S&W 617 vs. Colt King Cobra Target .22

[rangersedge]

Which is better and why?

[oddshooter]

Wow, tough question.


The S&W model 17's have been a favorite for a long time. I had an 8 3/8" with a target grip that was my most accurate. It was stolen. That still is very painful to even think about. I liked the balance with the target grip and it just seemed to lay still on a bullseye's. I'm such a fan I went out and bought another 17 to replace my lost love.
The model 18's are also excellent 22's, but not as fancy.

I've been a Colt guy as well for a long time (I grew up in Texas). I have an older cobra snubbie, but not the King Cobra which is very different. I've shot the King Cobra, but not enough to talk intelligently about it's capabilities. I have a couple of Pythons and a few Diamondbacks that are treasured possessions (other Colt snake guns). The one thing I recall is that I thought the King Cobra was a little on the heavy side. I've never seen one in 22lr.
You didn't ask but, the Diamondbacks in 22 are the most beautiful and accurate in my accumulation. The bluing is like liquid glass and the fit and finish are superb. They are lighter with gorgeous wood grips. I've never seen one past 6".

I believe there is now a NEW King Cobra from Colt trying to recapture the classics. 
I've read good reports on the new King Cobra, but I tend toward the original vintage models with all my shooters. I'm an old fart who likes old farts trying to compete with the new kids. I even rout for Tom Brady, another old fart that keeps our dreams of youth alive.

I also have a Dan Wesson with 8" barrel and a heavy shroud. It is a beast and seems like 5 pounds. It totally tames the 22lr recoil into nothingness. I also have a S&W 22 that weighs 11oz.

You didn't give us much to go on as to your intended use and why you chose those 2 examples.  It all depends on what you want to do.

Give us a better hint and you'll probably get better suggestions,


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[Encore64]

"Better/Best" are elusive terms for me. These days most brands of guns are a hit or miss. Especially true of revolvers.

I've bought some S&Ws and Colts because they were excellent. I've also passed on some S&Ws and Colts because they looked like Stevie Wonder fitted them.

I do more looking and fondling these days before breaking out the cash...

[WAYNO]

I am very interested in the new Colt .22 . I also see the 617 and Colt to satisfy the same market.

That being said, I think my preference would lean to whatever revolver best passed muster, in person, as we know both companies can turn out some real pigs.

If everything was truly equal, I would surely like to own the Colt.

And further, here's the problem.  Almost never would I expect a local dealer to stock either a 617 or a Colt revolver.  So the only choice, most of the time, is to buy online.  That usually works without event.  And in the event you got a Friday or Monday gun, you better hope it was purchased from Davidson's, or any other outfit that offers a replacement warranty.

[Thunderjet]

Is the “new” .22 actually made by Colt or does CZ build them?

[Encore64]

Nov 5, 2022 16:55:57 GMT -5 Thunderjet said:

Is the “new” .22 actually made by Colt or does CZ build them?

Colt is owned by CZ. So, it's the same either way.

CZ seems to be holding them to much higher standards. Sad to see "An American Legend" come to be own and improved by a foreign company. But, whatever works...

[tj3006]

If I came across either at the right time for the right price, I would buy !

[rangersedge]

Intended use? I've no idea. I have a lot of other .22s that would likely be better for any purpose; but...

Back in my youth, I wanted either a colt diamondback or s&w model 18 combat masterpiece bad. I just couldn't rationalize the cost then.

Now they have newer models of both... i know the ruger sp / gp models are in the same basic category... I have an sp101 in 327 and a redhawk in 44; but leaning more to either the Smith or Colt in 4" / 4.25" or so.

[bushog]

6 shot 617

Those 10 shot revolvers sound good but almost twice as much room for problems. Someone here had a long thread on problem chambers on 10 hole 617.

[Encore64]

Greg, I've read that too. But, my experience doesn't support it.

I think bad revolvers are out there with any number of holes.

