Colt Viper: Balanced 6-Shot Revolver That Has Teeth

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Usually when a company resurrects a model from its past, that gun was popular the first time around or has some kind of special hold on shooters. The Colt Viper would seem to fall into neither of those categories.

The original was produced only in 1977, and only 4,000 were made. R.L. Wilson’s authoritative Colt: An American Legend has but a single Viper photograph and no background on its design and history. But with the current demand for defensive revolvers, the timing of this .357 Magnum double-action/single-action reintroduction couldn’t be better.

The six-shot Viper is available with a 4.25- or three-inch barrel; I borrowed the latter. In this configuration the gun is 8.25 inches long, with a weight of 27 ounces. Height is five inches. While these dimensions are bigger than, say, a two-inch snubbie in the S&W J-frame class, it’s perfectly suited for carry and quite shootable—even with .357 Magnum loads.

The Viper is forged from stainless steel and features a bright polished finish. The barrel is one piece, with a solid rib up top and a two-thirds-length ejector shroud below. “Colt Viper” and the caliber designation are engraved on the left side of the barrel, with “Colt’s Mfg. Hartford, CT USA” on the right.

Frame and Details

The muzzle sports a recessed crown, and above the muzzle you’ll find a 4-40 set screw that holds the black serrated front sight in place. If you want to replace the sight, insert a 0.050-inch Allen wrench to loosen the screw. The rear sight is a gutter-length notch machined into the frame’s topstrap.

The Viper is built on the King Cobra frame, and my sample actually came with a King Cobra owner’s manual. The famous rampant colt symbol is found on the frame just below the cylinder release. That part is Colt’s pull-style “chess pawn” release, and the head of the pawn is serrated for sure purchase. It operates easily.

The six-shot cylinder is fluted. Timing of the cylinder stop was flawless. After 100 or so rounds through the gun, the cylinder showed zero drag marks. Cylinder end shake after firing those rounds, including a couple boxes of .357s, was .0045 inch. Those who geek out over such things might consider this on the high side, but it certainly didn’t show up in performance.

The trigger is grooved and sits inside an enlarged trigger guard. It had an excellent pull: seven pounds, 10 ounces in double action and two pounds, eight ounces in single action. The weight was very consistent from pull to pull, with the double action exhibiting a normal amount of stacking toward the end.

Grip and Feel

The hammer is serrated, and the fire-control mechanism incorporates a transfer-bar safety. Transfer bars prevent the hammer from striking the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled. This is the lone mechanical safety on the revolver.

Last but certainly not least, the Viper features a pair of checkered wood grips that complement the stainless steel perfectly.

The Viper not only looks good, it shoots good, too. The 15-yard accuracy results may not blow you away, but I think they’re great considering the rudimentary sighting setup.

Since this is a fixed-sight gun, the points of impact are worth mentioning. The Fiocchi was an inch or so high, Hornady Critical Defense two to three inches low. The Remington Golden Saber +P and Hornady .357 loads were basically right on.

Balance and Shootability

The Viper’s balance is spot-on, too, and with lighter loads like Critical Defense it was a puppy dog. It’s easy to shoot with +Ps, my defensive go-to for guns in this class, and in drills even .357s were totally manageable.

While the sights are fine, if this revolver were my primary defensive tool, I might opt for one of the many high-visibility aftermarket front sights that are available to fit the Viper.

My one complaint is that, for me, the enlarged trigger guard doesn’t leave enough room between it and the middle knuckle of my firing hand—resulting in getting rapped repeatedly until I started cheating my grip. Comparing it to my current-manufacture Colt Python, with the Viper my knuckle is practically resting against the guard while the Python gives me a full quarter-inch of clearance.

However, like so many things in handgunning, it comes down to hand/finger size versus grip size and shape. Fortunately, this particular issue will reveal itself the moment you pick up the revolver at your friendly neighborhood gunshop. If your natural grip doesn’t play well with the Viper, it may not be the best choice for you. But if it does work out, you’ll find the Viper an excellent choice as a defensive carry or home-defense gun. It’s a gorgeous revolver with great handling and a terrific trigger, plus you get the cachet that comes with owning a Colt.

Colt Viper Specs

• Type: double-action/single-action revolver
• Caliber: .357 Magnum
• Capacity: 6
• Barrel: 3 in. (as tested) one-piece stainless steel
• OAL/Height/Width: 8.25/5.0/1.4 in.
• Weight: 27 oz.
• Construction: polished stainless steel frame
• Grips: checkered wood
• Trigger: DA pull 7 lb., 10 oz.; SA pull 2 lb., 8 oz.
• Sights: gutter rear, serrated black ramped blade front
• Safety: transfer bar
• MSRP: $999
• Manufacturer: Colt, colt.com

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