[joebitzky]

got a chance to buy a S&W 686 ss 4inch or a colt king 4inch,both are 600 each.both are in near perfect condition except the colt has a slight scratch on side plate.Both lock up tight,trigger on the colt to me feels a little smoother.Yes i know what ever feels better in my hand but other opinions are welcome.help me out here.what would your choice be.

[Oro]

I don't know much about a King Cobra. I'm pretty sure, thought, $600 for a 4" 686 is kinda steep. Does it come with factory wood combat grips or something (a few did)?

[joebitzky]

it has the original rubber grips.been to 5 or 6 gun shows here in ohio all these revolvers are priced between 550-780. I guess its what the market can bear here.

[ArchAngelCD]

Colt made great double action revolvers BUT, they no longer make them. If this is going to be a shooter I would suggest the S&W for a few reasons. The knowledge of how to repair Colt revolvers is passing and the parts to repair them are also hard to find. Because parts are available and most gunsmiths know how to fix S&W revolvers that would be my choice. BUT, like said above, that sounds a little high for a M686. If you can get the price down some it would be better. (below $550)

[Oro]

Ok - I just went and used Gunbroker's advanced search feature to hunt up closed/completed/sold auctions on 4" 686's. Over the past 2 months, they've pretty much run $475 to $650, with the higher range being older guns in good shape with original wood target grips and/or original boxes. I consider as a rule, when buying from Gunbroker to assume a $50 federal "tax" as that is what it usually runs above the gavel price to get it through federally dictated shipping requirements and a local FFL transfer before it gets into your hands. Thus, those people paying $650 are really paying about $700. Gasp.

So you are right, these things are really pulling down the cash they were not 12 months and 24 months ago. Maybe it's because I post so frequently about what wonderful guns the 4" 686's are ;). But now I had a like-new (mint) 686-4 2.5" in the original box, with wood grips, for sale on the classifieds here and elsewhere this spring, and it took a while to sell at $600. And 2.5" guns in the box usually bring a good premium over a 4".

All that said, my strategy would be to find a pre-lock/pre-MIM (eg., 1997 or earlier) 686 with the original box or at least original wood grips and try to pay $550 before shipping and tax. then I might be $600 all in, but I would have a desirable one that will always bring a premium over newer models.

Last word is that I would not be in a hurry - I see plenty of signs the market is curbing and a peak was hit and prices are dropping. People are just tapped out from gorging on guns and ammo the last year. I offered up an excellent 66-1 2.5" .357 recently at a price that would have moved quickly six months ago; I've had barely an inquiry. This is not my only data point, but it's a valid comparison point. I'd buy later in the summer and take my time about it.

[Virginian]

I had both, and 4" and 6" models of each. I preferred the Colts by a slight margin. They were slightly more accurate with most of my loads, but both are very nice revolvers.

[TechBrute]

I personally have a hard time getting used to the "backwards" Colt cylinder release. I have a Colt Anaconda and several S&W, and I prefer the S&W controls.

[JohnnyOrygun]

I have no experience with the 686, but I do have a King Cobra and I love it! Super Smooth Single Action, of all my guns (not that I have that many, but a few) it is my favorite handgun hands down. It is much more accurate then I am, so I would say get the Colt and I think just about anything with the Colt name on it will go up in value. Not that I think the name alone is worth it, but there is a certain mystique about Colts. Of course the comments about trying to find someone who can work on a Colt if anything goes south are true. But I have had mine since 1992 and shot it a lot and dry fired it even more and its still perfectly timed. YMMV and IMHO

JohnnyOrygun

[gmh1013]

I had a KC 6 inch 16 years ago and like a dumb-ass sold it when I lost a job way back. Now I wish that it was the last thing I should have sold.
I will take a Colt KC anyday over a new 686.

[jjohnson]

Okay, I have no experience with that model of Colt.... but I bought an almost new 686 Plus (7-shot) several years ago and have been very pleased with it in all respects.

Mind you, I started shooting revolvers in 1962, and shoot more in a year what most folks will shoot in a lifetime.:evil:

I've had both Colt and S&W revolvers over the years, and the 686 Plus (PRE Hillary Hole) is my favorite among all DA revolvers. Smooth, slick action, shoots like a house on fire, and (for me) perfectly proportioned. I'd try shooting both of 'em for awhile to see which feels best to you.

[gloucestergarand]

I have a nice King Cobra purchased from our Rod and Gun in Germany back in 1988...actually went down to FranconiaJagd with our club manager to pick it up. On another posting in Germany, bought a nice 686 with the 8 3/8 barrel from a friend, simply found it didn't have the utility I desired, sent it to Smith and exchanged the barrel for a 4 inch. Much more utility, but still massive. I still have the 8 3/8 barrel, should I change my mind again though.

