New from Cobra Pistols: Shadow .38 Special and Patriot .45 ACP

When I see a S&W Model 642 clone that has an even half-tolerable trigger (cough Taurus cough), I pay attention. When I see a $360 MSRP price tag, I don’t even mind that it comes in more colors than Crayola. Needless to say, we’re angling for a tester as we speak.

But wait! There’s more!

The Patriot is a DAO polymer-frame .45 ACP with a 6+1 magazine and a vibe that positively screams ‘Kel-Tec.’ With a street price in the low $400s (or less) we’re curious to see what it’s got that a Springfield XD Compact doesn’t. We do like the second-strike ability and the fact that it has a slick slide and NO manual safety.