I've got a Single Nine 22 MAG and GP100 22 LR 10rd that are both very accurate.

[AxeHandle]

Owned S&W and Colts through the years. Made the decision long ago that I would go S&W. First reason was that, as a DA revolver shooter, the actions are simply different. Had to pick one or the other. Second reason was and is aftermarket support.

My 6 and 10 shot 22LR K frame guns run fine. Tried spring kits and opened a bucket of worms. I now run stock hammer springs and an APEX hammer in my 10 shot 617.

[bradshaw]

Nov 5, 2022 19:13:09 GMT -5 bushog said:

6 shot 617

Those 10 shot revolvers sound good but almost twice as much room for problems. Someone here had a long thread on problem chambers on 10 hole 617.

*****

Correct to think ten holes increases chance to muff dimensions. Against that, my very limited experience leaves me impressed with 10-shot S&W M-617 and Ruger Single-Ten. The glorious .22 Long Rifle appreciates an orchestra of friendly dimensions to keep from getting beat up in a revolver.
David Bradshaw

[starmetal47]

Nov 5, 2022 19:22:17 GMT -5 AxeHandle said:

Owned S&W and Colts through the years. Made the decision long ago that I would go S&W. First reason was that, as a DA revolver shooter, the actions are simply different. Had to pick one or the other. Second reason was and is aftermarket support.

My 6 and 10 shot 22LR K frame guns run fine. Tried spring kits and opened a bucket of worms. I now run stock hammer springs and an APEX hammer in my 10 shot 617.

The 22 rimfire needs a really good hammer hit to the firing pin. I don't believe I'd ever lighten up the hammer spring on mine. 

[Ken O'Neill]

Interesting question, presently unanswerable in my opinion. I've read the Colt press releases and You Tube pontifications, without tests, on the new Colt .22. I've never seen one in real life, let alone shot one, nor do I know anyone who has. Hard to evaluate a phantom. The 17's have a long history. I've owned 3. They were very good to outstanding.

[bradshaw]

Talking this afternoon with Colt Python maestro Jerry Moran:

DB: Is the Colt King Cobra a small version of the 2020 Python?

JM: Yes.

DB: Is The Diamondback a miniature of the old Python?

JM: Yes.

DB: Is the bolt on the Diamondback thin?

JM: Yes.

DB: What about the King Cobra?

JM: I think the King Cobra uses the same bolt as the new Python, or close (i.e. thicker).

DB: Would you bet on a King Cobra .22 against the old Officer’s Model Match .22 Long Rifle?

JM: No. But, as you say, the target is the arbiter of accuracy, and I haven’t shot the King Cobra. With the the Officer’s Model Match .22 I shot 2-inch groups at 50 yards----with Remington Green Box. Remember, Remington took pains in quality control on green box; knowing it was THE ammo for all the thousands of NRA junior rifle shooters and bullseye pistol shooters.

There is great design, but it must be implemented. If manufacturing precesses are faulty, guess what. The Crusader, the original design worked, but the person designing manufacture didn’t implement. I know you know about implementation cause you’re a Bullard... your Bullard family.

DB: Did Bill Ruger consider the Crusader a Rube Goldberg?

JM: Yes he did. Bill Ruger hated the Crusader. You and I were there in Coeure d'Alene, this guy from High Standard was there, big tall mechanical engineer, handsome, looked like a rock star... the methodology they used to make the prototypes.... they couldn’t use in production. The gear in the Crusader lockwork... translating it to production... I don’t know how you translate the gear-drive to full carry-up... Bill, Jr., said it was too complicated. But the guy----I

DB: Was the High Standard guy there to eyeball silhouette?

JM: Yes he was. He was there to size up the, thinking about the Crusader. The guns were beautiful.The action was heavy, but smooth as glass. The guy had a .44 and a .45.

DB: Did the Crusader have a sideplate.

JM: Yes, it does.
David Bradshaw