Smith & Wesson 686 Plus vs Colt King Cobra
Vložit
- čas přidán 5. 05. 2022
- The @SmithAndWessonInc 686 Plus and the @TheColtFirearms King Cobra. Today we take a brief look at two outstanding revolvers. I look forward to your comments. Which one would you choose?
Thank you for stopping by and God Bless.
CZcams Manual Reviewer: this firearm is 100% factory stock as shown by the photo of the manufacturer's website. It has not been modified in any way by me or anyone else prior to or during the filming of this video. This video (as all my videos) was filmed in a safe and professional environment and it is meant for educational/entertainment purposes. It is not meant for children. What all this tells you is that it checks all the boxes for an advertiser friendly video. Thank you.
Please remember that I upload videos every Friday morning and at times during the week as well. So click on that Bell icon so you are notified when I upload a video.
For additional content and photos you can follow me on:
Patreon: / mdpologunchannel
Instagram: / mdpologunchannel
Disclaimer: These videos are strictly for educational and entertainment purposes only. Imitation or the use of anything demonstrated in my videos is done AT YOUR OWN RISK. All work on firearms should be carried out by a licensed individual and all state and federal rules apply to such. We (including CZcams) will not be held liable for any injury to yourself or damage to your firearms resulting from attempting anything shown in any our videos. I do not endorse any specific product and this video is not an attempt to sell you a good or service. I am not a gun shop and DO NOT sell or deal in Firearms. Such a practice is heavily regulated and subject to applicable laws. I DO NOT sell parts, magazines, or firearms. These videos are free to watch and if anyone attempts to charge for this video notify us immediately. By viewing or flagging this video you are acknowledging the above.
Fair Use: In the rare instance I include someone else’s footage it is covered in Fair Use for Documentary and Educational purposes with the intention of driving commentary and allowing freedom of speech.
** Affiliate disclaimer: some of the above links may be affiliate links, which may generate me a sales commission.
I own both revolvers and really like both. I've owned the 686 a lot longer and have used it much more. The 686 has never failed me in any way. However, the KC is just so much more elegant and smooth. The KC also has superior fit and finish compared to the 686. Accuracy from both is about equal. The KC is a Rolex. The 686 is a Seiko. Both keep time. The KC however does it with more style, precision and elegance. Since Colt reintroduced their Snake revolvers, I'll likely never purchase another S&W revolver again.
Thank you very much for your comment. I enjoyed reading it.
Thank you for the watch ⌚️ Analogy! I understand it now lol 😆
@@MDpolo good morning wichs store did you buy the grips
@@eloymorales8288 I purchased it from a friend and he can’t remember where he got the grips.
I will hurt u....u better keep buying S&W or else!
I chose both! You simply can’t go wrong with either. They are both extremely reliable, durable and drop-dead gorgeous.
I don’t believe you could go wrong with either one but the Colt is just beautiful… Colt because of the finish and looks.
I agree with you. Also the trigger is much nicer on the Colt. Thank you very much for stopping by.
What type of wood grips are those colt grips because the ones I see on Buds Gun Sight doesn't have that type of grip so where would I get those thank you. I love your video !
I personally favor the 686 plus for several reasons. My main purpose for revolvers of this type is target shooting. The 686 has more weight to help mitigate recoil, has adjustable rear sight, is very easy to work on, parts are readily available, aftermarket parts are plentiful, the 686 is a seven shot and pricing is generally cheaper. I own both of these revolvers and I’ll carry the Colt as a bar-B-Q gun sometimes. Both guns are great shooters and I enjoy that. I have my eye on a King Cobra Target model.
Solid reasons. Thank you very much for stopping by.
That colt is beautiful. I have a 686+ 4” and love it. I changed out my grips with a set of Altamont rose wood with a S&W medallion. Thanks for the video and take care.
I tried to get some Altamont grips but everything is out of stock.
I’ve got a 686-3 2.5 inch snub. I’ll take that over either of these with it’s worked in trigger..but I’d probably go with the Colt if I were to buy one today.
Well...I've had three colt revolvers. My Trooper and Offical Police began losing timing on me. My new Night Cobra had the widest range of firing pin strikes I've ever seen on any gun. I'm firmly in the S&W camp.
So far this KC has been trouble free. But I understand what you’re saying. Thank you very much for watching.
