King Cobra or 586

F

Farmhand

New member
I am thinking about purchasing a 357mag revolver to take to the club for some recreational shooting and an occasional side arm to carry when in the woods. I will probably target shoot with 38specials with only a few 357mags to keep familiar. I was thinking about a 4" barrel. I like the S&W 357s; the 586 is especially nice - I like blued handguns and an L frame seems about right to me in a 357mag. I also like the Colt King Cobra - I understand occasionally you can find one of them in blue.

I know. I suspect SS would be more practical than blue - especially for carrying it in a holster.

I have research a bunch of the threads on the S&W 357 mags and some on the King Cobra and learned a lot. However, I would appreciate some opinions tailored to my situation:

1. Is getting a blued gun a mistake since the SS would probably handle my use more practically than a blued gun? Maybe I can learn to like the SS more once I see the advantages to me. Any thoughts to convice me on buying SS?

2. Is the 4" barrel correct for my uses?

3. From the other threads I think both the 586 and King Cobra are both reliable and durable and will probably last me a life time given proper care. Are there any important differences that would make one a better choice than the other?

4. One area there maybe a difference is in aftermarket upgrade parts. I suspect the S&W would have much more aftermarket parts. I also suspect there are more gunsmiths that can tune and work on a S&W over the Colt CK. Thoughs?

Thanks for your help
 
I have aKing Cobra in SS and i love it. Shoots great and is a really nice handgun. I love SS. It takes far less care to keep it looking great. I have put my Colt away wet and forgot about it for a week and after a quick wipe down you could not tell it had been wet. Try that with a blued gun
 
1. Given the option, IMHO, not getting stainless would be a mistake for your use. I would avoid adjustable sights though.........

2. I would say yes. 4 inch is pretty much a general purpose length.

3. Not that I can see.

4. The S&W has a much larger grip selection than the King Cobra. The V-Frame Colts (KC & Anaconda) have next to nothing in wood grips available. You can get them from Hogue, Eagle, and a few others. Expect prices around $75 and up. The Colt needs a factory visit for firing pin replacement. This in itself would almost eliminate the Colt for me. I picked up a KC though, and it was fitted so well and turned so smoothly I could not resist it. I'm glad I own one.

Coltkingcobra.jpg
 
I know

I know that SS is the better choice for me - I was just hoping someone would give me an excuse to buy blue. There is often that difference between what you want and what you really need. I guess the 586 in SS is a 686 - that would be the L frame. I guess the earlier SS S&Ws were on the K frame instead of the L. So I guess if a go with S&W it is a 686.
 
You want to buy blue then get blue. Sure in time the bluing will wear, but with reasonable care it will only wear in a few places (end of barrel, front of cylinder plus the line, front of triggerguard). If the wear gets to the point of offending you then just have it reblued. Usually by then the handgun has become an old friend and the few bare spots just reminds you how long it has been around.
 
I agree, get the blue. That's what you really want.

Imperfections from holster wear will give it character.

(This is from a die hard SS wheelie guy)
 
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