Most revolver enthusiasts hold the opinion that the Colt Python is a beautiful weapon. Many of the same folks would consider the Ruger GP100 to be 'built like a tank', 'too chunky', too thick in the top strap.

My own observations tell me that the GP100 and Python profile share a lot in common; especially the top strap, both of which are thicker and blocker than the S&W 686.

The Python looks to be about as thick and chunky in build as the GP100, and the former is a 'sleek and beautiful gun' while the latter is a 'chunky tank'.

Thoughts?

i agree. ruger makes an ugly *** gun.

I think comparing a Python to a Ruger will tend to get some people rather upset.

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

I disagree

I like Pythons, I own and shoot many of them.

I also like the Smith and Wesson Model 27/327/627 family of revolvers. I own and shoot quite a few of these as well. Odd as it may seem, I am not a 581/586/681/686 L-frame fan

I do not consider the GP100 to be built like a tank or too clunky. I do not think of the GP100 at all.

I am not a fan of Ruger firearms outside the Mark/II/III/IV family of 22s and the 10-22 rifle. OK I will toss in the Bearcat since there are not many scaled down firearms to start children with.

This is why both Ford and Chevy build pick up trucks.

Each is unique and in their own category. When handled they all have a different trigger feel and point of aim. The only thing I find similar is that they all chamber for 357 Magnum. I think there's more in common with a Dan Wesson and GP100 than a Python.

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Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

I have a friend with a GP 100 shot it about 3 shots. Mehhh..

Owned a SS Python for about 8 hours. Sold it for a nice profit.

I have a few S&W.. says it all.

The Python was good looking because of it's bright shiny blue, or nickle. Now it is a legend because of not being made anymore, and showing up in two different popular TV series at different times. It had the same affect as Dirty Harry.

The Ruger GP is a very good looking gun when it is a high polish finish. The problem, or not, most people do not buy a GP to be pretty. I fall into that camp.

NOW S&W has gone to an even duller finish on most of their guns. I do not care for a bead blast finish on revolver. If the revolver sees a lot of holster use it becomes a two finish gun. IMO those guns are ugly, it is acceptable on a gun like charter arms, but not on a smith. It's like those ugly rubber grips.

The Colt is no doubt an elegant weapon. The Ruger is utilitarian, sort of ***** (functionally ugly). I like Smiths myself. to each his own.

They all get the job done in their own way. My only caveat is that it's getting harder to get proper service or parts for the Colts.

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Stay safe people!

Put the Ruger in one hand and a Python in the other. Close your eyes and squeeze the triggers, which one “feels” the prettiest.

I have a 6" blue Python, a beautiful well built revolver. The only issue is the stacking trigger, which can be massaged away in a $320 trigger job, I don't buy anything Ruger, never forgave Bill Ruger for his Letter to Congress , which sold out the gun owners and the 2nd Amendment. Now the 686 Probably my favorite all around revolver. .357 , perfect size frame for carry with a 2 1/2" or target shooting with a 6 or 8", Great weight nice balance and a usually good S&W trigger. Parts are available, and good S&W smiths are out there, where as Colt good Colt smiths and parts are scarce. I love my Python, but if I could only have one I would pick the 686.

Another great one I'll add to your list is the Dan Wesson model 15 VR. Most Dan wesson's have a beautiful deep blue finish.Add the vented rib and size,this makes a very good looking condenter.

I can accurately fire any gun I have, no matter how the trigger feels. Plus I do not think shooting a gun with eyes closed is an intelligent idea.

BTW all my Rugers have smooth triggers. As well as all my Smiths, but then I never was a fan of Starsky, and Hutch, and literally can't stand Walking Dead. I did like the Dirty Harry movies, but oddly I had no desire to go out, and buy a long barrel model 29.

There is no doubt that the already high Python prices skyrocketed due to Walking Dead. I find that funny, and sad.

As the saying goes “beauty is in the eye of the beholder “.
I think this one has beauty in spades to my eye.

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I agree, love those grips.

MY favorite is a 4" 586...... love the S&W trigger vs the others.

Now a "Smolt" built on a 586 with a Python barrel would get my attention!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I kind of liked this one ;-)

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An older guy I work with says colts are like Ferrari’s. Top of the line and expensive but break easy. I don’t know because I don’t have any colts or Ferrari’s. He has colts and bmw’s.

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No gold. Only lead. Bobby

How many colts has he broken

Colt Pythons are pretty and have great reputations but are probably over rated. I have never handled a Ruger GP-100 but I do have an old Ruger Security Six (2.5") and a Ruger Service Six (4"). I shoot both very well (as a Model 10 fan, and Vaquero fan, the Security Six fixed sights are just fine). Neither is gorgeous but I did jazz up the snubbie. I have actually carried this gun with those stocks on it. I know it sounds weird to put Hogue Target stocks on a snub gun like this but I hated the originals.

I have had both guns for so long I can't recall when I got them!



Anyway, I like S&Ws better and I don't think a Python is better looking than a 4" Model 19, among others.