Both are beautiful. I have a S&W Model 19. I’m not much of a revolver guy, but want to get another one in the near future. I’m kinda leaning towards the King Cobra.
Subbed! I just found your channel through Texas Gun Vault. Don’t tell him I’m cheating, but watching some of your videos now & I like your content. 👍
I’m very happy with the king cobra. Thank you very much for stopping by and I really appreciate the sub. And don’t worry, I watch every video that TGV publishes.
Thanks for sharing Brother! Carry On
As always, thank you for stopping by Brother!
It's all about the trigger. Hands down it's the colt. It's the smoothest revolver trigger ever.
Sir I know your giving your opinion. Viewers would have to go out and test each one. I have the 686 plus-6 Christmas past .Sweet brother Sweet I find the trigger lite.👍🏿🎯👍🏿
A nice pair of revolvers. I've been a fan of the Smith revolvers for almost 50 years, carried several different S&W models on duty over the course of the first 14 years of my career, and I used Smiths for all of my competition except the Distinguished matches, where I used a Python. However, once Smith added the "safety lock" to their revolvers, I've pretty much stayed away from them.
Between the two guns you showed, I would have to go with the King Cobra. The Smith is too heavy and bulky for daily carry - and that dreaded lock. The decision would be much closer, however, between that King Cobra and a well-tuned early Smith 65 with a 3" barrel.
As to the grips you bought, I would highly recommend trying to find a Smith Model 19-4, or earlier, preferably with a 6" barrel. (Stay away from the 19-5 and later models.) Your grips will be right at home there. If that doesn't suit you, let me know how much you want and I'll buy the grips from you.
Thank you very much for all the information. As you know, I’m learning about revolvers so all this is very valuable to me. I’ll look around for a model 19-4. As always, I appreciate you stopping by and sharing your knowledge.
Why do they still have the locks? All it does is cost them sells.
@@MDpolo 629-1 or 629-2 pre lock with 3" barrel - front and rear sights is all the hand cannon man needs
Well with a 3" barrel it's doable for carry.. I've open carried the 7" 686+ talo edition before so I know you can carry a 3" model lol it's all about holster choice and clothing choice (if trying to conceal carry) you can actually carry OWB and still conceal carry with the right clothing choice
Colt is beautiful !
I think the 686 plus is the Gun I would choose if I could have just one revolver.
It’s a tank for sure! Thank you for stopping by.
I would cut the difference and go S&W model 66.. I say this because I have the King Cobra and the model 66-8 with the 2.75" barrel.. out of the box, the King Cobra's trigger and pull is amazing.. but I like the sights and the K-frame size of the model 66.. I recently put the Wilson Combat spring kit in the 66 and now the action feels just as good as the Colt. Fourteen bucks for the spring kit. Can't go wrong with either of your choices though.
I have the 686-6 plus and LOVE IT. The one thing that keeps me from purchasing the Colt is the way you open the cylinder wheel by pulling the lever backwards instead of pushing it forward like on the S&W.
I hate that!
It is all personal preference. Different for sure, but they both work well. Thank you very much for watching!
@@MDpolo I much prefer the Colt's cylinder latch!
I own Smith and Wesson 686+ only. Colt is too expensive where I live. To be honest, Smith and Wesson have some real use advantages over Colt. Longer ejector rod and push forward cylinder latch make it easier and more preferable for a reliable speed reload. Also a gun with weight of 38 oz is what I consider the lightest to shoot .357 comfortably. The DA trigger pull of S&W does get better with use, so dry fire practice (with snap caps) is very encouraged. S&W seems also to be more robust. Also you have an option to swap sights to some hi-viz night sights or more durable non-adjustable ones, however I stick with factory sights on a Smith & Wesson as they are very good OOTB. I've heard that Colts have amazing triggers, but I'm yet to find out that. For now I like my broken in S&W trigger a lot. It's way better that any Taurus, that's for sure. My verdict is: if you want to shoot a revolver a lot and get really proficient with it, the S&W is a better option. However, if you want a fine collector's piece that you want to enjoy once in a while, the Colt is a way to go. I only wish I had more time to practice shooting with my 686+...
Thank you very much for stopping by and for your comment. I appreciate all the information that you shared with us. It makes a lot of sense.
I’d go with the Colt. Thanks for the great content
You are most welcome and thank you for stopping by!
