Earlier this year I reviewed the 3-inch version of the Colt Viper. Since then I’ve purchased that exact revolver, and have continued carrying and taking it to the range. During this time I’ve had the opportunity to experiment with a variety of accessories to help improve my experience, both on and off the range. Here are some of my favorite accessories for the Colt Viper.
While the Colt Viper features a fixed, trench style rear sight, the front blade is removeable without specialized tools. This means that shooters (or their gunsmith) can easily swap out the front sight for a variety of other models to suit their preference.
The first aftermarket solution I saw was from XS Sights. XS offers four different front posts, three of which feature tritium inserts for a night sight option. Two version also include a photoluminescent material, in either green or orange, surrounding the tritium for extra eye-catching posts. The final tritium insert forgoes the glow-in-the-dark material for a reflective white ring.
Those looking for a more classic look are in luck as well. In addition to tritium, XS also offers a solid, large, brass bead front sight for the Viper. While I haven’t picked one up for myself, I’m tempted to toss one on my personal Viper to keep with the retro tones of the revolver. Conveniently, XS also includes an installation video on the product page for you DIYers.
Prior to reviewing the Colt Viper, I was not familiar with Harrison Design & Consulting. Luckily, I they were recommended to me by BrYan Eastridge of American Fighting Revolver. When Bryan talks wheelguns, I listen. Harrison has five options for Viper front sights, plus a large blank for those interested in custom work. Our most simple option is a black, serrated blade, with no extras. For those with the standard Viper, this essentially changes you from a ramp to a Patridge style sight.
Next we have fiber optics, in both green and red. From here, shooters can choose a gold bead front sight, which stands a little proud of the face of the blade, helping it to catch light. Finally we have two options of night sights, both using Ameriglo tritium. These offer an orange or green ring surrounding the tritium lamp for daylight use.
I have a Harrison Design & Consulting night sight on my Viper. Installation was a breeze, and it has held up to 357 recoil so far. Point of impact seems to be much closer to point of aim compared to the factory front post, which is a welcome update. Expect a full review in the future!
Dedicated Colt Viper holsters are limited, luckily the Viper also fits most King Cobra holsters, which expands our horizons a bit. Throughout the review process I wore my Viper in a Galco Combat Master for a S&W K-Frame. This worked very well, however Galco does support the 3-inch Viper specifically with both its own Combat Master, along with their Switchback, and S1H holsters. For another leather option, DeSantis offers their Inside Heat IWB holster for the 3-inch King Cobra, which is Viper compatible.
Looking at kydex, Dark Star Gear is currently my top recommendation. Their Apollo holster for the King Cobra will support the Viper, and provide a quality piece of equipment to stick in your waistband. While not in production, Harry’s Holsters lists their Masterpiece as compatible with the Viper, so make your voices heard to help kickstart things for another great holster manufacturer!
Revolvers aren’t known for rapid reloads, but that doesn’t mean we need to be intentionally slow about things either. Currently there are three options for speed loaders with the Viper. These are 5-Star, HKS, and the SL Variant reproductions. I currently own both HKS and 5-Star loaders for my gun, and my recommendation is the 5-Star loader. While not typically my preference, when paired with the Viper, 5-Star does the best job of clearing grips, along with the tight cylinder-to-frame fit of the gun. If you’re buying a speed loader for your Viper, the only right answer is 5-Star.
Luckily, most strip style loading devices work excellently with the Viper, to include the Zeta6 K-Pak, along with Bianchi and Tuff Products options. I frequently find myself topping off the gun with my Zeta6 loaders, along with a Galco 2x2x2 and Dark Star Gear IAC pouch worn on my belt.
The Colt Viper arrives with some nice looking wooden stocks. While pleasing to the eye, they’re not the best when it comes to recoil or facilitating rapid reloads. During my review process I tried two different options for aftermarket grips to improve the shooting experience.
First was the Pachmayr Compac grips, which I think make for an excellent concealment options. They’re nicely rounded at the butt, but provide a full-finger grip, ensuring proper control of the gun. There is a bit of splitting of the Compac underneath the trigger guard, but I found this unobtrusive, and left it as is. I’d really love to see this profile of grip in G10 to remove some grippiness to aid in concealment. Pachmayr also offers a slightly larger set of rubber grips, the Gripper.
About 2/3 through my review I transitioned to Hogue Monogrips, which are a bit larger, while also being a bit softer compared to Pachmayr. These occupy a middle ground in size and shape, being a bit thinner, while also slightly longer than the Compac grips I previously used. Instead of a clamshell design, Monogrips fully encompass the grip frame, sliding over the frame itself, leaving no seams or splits. While note quite as concealable, these grips do an excellent job at taming recoil.
I highly recommend moving away from the factory wooden stocks, regardless of ammunition choice, as their shaping puts the middle knuckle of the shooting hand’s middle finger directly against the trigger guard. Recoil gives said knuckle a sharp rap against the guard, which gets painful in short order, and impacts double-action shooting, even with 38 Special. Both Hogue and Pachmayr options are great choices and can handle 357 Magnum recoil well, and both allow proper ejection of spent brass. .
While the aftermarket for the Colt Viper isn’t stellar, it’s far from desolate. Shooters have their pick of some quality holsters, loading devices, grips, and more. As the popularity of this gun continues to grow, expect to see more support from the aftermarket. If someone makes something you like, but doesn’t support the Viper, tell them you’d love to see that change!
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