Review of Russian collimator sights "Cobra"

Cobra Arms

Old Cobra Enterprises d/b/a
Cobra Firearms

, also known as
Cobra Arms
and officially as
Cobra Enterprises of Utah, Inc.,
was an American firearms manufacturer based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Cobra Firearms is distantly related to the "ring of fire" inexpensive firearms companies[1][2] and may be a reincarnation of Raven Arms[3] and possibly Davis Industries. [4]

Cobra Arms makes affordable handguns. Many firearms produced by Cobra Arms are made from Zamak die-cast zinc alloy.

Products [edit]

Cobra Arms primarily manufactured and sold pocket pistols and derringers in .22 LR, .32 ACP and .380 ACP calibers, however they also sell larger pistols in 9mm Parabellum and .45 ACP.

All pistols are made from Zamak alloy unless otherwise noted:

Derringers

• The Cobra Arms Classic series is built in .22LR, .22mag, .25ACP and .32Auto[5]
• Cobra Arms Titan, stainless steel derringer in 45 Colt Long and .410 caliber, [6]
• Cobra Arms Big Bore [7] and Long Bore Derringers [8] are constructed in .22 Mag, 32 H&R Mag, .380 ACP, .38 Special and 9mm, with the Long Bore having a longer barrel.

Semi-automatic

• Cobra Arms CA, .32acp or .380acp pistols [9]
• Cobra Arms Denali/New Denali Series .380 ACP pistols [10]
• Cobra Arms Freedom Series - .32acp or .380acp pistols [11]
• Cobra Arms' Patriot Series, .380 ACP, 9mm,[12] and 45 Auto[13] Patriot series polymer pistols were acquired when Cobra Arms acquired the separate but related company Republic Arms.

Revolvers

• Cobra Arms Shadow .38 spl lightweight Snubnosed revolver with polymer frame, stainless steel barrel and cylinder. [14]

The name of Theodor Bergman occupies an honorable place in the history of modern small arms, although, according to the latest data, he was an ordinary entrepreneur, most of the designs for whom, like for Louis Schmeisser, were created by hired engineers.

Bergman's first pistol was patented in 1892 in collaboration with Otto Brauswetter, a watchmaker from the Hungarian city of Szeged. This design, which uses the recoil of the barrel during its long stroke, was, however, not very successful.

A more advanced pistol, which appeared under the name of Bergman, was a model with a semi-free bolt, which, to slow down the unlocking, moved along an inclined surface inside the bolt box. One copy of this weapon - perhaps even the only one - was transferred to the Swiss army for testing in 1893.

In September 1905, the Mars pistol was adopted by the Spanish army, and this was a significant achievement for Bergman.

Fate, however, wanted trouble to overtake Bergman at the hour of his triumph. Pistols for his company were produced in Suhl by the Schilling factory, which was bought by Heinrich Krieghoff in 1904. In 1905, the new owner notified Bergman that the existing contract between the factory and the arms company would not be renewed. Bergman was thus left with a Spanish order in hand, with almost no production base to fulfill it. At first he tried to start producing the Mars at his own small factory in Hagenau, but this turned out to be impracticable, and then Bergman decided to abandon the production of pistols altogether. Companion Louis Schmeisser left Bergman and joined the Reinische Metallwaren und Maschinenfabrik in Sömmerde.

In 1907, the license for the production of Mars was sold in Liege. Pieper faithfully fulfilled the Spanish order and began producing the Mars for commercial sale, and then, having made some improvements to the basic design, released several modifications of this pistol under the name Bergman-Bayard. This was the last time Bergman's name was mentioned in connection with pistols, followed by a hiatus of several years.

Pistol Bergman-Bayard (Bergman-Bayard) 9 mm

Automatic pistol Bergmann Simplex 1902

Automatic pistol Bergmann M-1894

Automatic pistol Bergmann Mars

Automatic pistol Bergmann M-1896 and its modifications

Links[edit]

1. "Hot Guns: Ring of Fire". Front line
   . PBS. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
2. https://gunstreamer.com/watch/quot-ring-of-fire-quot-pistols-family-tree_GTygTZEvc1t9e9T.html
3. https://lonelymachines.org/2006/11/19/the-ring-of-fire-lives-on/
4. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/guns/ring/families.html History of PBS Companies
5. https://cobrapistols.net/guns/classic-derringers
6. https://cobrapistols.net/guns/titan-derringer-45-lc-410
7. https://cobrapistols.net/guns/big-bore-derringers
8. https://cobrapistols.net/guns/long-bore-derringers
9. https://cobrapistols.net/guns/ca-semi-automatic
10. https://cobrapistols.net/guns/denali-series
11. https://cobrapistols.net/guns/fs-semi-automatic
12. https://cobrapistols.net/guns/patriot-series-9-380
13. https://cobrapistols.net/guns/patriot-series-45
14. https://cobrapistols.net/guns/shadow

Features of the Cobra collimator sight

The main distinguishing feature of all Cobra collimator sights is their fundamentally repeating optical system from model to model - the differences between versions usually lie in the way the structure is attached to the weapon. At the same time, the sight almost always has an open shape, which is very convenient for hunting enthusiasts, because most of the surrounding area is always in the field of view.

The body of the Cobra collimator sight is made of aluminum alloy, which significantly reduces the weight of the structure. At the same time, the device is completely sealed - all parts fit very tightly to each other, and also have polymer seals in the most important places. Even if the sight gets caught in heavy rain, it will be enough to wipe it with a dry cloth, after which it will be ready for use again.