I think the King Cobra might be a better choice for someone who carries every day for personal defense because it is smaller and lighter. I purchased the exact same 686-6 plus 3” barrel because I don’t carry every day and wanted a more versatile revolver. I carry it when I go camping and hiking, and have it loaded with 180 grain Underwood flat nose hard cast ammo. The larger frame ,cylinder and forcing cone , and the added weight of the 686
make it better suited for shooting heavy, powerful rounds.
Thank you very much for the information. I appreciate the comment. Cheers!
When I was stationed at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas Nevada. We hosted a shooting match for law enforcement members. Police, Park Rangers, Rail Road law etc. The majority of shooters were using " space guns" Smith & Wessons. I had a chance to fire a Colt 357 mag, 6 inch barrel. We were talking about double actions berween Smiths and Colts. The Colt owner mentioned how the Colt double action gets smoother the more you shoot it. This was around 1976-77. .I fired the Colt double action then a Smith and I could feel the difference. The Colt was a duty revolver for a State Trooper. The Smith was a duty revolver for the Air Force.The Colt trigger felt smoother with less " bumping". The Smith felt like riding a 4x4 over large rocks. A world of difference. These new Colts have an improved trigger design. The Smiths are still making the double action the same way with kits available to ease double action. So I might get one of each , a Colt, three inch and a Smith three inch.
Thank you very much for the information. I appreciate it!
Two different gun sizes. The KC is more of a K frame (Model 66) in size and weight. The 686 plus is much larger and heavier L frame. KC has the better trigger and finish! Less recoil from L frame Smith. I recently bought a 3" KC and I love the Hogue rubber grips for function and concealment.
The KC is even a bit smaller than the K frame I think.
Both are very nice and my local dealer has the colt which I m seriously considering to add to my collection. Have been concerned about some negative reviews on quality control
I haven’t experienced any issues with my Colt. Thank you very much for stopping by.
The initial bugs have been worked out for over a year now. Today’s examples are exemplary.
czcams.com/video/1CwIcn9jOcU/video.html This video is my brothers Colt he just purchased new. Pitiful. Indexing lever would not work right. Front sight screw was stripped on this one and the first one he bought had the front sight screw stripped on it. He took it back to the dealer and got his money back. I have pictures of the bullets where the pin hit them way off center and round did not go off on four rounds. May have damaged the gun had they went off.
There is a good revolver testing video from HRFunk that might come in handy when you're looking at revolvers.
EDIT: I'd choose the S&W simply based on the sights and have the trigger set back. The King Cobra is nice to have but having just the shiny channel as rear sight might be an issue. Just for the Range, I'd choose the Colt.
I appreciate your feedback. Thank you so much for stopping by!
KC comes in a Target Model with a 4.25" Barrell and adjustable sights. With that I choose the KC.
I own both of these revolvers. I prefer the colt king cobra. It's trigger is way smoother, and the recoil isn't bad either. The smith and wesson is great but its just not as nice to shoot. The double action pull you mentioned on the smith and wesson was really the same problem I dealt with. I struggle to fire the smith and wesson effectively due to that hard double action trigger pull.
I echo your comment. Thank you very much for stopping by.
I own both also and a model 19 carry comp and an old taurus 65 that shoots just as good as all of them.🤣
@@MDpolo para conseguir un rebolber cobra colt legalmente como seria el proseso amigo
@@luisnoesanchezcasas587 Todo depende donde vives. Si vives en Estados Unidos, este revolver se puede comprar legalmente en todo el país. Saludos.
Great comparison video, thanks! I think the S&W rival for the King Cobra would be the K frame. I realize they no longer offer the Model 19 or 66 in a 3" barrel, but I think the 3" King Cobra is closer to the current production Model 66 with the 2.75" barrel than it is the 686. WIsh Colt would offer the 3" with an adjustable rear sight.
I agree with you. Regarding the rear sight, have you heard that Wilson Combat now offers the adjustable rear sight? Thank you very much for stopping by.
I have a 3" 686 Plus as a carry gun. The KC would be great to carry if you prefer using Underwood/Buffalo Bore level .38 +Ps. The main downside to the KC is lack of adjustable sites, which could limit your choices in ammo. On the plus side, with it being a more traditional six shooter, you have a larger choice in speed loaders for it.
Thank you very much for your comment. I really appreciate the information and that you took the time to stop by.
