King Cobra or 686?

[JNewell]

I had figured they were special for the Combat Cobra (could be wrong). I liked the grips so much that when I sold the revolver I kept the grips, on the theories that (1) you never know when you might have a gun to put 'em on and (2) just 'cuz. I do think about getting a set of K-frame blanks some time and cutting them down to the shape of these grips.

 

[Timor]

My 2 cents worth

My brother and I went shooting recently with the following revolvers and this was our order of preference:

1) 4" stainless Ruger Security Six - balances in the hand the best, probably because of the lighter weight barrel

2) 4" stainless S&W 686+ - shoots well, slightly front heavy which helps dampen recoil (Now if only S&W would quit putting regular steel triggers and hammers in stainless steel guns)

3) 4" stainless Ruger GP100 - not quite as balanced a shooter as the 686+ and grips allow trigger guard to smack middle finger (changed grips to Hogue rubber and took it back out last week - much better)

4) 4" Blued Colt King Cobra - Not a bad gun, however both of us would prefer any of the others. It didn't balance as well for us and the trigger pull wasn't as pleasant.

 

[BozemanMT]

This is my understanding, and it could be wrong, feel free to correct me if so.
But I've been told that the Colt KC's were the cheap version, all alloy (I didn't know they made blued ones), they don't have the intricate lockwork of a Python and you can shoot full house loads all day long with no fear. (unlike a python). But, of course, the trigger isn't as good as a Python can be.
I bought a 6 inch KC. Very first time I took it to the range. First 6 in the 6 inches. Ohhhhh, nice, I like this. I don't think i've shot my Ruger GP100 since. Much much better trigger (of course, coudl be I got a good one). About 2 weeks later saw a 4 inch. Picked that up. The 4 inch is better balanced than the 6 inch, but probably not as accurate. (but i'm not good enough to tell). That 4 inch KC is by far my favorite pistol. I bet i've put 1000's of rounds down it. Everyone who tries it buys either another KC (2 converts so far) or a Python (1, and he still hasn't let me try it ).
And, as you say, the colts get rarer and rarer. I think both of mine were right around 400 when I got them. the other two mentioned above by others were 350 and 425. heck of a value I think.

but yes, I think you are right, if you had both Colts and S&W's you would confuse the cylinder release under pressure. But if you only do it one way, you won't mess it up. I went Colt.

WTT 1 GP100 6 inch for Python 4 or 6 inch. (kidding)

 

[Majic]

Well technically the KC is made of an alloy. Either the stainless steel (which is an alloy) or the carbon steel (which also is an alloy) that is used by every other firearm maker is used for the KC. There is nothing cheap about it and it never receives it's recognition as one of the strongest medium framed revolvers on the market.
Expelling all myths you can shoot a Python all day with full house magnum loads. It's quite strong in fact. What you can't do is shoot it rapidly without accellerating wear and destroying timing.

 

[MR.G]

To shoot, I would pick the 686. The Colt, if I wanted it for for an investment.