The warranty life of a device is measured in the number of shots fired by the owner of a gun or carbine with the “body kit” installed. The minimum indicator even on the cheapest scope is 1200 shots. If the collimator is used on pneumatic weapons (including airsoft), then the number of shots fired does not affect its warranty period in any way - in this case it is measured in years.

To power the Cobra collimator, ordinary AA batteries are used, which can be quickly replaced by removing the cover at the bottom of the device. As you understand, uptime depends entirely on how powerful the energy source is. For example, ordinary alkaline batteries will last no more than 5-6 hours, but if you insert a lithium device, it can last up to several days.

Another visual feature of a collimator sight is considered to be the vertical adjustment screw, which covers the aiming field. This nuance does not really interfere with the use of the collimator, but for many hunters it may seem like a drawback that they will have to put up with. Although most shooters claim that you get used to this feature of the device quite quickly.

The lineup

Over the entire existence of the Cobra brand, quite a few versions of this device have been released, which differ not only in cost, but also in characteristics, as well as various additional functions that will be useful for hunters. We present to your attention a brief overview of the model range, namely the three most popular products from Izhevsk Moto.

EKP-8-02

This red dot sight features a side mounting system, so it can be mounted on almost any carbine or shotgun. As in other collimators from, the formation of a light beam is carried out using a special laser. In this case, unmasking of the shooter from the target side is completely excluded, since a special reflective coating is applied to the front lens. Activation and deactivation of the device is achieved using a fairly convenient and large lever, placed in such a way as to completely protect the button from accidental pressing. Lens adjustment is carried out using two drums (top and bottom), on which digital markings are applied for ease of adjustment. Overall, this is a very capable scope that is equally effective for beginners and pros alike, but may still seem a bit rustic to some users.

EKP-8-02 with a side mounting system.

EKP-8-18

Another version of the EKP-8 sight, however, the main difference from the previous model is the mounting method - to fix the device with a weapon, a Picatinny sighting rail (22 millimeters) or a Weaver bracket (16 millimeters) is used. Thus, the collimator is suitable for installation on almost any foreign rifle or shotgun, as well as some modern Russian weapon models . But even if your carbine or shotgun is equipped with a dovetail mount (11 millimeters), you should not be upset, because for an additional cost you can always get adapter strips that will allow you to raise the aiming line and install a collimator on the weapon. At the same time, it will be convenient to aim from the device, since it does not have large dimensions. Otherwise, the model is almost no different from the EKP-8-2, so it can also be used by both beginners and professionals.

The EKP-8-18 is mounted using a sighting bar.

EKP-1S-03

One of the most modern collimator sights of the Cobra brand, which is somewhat different from the EKP-8-18 and its progenitor EKP-8-2. The main feature is the presence of a lever locking system, due to which the time required to bring the drive into the firing position is reduced to a minimum. The “body kit” is attached using a side sight rail, so the model is considered universal and can be used on both airsoft and hunting weapons. But it is still preferable to use the EKP-1S-03 specifically for tuning a firearm, since the collimator is capable of withstanding a muzzle load of up to 4500 J. Thanks to this, many professional hunters use the device when shooting magnum class cartridges. However, it is not recommended to exceed the permissible limits, as this can lead to deformation of the batteries as a result of strong recoil of the weapon.

Specifications

To better understand what each of the above-described collimator sights from the Cobra line is, we have compiled a small comparative table with their technical characteristics, as well as the average cost of the devices:

All sights are capable of operating even in the harshest weather conditions (from -30 to +50 degrees Celsius), and due to their good sealing performance, you don’t have to worry about the condition of the device even during heavy rain or snowfall.

The angular size of the aiming mark is approximately 5 centimeters. Moreover, its type will be the same in all cases - “dot”. However, among the Cobra model range there are also collimators with a “circle” or “circle with a dot”.

The body kit is supplied in regular cardboard packaging, protected from moisture by a special coating. The package also includes a screwdriver key for attaching the scope, 2 or 3 batteries and several wipes for wiping the lenses. For an additional cost, the manufacturer can add a special case to the kit, which is useful for storing the collimator, as well as carrying several spare batteries.

Hunter reviews

Most hunting enthusiasts speak positively about the Cobra collimator sights. Here are the main points that you can stumble upon when reading the comments of the owners:

1. A clear collimator adjustment that does not require any skills - any beginner who has at least once shot the rear sight in the air can adjust the position of the lens.
2. High reliability indicator - the company never refuses warranty service, even if this or that breakdown occurred due to the fault of the hunter.
3. Wide viewing angle - unlike closed-type sights, the Cobra is ideally suited for shooting “offhand” or “in flight”.
4. Cost - only Chinese analogues are cheaper, but products from the Middle Kingdom are rarely of high quality.
5. Clear aiming marks with the ability to adjust brightness - some sights have up to 16 gradations.
6. Possibility of use in any weather conditions - this cannot be said even about some imported models.

As for negative reviews, they usually describe the meager number of additional functions of the Cobra (lack of magnifying lenses, for example). Also, some users were dissatisfied with the fact that during twilight or in cloudy weather the image behind the lens may be slightly blurry. Otherwise, users leave only good comments.

The Cobra collimator is one of the best sights for both beginners and professional hunters. Products from the Izhevsk Motor Plant are characterized by reliability and simplicity, as well as a relatively low cost of the product. So it is precisely fishermen who will like such collimators, but airsoft players who prefer to sacrifice reliability for several additional functions may not appreciate the Cobra. But, be that as it may, such a “body kit” definitely deserves attention.