They make a target model KC with adjustable sights
A hard choice! But I would go with the Smith & Wesson 686 Plus. I would use it primarily for shooting at the range. The heavier weight and rubber grips would make that more enjoyable.
I would bet that you end up shooting a lot more .38 than .357
@@nomikes4392 Based on what?
The OEM King Cobra grips are rubber.
I would like a Colt King Cobra, because I've got a S&W 686. And because the trigger on the Colt is so good.
I have a 686-6 it is a beautiful and accurate revolver and at first the trigger action was not smooth but I have used it and the action smoothed out nicely it's a very fine handgun 🔫
686! So good!
My answer is a little complicated. The SW has one thing going for it: aftermarket support. Which considering they have cheapened the gun so much, is necessary. If you want to fit grips and customize the internals (doesn’t sound like you), get the Smith. You can find an infinite number of grip options you just won’t find on the Colt. However, if you want a gun out if the box with no hassles, buy the Colt. Even though the initial price is higher, it’s still less than swapping out the MIM parts on a Smith. The big drag of the Colt is it only locks in one spot on the cylinder. But every gun has its flaws.
I'd choose the 686. while the finish shiney & trigger on the Colt is nicer out of the box. Add a Wilson combat spring, dry fire with snap caps & range time the S&W trigger will smooth itself out. For me its the rear sight on the smith I prefer. I'm ok with the extra weight for a 3" for something light to carry the airweight does the trick.
Thank you very much! I appreciate your comment and that you took the time to watch.
The S&W looks like a 2 1/2" barrel , The Colt is 3" , just say'n ❤ .The Colt does look Beautiful, S&W is also Beautiful, get both , do a trigger job on it for a better smoother feel.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by!
I own the target variant of the Colt King Cobra and it’s absolutely fun to shoot. Handles 38 like butter and 357’s are controlled very nicely. The trigger action is smooth and crisp. I ultimately chose the KC over the 686 because the trigger pull just felt smoother to me. 686 was my first love in regards to 357 revolvers but the options around are just a plenty. You really can’t go wrong with either. Both are proud works of art in their respective right.
Very well said and thank you very much for your comment. I appreciate it!
My longer barrel 686+ talo feels like shooting 380 with 357 and 22 with 38's it's crazy.. I also have a 4" Ruger sp101 match champion about the same size as the king cobra but the recoil on it is like 10× worse than my 686+.. it's not bad on the range but I wouldn't feel too comfortable using the Ruger for defense unless I just used it in single action and really took my time with each shot
I'd totally take the Colt. The trigger on them is so much better and it looks so much more beautiful. My LGS has a King Cobra, and I keep drooling over it, but i just can't justify its cost right now
Good choice Graham. Thank you very much for stopping by!
I like the colt because of the size of the trigger guard
Great video. Where did you get these nice Colt grips from?
I Purchased the Colt from a friend and he can’t remember where he got them. Thank you very much for stopping by.
Just get both like i did 😆 ... both excellent revolvers...depend what you want it for...my opinion for edc id go with the cobra forsure...for a hunting side piece or hiking or camping or the range id go with the 686 plus...
A year ago I was in the mood for a revolver and after handling Colt ,S&W , I took home a Kimber K6 Target and I'm a happy camper !
Nice. I fired the K6 when it first came out and I was not impressed. It was a little too small for me. But, that was a while ago. Maybe I should give it a second chance. Thank you very much for watching!
@@MDpolo They do shoot sweet , it's a 4.5 barrel I think, but I've really enjoyed this one.
Perhaps I’m just a sissy, but the original was painful to shoot. At least for me.
@@MDpolo I've heard the original model was a different beast, if you get a chance try the new one , I believe you would like it better.
@@waynecastleman1363 I’ll see if I can get my hands on one. Thank you very much. I appreciate the info.
I only have the Smith, so I really can’t compare. But I love the Smith Plus and the 7 rounds.
The seven rounds are pretty awesome. Thank you for stopping by.
Well I'm biased, I have the 686-6 the 3 5 7 version. It's the same firearm but the wooden grip is similar to the Colt but has 3 5 7 engraved on it. You might want to try those grips on yours. I like the feel of the 686 better during shooting than the King Cobra. Shot my friend's King Cobra. Both are great choices! Nice comparison.
Thank you very much my friend. Would you mind sending me a photo through Instagram of those grips? I appreciate you stopping by.
