S&W Model 27 versus Colt Python

When I was a rookie officer in 1973,I made a trade with my lt. for a Colt python,blue 4in.,with the box,dated 1968,with price marked $175.00.
My trade was a S&W model 28 that I bought new for $108.00,and a Colt junior .25 cal. auto that I paid $50.00 for it.
I carried the python for some years,and still have it. I liked it better than the smith because it was a few ounces lighter,and that nasty lookng all business barrel,smooth action,sturdy sights,and great accuracy. It wasn't hard to qualify expert with it on the police range.

I have owned a good many 357 Magnums and model 27-2's as well as a 27-3. I have owned several Pythons. I presently own both.

I think the Colt Python is a beautiful gun. Deep blue finish that is polished to a mirror finish b/4 being blued. Certainly the most pleasing to the eye, but not by much. Single action trigger pull is great, breaking like the preverbial glass sliver. DA another story, completly. The V spring "stacks up" progressively as it is pulled making DA shots difficult to master. In my opinion, the Python is more apt to get out of time and requires the skills of a master revolversmith to correct. Years ago when I bought my first Python I called a Pistolsmith in CA that was nationally know for his work with Colts and S&W's. During our discussion he remarked that he saw many times more Pythons with timing problems than N frame S&W's. I took his word as at the time he was known to be the best. He did, however, favor the Python for his personal use.

The model 27 in all it's variations is my favorite. Great double action as well as single action. The earlier guns has a pretty damn good finish and the single 27-3 that I own, believe it or not is very well done regarding finish. The 3 1/2 inch 27-2 is the most muscular looking of all handguns. It just has that dangerous, menacing look. The short barreled magnum reeks of testosterone. I think the 3 1/2 inch comes closest to equaling the Python visually. I've never know of an inaccurate model 27, but I did see a Python that was shipped with a smooth bore once.

The 27 with the 5 inch tube is my pick for best all round revolver. I won't be without one if I can help it. I have the snub version as well as a 6 inch specimine. I like the balance of the 5" gun and am not alone in that assessment.

Both guns are very desireable and both will serve one well. I do think one has an edge in durability if he owns the S&W.

I love both, but I think the winner is the 27.

The Python is a great gun that is extremely aesthetically pleasing, with great lines, finish, grip dimension, as well as being the one the best revolvers for investment. It is, in my opinion, he most rock solid of the Colt revolvers. Everyone I have fired has been accurate, with a smooth as glass action and great single action. I would not hesitate to bet my life carrying one.

All that said, its design is not as tough as the 27, and simple things you can do to the Smith you must send off to a Smith who is competent with Colt's (getting rarer these days). The Python is like a normal wood frame brick house, the 27 is like a cinder block, all holes cemented, triple rebared, with brick outside for good measure. Also, as previously noted, the Python loses the double action contest, the 27 and RMs are the winners here.

The design of the 27 is both simpler and sturdier, which is what ,for me, gives it the edge, along with its better double action. And lets face it, the 27 is no clod of dirt in the finish department. A nice 3 1/2" is a work of art, just as much as the Python. All this being said, right now I am Python-less and 27-less, so this thread is nothing but torture.

i'm fortunate in terms of having several examples of each...as mentioned they are both on top of their perspective game!works of art!i can see a 3.5"M27 value wise soon riding beside the python...

Voice of a newby.
I like reliability, I like tanks.
The M28 fits my hand like it was molded for it.
The Python feels---well---fragile in my hands.
IMO
Blessings

Smithboomer said:

Mod. 27 vs. Python? A no-brainer for me. I'll take a S&W over the Python every time if we're talking about a shooting gun.

The pony people made a sweet-looking snake, but the N-frame Smith fits me like no Colt ever will. No Python will ever replace my 5" Model 27.

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Well , talk about a mirror opposite!

I too am lucky enough to own a 5in S&W 27-1 and a 1960 vintage Colt Python. Made the same year I was born!

The Python is the one gun I lusted for longer than any other till I finally owned one. An original .44 AutoMag is next. And when I finally had enough money and went to a show looking to buy one , I found THE ONE. No box or papers , but mint condition , maybe had a few hundred .38 wadcutters thru it. $550 1991 dollars. A Hogue cocobolo grip is on it , as the factory grips just don't fit my hand. It mostly gets shot with a semi-hot .38s , a 158gr hardcast SWC at maybe 900fps. And 148gr mid-range wadcutter target rounds. For a few years I shot it in a lot of club matches. It occasionally gets shot with hot .357s , but I'm not really a .357 shooter. I'm a .41 mag man.

My Model 27 kinda fell in my lap , right place , right time with cash in pocket. Yeah I like it. Yeah it's accurate. Yeah , it's extremey well made. It's a keeper.

The 5in S&W Model 27 is probably one of the finest .357 magnum revolvers ever made.



But just like a Corvette is not a Ferrari , it's not a Colt Python!



Actually , those two aren't mine. Just a great pic.

This one is MINE!

To answer the question I'll ask a question.

How many M27's have you seen out of time?

How many Pythons?

End of story for me anyway. Have owned both in the past and not to rain on anyone's parade but...the Smith is the MUCH more durable product and I also think it's the shooter, not the gun, as far as accuracy goes.

