I want a .357 revolver with a 3 inch barrel. I’ll plan to use it for carry once I get a holster. I’ve got it narrowed down to the S&W 686 or Colt King Cobra or Cobra Carry, all in 3 inch barrels. The 686 seems more readily available, I found a new one locally and plenty online. I can’t find the Colt at all. I like the looks of the Colt a little more but both look great. I don’t find much online comparing both of them so looking to get some input from the brain trust here. I’ve had revolvers in the past, .22, .357, .44 mag, 480, .454 but currently just a Heritage Rough Rider. I searched here and see a lot of love for the 686. Experience and opinions, good or bad, would be appreciated.
Try Handgunhero.com for comparison. I have both guns and the colts (Cobra, King Cobra, Viper) are built on a smaller frame (SF-VI)in all barrel lengths. I prefer the colt's due to my medium hand size. most people I know that have large hands prefer the S&W. the 686 plus also has the advantage of an extra round. the 686 plus is 10 oz heavier. I think it will be easier to find a holster for the 686 also. you may want to consider the new 386 Night Guard it is a medium frame just like the 686+ but its lightweight (27 oz).
Posts: 259 | Location: Florida | Registered: July 07, 2016
A buddy has a King Cobra and a Python, and I honestly preferred the King Cobra to the Python...that is one very nice gun. It's a great size, well-balanced, awesome fit and finish, and the trigger is superb. If the choices are between that and a 686, I'd probably take the Colt, and I'm an S&W guy. That's how good it is.
If I was in the market for any medium frame 3" .357 right now for belt carry, though, I'd have a really hard time passing up the reintroduced Nightguard .357. A little harsher to shoot, but those scandium guns are an absolute joy to carry, and you're going to spend a lot more time doing that than you are shooting it.
When it comes to "carry" the K-Frame is much better suited than the L-frame. The 3" K-frame also gives you a full-length ejector rod. Consider a 3" K-frame.Here's my 3" K...
Adios,
Pizza Bob
NRA Benefactor Member
Posts: 1539 | Location: Central NJ | Registered: January 19, 2006
Thanks for the input. I found a 686 with wood grips and bought it. Then I made the mistake of stopping at a shop I hadn’t been in before and they had the King Cobra. I bought that one too.
I had the opposite happen to me when shopping for a 3" .357. I wanted a 686 after handling one but couldn't find another for a while. Stumbled upon the King Cobra (about a year after being introduced) which came home.
I use a Sticky holster for the 3" Ruger SP-101 (not a perfect fit but close) with it.
Posts: 4037 | Location: Fairfax Co. VA | Registered: August 03, 2015
Congrats on both. With the way S&W is putting out guns now, the only way I will buy another is if I see it in person first. The 686 I bought last year had a canted barrel and I was told it shouldn't affect accuracy by S&W. Seems they are putting a lot of them out like this from what I have seen and heard. I have a newer Python and to me, it is a night and day compared to the S&W. The Colt handles more smoothly and comes from the factory with a better trigger.
Originally posted by birddog1: Thanks for the input. I found a 686 with wood grips and bought it. Then I made the mistake of stopping at a shop I hadn’t been in before and they had the King Cobra. I bought that one too.
Originally posted by birddog1: Thanks for the input. I found a 686 with wood grips and bought it. Then I made the mistake of stopping at a shop I hadn’t been in before and they had the King Cobra. I bought that one too.
The nice thing is, my wife was with me for both purchases.
I love S&W revolvers, but another to consider for carry is the Ruger SP101 Wiley Clapp Edition. It has real sights and is slimmer than even a K-frame. It sounds like your wife is in a good mood, so might as well make it three.
Posts: 9321 | Location: The Red part of Minnesota | Registered: October 06, 2002
Originally posted by 92fstech: A buddy has a King Cobra and a Python, and I honestly preferred the King Cobra to the Python...that is one very nice gun. It's a great size, well-balanced, awesome fit and finish, and the trigger is superb. If the choices are between that and a 686, I'd probably take the Colt, and I'm an S&W guy. That's how good it is.
If I was in the market for any medium frame 3" .357 right now for belt carry, though, I'd have a really hard time passing up the reintroduced Nightguard .357. A little harsher to shoot, but those scandium guns are an absolute joy to carry, and you're going to spend a lot more time doing that than you are shooting it.
I have the Lipseys Exclusive S&W 396 Night Guard coming in on Monday. That is in 44 Special. I am looking forward to getting it. However, looking around, I don't see any more available. I don't know about the 357s though.
I have a 3" King Cobra with a night sight. I also have 3 pythons,and 2 are 3". If you are looking to carry it the 3" King is hard to beat. Great triggers and 6 shots, and the 3" balances almost perfect. I have about 400 rounds thru mine and its match grade accurate. I did replace the brass bead front sight-my eyes just getting a little too tired for them. The night sight is big, and easy to pick up. The only thing is that colt accessories take a little work to get. I happen to live a couple mikes from the factory and one of my FFL shops is down the street from them and gets a ton of colts. While its a little too big for my carry style (99% of the time I carry its pocket) if a 3" King fits your carry method then it would be great. I do have Smiths as well, including a 2.5" 686PC mine are not of recent manufacture. And I would absolutely stay away from their new stuff. pains me to say it as I have owned and shot Smith revolvers for 28 years, but Colt is putting out much better product now. New Smith revolvers are a crap shoot as to whether they will even consistently detonate the primers.