@@MDpolo I don't have Instagram yet but it's on my videos. I post on CZcams
I will look. Thank you.
King cobra, so number one I have both of them
I don't get the scanning code box on the colts....
Good little basic review. Subscribed because of it. I love table top reviews and just talking about guns. I’m not into these tacticool guys shooting a ton and hardly talking. I’m old school like that, probably why I love revolvers. Anyways, thanks for the content and I look forward to what you produce next. God bless to you as well!
Thank you very much sir. I appreciate it!
I own both revolvers I like both of them with two negatives on the King Cobra. One of those negatives is the 6 rounds as suppose to 7 rounds, the second negative which is a training concept with the king cobra, you have to release the trigger all the way in order for a trigger reset, you can easily lock-up the cylinder on the king cobra by short stroking the trigger (double tap), I’ve never had that issue with my S&W 686+, 629, & TRR8. Though with some training and trigger control, you can solve that issue with the King Cobra. In all of my S&W Revolvers even the S&W 500, all of the triggers and hammer is Forged. I’ve notice on the Colt King Cobra that the trigger is casted (mim trigger) also the hammer!!
Thank you very much for all that information. I really appreciate it.
S&W triggers and hammers are now MIM on their revolvers, they aren’t forged.
Man these two are some of my favorites. To me I think the Colt King Cobra is nicer and a sweeter shooter compared to the S&W Model 686+. I love the build quality, I think the trigger is superior, I love how it looks, and I love the cool factor of Colt's Snake series. However, I hate Colt's cylinder release (it's counterintuitive and not as quick to release) and prefer better sights.
I'd still take the Model 686+. Way better aftermarket support/customization options, more capacity, better sights, cheaper price, more widely available, and better cylinder release. If I could only have one the Model 686+ would be my pick while then Colt King Cobra would be a great addition to any collection if you already have other revolvers.
You make very good points. They are both outstanding. Thank you so much for watching. I really appreciate it.
What is the mission, what are you using it for? Did you fire them? Are you going to modify? Now a very subjective question, which one calls you? Hope this helps.
After owning both colts and smiths I’d go with the smith. Smiths are tanks and colts are princesses that fail with too much or too little lube or a little pocket lint. Never had issues with smith revolvers. Had tons with colts. But colts just look sweet. So functionality, smith. Looks, colt.
I would definitely agree with you. Thank you very much for stopping by.
Well I have both plus an old 357 Python and new 357 python. The pythons cost about a third more and the action and feeling on either python feels smoother and you can tell and appreciate the difference in cost. I love all of them but since the weight of the S & w is more comfortable, I prefer to shoot the 686 over the king cobra. I have better groups with the older python then any of the others. None shoot grouping for me as good as the manuhrin which I recently also own.
Sounds like an amazing revolver collection! I’m hoping to get my hands on a Manuhrin for review but no luck so far. Thank you so much for watching!
Having both of these (the KC in 2" and 686+ in various lengths over the years), I would argue that this isn't a good apples to apples comparison. I think a better comparison would be the King Cobra 3" vs the S&W Model 19 3" (perhaps the Carry Comp version). That would get you a better frame size comparison (note, my HKS #10 speed loaders work for both, so the cylinders are really close to being equal in size). I would compare the 686 or 686+ to a Colt Python. Having said all this, I would prefer the King Cobra, because of the fantastic trigger mine has, and it doesn't have the "Hillary Hole" internal lock that's on the S&W.
They are both quality firearms... but, if I could only have one of those... COLT all day long. Good Vid. Thank you.
I agree. They are both very nice. Thank for stopping by.
Adjust the tension screw on your 686 plus to lighten the trigger pull for double action. I have the S&W 686-3 and a Rossi M851 38special (which is lighter in weight). The difference in weights has never been an issue for me. The weight of my 686 helps with recoil. Both are excellent shooters and easy on the trigger pulls. I love both revolvers but i prefer for carrying the 686. I can't wait to get a King Cobra Target model. Liked your video. Do a separate video review of each revolver (while putting 100 rounds through each) without comparing them to each other. A comparison video can be done after. Just a suggestion.
Thank you very much for the suggestion. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by.
I have some of the original combat grips that came on the 686 Round butt, they are worth more than what I paid for the gun originally.
Yes, it is amazing how expensive the original older wood grips are. Thank you very much for stopping by.
I own both guns. I EDC the 686+ 2.5". It's a more robust built like a tank revolver.
It is a tank. Thank you for watching!
I have the same king cobra, where did you get those grips?
This gun belonged to a friend of mine. He never fired it. I purchased it as is so I don’t know where he got the grips.
Do you still have the wood S&W grips for the square butt? And if you do would you be willing to sell them?
Thanks for reaching out to me but I sold them.
The first gun I ever carried was a 686-3. Fine gun. I am a S&w fan. Don’t have a lot of experience with the colts but seem like good guns. I do not like the new revolvers by S&w. That may just be my bias to the lock and the hammer.
I am a fan as well of the older Smith and Wesson‘s. Thank you very much for watching!
Just got a king cobra. Where did you get those grips?? Would love to get some.
Congratulations on your purchase. I don’t know. I bought it from a friend of mine and he cannot remember where he got them. I wish I knew because a lot of yours have asked me about it. Thank you very much for stopping by.
Muy bonitas las dos, de la mejor calidad
Did the Colt come with the wooden grips? The only ones I see come with the Hogue rubber grips.
Not originally. I purchased the Colt from a friend and he installed them. Thank you very much for stopping by.
Brother I have the 686-6 brought it December 2022 the DA IS GOOD THE SA IS VERY VERY LIGHT SWEET . I CC EVERY DAY 👍🏿🎯👍🏿686 is the best! I'm a Retired officer 23 years!!
Congratulations on your retirement and thank you for the service to your community. It is certainly a wonderful revolver. Thank you very much for stopping by.
I haven’t shoot a S&W in a long time but the Smith has never fit my hand we, making them difficult for me to shoot.
Where did you get those grips for the king cobra???
I’ve been trying to find out. That’s the way it came but I purchased it used from a friend. He can’t remember where he got them.
The colt is beautiful but I like Smith it's more natural and easier for me to release the Cylinder . I grew up with Smith so another reason for me
Yeah that cylinder release is not as intuitive for me. Thank you so much for watching.
If I was going to get a king cobra I would get the target model with adjustable sights.. I would go with the 686+ though because they have low recoil for a 357.. plus you have another round or 2 of 357 compared to the 5 or 6 shot revolvers on the market which is huge when it comes to revolvers.. lighter 357's like the cobra are like shooting a totally different caliber because they have a lot more recoil than the 686+
Valid points! I really appreciate your comment and that you took the time to stop by. Thank you.
Love the colt but really like the old school 686 with the firing pin the one's i had accuracy seemed to be better.
Like the grips on the colt. Who makes them? Where did you find them? Thanks
I purchased the revolver used and it came with these grips. I’ve reached out to the previous owner asking the question but haven’t gotten a reply yet.
@@MDpolo ok thanks let me know if you find out 👍
I have a 6-inch 686 I chose over a four and a quarter inch king cobra. but out of those two exact revolvers you have on that table I would have to have chose the king cobra
They are both awesome. Thank you very much for watching.
I just bought the same King Cobra. Where can I get the same grip you have? Couldn’t find it
I purchased it with those grips from a friend and he cannot remember where he got them. Thank you for watching!
I have a Python 4.25 & a KC in 2" for ccw...& a 686+ in 6 " for the range....and did a Wilson Combat mainspring revision....love it!!! Colt's are prettier.....6" Anaconda....610 S & W, & 500 BEAST in 8.375. Love em all.
Nice collection!
Who manufactures the grips on the King Cobra?
To be honest with you, I don’t know. Please let me know if you find an answer to your question. Thank you for watching.
Even though these look similar, I don't think this a comparison I'd make because of the intended purpose of the guns. These are supposed to be carry guns. The 686 weighs 8 ounces more. Unless you are carrying this on a duty belt, it will be super uncomfortable. I just checked these out side-by-side today. On the desk, they look alike and the extra round in the 686 is a definite plus. However, a carry weight of around 35 ounces on the 686 outweighs (pun intended) any of the benefits.
The Colt " bore" is lower to the hand versus the Smith.
Check out an older video by Jerry Miculek, “Revolver Showdown! Colt Python vs. S&W L frame vs. Ruger Speed Six| Jerry Miculek”. He gives a superb discussion of the revolvers
I’ll check that out Randy. Thank you very much for the information and for stopping by.
