King Cobra or 686?

[jc2]

If given a choice, which one would you pick and why. Both are in beautiful condition--low round count, well-cared for and with four-inch barrels.

Of course, I would prefer responses based on actual first-hand experience and not gunshop gossip.

 

[J. Parker]

I've owned both. Prefer the 686....nicer trigger, less expensive and "seemed" lighter. Colt King Cobra.....terrible trigger...super HEAVY....too expensive and over-rated. FWIW.....Ayoob thinks the "KING COBRA" on the barrel would be a negative in court. I'll take the Smith.

 

[OEF_VET]

FWIW.....Ayoob thinks the "KING COBRA" on the barrel would be a negative in court.

Ayoob thinks just about everything can be a negative in court, save breathing.

I own a 686 and love it. You couldn't get me to trade for a Colt King Cobra, even though the Colt is worth more money. (Ok, part of the reason is sentimental. The 686 was my dad's duty weapon for several years with the SO.) I just happen to have an affinity for Smith wheelguns. There's just something about them.

 

[stans]

King Cobra's, like all Colt revolvers, are fast becoming collector's items and are commanding prices much higher than they are worth as shooters. Go with the S&W 686 or a Ruger GP-100. Both of these are still in production, tons of spare parts available, and any competent gunsmith can give either of these a really nice trigger job.

 

[mattz357]

I have a King Cobra and a 66. The King Cobra was my first handgun ever and will always be one of my favorites, but I don't shoot it because I can't replace it if something happens. Mine has a very nice trigger and balances well. My 66 has an awesome trigger and feels like it was molded for my hand, but I haven't shot that yet either. When I bought my King Cobra in 1996, it was slightly less expensive than a 686, but I think the price of both guns has gone up since then. My "used" King Cobra is probably worth about the same now as a new 686, so not that much difference.

 

[JNewell]

Agree on the value/$ point above; Colt has made some great guns (and does still) but value hasn't been a Colt strength since well before most people here were born.

I had a King Cobra for quite a few years. I agree with the comments on the trigger. The 686 is as strong, and is a more refined example of the heavy/midframe revolver.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

I've never owned Colt's King Cobra; but I am proud to say that 2
S&W model 686's have been in my inventory; a 4" and a 6". The
6" 686-5 (no intergal lock) is still here, and hopefully always will
be. I had a $15 WOLFF spring kit (with 13 lb trigger return spring)
installed, and now this weapon is marvelous. Super accurate, as
it is a joy to shoot. I too, would not trade it for a King Cobra; or
even a Python*, as I don't care for Colt's triggers.

*FootNote- after owning 4 of them!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Marshall]

I have a 4" King Cobra in bright stainless. The trigger is worderful, the gun balances great and shoots accurately. Never had a problem with it!

Same with the Smith's!


I wouldn't trade my King Cobra for a Smith but, I don't trade any of my guns!

 

[Majic]

I would say the KC is the stronger, but has become more expensive (like most Colts). Triggers are equal IMO as neither has what one would call a great trigger out the box. The S&W has a larger accessory base so everything really balances out. It becomes a matter of brand preference.
They both are great shooters and as a long time Colt fan I chose a blued KC over the S&W.

 

[JNewell]

as a long time Colt fan I chose a blued KC

...which makes a lot of sense. I started with Colt wheelguns and used to shoot Colts a lot, then moved toward Smiths. Both are excellent products, but I gotta say, the fact that just about everything but the trigger worked the opposite way made me a little crazy. The Smiths mostly won in the end, but that's totally subjective.

Get jc2 started with the KC and pretty soon he'll want the economy size version to shoot 44s in!

 

[einnor1040]

Here's my King Cobra. I love it.

 

[B27]

I like my KC a bunch and it sees regular use-

http://www.fototime.com/44A31923094EC9E/standard.jpg

The trigger on mine is better than the stock trigger on any 686 that I have ever owned or handled.

But, my 686's, especially this one which was worked over by a local smith-

http://www.fototime.com/290535AEA4D67EA/standard.jpg

-see even more use.

