Editing Colt Cobra (section)

==Production subvariants==
===Colt ''Aircrewman''===
The ''Colt M13 Aircrewman'' was an ultra-lightweight version of the Detective Special constructed of aluminum alloy, and made from 1951 to 1957 for use by [[United States Air Force]] aircrews. They are distinguished by the Air Force medallion in place of the Colt medallion on the checkered wooden grips, as well as a cylinder made of aluminum alloy.  Within two years of issuance, reports of cylinder and/or frame failure began to plague the Aircrewman and its Smith & Wesson counterpart, the [[Smith & Wesson Model 12]], despite issuing a dedicated low-pressure .38 Special military cartridge, the ''Caliber .38 Ball, M41'' round.<ref>TM 43-0001-27, ''Army Ammunition Data Sheets – Small Caliber Ammunition, FSC 1305'', Washington, D.C.: Dept. of the Army, 29 April 1994: The original USAF .38 M41 ball cartridge had a pressure limit of only 13,000 CUP, propelling its 130-grain FMJ bullet at a mild 725 feet per second.</ref><ref>Williams, Kevin, ''Colt Two-Inch Revolvers in U.S. Military Service'', The Rampant Colt, Colt Collectors Association Magazine (June 2009)</ref>  However, the cylinder fractures continued, and the weapons were eventually withdrawn from service.<ref>Williams, Kevin, ''Colt Two-Inch Revolvers in U.S. Military Service'', The Rampant Colt, Colt Collectors Association Magazine (June 2009)</ref>

===Colt ''Courier''===
The ''Courier'' was a 3-inch variant of the Cobra with a special, short grip frame. It was produced in both .22 Long Rifle and .32 Colt New Police. The frame and cylinder of the .32 model are constructed of lightweight aluminum alloy, and the gun weighs 13.5 ounces. Only the frame of the .22 model was constructed of aluminum alloy, with a total weight of 19.5 ounces. It was made from 1954 to 1956. Approximately 3,053 were produced in the two years. The .32 Courier remains as the only commercially produced Colt to ever have an alloy cylinder.

===Colt ''Agent''===
The Colt ''Agent'' was another model similar to the Cobra. The original Agents were very well made, with high polished finishes and highly checkered walnut grips. The bottom of the Agent grips was slightly shorter than that of the Cobra. The original Agent weighed 14 ounces and was available only in .38 Special caliber, with a 2-inch barrel and blued finish. It was made from 1955 to 1979. The original Agents had a smaller grip frame from the Cobra which made for a deeper concealment and the grip frame was later changed to match the Cobra in the late 60s. A slightly revised version of the Agent was released in 1973 with a shrouded ejector rod, with a weight of 16 ounces.  In 1982, the Agent was briefly revived by Colt, this time with a parkerized finish; production continued until 1986, which made the Agent a much cheaper version of the Cobra.

===Colt ''Viper''===
The Viper was essentially a 4-inch barreled version of the alloy-framed Colt Cobra in [[.38 Special]]. Introduced in 1977 and only produced that year, the Viper did not sell as well as Colt expected and was discontinued. In recent years, owing to its limited production run, the Viper has become quite collectable. Examples in good condition fetch unusually high prices. In 2024, Colt reintroduced the Viper, with similar wood grips to the original. However, apart from cosmetic resemblance, the new Viper has little in common with the original. The new Viper, like the new Cobra, is made from a steel frame, but unlike the new Cobra, the new Viper is chambered in [[.357 Magnum]]. The new Viper is also available in 3-inch and 4.25-inch barrel lengths.<ref>https://www.guns.com/news/2024/05/20/grizzly-kodiak-and-viper-colt-debuts-3-new-revolvers-for-2024 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref>