This "debate" is just like my wife's perennial flowers. It comes up every so often, at least once annually...on most all handgun forums. Even saw a thread about this same Colt vs Smith one time on the Garand forum.

Me? Owned both, shot both (not competitively), collected (accumulated) both, admired both. I do admit I personally gravitated more towards S&W as the shape of grips, balance for me and my hand/eye coordination felt better with S&W. That and the crazy prices (even years ago) for anything with the prancing pony on the side led to selling the Python, and Officers Model Match guns (.22 and .38), and many other Colts in my possession.

I do admit also that those sale dollars went a long way in acquiring some very fine condition S & W's, Model 27, Model 28, Model 29, Model 25.....really good shooters all. The only "comparison" I ever attended was a range session with a friend of mine...I had the Model 28, he had a Colt Trooper....both fine guns, he and I shot each others and I admit he did outshoot me, group size and calling point of aim....BUT he outshot me with BOTH guns....so no real gun comparison.

Enough for now......see you next year.....same place...same time.....same subject.

Attached Images

	Colt Python reduced size.JPG (27.7 KB, 15 views)
	Colt 38OMM-2.jpg (31.8 KB, 13 views)
	M27-2 B full size.jpg (51.6 KB, 13 views)
	27-2 N17.jpg (65.4 KB, 15 views)
	Model 28-H.jpg (55.3 KB, 11 views)

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

One thing you can count on in one of these debates is the S&W guys insisting the Smiths have a better trigger.

Oh, and "goes out of time" comment is also common. This is a 1909 Officers Model Target. Same internals as a Python. Has fired untold tens of thousands of rounds as a competition revolver. Still locks up perfectly. At some point an owner upgraded it with a heavy barrel that became available in 1935.

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No life story has happy end.

Never had a Python in my hands. I like the S&W. If the Python sold for let’s say around $800 like some of the smiths Colt could make enough of them. I would be standing in-line for one.

Hmm I think it lies in the beholder... I love my 81 4in nickel Python and the DA pull on it is buttery smooth and rival's anything ive ever felt...

I run the S&Ws. Far far more than I ever would the snake...

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This is the way....

The 8" snake is good friends with the 27-2

...even with more than twice the barrel length!

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Bill - SWCA #2327

I've owned several Pythons over the years. I believe S&W lockwork is stronger than the Python. The Pythons shot great, but I don't know if they really averaged any better than some of the 686's I've owned.

Although I never owned a Python, I do have an original Trooper . 357(not a Mk III) S I essentially have a poor man's Python.

After really thinking about it, I conclude that the Colt action is just not for me. I'm not saying not as good, I'm saying not for me. Forget the DA stacking, I'm talking the SA pull. I shoot almost exclusively NRA Bullseye with . 38 wadcutters, and the SA Colt pull is "snappier", even with identical pull weights. The S&W just sort of releases, the Colt "snaps" enough to cause me to pull shots. Thats jyst me, the Colt is a FINE revolver for sure. YMMV!

Way back in the 70's I attended the S&W armorers school, there was a man who visited us from the Colt armorers school, he said they learned all they needed in one day and the rest of the time they just sat around. He got to watch us work and appreciated the S&W.

I have only shot one Python that shot well and it was great, the rest I would have traded off immediately if I had owned them.

I have a late 70's python that my wife bought me for Christmas back then.
I don't know how she saved the money as we were beans and weenies and Mac and cheese kinda poor.
I have poured at least 10 thousand rounds through it and love it, and would never part with it due to its history......
however I almost never shoot it, my 27 and 65 are the ones that get shot.
not really sure why, I just enjoy the 27 more.

The double action stacking in the Colts is the single biggest reason I prefer Smiths to Colts.
The stacking cancels out any smoothness the Python may have.
It feels like mush as opposed to a positive break. IMO

If I found a good deal on a Python then I'd probably scoop it, because I know it's a gun I could turn quickly and make a profit on. But they don't do anything for me, so it would just be an investment and a placeholder for something else.

I only have two modern centerfire Colts: a Model 1908 Vest Pocket and an ex-Detroit PD Official Police Mark III. The former because it's cute, and the latter because of its police association. A respectable offer would tease one or both from my gun safe, though.

Mike

When I bought my first handgun, back in the late 70's, I knew I either wanted a Model 19, or a Python. The Python was about twice the price of a Model 19, and that settled that. The difference was a lot of money back then. Never regretted it.

Eventually I did get a Python, a 1964, 4" barrel one. Loved that gun, but didn't get to keep it long. Lost my job and was out of work for a year or so, so down the road it went, at a pretty good profit I might add.

