So I was doing my normal maintenance, checking my revolvers and wiping them down. I have a beautiful 4” 19-5 that the previous owner did gold lettering on. It has a deep luster blue and near perfect stocks. I think it is the nicest and cleanest revolver in my meager collection.

Nowadays with many revolvers being put together using MIM parts - what makes some revolvers so much more expensive versus others?

I know some use exotic metals like titanium but why the high cost for things like the 2020 Python or Korth over similarly high quality Smith & Wesson revolvers? Are these handle assembled like in the olds days. Do they use a more expensive type of metal? Are they limited runs so not really mass produced?

I’m curious to what the forum thinks.

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Charge what folks are "willing" to pay.

Remember buy the gun not the myth!!!!!

Well, with regard to Python I think the name says it all with regard to what the 'asking' prices are - and I have seen some of the same Pythons in LGSs and gun shows (repeatedly) with the same 'asking price' - and they are getting dusty.....

No experience with Korth as I have only read about them and held one - and couldn't see anything more 'high quality' about it over the several pre lock and the WW2 era 'Victory' S & Ws I own, or have owned.

The following is a good review on the Korth with the part about the 'value' of it pretty subjective and not really based on anything specific such as historical significance or rarity.

I think the author referring to it as a 'handmade German luxury revolver' about sums it up.

Review: Korth Combat 357 revolver - Worth it? - YouTube

The short answer is "POPULARITY". I bought my first 686nd back in August 1986, just prior to my NPS-LEO Academy in Santa Rosa, CA. At the time I didn't know much about what to get. My NPS Supervisor strongly was suggesting a 2-1/2in .357 (don't remember exact model). I fell in love with the 686 4in as soon as I saw it.

There was no way that I would later learn that the 686 would end up as one of the favorite S&W revolvers decades later. Guess I got really lucky.

The S&Ws can have the best DA of any of the revolvers ever made. This includes Korth, Janz, Manhurin, etc. The Smiths don't come that way, but they have the most potential for improvement.

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