I'm a Smith & Wesson man and sometimes a
Ruger.

At one time or another I've owned Pythons in
4 to 6 inches.

But I got to wondering, if I got a real hankering
for a Python again, would I be willing to pay the
price for a fairly pristine one or would I consider
the Korth.

I know, I know I could have some really nice Smiths
for the price of just one of them.

Myself, I'd go Korth for several reasons including
durability and overall shootability in its DA trigger.

But just for kicks and giggles, which would would
any of you choose?

Python!!

Not a better gun than the Korth but better recognized, more salable, more likely to appreciate.

I saw and played w the new production Korth at Kittery and again at Shot in January this year and ever since want one badly. They had show pricing at cost and I did not go for it as this is outside of the toy price range. I would like the 5 1/4'' plain Mongoose. Awesome piece of gun. Maybe also the 4'' would be great as well. The tac rail versions are over the top and kind of 'Nighthawkish' and very very front heavy.

Python: The blue job is the only nice thing I find on the 1960s guns. Single action is sweet but the DA is unusable. When in time, they are very accurate due to the long taper forcing cone but as a whole package is not even close to my competition 586-4. That Mongoose though I think can do the job.

I saw that a used Korth sold a year ago for over $4200 and a new one sold a year ago for around $5150.
I would think many vg condition Pythons could be bought for around half of those prices.
I haven't even seen a Korth let alone hold or shoot one. So I couldn't compare to my 1968 Python. Pythons are like old Harley's as they both have a lot of nostalgia to them which keeps the prices up there. Are they worth the money......that depends on the owner's perception.
I don't think I will sell my Python and I am pretty sure I will not ever own a Korth at those prices. Five grand for a gun is hard for me to justify buying one. So far my Python is the most I have paid for any gun and it was less than half of those sold Korths.

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Oh boy, here we go again!

There is still a lot of confusion surrounding Korth revolvers. There have been many posts and threads addressing the pertinent issues. Fortunately, we have some very knowledgeable (and infinitely patient!) members that have tried to pass along their wisdom. Sadly, the threads often turn into bash sessions.

Assuming that the OP simply has not done a topic search, and is not trying to push people's buttons, here's a couple recent threads:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearm...ighlight=Korth

http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearm...ighlight=Korth

Dig in...there's some good info there. (While you're at it, try related searches for Manurhin MR73 and SIG P210.)

But, to the OP's point: What do you mean by a "Korth" revolver? A handmade, original Willi Korth, or one of the later iterations, including the new picatinny-laden models?

Besides the obvious factors of high price and beautiful finish, there's much difference below what's skin-deep.
The "perfected" late Willi Korths, such as from the mid-80s, were not just handsome luxury items. They were precision shooting instruments built to stand up to a lifetime of extended, serious use. In that respect alone, they distinguish themselves from any Colt Python.

I'm sure others will be along. I'll go pop some popcorn.....

Jim

I would buy the Korten successor, Janz. One frame, interchangeable calibers. Built near perfect.

I'd have to second that one.

6string,

Yes, I'm talking about current Korth production however
you find them vs. the prices being asked for many pristine
Pythons.

And I'm just asking the simple question for a lot of revolver
shooters which they would opt for.

Please forgive me for not being a sophisticate such as you.
Sorry if I committed a Smith & Wesson Forum federal offense.

I have never held a Korth, but I have held a few Pythons and IMO they are good guns that are wildly overpriced in today's market.

I like Colt revolvers quite a bit, but at today's prices, I'd take a 686 all day long over a Python, which is 95% as good of a a gun for a fraction of the cost. And if I was buying a gun because of how beautifully crafted it is, I'd get a Pre-29 or Pre-27.

They also made a huge number of Pythons and the market is artificially inflated, while very few Korths have ever been made.

I would go for the python for sure.


My ‘75 python 357/6” blue always shot high at 25 yds. Using my 140gr Jhp reloads. I aimed at a small rock at 100yd berm and hit it all six shots.
I was very impressed so was the Leo shooting with me. I hit bad times and sold it to start a business. Figuring I could replace it.

I wonder if my s&w m27/28 6” barrel and my Redhawk 5.5 barrel will be as accurate. I still have some 140 gr ammo still.

For people that are seriously into guns it is not Python vs. Korth but Pythons and Korths. Plural, of course.



