Here is my Colt King Cobra. .357 Magnum, 4" barrel, stainless finish. How does this compare with the Smith & Wesson revolvers? What S & W model is the closest direct competitor to this gun?

Wrong forum nimrod!

J/K!

I almost bought a King Cobra 20 years ago when I first donned a gun and badge. I wish I would have now...they are highly sought after.

A comparable Smith & Wesson is the L frame model 686, of course.

Closet S&W equivalent would be the L frames. Which S&W developed to compete with Colt.

[QUOTE=aimedfire;1268260]Here is my Colt King Cobra. .357 Magnum, 4" barrel, stainless finish. How does this compare with the Smith & Wesson revolvers? What S & W model is the closest direct competitor to this gun?

Sir, Colt brought out the King Cobra in the '80s to compete directly with Smith's x86 series and Ruger's GP100. Colt already had the Python in this size and style, but it was far more expensive than the Smith and Ruger offerings, hence the cheaper King Cobra. Mechanically, the King Cobra is an update of the earlier Trooper Mark III. Its lockwork is completely different from that of the Python.

IMHO the King Cobra is not as good a gun as a Smith. I've had two King Cobras, and both had problems. That's almost certainly a statistical anomaly--many people have gotten good service from their King Cobras--but it left a bad taste in my mouth.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

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Wishin' don't make it so.

It is a great arm but I am do not like the sintered metal hammer or trigger, I much prefer the forged hammer/trigger of the python or the early S&W's (pre-5's). That being said they never gave me any problem on my well, well used Colt Trooper MKIII.

Nice toy. I am on the look out for one.

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It is what it is.

I had one just like yours that I bought in the late '80's. One word, STRONG. Very little recoil with magnums. I don't think it's possible to wear one out. I got rid of mine as it was just too heavy. I prefer to older model Trooper .357 (Pre MK III). The King Cobra was built on the same frame as the MK V guns. The hammer and trigger were not sintered metal. Colt phased that out with the MK IIIs.

Well, in my opinion, it doesn't.


Edited for clarification...It doesn't compare to a pre-MIM S&W. It's about the same as post-MIM

3 short dogs back from a range trip
L frame 386; King Cobra; Python



All use the same speed loader; same holsters; same ammo; give amazingly similar results on the target.
Each has their own spectacular virtues.

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Dum vivimus Vivamas