Colt Python trigger

ISCS Yoda

ISCS Yoda

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In the same discussion I was having in re the Magnum Carry my friend mentioned that the Pythons had flat springs and I asked, "So what?" - my S&W revolvers have flat springs, too. He said that legend has it that the flat springs were what gave the Pythons their smooth trigger pull - I'm like, yeah, the operative term there is probably "legend".

I'm not denigrating the Colt Python - I know that they're legendary for fit and finish, etc. My question is, do they really have some kind of super smooth trigger that is far better than a S&W revolver?

Part two of that - A Model 27 trigger versus a Python trigger - is that going to be somehow a better comparison than a Model 19 trigger versus a Python, a Model 10, an L frame, etc?

No implication of denigration implied - I just live in a world of S&W and can't imagine that a Python's trigger is THAT much different - but experienced folks, feel free to educate me.

Facts, please, not opinions. If you have a trigger pull gauge that should be interesting because it's real numbers, etc.

Thanks.
 
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Have you watched the "nutnfancy" review of the 686 on youtube? It's pretty much a 40 minute long comparison of the two.
 
I've shot my buddy's Python plenty, and it has a very nice trigger.

He recently shot my M29-8 Mountain Gun, and stated that he wished his Python trigger was as smooth.

I think a well-done S&W trigger is comparable to any out there.
 
For S&W, their revolvers are identical, except for the frame size. Mechanical operations are the same. Hence a Model 27 and a Model 19 will be the same. They can be tuned a bit easier than the Colt revolvers.

The easiest way to explain the difference, is to observe just how each revolver gets to the firing position.

The S&W revolvers will "stack" up to a polnt. That is, the trigger pull gets progressively heavier, and then the last bit of movement will be the same weight of pull.

The Colt's will stack continuously, needing more trigger finger pressure, until the hammer falls.

There are two camps out there: The first is that there's nothing wrong with a S&W, that a Colt won't fix. The second is that there's nothing wrong with a Colt, that an S&W won't fix.

Colt's are much harder to tune, and there are certain parts in the action which weaken, and require greater work to repair. The Colt is a more complicated action.

However, a Python has a feel like no other revolver.
 
Absolutely they are that much different, and then some

Your buddy meant to say that Pythons use "V" mainsprings, not flat mainsprings (though the V spring does happen to be flat.

Pythons are long actions and S&Ws are short actions.

All things being equal, a long action's DA pull will feel lighter through the longer arc (more leverage)

All things being equal, a semi competent gun smith can get a short action's SA break to feel lighter (again different leverage) than a SA break in a long action.

Which one is better ? ? ? Like anything in this world, different things feel different to different people. You must make up your own mind.

I can not stand the grip angle of a Glock but I will not knock those folk that want to spend the time getting used to it.

I hate (and I seldom say hate) most grips or guns that have finger grooves. They are sized for the mythical average hand, I am significantly above average

I prefer a Python DA pull, especially my PPC Snubby Python with it's roller bearing action.

fhp%20python%20small.jpg


However, I prefer a S&W SA pull.

66s.jpg
 
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The v spring two stage stack up delicate lock work trigger,is what has always kept me away form buying the Python.Back when they were affordable.
 
I will take a Smith Trigger any Day over a Python(Yes,I have a Python).Give me a pre war N Frame,No Factory Python DA pull even comes close.I HATE the stacking on a Colt DA right before it breaks.All though....My King DAO short action Dick Special has a pretty sweet trigger,But that's cheating :)
 
Yesterday I finally really tried to compare my Smith to my shooter python. I collect Colts and really enjoy collecting. I do shoot as well for fun. The wife and I went to the range yesterday and I took 4 guns among them was our 4" python "shooter" and a 686-4 4". I fired the guns several times at 15 yards using with no bench. Just held the gun(s) in my hands as always. What I found was in Single Action I was a bit better with the Colt although not what I would call a huge difference. Shooting double action there was a pretty noticable difference and I was most definitely better with the Smith. I like both guns and I still very much enjoy collecting Colts (I have a few nice Smiths in my collection as well) but I think the Smith's are terrific shooters too.

I admit the best "off the shelf" gun I shoot is my model 52-2. I really like shooting that gun.
 
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I think the fact that the "Smython" which was a Python barrel screwed on a Smith frame was supposed to be the best of both worlds... the Smith action and the Python barrel, speaks volumes.
 
Interesting; many thanks.

I haven't handled a Python in a long time so one of these days I'll make a comparison - I'd like to compare one to my Model 27 Classic. Stay tuned for that, it will happen some day because a very good friend of mine collects Pythons. A couple dozen more and he'll match my S&W collection........ :rolleyes:
 
My Python was tuned by Austin Behlert.
And no S&W J, K, L or N frame I have comes close to the DA he did on it.
5.5 lb DA with no stacking. SA just as good...
Lost it to a 5'2" blond when I let her shoot it 34 years ago.
Had to marry her to keep it in the family....... :)



 
A master smith did a trigger job on an already very smooth 15-3 I bought unfired from an estate consignment. I thought the finished result was better than any Python I ever handled, and was simply the finest trigger I've ever encountered on any gun.

I don't know how a tuned Python feels, but a Smith & Wesson of 1970 vintage seems to be a wonderful basis for a lovely trigger job.
 
The Python is not delicate. I have a 1967 6 inch and a 1971 4 inch both with thousands of rounds through them of .357 ammo and they are as tight as when new.I have read how delicate and weak they are for years but it just is not true at least from my exsperience.
 
The old general concensus o. Stock guns was the Python nad a smoother SA pull andIit was set up for bullseye shooting and the S n W was smoother in DA for police work. Ive owned both and tend to agree on stock ones. Ive also ow ed one tuned Python that was unbelieviably smooth in DA also. And one tuned M 19 in 6 inch that was great I. Both modes. The larger framed Python out shot the SnW 19. Weight and The Colt choked bbl probably were the 2 differences. I have a 686, perhaps its a little less accurate than the 2 I mentioned but it is the best size for shooting 357s where the k frame is better for ccw only for me.
 
I own both and all my triggers are fantastic, now on the python I don't know if it has been tuned or not. The guy I bought it from said that it had, and it is butter smooth, but its the only Python I have ever shot. The Smith's that I own were all tuned from a S&W trained Gunsmith and are unbelievable light smooth both in SA & DA. I believe both brands can be tuned to be very similar and I don't believe that one is better than the other
 
I started shooting handguns in the early 1970's with an old model Ruger Blackhawk .357 with 4 3/4" barrel. From there I went to a S&W model 19 and then model 14 both 6" guns. I shot PPC the old Police course competition where you start at 7 yards and when you are done shooting you have fired 60 rounds and are shooting from 50 yards. A perfect score was 600 and I would shoot in the mid to high 590's consistently. We would travel around and shoot at different ranges and I can only remember one Colt Python that I tried that seemed to have an action that was anywhere close to a Smith or a Ruger double action. That gun had been worked by Reeves Jungkind a Texas Highway Patrolman and one of the very few men who understood and had the skill to work a Colt stack action. You can or at least could( Reeves and Fred Sandowsky are both dead) get a Python action worked to rival a S&W but it's much harder and therefore much more expensive.
 
I have a Python. The trigger on it is better than any factory S&W that I have. My 4 screw M28 is good, however it has had some work done on it. The Python is very smooth the whole way through. Just my opinion.
 
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