Now I've got two of the 2020 Pythons. A 6" and a 4(.2)" one. I like them both, although I confess I haven't shot the 4" one yet. The 6" I've put about 800 rounds, mostly 357 Magnum through, so I've got a little experience with it.

Are they better than the Smith and Wesson's I own. I don't know. The big debate for me back in the day was Model 19, vs Python. Well, now I've got a Model 19-9 from 2017? 2018? and a pair of 2020 Pythons, so I can compare "new" to "new."

The 19-9 I paid about $800 for. The Python I paid MSRP of $1500 (each) for. Still just about twice the price. And I really can't tell a lot of practical difference. They all have good triggers. They all have good sights. They're all well fitted and finished. I shoot one about as poorly as I do the other.

I suppose if one just wants "a" 357 magnum, the Python is not the one to buy. A S&W, a Ruger, even a Taurus will no doubt put bullets on the target, one about as well as another. At least in my hands they will. I've never worried about wearing out a gun. I could add up all the ammo I've ever fired in my life and it wouldn't be enough to wear out anything I don't suppose.

But if someone wants a Python, nothing else will fit that niche. All the "just as good as" doesn't help. At least it didn't for me.

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John 3:16 .

I have an OM Colt Trooper , 357 . It has the same frame as the Pythons , same internals . It lacks the vented ribbed barrel and the lustrous finish of Pythons . As far as the DA , it is different than a Smith and just takes practice to appreciate it . I just bought a Colt Police Positive Special in 38 special . All I can say is " SWEET " . It's the best 38 special I have ever owned , and I have had several S&W's . Understand I like Smith's , but can appreciate Colts as well . Regards Paul

I have a 1975 blue 6" Python that was left to me when my best friend passed away a few years ago. Its seen some use but is still about 95%. Its a great shooter and I will never part with it.
I just don't get all the gripeing about Colt's trigger. I've never had any problems with it and I do own several Colt revolvers. But then I've spent my life doing hard, dirty work. So my hands are tough and strong. Maybe its you paper pusher types that have the problems.
I've also never experienced the out of time problem with any of my Colts. Maybe its real and maybe not. But I don't think its near as common as the internet claims.
I don't think its fair to compare the Python to K or N frame S&Ws. Totally different sized guns. The only fair comparison would be with S&Ws L frame which is closer to its size.
I do love my Python and its an outstanding shooter. But to be completely honest, I do prefer my 586. I'm just mostly a S&W kinda guy.



BTW: If Colt ever does manage to come out with a 4" Blue New Python there is a good chance that I'll buy one.

The truth, no debate, just my facts,,,

In ‘75 I purchased a colt python 357/6” barrel in blue. I never sighted it in. I tried all different bullet weights in new ammo and reloads. It always shot high. One day I tried my Speer 140 gr jhp reloads with 2400 powder. I tried it at 100yds and found out I could ping small rocks on the 100 yd berm at will. I was shooting with my bil who’s a Leo. He was shocked too.
The lockup on this python was unbelievable. As you hold the trigger down as it fired there’s no play in the cylinder at all. I still have boxes of the Speer 140 gr jhp ammo loaded with 2400. I hope to try my s&w m27/28/6” barrels with this ammo.

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Plant garlic in the fall

I have had Pythons in 4 inch and 6 inch and currently own a 6 inch nickel from the early 70's. I have shot them against my 27's and 19's and believe either gun will shoot better than I can hold. I prefer the S&Ws trigger to the Pythons and Colts in general. Over time the Colts will go out of time much quicker than the S&Ws will and Colts will cost more to retime.
An S&W is also much easier to do a trigger job on than a Colt.

I love Smith's, a 4 inch 66 was the first real handgun I ever purchased and have owned many more over the years. That said, there is to me nothing sexier than a 4 inch Python. Yes, I said sexy. Don't care about the lock work difference, don't care about which is more accurate, or more durable. The Python is just downright sexy.

Now don't ask me about mine and the horrible assault weapons ban period trade I made...

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Plastic has no soul

Gentlemen,
IMHO there is no more to say than the partly quoted post above. I started my gun owner life in 1983 with a 6" Python, and bought an N-Frame (M29) in 1986. After short time I noticed the handling virtues of the N-Frame were far superior to the Python (grips, trigger, balance). In 1988 I sold the Python to buy a new M27 4" (which I still own after about 25000 rounds). No regrets since then. The Python is for admiring, the S&W for shooting.

regards from Germany
Ulrich

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Life is too short to own a bad gun

Lets cut to the chase................ make mine a ...................

Smython or Smolt....................... by whatever name.......

it's the best of both worlds !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Make mine a 4" please!


I'm happy with my 4" 586s...... especially the -4; factory round butt wearing Spegel Extended Boot grips made of Birdseye maple.......I can smell the BBQ