My 1st revolver was a 686 with 4" barrel and I had that on my hip while in Alaska's back country and on numerous fishing/camping/hunting trips. I also have a 90s era King Cobra I purchased at a show about 20 years ago. The Colt's finish is excellent.....but thats its downfall. It's "too nice" to drag through dirt, mud, rain snow ect since it's more of a heirloom than a carry gun. Sure, I HAVE carried it, but never in a situation where I KNEW it would likely get dirty, scratched, exposed to the weather. Not that it COULDN'T, but like a Rolex watch, I CAN get dirty.....but you don't wear one when your knowingly going to. They're both outstanding wheelguns and will ABSOLUTELY go "bang" when you need them to.....which is why I carry one.
I agree with you. Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and for stopping by.
My comment is you can’t go wrong with either. But lean towards the Colt though because of the looks.
The Colt is a beautiful revolver. Especially with those grips. Thank you very much for stopping by.
If you want to take your revolver out once a year and impress the guys at the gun club get a Colt.
If you want to go to the range every weekend or shoot a lot of competition. Lifetimes of use, Smith & Wesson
sand down grips and refinish. unless you sell the grips you have nothing to lose. on either pistol, tough choice. i think the king.
I have a Cobra but have never fired it. Visually, it is sleeker than the 686.
The rear sight on the King Cobra is called a "Gutter Sight"
Thank you!
I like the S&W, more rounds and more beefy.
I like that 7 shots. Several hundred bucks cheaper with 7 shots is the Taurus 692.
Anybody know where to get those grips on the King Cobra?
+Smooth Running Gun I bought this revolver used from a friend and he can’t remember where he got the grips.
@@MDpolo Thanks anyway
I don't think this is a fair comparison. it would be better to compare this Colt with the SW M66 or M65, which is in the same class of medium frame, duty revolvers. That said, I have the 2.5 inch version of the 686+ and M19. Was formally trained with the 2.5 inch M19 as my duty gun decades ago so I've stuck with SWs.
I just picked up a king cobra. Is the king cobra more susceptible to short stroking the trigger compared to the 686? I feel I have to let the trigger ALL the way out to prevent shirt stroking. Is the 686 as easy to short stroke?
I have an experienced any problems whatsoever.
All revolvers are like that.
@@theoneandonlybumpus2862 u obviously don't speak from experience with the king cobra.
@@paulh6101 sure I do. I own one.
@@paulh6101 in fact, I currently own 19 revolvers (including 12 Smiths & 3 Colts) … You have to let the trigger all the way out on all revolvers to properly reset. They’re not like semi autos where you can just ride the trigger a bit.
I own that Smith. Today I would choose the Cobra. It is more viable for carry and you get the same new technology as the Python for a much better price. As stated below it is a Colt version of a Smith 65, one of the great guns of all time.
What grip is that on it?
Colt
I like both I like the colt because of it's wood grips don't like smiths grips they look cheap on a nice gun and I like the sights for target work but both are nice I would choose the colt it nice 👍
They are both very nice but the Colt is a bit more refined. Thank you very much for stopping by.
I want them grips on the colt...awesome!
They are beautiful and very comfortable.
@@MDpolo where did you get them
@@kakusei3672 Range USA In Carmel Indiana.
@@MDpolo I’ve been trying to find those grips ever since I watched your video, too! I just called that store and they say they never carried them in the past two years, and they don’t seem to be on their website. Am I not correct in the assumption that the King Cobra is the newer version?
@pepelemofo Yes it is the new version. I purchase it from a friend and the grips came with it. Let me ask where he got the grips and I’ll circle back with you.
COLT King Cobra for the win!
The modern S&W is a keyed lock w/ a gun attached to it.
I pass.
That’s a little harsh but I understand what you’re saying. Thank you very much for stopping by!
Yup
Both
I would pick the king cobra because it has a better trigger and it’s much smoother
The fit and finish of the King Cobra is much better, has a smoother action and the high polish stainless makes it as easy to clean as nickel. I'm not a fan of anything S&W made after 1980. I have a S&W Model 19 in nickel that I absolutely love but wouldn't trade it for ten of the new Smith's with the Hillary hole.
Thank you very much for stopping by. I appreciate your comment.