I would not pay much more for a used KC than for a used 686, even though the market now prices them higher, but I wouldn't pass one up on the basis of it not being the equal of a 686 either.

I really wish I had bought more KC's when they were being made.

 

[fistful]

If a combat pistol, pick the one that's easiest to use

I guess it's just me, but one reason I keep a S & W in my office, and not a Colt, is that the Colt cylinder release just seems backwards. I think under stress I would frantically press the Colt cylinder release toward the cylinder, losing precious seconds. I would think someone who's more accustomed to the Colt would have the same problem.

It may be that few firefights last long enough for a reload, and of course the problem can be rectified through training, but why create a problem for yourself?

 

[gvass]

SW 686 is much more prolific, so replacement parts are easy to get.
The KC is discontinued long ago.

I've shot both, the 686 much more frequently. The 686 have better trigger, better opening-system, and more accurate and consistent.

For me, the King Cobra seems just an economy-version of the famous Python.

One vote for the 686.

 

[Shootcraps]

They are both great guns. I've owned both. I have a King Cobra that my wife bought for my birthday. Sweet gun. Value on these has gone way up so if you can get one cheap, it's a good investment. They are so similar, it's really a toss-up based on looks and feel. I would get another 4" KC if I could.

 

[IndianaDean]

I purchased a 4 inch 686 this past weekend. My God, what a beautiful and smooth operating weapon it is. I cannot imagine a Colt being built any better, or working any smoother.

 

[Bart Noir]

B27, is that a satin finished stainless steel version? It doesn't seem like polished SS, and that is one nice photo. I just put a box of 158 grain .357 through a rental KC on Monday and enjoyed it a bunch. Very nice trigger. The gun is shot loose, literally, the cylinder has more wiggle than I have ever seen in a Colt, when locked by the bolt. That's my excuse for the size of my groups.

Bart Noir

 

[JNewell]

The one I had that I almost miss (that is not a dig at the KC) was a Lew Horton special rollmarked "Combat Cobra" and finished with a bright stainless (at the time, Colt was only offering the bright SS finish on the Python -- they changed that later). It had a truuuuly excellent pair of grips on it that I've never seen on any other KC or other MkV or MkIII Colts.

 

[Shootcraps]

Just for the heck of it, here's my King Cobra.

Pretty Beast ain't she?

 

[Majic]

Sorta like this JNewell

 

[gvass]

"The gun is shot loose, literally, the cylinder has more wiggle than I have ever seen in a Colt, when locked by the bolt. That's my excuse for the size of my groups.
"

This is why I say, that compared to the Python, the KC is simply feels cheap...

 

[Litlman]

King Cobra

Got a 4 inch K.C. and like it alot. Paid $365 nib. a long time ago. I have handled alot of 686's but have not shot any of them. The 686 feels good but, I have never found one for the "right" price. I do have a couple of m-19's and a nice 4 inch m-27. You can't go wrong with the S&W or the Colt. I would pick up a 686 if I found the right one.

B27, nice grips ! Who makes those for the Colt and where did you find them?
Magic, that is one nice looking snub!

ENJOY!!!

 

[jrpeterman]

Which one is cheaper? Sounds like they are virtually the same condition. The S & W 686 probably has a better trigger. The triggers on the 686s that I've owned have been quite nice. The double action pull on my Colt is heavy, but the single action is pretty light. Other than that, the guns are about the same as far as function. See which one balances better in your hands, then flip a coin.

 

[JNewell]

Majic, that's the one! So tell me, do you like the grips as much as I did? They look kinda blocky, but they felt really good and allowed a perfect grip with really good control, even with hot 125s. Would like someone to copy those for a K-frame!

 

[Majic]

Those stocks do look blocky, but I think in this case it is a matter of looks being deceiving. They are really comfortable with just enough width to be hand filling. Someone did an excellent job in designing them. It's a shame they don't make them for other models and makes. Colt does have a somewhat similar pair for the Anaconda that's seldom seen. I saw a picture of them on the revolver, but the picture wasn't focusing on the stocks so you only get an overall impression. I'll call the factory one day and ask about those as the website doesn't list them. I believe they are like the Combat Cobra stocks and are special order items if you can get them.