Colt especially Pythons are beautiful gun. I have 2 Police Postive early 19' unreal bluing to this day.

Been a SW revolve man since my first model 19 in 1972 so I need to keep my comments to myself I guess

60 years from now, they will still be shooting GP-100's made today, and 60 years from now they will still be admiring unfired Pythons in their pretty little factory boxes.

4" stainless Python
4" stainless Ruger GP100
4" Stainless S&W 686-4
I will let anyone on this forum have first two picks and I will be happy with whatever is left over.

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Forum consigliere

There is an automobile sold today that is often advertised on TV. You have probably seen the commercial - its the one where rats drive the car. (OK, my wife says they are guinea pigs.). Anyway, the car is beyond ugly and i wouldn't own one if the got 50 MPG and were free. Yet, people actually buy them.

IMHO Rugers look awesome - every model they ever made. So do S&Ws. Colts are another story.

I know my Rugers will outlast my grandchildern - that's all I care about.

I still remember my first impressions of a S&W when I bought my 686-6. I couldn't believe how thin and sleek the frame is compared to other similar sized guns. That lightly brushed stainless finish won me over too. I was looking at a GP-100 too at the same time but it just didn't do it for me. I had the money and I was buying a smith. It's been all down hill since then.

When I was a teenager and started being able to buy new guns
I bought Ruger SAs. Two reasons, I decided they were better than Colt SAs and cost less. At this time I had little interest in DA
revolvers. It so happened I had a brand new K22, once I shot it
the Rugers went, except for a couple. Then I had Colt Diamond
Backs & Pythons. These were top notch and smooth actions, but
again they were more expensive than S&Ws and no better. When
it gets down to it DA revolvers "are" S&W. Most any Gun Smith
will tell you S&W is a more trouble free design than Colts. I quit
having any interest in Ruger when they came out with the new
models and I've had their DAs. I have never see a Ruger DA out
of the box that compares to S&W or Colt. They are durable and
accurate but not S&W or Colt level. There is no doubt that a Ruger can be fine tuned to this level but that is apples and oranges. You can cook a Army boot in a crock pot long enough
for it to be eaten.

I own a 6" Python. I also tried to buy a GP100 a couple of times, but the triggers on them were so horrible I just couldn't bring myself to shell out the money. These two revolvers are an apples to oranges comparison to me if you try to compare anything other than basic utilitarian value.

One was once a hand-fitted jewel, put together by demonstrably exceptional gunsmiths.

The other has always been a mass-produced piece whose parts were slapped together by a assembly line worker.

Sometimes a combination of balance and craftsmanship can differentiate what would appear to be to similar items.

I, too, have a hard time letting bygones be bygones regarding ol' Billeh and his proposed federal magazine ban.

I am lucky enough to currently own revolvers of four manufacturers; S&W, Korth, Ruger, and Colt. I also have owned and/or shot revolvers of pretty much all makers and can compare them from extensive first hand experience as a competitive shooter.

First of, I want to say that neither S&W nor Ruger factory triggers delight me in any way. I have tweaked all of them and found that S&W revolvers generally end up with a much superior double action trigger than Rugers, even the Six series, can offer. While the Python has a great single action, the double action is a little long and awkward for me and I have to admit that all the grips I have tried on the Python feel uncomfortable for me.

Well, that leaves the Korth - and after I had the pleasure of shooting a couple of Korths some thirty years ago I always lusted for my own Korth. It took almost twenty years for me to buy my first Korth but by now I have a little collection of them and there is a simple reason for it.
Korth revolvers have a great double action pull where the stacking can be changed by changing the little roller bearing to one of a different size and it is eassy to understand why the d/a on bearings does feel smoother. The trigger return and with it the trigger weight can be easily adjusted from the outside. The sights give a clear picture and the overall built quality is excellent.

My rating is simple but primarily based on personal preference.
1. Korth
2. S&W pre-locks
3. Colt Python
4. Ruger

Python with Nills


Korth and S&W


Ruger GP100 with Nills


But that rating does not at all mean that I do not enjoy shooting the GP100, my Service Six, or the SRH! Ruger revolvers are sturdy guns and the Gp100 has given me little problems over tens of thousands of rounds.

As much as I am devoted to the Smith and Wesson revolvers (and I am a very devoted afficiciando......If I am trekking to the wilderness in search of Bigfoot..., I am carrying my GP 100 4” stainless with a bunch of Safariland speed loaders with heavy 357 rounds. I understand the problems with the actions. My belief is that you look until you find one that is good..... (my experience). I have several Ruger revolvers whose actions are exceptional....I believe that the best revolver for taking into the mud, the blood, and the beer is the Ruger....

Interesting discussion of personal opinions. I've owned and shot nearly all the revolvers discussed here ( except a DW, which I've always wanted ). And after buying, trading, shooting, etc. over more than 50 years, I truly believe the finest revolver I've ever had the pleasure to own is my S&W model 686-4

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John

Speaking of ugly guns...