I like the 686 better for the sight’s
I own both. I happen to like the 686 (I have the 2.5”) more but I can’t tell you exactly why, it’s intangible. I think it’s the weight and balance while shooting. The 34 Oz of the 686 is heavier than the 28 of the Colt but you’ll appreciate that when shooting full house .357. Round butt and square butt stump a lot of revolver newbies…get some uncle Mike’s grips. The Colt has a better trigger and is lighter overall. It handles full .357 but you’ll feel it. The Colt is a D frame (between smiths J & K frames). The Smith is an L, bigger than a K so built stoutly for real .357.
I think the 686 is better balanced. But I understand what you’re saying.
Oh Boy… I own three 686+ revolvers: 2.5”, 3”, and 4”. Last Fall, we bought a 3” Colt King Cobra, and picked up a 2” KC a couple of months ago. I was able to pocket carry the 2.5” 686 easily, and the 3” wasn’t much more difficult. They were mostly carried in a waist holster, and often a shoulder holster in cool weather. The 3” KC was bought last October, so that’s always been carried in a waist holster. The 2” is pretty much a pocket gun for me, and it’s in my pocket right now. The King Cobra has been my primary carry since I bought the first one, and the 686’s haven’t seen the light of day this year. Lockup is very much different on the two designs. S&W uses a center pin that extends from front to rear, and is held into the rear by protruding into the frame. The Colt has a much larger pin that extends out of the frame, and locks into the center of the extractor star. The extractor ratchets on the Colt are much more robust than the Smith, and lock into the cylinder hand when the trigger is puller to the rear. The Colt’s hand has a deep shelf cut into the front, and the ratchets rest there. The 7 round Smith has very delicate ratchets, and they are much smaller than the 6 round version. My first 686+ had butchered ratchets from the factory, but Smith sent a new extractor, and a local gunsmith installed it. That brings us to parts. Colt will not sell parts, and Smith parts are available everywhere. I dropped my 3” KC shortly after buying it, and the tip of the hammer spur broke off. Colt paid for shipping both ways, replaced the part for free, and had it back in under 4 weeks.
Thank you very much Frank. Since I’m learning about revolvers all this information is very valuable to me. I really appreciate it. Thank you for stopping by!
You might have been better off without the hammer spur
What holster do you use for the 3 inch KC?
@@paulsbunions8441 1791 Gunleather
Colt, no clinton lock.
+rod van-zeller 👍🏻
I’ve owned both in my opinion the sw is way better I even sold the colt and bought another 686 plus just liked the fill of them better
I would love to know why you say it was “way better”. What made the smith and Wesson so much better? I’m really interested in hearing your opinion. Thank you very much for stopping by.
I'd take the Colt for weight. Now, I like Smith's just fine. In fact, a lot. But as a few others here have already stated, the one in this video has the eye sore, aesthetically diminishing, ridiculously placed lock that for those of us old enough to remember, brings back the virulent memories of when the Klinton DOJ was suing gun manufacturers and Smith put these locks on in an attempt to appease the Klinton's and their cronies to keep the heat off of themselves. Both these examples shown (the Colt and the Smith) are packed full of MIM parts and that is what it is these days but that MIM circle that still remains on the Colt trigger instead of them taking the extra step and having it finished out, is just a slap in the face for a nearly $1000.00 dollar price tag. Personally, I wouldn't buy either of the examples shown if I could find a decent condition 686 or 586 pre lock and in the six cylinder configuration instead. My opinion is keep shopping. After all, what's the rush? It's not like .38 and .357 ammo costs are spindling downwards because they aren't. The big name ammo pirates are focused on pistol round production while at the same time wasting valuable resources and time goofing off with crap like "30 Won't Carry" that's dying a faster death than .45 GAP and .357sig. I love revolvers but I've had to get real and accept the fact that A: .38 and .357 are too expensive for me to be buying ammo in it and B: I'm keeping my cease and desist order in place on buying any more revolvers until such time as this ammo cost lunacy is abated, particularly with respect to .38 and .357.
Good luck, sir. Thank you for the video.
PS, so with respect to the grip mistake? Take that opportunity to buy a pre MIM, pre lock, firing pin on the hammer the 686 or 586 that they will fit in a 6 cylinder configuration and roll out of the one Smith in this video. Or, just keep the grips because chances are that you'll end up buying another Smith that they will fit.
Wow, thank you very much for all the valuable information and advice. I really appreciate it!
Id go with both ... and i did 😂
Congratulations and thank you for stopping by.
I choose S&W Pro Series 60