ARTV Preview: SIG Sauer P Series Pistols; Colt King Cobra Target; Colt U.S. M1917 Revolver

by
posted on August 4, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
In this week's episode of American Rifleman TV, we take a look at the history and development of the SIG Sauer P Series of handguns, which started with the Sig P210 service handgun design of the 1940s. Reviewed this week is the Colt King Cobra Target revolver chambered in .357 Magnum. During World War I, the United States needed more side arms so Colt introduced the U.S. Model of 1917 revolver chambered in .45 ACP.  

The Sig P210, which was developed at the end of the 1940s and used by the Swiss Army.
The Sig P210, which was developed at the end of the 1940s and used by the Swiss Army.

The SIG Sauer P series of handguns found their start in the development of the Swiss SIG P210 service pistol in the late 1940s for Switzerland's military, which is still produced today.

In the 1970s, SIG purchased the German firm J. P Sauer and Sohn to bypass Swiss firearm export laws, resulting in SIG Sauer. The next pistol in the series was the P220, the first handgun made by SIG Sauer, introduced in 1975. Browning Imported the P220 into the U.S. as the Browning BDA until SIG Sauer created a U.S. Branch, SIG Arms. SIG Sauer developed a 9 mm version of the design and introduced the P225, P226 and 228 with the P226 being a contender as a replacement for the M1911 in XM9 Service Pistol Trials.

The Colt King Cobra Target revolver, chambered in .357 Magnum.
The Colt King Cobra Target revolver, chambered in .357 Magnum.

A couple of years ago, Colt reintroduced the new King Cobra, which is now a series of four revolvers, with the newest addition being the King Cobra Target. The King Cobra Target is chambered in .357 Magnum and features a 4.25" barrel with an overall weight of 36 oz. As a target model, it comes with a fully adjustable rear sight and an elevated fiber optic front sight that can be removed for a different option.

The Colt produced U.S. Model of 1917 service revolver chambered in .45 ACP.
The Colt produced U.S. Model of 1917 service revolver chambered in .45 ACP.

When the United States entered World War I in 1917, it was materially unprepared to arm troops headed across the Atlantic. One of the major shortages was sidearms, with there not being enough M1911 service pistols to go around.

Luckily, manufacturers like Colt were able to modify existing arms designs to be used instead. Colt had already been contracted to produce its New Service Model of revolver in .455 Webley for British use. The New Service design was re-chambered in .45 ACP and adopted for U.S. use as the Colt Model of 1917 service revolver.
 
To watch complete segments of past episodes of American Rifleman TV, go to americanrifleman.org/artv. For all-new episodes of ARTV, tune in Wednesday nights to Outdoor Channel 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. EST.

Latest

Gotw Rra Lar 22 Tactical Carbine Web
Gotw Rra Lar 22 Tactical Carbine Web

Gun Of The Week: Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine

This week, we're on the range with the Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine, a rimfire variant of the AR-15 that's designed for reliability and gives enthusiasts a way to shoot affordably.

The Armed Citizen® July 11, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Japanese Last-Ditch Small Arms Of World War II

The crude assortment of fighting tools used by the Japanese during World War II give clues of an unprepared and unmatched last-ditch fight that ultimately lead to Allied victory.

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors.

2025 Optic Of The Year: Burris Eliminator 6

Even as new generation after new generation of Burris Eliminator continued to add more advanced technology and functionality, it remained odd-looking—until the launch of this year’s sixth-generation product, which is the first in the line that can mount atop a rifle using standard 34 mm scope rings.

I Have This Old Gun: Star Model B

Of the many Spanish-made firearms to emerge throughout the 19th and 20th century, one of the most recognizable is the Star Model B, largely due to its similarity to the Colt Model 1911.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.