What Compares To Colt Python. . . .Nothing

[magnumwheelman]

I don't hate Colts... I have shot a few... & only owned one ( & that's a 1917... so it doesn't count )

seen both the Pythons, & the Anacondas need service long before one of the other brands... the trouble today, is you can't get them serviced locally... I have a very good guy I use, that is a retired tool & die machinist, & has been interested, & built guns since he was in his teens... he can work on anything... well almost anything... he draws the line, on the cheap antique pocket double actions, & Colt's snakes...

I don't think anyone would argue that Colt's bluing was the best, & their actions were super smooth, when properly tuned... again though... that service tech ( talking like the Ferrari example ) is pretty tough to come by... with the car, there are still dealerships, & mechanics trained to work on them... with the Colt... not so much, which IMO, puts them in the safe queen category...

I have this old S&W, that belonged to a state trooper long ago, who used it to win nearly every service revolver competition he entered... he was a buddy of my wife's dad, & it now resides in our gun room... it's the smoothest double action, & keeps a single action trigger break like a fine glass rod... could still be sent back to the factory for service, & has a large ( service tech ) group able to service it...

I'd have a hard time owning a snake, because they are just worth too much, & I shoot my guns, & I don't personally know someone capable of servicing one, where as my Dan Wessons, S&Ws, Rugers, & even my replica black powder conversion guns need less service, & have a larger service group available to take care of them...

I would take a DOZEN Colt Python sixguns for ONE of any S&W 357 sixguns, because I'd sell those dozen, & buy 4 dozen premium shooters, that could be more easily tuned & serviced

my old S&W ( retired highway patrol revolver, with the fantastic trigger )

[aidan]

I defiantly would not treat a Colt Python the same as I do my 686. They are in a class by themselves and should be treated that way. 

[akray]

Pythons look good in movies. According to at least one name gunsmith, "The Colt Python was designed by gunsmiths." According to Bob Milek's articles he bought one when a friend showed up at his place with one of the first ones found in his area. He used his for 40 years or so and seemed to think highly of it. Massad Ayoob wrote that Pythons are accurate because in addition to the second hand holding the cylinder completely still, the barrels are also "taper bored" where the diameter decreases slightly toward the end of the barrel which squeezes the bullet that much tighter into the rifling. I like Pythons but my personal best shots have been made with plain jane Smith & Wesson revolvers.

[warhawk]

I have owned and/or shot several Pythons. I do not care for the "stacking" double action trigger pull, much prefer a nice Smith & Wesson. Also, never found a Python with grips that fit my hand.

[texagun]

Aug 12, 2014 23:08:06 GMT -5 warhawk said:

I have owned and/or shot several Pythons. I do not care for the "stacking" double action trigger pull, much prefer a nice Smith & Wesson.

My thoughts exactly. I've own Pythons and Troopers and have never cared for the DA triggers on those guns. I sold them all. For me, the S&W triggers are superior.

[desertrat]

Having owned a Python in the 70's (yes, I sold it to buy something else), I will say YES....very nice
overall, but agree with some that they are NOT the be-all end-all of .357's. I have owned S&W that have
out-shot and outlasted Pythons I know of. And yes, mine did shoot loose with magnum loads after about
6 months of ownership. Nice, but don't miss it that much. I'd rather shoot my Blackhawks, anyway.

[RABULL]

Back in the later 1970's, S & W had not introduced the "L" Frame or the Model 586/686 .357 revolver yet. I was a younger police officer back in those days and went to work for a Sheriff's Office that mandated that we carry a .357 magnum revolver. I liked the S & W Model 19 (K frame) revolver but really liked a heavier barrel out in front on my revolvers. Bill Davis (Gunsmith in the Sacramento, CA area) was putting together "Smolts" (S & W Model 19 with a Colt Python Heavy Barrel) or "Cougars" (Ruger Revolver with a Python Barrel installed). I had a S & W Model 19 Revolver and gave it to Mr. Davis to do a complete "Smolt" Package on it (Python Barrel, Action Job, Night Sights, etc.). It came back as the best shooting .357 I have ever had. I went with the 6" Python barrel and ordered a Hoyt Break Front Holster for it. I used this handgun while a Deputy Sheriff at the Sheriff's Office. I thought I had the best of both worlds - a S & W Revolver with the heavier Colt Python barrel.

I was later offered a Police Sergeant's position at a City Police Department and took the job which allowed me to go back to carrying a Colt 1911 .45 ACP handgun.....

Of course, S & W later decided to go with a heavier barrel on a little beefier Framed Revolver and introduced the "L Frame" and the Model 586/686 which was what I was looking for back in those days.......

I always liked the "good looks" of the Colt Python but I was a S & W Double Action guy and for the most part kept with the S & W Double Action Revolvers.... ( I have purchased some Colt double Action Revolvers over the years but have none now)....

I did collect Colt Single Actions and Semi-Automatics but stayed with the S & W on the Double Action Revolvers..

I do still have the "Smolt .357" so I guess I have part of a Colt on one of my Double Action Revolvers.....

[aidan]

I have not heard of that before. That's really cool. Getting to shoot a Python recently really has me wanting one. but I would never part with my 686.

[maxcactus]

I'd really like a Python, too, but not for anywhere near the ridiculously inflated prices they're bringing! I'll take a stock Smith or Ruger and a train car load of ammo over a Colt any day! Or, for that matter, a Freedom Arms for the $$ Pythons are fetching.

[Markbo]

All that is so funny. Replace Python with any other handgun and nobody would own anything BUT S&Ws!

[aidan]

The idea of one or the other is a good debate, but what about striving for one of each brand and caliber? Being a redneck from Texas some of us have been known to purchase a firearm to match the ammo available on the store shelf. (Doesn't get more redneck than that.)

[Markbo]

Or to buy a rifle to match an old box of ammo you found in the ammo closet?

[TERRY MURBACH]

WELL SHUCKS, I had a custom S&W M31 4" 32S&WLONG built because I found one[1!] 32 caliber 98gr WC bullet in a 500pack of 38-148grWC bullets.

[aidan]

Hahaha! Mr. Murbach you have taken it to a whole nother level.