Colt Python VS Smith & Wesson

[Ghostrider_23]

Which one would you choice or which one is better. Colt Python or Smith & Wesson of equal. 6" barrel in 357 mag. I have heard that the Colt Python is over rated and the Smith & Wesson is better. Which Smith & Wesson model would you choice.

[257 roberts]

I've had several Pythons threw the years and they are good guns but pricey,the S&W 586 shot just as good as the Python and cheaper.
My pick would be S&W.

[RemingtonDave]

I've owned three Pythons over the years and have traded them all off. While they are probably the most beautiful of handguns, I could just never get one to fit my hand properly despite trying many different grip styles. I've also never been impressed with the vaunted Python action.
I don't care for the triggers or the angle of the hammers.
These, of course, are personal opinions and are in direct conflict with other's views.

Smiths on the other hand, have always fit my hand well, regardless of the various grips. I love the wide target triggers and hammers and have found their actions to be superior to the Python. While I've never had a mechanical problem with the Pythons, I've heard many times their action is "delicate".

If it's for show, then the Python is the gun to have, but if I could only have one, and intended to fire it, it would be an N frame or an L frame Smith. Preferably a Model 27 or 28.

However all this means nothing since your prefences could very well be the opposite of mine.
Handle and shoot, if possible, both and see what YOU like.

[Steve in Michigan]

Pythons have been notorious for going out of time and when that happens they spit out the barrel-cylinder gap. At our club, we never shot on the inside range next to anybody that was shooting a Python because you always got hit with powder and lead if they were shooting lead bullets.

I have shot thousands of rounds thru a Smith 66 and it always performed beautifuly and I shot most of those rounds double action. When I first got it, I pollished the lockworks, etc. lightly with 600-grit sandpaper and it was the smoothest revolver I ever owned. Also, the Smith was much more predictable in double action because it had a build up right before the hammer fell and you could feel that. If you wanted to, you could hold that spot shooting double action and actually have about the same accuracy as signle action shooting.

I would own a Smith over a Python any day.

[Old Griz]

:cb2: The Colt Python with the Royal Blue finish is probably the most beautiful hand gun ever made.

I have not had the priviledge of shooting many, but I could never hit worth a darn with one. My Anaconda and I get along much, much better.

I agree with most here, that you could get a S&W 686, have a gunsmith work his magic on it, and you would come out with a handgun that is just as good, probably stronger, and save a bunch of money, even with the custom work. It wouldn't have the prestige of a "Python" but you'd have a great gun with several hundred dollars to spare. I just don't think they are worth the money Colt is asking for them today. Who do they think they are? Freedom Arms?  :eek: (In their dreams!)  

[Old Griz]

:cb2: By the way, I have a Colt Grizzly, which is a SS King Cobra frame with a 6" Python barrel. It's a lot of fun to shoot, and I'm not afraid that something might happen to it, like I would be with a Python.

I do remember the first Pyton I ever saw--Steve McQueen had just blown the bad guy away in the airport in "Bullit." Looking down that ribbed barrel . . . wow, that was impressive!

[Rover]

The answer all depends upon what you want out of the gun.   For most the S&W or Ruger will shoot just as well.  Out of the box Colts having stacking in the double action trigger unlike Smiths & Rugers.  People either like it or hate it.  If one wants to put a "Super Tune" into both guns the Colt will have a lighter double action pull down around 6 pounds; single action will be somewhat lighter in the Smith.  The hammer arc and lock time on the Smith are considerably less than the Colt.  A Python will weigh a couple of ounces less than a 6 shot 686.  The 686 can be had in the 7 shot version.  Normally, the Colt requires more maintenance in that the hand will need to either be peened or replaced after 2,000-4000 rounds (although some claim the 7 shot Smiths go out of time about 3000-3500 rounds).  If this is not done spitting and myriad of other problems will occur down the line.  Most gunsmiths are very familiar with Smiths; very few remain that know a Colt inside or out.  Finally, Colt no longer makes double action revolvers and the tooling per several sources no longer exists either.  Finally, if you have small to medium hands the trigger reach (backstrap to trigger) on the Python is the greatest of all double action revolvers and even exceeds the N frame Smiths or Anaconda.

[Greeenriver]

I have heard about the Pythons being "Delicate" and going out of time after a rew hundred rounds. The only Python I ever owned was in the  early 70's, and it was an old gun then.  I shot several boxes of 38spc. wascutters a week from that gun for about three years and I have no idea how many full house .357mags in the same timeframe.  That old gun was the best shooting pistol I ever owned. The bluing was worn off most of it, it rattled when you shook it, and when I went to work on the nite shife at the Police Dept, it was the one that was in my holster. I replaced the origional grips with a set of target grips that I sanded sown to fit my hands 'cause the ofigional grips were too big for me.  At the time, I owned a pair of the then new Ruger Security Six's and  a S&W model 19, an older S&W M&P, and a couple single actions, and a Browing High Power.  That old Python was my "Go to" gun when ever I thought that the stuf might hit the fan.  After I quit the Police Dept, I sold it and have wished ever since that I had kept it.  