There is nothing wrong with adding a few S&Ws, either


My latest Colt

Korth. No slam on he Python, I kick myself for not buying one when they were in production. But the fact is, because they were hand fitted, and the gunsmiths who built them are long gone. If it breaks, who's going to fix it? So it becomes a safe queen. I like to shoot my guns, not just show them off. Something goes sideways with a Korth, I would have somewhere competent to send it for repair. Unfortunately, all this is academic, I can afford neither.

I bought a Python brand new in 1972. Still have it. Still shoot it. It's blue with a 6" barrel. To this day I think that in that configuration it is the most beautiful revolver on the planet. That being said, I would still like to own an early Korth, without question. BTW, I paid $198.00 for the Python.

Not so! First, I have shot my favorite Korth Sport for thousands of rounds with hefty .357 Magnum reloads that I would not feel comfortable of putting into my Python, S&W 686, or GP100.

Second, Korth Lollar is fully supporting the Ratzeburg models, as Mr. Andreas Weber, Korth's CEO, has assured me personally.

Third, I have a good stash of spare parts for all my classic firearms, which mostly are out of production - also for my Korths.

I watch Manurhin & Korth on GB. The Manurhin mr73’s can go for mid 2000.00 and the .357 Korth barely comes up on auction starting at .01. Consider the mr73, it had to shoot under 1” at 25 meters. Both the Manurhin and Korth are very strong guns. Parts for Colt revolvers are getting hard to find as a good gunsmith to fix them correctly.

Jim, pass some popcorn down here. Larry

Pythons are great wheelguns but I'm not paying that high a premium because a zombie show made them more popular.

I'd choose
Manurhin
Korth
no interest in a Python

Ah, yes Korths, MR73s, Pythons, Registered Magnums...

Its all good.

No offense taken.
One of the great things designed into the S&W Forum Site is an excellent search tool. There's such a wealth of information that's been passed along over the years, all just a few keywords away!

Another factor to add to the mix is that the Korth is now being made in 44 Magnum. Here's a thread I recently started....

http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearm...light=Korth+44

Interesting suggestion

So how many Ratzeburg Korths have you compared it to?

I haven't shot a Python in over 20 years...but I'll never forget how stunning their royal-blue finish could be. I'll also never forget my father complaining about how finicky they could be (and yes, he owned many of them including pythons, king cobras, anacondas, troopers, etc).

...but...

From my 10,000 ft view, I don't know why anyone outside of a collector would get an old Colt revolver unless it was to look at the thing in a safe. By what I understand, you cannot get them repaired.

IF I had the $$ and IF I was going to get a really nice high end revolver, I'd want one I could shoot and I just couldn't let myself shoot a Python all that often. I'd feel guilty shooting it.

Frank Glenn in the Phoenix valley still works on pythons . I have an Old Model Trooper . It's built on the same frame as a python and has the same internal mechanism , it lacks the ribbed / vented barrel and the lustrous finish . It was " like new " , no wear marks and I paid less than $500 . I have enjoyed shooting it and will continue so .
I see Manurhins coming up for sale on GB . My question is " how shot out is the barrel " ? If it's a law enforcement gun , some of those students shoot as much as 40,000 rounds in a years time for Norma full power 357 ammo . After 7-8 yrs of that much use , that comes to over 300,000 rounds . I have read that the throats are pretty well eroded degrading accuracy some . I have no personal knowledge , just sharing what I have read and was told by a previous Manurhin owner , for what it's worth . My 2nd question is ," who can shoot , consistently that accurately --- 1" @ 25 meters (approximately 28 yds) " ? I can't , so an expensive revolver would not make the difference for me ! Regards, Paul

If you just want an expensive revolver and can afford it , then more power to you . I personally would not get pleasure out of owning such an expensive firearm . My Smiths / Rugers / Colt (1) do all I am capable of shooting . Regards, Paul

I agree.

It's a personal choice with no right/wrong to it, but I couldn't allow myself to shoot something like that. If I dropped huge $$ on an old Colt revolver, I just couldn't bring myself to shoot it...and that sucks.

I shoot the snot out of my firearms, all of them...well, most of them, I despise shotguns. If I can't shoot it, I won't buy it.

I bought my first Python pre-owned but obviously unfired in 1985 and the gun went through about 10,000 to 12,000 rounds of mostly .38 Special target loads. It wasn't bought as a collector's item, neither were my Korths, or MR 73s.

It is an honest post of Cowboy4ever that he can't shoot a 1" group at 25 meters, neither can I, otherwise the U.S. olympic shooting team would not do poorly in recent events because of the lack of talent.