Just my .02. YMMV, and almost certainly will.

ditrina said:

Lincoln vs Cadillac...
Cadillac vs Lincoln...

" What do you wanna' drive today???"

.357 Magnum ( Pre-27)

Python 2 1/2"

Then they Multiply...

Two of these are Diamondback's..

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Didn't take him long to "chime in" on this thread! Right up the proverbial alley as it were! I can't find many of either one of them. Wonder why?

rags

.357magger said:

To answer the question I'll ask a question.

How many M27's have you seen out of time?

How many Pythons?

End of story for me anyway. Have owned both in the past and not to rain on anyone's parade but...the Smith is the MUCH more durable product and I also think it's the shooter, not the gun, as far as accuracy goes.

Just my .02. YMMV, and almost certainly will.

Click to expand...

I'd bet my M-27 that more Pythons have been hurt by rapid dry firing , feeling that super slick action , and boneheaded attempts at home gunsmithing , than have been hurt by honest use.

I once had a M-27 I really didn`t like it, I found it didn`t fit me all that well and it was uncomfortable to shoot. It may have been the grips or my then lack of experience ,but either way it got traded away.
I have a Python which I like a lot, but when I compare it to my newest toy- a totally pristine 686-4, I really can`t see where the Python is superior,except for that beautiful blue .

The fit and finish on the highly polished 686 is nearly perfect,and it is as high a quality revolver as I might ever want.

Granted the polish on the Colt is better, but is it that much better than and worth 4 times what I just paid for the Smith ?

I DONT THINK SO.

The problems I always had with the Python was the grip angle, never seemed to fit well. Not to mention I could buy a very nice Model 27 for alot less than a Python.

So I guess I will have to stick with this for now......

"How many M27's have you seen out of time?"

None.

"How many Pythons?"

None.

I have 2 Pythons from the 1980s, one from the 1970s, 2 Troopers from the 1960s, an Officers Model Match from 1956, an Officers Model Target from 1950, another from 1931 and another from 1909. All the guns have the same actions. All have seen extensive use (several are old competition guns that fired countless thousands of rounds) and none are out of time.

I will concede that the N frame Smith has the sturdier action. But the Colt is hardly fragile. Just not as sturdy.

Never bought a Python. Never even came close to buying one. Never "needed" one. They cost more than what I could afford to play with.

Guess I just couldn't say.

I have about a half dozen of both. They are both great.In model's other than the Python I prefer the Smith, but I do have a really soft spot for the 6" Python, it just feels right.

David LaPell said:

The problems I always had with the Python was the grip angle, never seemed to fit well. Not to mention I could buy a very nice Model 27 for alot less than a Python.

So I guess I will have to stick with this for now......

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Ditto - never felt as comfortable in my hand. I had several, tried to like them, couldn't (I'm a shooter). Also dislike the standard sights, much worse picture than w/ S&W (except for the Eliason target sights, which are excellent). Mine were all very accurate, though.

Also had several M27s over the years...a 5" 27-2 stayed.

I have one of the later model stainless six inch Pythons. They must have burned up a lot of buffing wheels on that thing. I hate the move to Pachmayr's but I will find a good deal on a replacement. I'm eyeballing an Altamont right now. But for now this is her:



As I don't own a 27, I can't say much about them. But I do own a 28 and I love it. It's my understanding that the 28 is the 27 minus the polish and topside milling. Presuming that is the case all I can say it that I prefer the weight of the N frame to the Python. It's just my personal preference. My grail gun is a 3.5 inch 27 that has the counter bored cylinder and pinned barrel. I may use the Python to help achieve that dream some day.

I had to post this photo the blue really looks good.

2761377 said:

this thread could be called 'Colt v. S&W'. the python exhibits everything that is wrong and right with all colts and the same with a 27. except if the question is just about polishing.

colts- always finely fitted, great looking guns. the cylinder turns the right way and they shoot straight. but, my God the DA pull- its part of the program for colt owners when they get to Purgatory. like a ferrari, they need special attention when they break. people have always been proud of their colts, so they are spendy. high maintenance trophy wife.

s&w- about the opposite in almost everything but fit and finish. a little bit less well fit, but way good enough. and they shoot straight. serviceability paramount. college sweetheart raising your kids.

interesting aside- less than a month ago i was refused a trade of my 4' .22 diamondback for a 17-2 in equivalent condition by a local dealer. he had $750 on the smith and told me that diamondbacks don't sell that well anymore!


robert w.

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Hmmmm.. Not sure about all that.. I don't know any dealer that would make that trade straight even ..I wonder what he would have said if you told him you would kick in $100.00 or so..

I'm jus' sayin'

2761377 said:

he told me he would give me 'cash value' for the colt i could apply towards the smith. i think i have a pretty good idea what he meant by cash value. he lost a potential customer forever.

thanks, though for the input.

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I think he just wanted your Diamondback for cheap.

rags

I've owned and shot both. I still own and shoot the Smith. Never liked the grip shape or angle on the Python, not to mention the DA pull. Fantastic-looking gun just preferred the M27 for actual shooting. To me it's like choosing between the photogenic supermodel and the beach volleyball champion. Athletes are lower maintenance.