I trusted my life to that python and would again.  I have no experence with the newer Pythons, but have heard they wern't of the same quality as the old ones.

Funny, I sold that gun in 1976, and I still can remember the  ser. #.  49495 with a 4in bbl. If anyone knows where it is, let me know. I would pay any reasonable price to get it back.

Greeenriver

[rich56]

If you shoot a lot of magnums a 586 or 686. If less mags than 38s get a older model 19 or 66. If you like a big N frame  like a 44 mag get the 627 or a older 27 or 28. You cannot go wrong with a 686.

[Old Schoolr]

I've owned a 6" Blued Python since 1982. In that time frame I've put thousands of .38 Special & .357 rounds thru it. I've never needed any repair work done or had any "spitting". I've never had any reason to believe that my Python or those owned by my buddies are in any way more fragile than other DA revolvers. Out of the box the action has been like a greased marble. My only compliant was that the stock grips were too large for my hand. I replaced them w/rubber Pachmayr's & haven’t looked back.
I've never owned a Smith but I feel there revolvers are fine guns. I'm not entitled to relate any 2nd hand S&W horror stories from "some guy". In '82 when I bought my Python under a lot of criticism from friends & guys on the pistol league, 3 friends bought various models of Smith handguns. All 3 went back for factory repair work. Smith is a good company that they made right but my Python hasn’t been back to Colt since.
Which one do you like? Which fits best in your hand? Do you like the push or the pull style of cylinder latch? How is the trigger pull when you dry fire single & double action? Finally, which one does your wallet like the best. If you really like the more expensive gun you'll find a way to afford it.
If you look at a used revolver, here's somethings to check: Dry fire the gun & keep the trigger pulled back. Now with your other hand, try to rotate the cylinder. Does it seem loose or sloppy? If it does the bolt is worn & the cylinder isn't being locked at the moment of firing. Cock the hammer, does the cylinder rotate to the next stop or does it seem like it's rotating a little short? If so the hand is worn.
My Python is a keeper & I hope what ever you find does it for you.

[Broom Rider]

I've owned a bunch of Pythons, most all of them were 6" Royal blue. I would enjoy them until they went out of time then let someone else own them that wanted them more than i did. I kept one of them and don't shoot it as much as the others.......it'll be a shame when it goes out of time. In it's place I got a S&W 686 Power Port which for all practical purposes shoots as well and doesn't go out of time. There's nothing quite like a nice Python action!

[Drilling Man]

  I've also owned several Pythons over the years....  They are also long gone!!

  I like the older S&W much better, and still have those.....

  I also see my girl friend is here, she just follows me all over  hahahaaaa

  Drilling Man

[dougk]

My preference is the Wesson, Dan Wesson that is.     As the primary application primary hunting (use 8 inch barrel with scope) or backup (use 6 inch barrel).  For home defense I could always pick up a 4 inch barrel.  One thing I have noticed about the Dan Wessons is the DA trigger pull is a tad long.

Doug

[HAMMERHEAD]

One small factor is the Python has a twist of 1:14, S&W (IIRC) is 1:17.5. The bore on the Pythons I've seen are also much smoother. Lockup at hammer fall is also tighter with a Python. Only a Freedom Arms revolver locks up as tight.
For me the accuracy with 158 and 180 grain bullets out to 200 yards with the Python was incredible. The SA trigger was the best I ever tripped.
686s are no slouches either though.

[flintman]

 Don't know why,but a S&W N-27 with a 6" blued barrel does it all for me!

[Steve in Michigan]

Old Schoolr - With all due respect, most owners of Pythons never know their revolver is out of time because it doesn't spit at them, it spits at the guy shooting next to you. Just for the heck of it, next time you are shooting your Python at the range, put a piece of cardboard about 8x10 about twelve inches on either side of your revolver, being sure to position at the barrel-cylinder gap and see if you get any stuff on the cardboard. Lead bullets would be worse the jacketed, but I've seen them spit jacket pieces as well. I don't know about Pythons, but with Smiths, if you get too far out of time, you can crack the forcing cone.

Hammerhead - You may be right about Colt lockup, but I would think Smiths and especially Rugers would lock up tighter. Sure, a Colt rotates towards the frame so that pushes the cylinder inwards, but Colt does not have a front retention device. Smith does and Ruger with their crane-lock system is even better even though they rotate outwards from the cylinder.That's my two cents on that.

I think a Python is the most beautiful double action revolver made and probably the smoothest action from the box. I'm not sure who wins after tune-up, Smith or Colt, but both should be smooooth. My main problem with Colts over the last several years is that they were extremebly pricely for what they were and I don't think they were worth the premium. I think for the dollars invested, Smiths are the very best investment you can make. Amen to the 6" model 27 mentioned above. Now THAT'S a premium revolver!!They are beautiful as well.

I just recently purchased a Colt Trooper Mark III that had been tuned and it is really smooth and has a great single-action trigger, however the double-action is still pretty heavy. The leaf springs on the Python and Smiths are sooo much better.