Yep, the Performance Center has a "thing" for outlandish guns that Marvin the Martian would carry. Me-not so much.

Bruce

I'm not sure how useful it is to hold a grudge against a man who has been dead for over 25 years.

My 1975 colt Python 6”/357 was very accurate and the action was very smooth. I was at the range with a family member who was a Leo. I was shooting my Python at 25 yds she always shot high. I never sighted it in. I took it out to 100yds and was pinging small rocks on the berm. I did it all six rounds. My family member was in shock. I was shooting my 140gr jhp reloads Speer.

My 1976 ruger police service six has a awesome action but I broke it in with moly.

Now I never wanted a s&w because how they were black marketed during Dirty Harry movies I had a grudge since the 70’s. That all changed when I purchased the new grandson a k22.

ITS ALL IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER. IMHO--EVEN IF YOU COMPARED RECORDED MEASUREMENTS, OBTAINED WITH A MICROMETER, YOU WOULD STILL NOT DISPEL THE PREDOMINANT OPINION THAT YOU QUOTE ABOVE, REGARDING THE PYTHON VS THE GP100.....

I AM A HUGE FAN OF BOTH THE PYTHON, AND THE 686. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL OF EACH. IMHO--BOTH ARE "sleek and beautiful", ESPECIALLY IN THEIR LONGEST BARRELED VERSIONS. FOR OVERALL BEAUTY AND ELEGANCE OF LINE, HOWEVER, I MUST GIVE THE EDGE TO MY BELOVED PYTHONS.....

(NOTE THAT THE S&W PICTURED BELOW IS A 617, RATHER THAN A 686. THEY SHARE THE K/L FRAME SIZE, HOWEVER)

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I recently purchased a Smith 686-6 with a 2.5"

Con: You had better be a strong dude to pull that trigger in DA which is over 12# and it was not a treat in SA about 5#. I have replaced the springs with the Wilson mainspring and trigger reset 14#. Now it pulls at 8.3# DA and 3# SA.

The grips are the big hand rubber Hogue's that I am replacing with Nill finger grove that I hope will be more comfortable for an average hand.

The finish of the hammer, trigger, and stainless steel will not give a shooter the wow factor so I Flitzed mine up for a cleaner finish.

I feel that Smith & Wesson could have done a better finishing job with 686-6 but I will say after the minor mods one word to describe my new revolver now is SWEET.

Semper Fi

I only consider the colt python, ruger security six, ruger Redhawk, s&w m27, s&w m28 when comparing the 357 magnums.

I shot hotter loads from the colt amd ruger that would cripple any other 357.

Any other? You mean any including the Korths and Manurhin 73s, or are you not familiar with them?

The Model 617 is built on a K-Frame. The K-Frame and L-Frame DO NOT share the same frame size; they are DISTINCTLY different. That's why there are different size hammers for K and L. The K and L frame revolvers DO share the same grip frame dimensions.

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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

Run 10,000 rounds through a Python and the same for the Ruger GP100, and see which one needs to be re-timed first...

What's that? Smith & Wesson meet "Star Wars" ?

The question is rethorical only. That is an ugly handgun if I ever saw one.

Agreed Kurusu. IMHO it's hideously ugly and utterly impractical. If a guy is going to lug that contraption around...he'd be better served with a lever action carbine in .45-70. Bighorn makes lever action carbines in .460 and .500 too!!!

And it's beautifull, and was designed by JMB.

Just forget the C96 ( not related with this post).

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Benedict Arnold has been gone for over 200 years and folks still remember his traitorous legacy.

I remember politicians and businesses that go against our 2nd Amendment. Why do you think these politicians are not jumping on the chance to ban AR-15s and hi cap mag? They remember the senators and congressmen they lost to that alter years back. Let the businesses know we mean business now and in the future. Bill Ruger may be dead 25 years now, but CEOs and owners should be and are being reminded that treason committed against our 2nd Amendment rights years back has repercussions today and in the future.

The current CEO of Dick's Sporting Goods is the new Bill Ruger.

I have never owned a Korth revolver or a SIG 210. I know these
are outstanding handguns. Hand fitted and tuned. But these guns
are not in the same level as our American made guns. The cost
of producing a gun of this quality is restrictive, and is a very small market. The comparison of these goes beyond apples to
oranges, which is easily seen by price tag.

He'll empower other FUDD's to come out of the closet. That's all we need is for the FUDD's to organize and bridge the gap between pro and anti gunners.

I have a 6" GP100 and a 6" M686, and I have noticed that my GP seems to weigh less than my M686. The spec sheets say that the GP weighs 45 ounces and that the 686 weighs 44.8 ounces. But I have weighed both using my spring loaded trigger pull scale. It consistently says that the GP weighs 2 ounces less than the M686, not 0.2 ounces more.
My point is that although many posters describe the GP100 as 'chunky' or 'like a tank', it actually weighs no more than a comparable M686.
Just sayin'. : ^)