My wife can't decide between her 586 no dash or her Python. I prefer the 586 because it has a better trigger, but the Python is, well, a Python. And hers is a goodie, a nickle gun made in 1968 with beautiful Mustang grips.
It's true Pythons cost a lot, but it IS a hand-fitted gun. They cost more largely because they are labor intensive, and because they are Colt Pythons. But if I had to choose, I'd take a Smith any day of the week (Apologies to Python fans.)
The wife was drooling over a nice Smith at a local gun show recently, but we were broke. I told her, "Hell, honey, he'd probably take your Python in trade."
Just to look at her, you'd never know she could punch that hard....