Over the years I've kept large numbers of every ssp of common king. There are some I would recommend over others.
Cal kings: in my experience, they musked more often than any other kingsnake. Albinos always seemed prone to biting without any warning, and the normals which were not as bad did the same thing occasionally.
Desert (splendida): Usually very calm with little problems. Some musking occasionally.
Mex. Black (nigrita): Could be flighty until they got a little size on them. Some musking occasionally.
Speckled (holbrooki): Very small hatchlings. Can be somewhat flighty if not handled often.
Black (nigra): Very calm. I've picked these up in the wild with zero restraint. No biting, no musking, no flightyness. Only downfall is the least attractive of the kings.
Eastern (getula): Calm, easty to handle. Babies can be difficult to start. Start with an animal that has a little size and is guaranteed to eat rodents. Can reach very large size.
Blotched/Goini (meansi/goini/getula): Usually very calm with the exception of feeding time. Can also reach very large size.
Florida/Brooksi (floridana/brooksi/getula): My favorite of all. Very easy to handle. Feeds well, but watch out. They love to eat. Never experienced one that musked or one being flighty.
With this said, I would recommend a yearling or older grayband over any of these. Grayband are one of the most non-offensive snakes I've ever dealt with. They just don't have a means streak in them unless you are a mouse or a lizard. Similar in temperment are Sinaloan milksnakes. Very very calm and easy to handle.
Good luck.
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