory Hogue rubber grips, paired with the steel frame, make the whole experience enjoyable for anyone. Personally, I’ll be swapping to larger aftermarket wood grips, as I prefer a fuller grip and don’t plan to carry this revolver.
 

Range Report

Anytime I bring a .22 LR gun to the range, I know we’re going to put rounds downrange. I brought some Federal 36-grain box ammo, CCI Mini Mag 40-grain 1,235 fps and 40-grain CCI Quiet 22 at 710 fps. Truth be told, I had so much fun, I can only estimate the final round count to be about 300. 

First, I loaded 10 rounds of the Federal and sent the target out to 10 yards. I used a modified Hickock drill (4-inch square with a 1-inch stamp in the middle) and fired the first 10 shots in single action to test accuracy and recoil. 
 

Pleasant is the first word that comes to mind. I was dropping rounds into the square with ease. With so little recoil due to the weight and balance of the gun, follow-ups are easy and aiming is quick aiming with the red fiber optic. The trigger is decent with minimal stacking, allowing me to stage double-action shots with ease. Single action was super crisp, around 4 pounds. I expect it will continue to smooth out with use. 

Next, I switched to a multi-bullseye target to get more data on how this handgun shoots at different distances and speeds. As I settled in, I noticed some shots landing to the right that didn’t seem to be due to my trigger pull. After a minor rear sight adjustment, groups centered nicely. At 10 yards, it’s easily accurate enough for small game. Groups opened up past 12-15 yards, which isn’t surprising with the 3-inch barrel and .22 ballistics.
 

Reliability

I ran a couple cylinder dumps just for fun and kept them within the target circle. Is there much use for this? Not really, as a .22 is not ideal for self-defense, but the size, weight, and recoil could make a compelling case for the King Cobra in a pinch. The trigger does have a long-ish return, so making sure to not short-stroke takes some practice. 
 

Interestingly, all three ammo types performed similarly. The CCI Quiet stood out for consistency and reduced report – it’s almost ideal for introducing new shooters. As expected, the Quiet rounds also highlight one advantage of revolvers: reliability. They can struggle in semi-autos but work flawlessly here.

I did have a handful of failures to fire, but all except one ignited on the second strike. Primer hits were solid, so I’d attribute that to rimfire ammo variability rather than the gun. Extraction was mostly smooth, though I did notice some sticking when the cylinder heated up after rapid shooting – nothing unusual. Loading the cylinder was easy, and the additional four rounds each time kept that barrel hot.

Final Thoughts

The King Cobra Target .22 fills a niche that not many guns touch. It’s a rimfire revolver that feels like a centerfire gun – same weight, same handling, same manual of arms. That makes it a great training tool, especially if you already run a larger-frame revolver. 

At the same time, it stands on its own. It’s accurate enough for hunting, easy to shoot, and just about as enjoyable as any gun gets. The design is classic Colt, and the 10-round capacity keeps you shooting longer between reloads.