[pmeisel]

I have a S&W 19 and a Python......like em both.

If you can only have one, for the same price, take the Colt, the rarity will drive the price up more over time.

But they are both fine guns.

[Guillermo]

this is not even a choice...buy the Colt. You can ALWAYS buy a 686 but a $600 King Cobra is a rarity.

(nothing against the 686, have one, love it...but they made a gazillion of them and are still making them...Colt is not making revolvers)

Run...do not walk and buy the Colt or you will be sorry.

[Walkalong]

You can ALWAYS buy a 686 but a $600 King Cobra is a rarity.Agreed. I would like to try out a King Cobra, but the prices have stopped me so far.

[Guillermo]

Agreed. I would like to try out a King Cobra, but the prices have stopped me so far.

Talk Joe into the 686 and ask him where the Colt is...$600 is dirt

(yes, I know that some folks are going to hop on and tell about the perfect Python & Anaconda that they traded for a 4 day old P,B & J sandwich...but out here in the real world, 6 bills is good)

[joebitzky]

thanks for your input, Im really leaning towards the kc. mainly because of the fact that the value of the kc will progressivly increase.also the sw seems to be a more readaly available.Ill tell you what guillermo,Ill buy both and sell you the kc for 800. just kidding im not looking for a divorce just yet.

[Guillermo]

Ill buy both and sell you the kc for 800. just kidding im not looking for a divorce just yet.

So your wife would object to you making $200?

You need to train her better

[Walkalong]

and ask him where the Colt is.Yep...:)

I have a 6" Anaconda on .45 Colt. It may go one day. It is a fine gun, but is a bit muzzle heavy for my taste. A 4" King Cobra priced right will find me one day.

[Colt Smith]

"I offered up an excellent 66-1 2.5" .357 recently at a price that would have moved quickly six months ago; I've had barely an inquiry."

....um, really?........please do tell us more about this tasty morsel.

[DKA]

Had a Cobra that got stolen, now have a 686 S&W with 4" Barrel. Feel better with the 686, because I shoot mine and if it needs work or parts, they are around, Colt parts can be hard to find.

[Oro]

ask him where the Colt is...$600 is dirt

If the price on the KC is indeed way cheap according to the Colt folks, and it's a solid looker, then grab that; I still dont' think that's a steal on the 686, especially in a softening market. And I'm a huge fan of the 686. But if that Colt is really a great deal, get it and pick up a 686 cheaper another day.

Colt Smith - got your pm; replied.

[joebitzky]

well its a done deal im a proud owner of kc.went out and put 48 rounds through her pipe with out a hiccup.smooth butter like smooth.thanks for the inputs.I still am planning on a s&w in the futher,but need to rebuild some funds.by the way he came down to 580,because he liked me,kinda scarey.

[Thomas Garrett]

Joe, you stole it!. Welcome to Colt:D

[sarge83]

I have a KC and a 686. I prefer my Model 19 with target sights to both. The 686 has a better trigger, but the KC fits my hand better. Both reside in my safe and the Model 19 gets the range time.

[Frandy]

Enjoy your King Cobra!

http://homepage.mac.com/franman/.Pictures/Handguns/King_Cobra_Dec_26_2006_1_640.jpg

[Devilfrog]

Good choice, the KC was my first revolver and is still my favorite gun

[kengulo]

I know this is an old thread but thought I'd share. I had a 686+ with a lock that I traded a guy for a Ruger P95 that I had, also came with duty holster, speed loader carrier and 2 speed loaders. Sold it about 2 years later for about $750. Just recently got a KC in 95% condition with box for $400 here in CA! Haven't gotten it yet to fire but really looking forward to doing so.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/kengulo/2011-05-23170748-2.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/kengulo/2011-05-23170729-1.jpg

KC for the for the win many 686s to be had.

[Taurus_9mm]

Very nice, quite a deal at $400!! I've always wanted a King Cobra but like many of us, our long list of gun wants far exceeds our means to get them all. Hope you get to take her out for some range time in the near future. :)

[evan price]

My first ever gun was a King Cobra 4". Paid $300 for it... in 1990 or so. Not for sale at any price! Seeing them on Gunbroker lately over $700, the value keeps going up.

[ColtPythonElite]

My first handgun was a polished KC. I bought it brand new 20 years ago. It was $335. I paid more than double that for it's 4" brother a year ago. Both are good shooters.