I have shot both revolvers, but only own the King Cobra w/ the 4" barrel. The Colt frame is smaller; that isn't a problem for me, but I wish the grips were a little longer. The Colt has a reasonably light trigger pull (for a rimfire revolver). It starts off at about 7 lbs, pulls through until just before let-off and then jumps up to 9 lb. The 617 that I have shot had had been worked on and had a much lighter trigger with a more even pull. I haven't taken the Colt apart to fiddle with the trigger (yet) because it is acceptable the way it is. It is much lighter than my Ruger 10-shot and my Taurus 9-shot, therefore not worth messing with. I mostly shoot plates with my revolver so I can't say much about accuracy, I can hit 8" plates at 45' without a problem. I've shot two paper punching matches with the Colt; did OK with an informal PPC match, not so good with a Bullseye match - more me that the gun. Since I've only shot a 617 against plates I can't really compare accuracy, except that the 617 has a reputation thatt the Colt hasn't earned yet.

 

Thanks for the reply.118 views and only your reply makes me think nobody else has even held both of the revolvers let alone shot both

 

I have both, and second Ct's opinion. The triggers are close to the same. Not as light as a GP 100 centerfire but half of the Taurus 9 shot I have. The Colt has the best finish, and is a smaller frame than the 617. The grips are better suited to small hands (woman or youth).

Because of my old eyes the factory choice of sights is lacking on both the Colt and 617. My 617 wears a Vortec with an Achin mount. It works well but ruins the lines of the gun.

 

I own both. The Smith has the better trigger because....well.... because no one makes a better revolver trigger than S&W. I have big hands and the Smith grip fits me better than the Colt. As stated earlier, it's a bit short. It could use another 1/2" of length. Accuracy wise....it's a draw for me. Both throw a cylinder full of CCI std velocity into an inch and a half or so at 25 yds. I haven't played with any other ammo in either gun as I consider both to be pop can plinkers.

 

I have the Colts, Taurus, Smith & Wesson, all three in 4 and six inch barrels. Accuracy I can agree with, and triggers, BUT, the newcomer to the U.S., the AL22 I have is going to give the triggers a real close comparison to the S& W. In single action mode.
After putting about six hundred rounds through the AL22, it is one slick action little revolver. Check out the new grips that Altamont just released for the King Cobra. You will find some larger, longer grip styles than before.

 

With the Colt, I estimate you are paying an extra $200 for a high gloss finish which I dont particularly care for. I dont know how long it takes to wear out a 22 colt but the Smith has a far better lockup in my not so humble opinion. Give a choice any Colt DA revolver would follow 3rd after any comparable S&W or Ruger. Assuming a world with only 3 choices! Colt maybe under new ownership but the customer is still paying for a name in a fancy status gun. I would consider a 1911 or an AR but not a DA revolver.

 

If you look around a little, the Colt and the 617 are at on line dealers for very close to the same price.

 

I did not respond initially because I have limited interest in 10 shot revolvers. I understand S&W still sells a 6-shot model 17 and that I may consider one day but not on my current want list. Based on that alone, I would favor the Smith 17 but only because of the 6-shot issue.

 

I am loosing track of the current revolver discussions so it could be added now, the world is a wash in good quality used revolvers. My old S&W 22 kit gun is stainless, not alloy like today. I know where i could handle several K22 at the other end of the spectrum. Colt did a gun like the Single Six at one time. Not the early potmetal one but later it was case hardened steel. Unlike the DA revolvers, I liked that colt. The old smiths are now called Pre-lock. If you discriminate against 10 shots you might not care for the lock either.

The first post mentioned accuracy, the K22 would almost have to be part of that discussion.

 

S&W still make a stainless steel model 63(22)..........And an aluminum model 317 in 22.

 

I agree, but many more people insist on buying new than you might realize. I'm not in that group, but I think the OP's question is valid, and I've enjoyed some of the comments comparing the two.

 

I would be interested in a good comparison also as per the OPs request. I have shot my K22 against my buddie's Colt Match Target, Officers model, and now his new Colt King Cobra. We agreed the trigger on the K22 was slightly better than the early Colt's but not by much. Accuracy on my K22 was pretty satisfying- hitting a clay pigeon set on a stump at 50 yards was surprisingly easy.

Now, with all that said I have seen this question several times on different sites and the answer seems to be- it depends. Some of the new Colts and Smiths have been reported to have sterling accuracy while others have been bad mouthed by others. I have to wonder how much of this is the shooter and how much is the pistol. So, temper the responses with a grain of salt IMO...

 

Is the rear sight on 22 Cobra juts like the others in that you have to take an Allen Wrench to adjust it?

 

Both the Colt King Cobra Target 22 and S&W 617 use a small screwdriver to adjust the rear sight ( windage & elevation ). At least on mine they do.

 

I have both and recently shot a new Colt King Cobra 4.25” barrel ( matte finish) against the 617-6 with a 4.13” barrel and as far as accuracy found them equal based on my shooting abilities at 25 yards. The Colt is a bit smaller in size but not enough to make a difference in my hands. I feel the trigger in the 617 is slightly better than the King Cobra in both single and double action. The Colt trigger might get better with usage but I do not shoot a lot of revolvers so consider my use casual. I have a S&W Model 18 Combat Masterpiece which has the best trigger hands down.

 

I can't believe I didn't comment on this one. I have not handled the new Colt King Cobra, but they sure are pretty in pictures. My 617 is a 6 shot pre-lock model with 4 inch bbl and to me it's pure perfection. If I were a younger working man I'm sure I would have a Colt just because, but I'm not younger nor working and since I'm so happy with my 617 I probably won't. I will say that the balance of my 4 inch 617 is perfect for me and I'm sure the Colt in that barrel length would be the same. I will also say that the trigger pull on my 617 is as nice as any revolver I have ever owned.