Gonna be in the Korth club again, should be here next week. Been watching for a while, just a matter of time. Chose the early one in .22 made about 1971. Really like the cylinder release by the hammer and the trigger on bearings. Will enjoy the many hours workmanship as I shoot it. Larry

Larry,

I am looking forward to your range report when the Korth arrives. Sounds like a 26 series with the slanted ejector rod shroud. My favorite full size centerfire revolver is a 26 series .357 Magnum 5 shot revolver.

A Colt revolver that flies under the radar is the model 357. This gun was the immediate progenitor of the Python. It was Colt's top of the line revolver having the same mechanics and clockwork that would become the guts of the Python. This model is far rarer having a production run of around 15K versus about 600K for the Python. Here is a very early one I bought earlier this year. It checks off all of the boxes for the earliest most unique of this model including the Duo-tone finish, polished, unblued muzzle, target hammer and stocks, and the rounded end sight leaf. It does resemble an early Trooper model, but it is a much nicer gun. Purchase price: $900.00 from an online auction. Is it as pretty as a Python? Not even close, but the early Korth revolvers look like Rohms. Yes, I do shoot it.

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I had an early 70's mint Python, 6" in the orig box with papers. Seldom shot it because it was too pretty :-))). As soon as the prices started to skyrocket, I sold it for $2300. My daily shooting is done with a 686 or a Ruger Blackhawk. I did keep my Trooper 4" just because it's pretty... I really have no opinion, just wanted to show off my Trooper :-)

Have owned 2 Korth revolvers and many Pythons. Colts are pretty Korths are works of art that shoot and are what the Python wishes it could be. In my somewhat jaded view the Python is a 900 dollar revolver that sells for so much more. I traded one Korth to a guy that had a lot of money for a Kreighoff K-80 (replacement cost today of approx 30 grand) cause he wanted what he considered the best revolver made. Dieter Kreighoff told him about the Korths. At the time I didn't appreciate handguns as much as I do today. so most of the great stuff I have had is sadly gone. As far as Pythons...if I had a frame I could build one with a few of the parts I have. (anybody need a Large amount of Colt parts?) As far as a shooter I'd rather have a reasonably priced S&W 27 in 4 inch as I don't have a 4 inch. I looked at the Colts and the Korth revolvers as just another profit when I sold 'em. I do wish I had kept one of the Korth's though. Heck turned down a 4 screw M-27 yesterday cause it had the long barrel... for under 700 bucks. I am too cheap and old to buy the real expensive guns now

If you purchased that on GB, I believe I saw it (was watching auction)--looked very nice. Congratulations on the pick-up.

Stentor, that’s the one, ended Sunday nite. It’s a half lug that are in the $3500 range and I believe I got it for a lesser decent price. Don’t want to say where I got it so I don’t get dinged. Appears to be a nice gun. If I was gonna get one in .357, would buy one in the same era. Not knocking the Mongoose, but would want the earlier model for about the same price. Come On Tuesday, can’t wait. Larry

Go buy a new DW 715 or a nice used 15-2 . It will out shoot a python.

Mines a '76 15-2 and wears mostly an 8"barrel and standard shroud but I have a 4" set too . Its always been able to place 6 rounds in a 4" groups with a long time 170gr sp hunting load or a tinny bit less years ago assuming I can . I also use an equally as old Buehler 1" no drill scope mount but I have a 2moa ultra dot on it now .

A few years ago I lucked in a 1956 Python for $600.Of course,it went home(after a few circumvolutions with these stupid canadian gunlaws!).Last year,a collector friend of mine who had buggered me for a few years offered me a 1975 unfired Python for trade for my 1956.The poor guy seemed suicidal upon the deal so I accepted.1956 vs 1975;same smoothness.
Now to answer your quizz question,I've never fired a Korth:which one would I buy?Well,I guess the german gun must/ought to be a nice piece of machinery but for the price they go for,I'll stick with my $600 Python.And if I had have to pay $3000 like the Python go for up here(Canada),I'd very much be happy with my old 586.
SA,the Python wins it by a small margin but DA,my 586 will blow it away like a Corvette blows the doors off a Lada by overtaking it on a racetrack!

Rather have S&W's than either Korth or Pythons, monetary worth or not.

Korth or Python? Having owned both I would go with Korth. I have a strong like for Pythons but a Korth is really nice. Ratzburg or Lollar makes no difference here they are both nice. I currently have a couple of MR73 Manurhin. Also a very fine revolver but if you want a Korth go for it.