Shot a python today.... meh.

[Dillyp]

So after church and Sunday dinner, me, my brother, my father, and my preacher decided to shoot a little. We were shooting k frames; my k-38, m15, my preacher's 19- 3 and his 17-2. My cousin heard the reports and came up with his father's mid-60's 4" python. Having handled pythons before, but never shooting one, I was excited. The trigger was nice, but my k-38 flat out shot the python. My cousin said well of course! It has a 6" barrel! Well I put it up against my 1958 m15 with umpteen thousand rounds down the tube, and the python couldn't hang. We were shooting 38 special 148gr hbwc over 2.8gr of bullseye; my go-to load. I didn't care for the handling of the colt. It didn't balance well in my hand and the ribbed barrel was not pleasing to the eyes. Like I said, the trigger was nice and clean, and the finish was as nice as my k-38's, but $3000+ worth? Nah. That will get me a k-32.

 

[jpage]

I'll never part with My M15.

 

[Culina]

exactly, I always liked the looks of the python but never fired one until I bought mine, I was very disenchanted with it right away, my wife likes it though and she calls it her python now.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Having handled pythons before, but never shooting one, I was excited.

Be careful what you ask for

 

[LVSteve]

We were shooting 38 special 148gr hbwc over 2.8gr of bullseye; my go-to load.

Perhaps that load doesn't suit the Python.

Your experience largely mirrors mine the first time I shot a 1911. Nice trigger, shot accurately, but I didn't get the "wow" factor.

 

[Drm50]

When I started buying handguns I bought Ruger SAs, because
they were good guns and had adjustable sights and cheaper than
S&Ws. Then K22 changed my mind, they were worth the extra
money. Went whole hog on S&Ws. Then I bought a Python and
Diamond backs. I can't bad mouth them they were nice guns and
shot well, but not any better than S&W in 38, the Python would
not shoot as well as my 27 & Diamondback in 22 didn't come
close to my K22. S&W is the double action revolver, better
running gears. I have owned many Colts in DA, pretty guns but
not worth the money. Of course now they are, only because they
don't make them anymore. As far as I am concerned the old 3
screw Rugers were better than a Peacemaker too.For the same
reasons.

 

[Aircrewman]

The Python is, and has been a fabulous revolver. They are one of Colt's finest revolvers. They are the end result of an evolution of fine double action revolvers by the Colt firm. However, they are not the "end all." There are many other good guns. Of course the others start with Smith and Wesson. Now, the Colt's had certain manufacturing methods which made them very accurate. Maybe better (or not) than others but certainly on par, or better than some others. There are certain handling characteristics that make certain guns better than others. It is an individual matter. I had 2 mid 60's Pythons. I wish that I had them back. Not to sell but because they were so accurate and handled so well and were simply fun to shoot. But they were not more accurate than some others. They are fine revolvers. They will never be made again which is a shame. But that, and only that, in my opinion (and perhaps internet bragging rights), is what is making them so expensive. The over arching cost is unbelievable but it is the current reality. I won't (literally) buy into it. Just too many great Smith and Wesson revolvers available to buy, in new condition, for what the overpriced used Colt revolvers sell for. The fact also that it is near impossible to repair them when repair is needed adds to the reason that I won't try to buy them. Just too expensive overall to justify any reasonable desire for them. I speak for myself, of course. And that's just my opinion.....I could be wrong....

 

[warbird]

I am really fond of my S&W's but my Python, Diamondback and Detective Special hold a special place in my heart. Always will.

 

[Texas Star]

I had two Pythons with six-inch barrels, both bought new.


Although they certainly shot as well as my S8W M-27's and a 28, they were no better, with several types of ammo.


I was mildly surprised, as I'd heard that Colt's tighter bored barrels gave better performance.


But both brands were putting all six shots into a single ragged group at 25 yads. I can't shoot any better.

 

[Texas Star]

Be careful what you ask for

Is that one of the Burmese pythons infesting Florida?

 

[rwsmith]

I think we do a disservice.....

Perhaps that load doesn't suit the Python.

Your experience largely mirrors mine the first time I shot a 1911. Nice trigger, shot accurately, but I didn't get the "wow" factor.

I think being hyped up about a gun can spoil your first impression. I was looking forward to shooting an AK 47, a gun with a lot of history and heavy involvement throughout the world. Ingenious design and use of materials. but it felt like I was holding a plank that shot. What was I expecting??? An electrically charged rainbow shooting out the end turning the whole target area to ash??? I think I'm going to put myself in the proper frame of mind before I try any new gun.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Is that one of the Burmese pythons infesting Florida?

It was ~ before it had its timing put permanently out of synch

 

[muzzleblast]

...Having handled pythons before, but never shooting one, I was excited. The trigger was nice, but my k-38 flat out shot the python. ...Well I put it up against my 1958 m15 with umpteen thousand rounds down the tube, and the python couldn't hang.

So, the comparison is between two S&Ws with which you have "umpteen thousand rounds" of trigger time... ...versus... your first time ever shooting a Python... And, you did better with your familiar S&Ws. OK, then. Makes sense.

 

[old tanker]

I suppose that some people's infatuation with red-headed women will be called into question next.

 

[StakeOut]

Edsels and Pythons,when they were being made and for sale not many bought them so today some are paying high prices for them because originally they were once rejected.

 

[mrchuck]

In the 1970's, I carried a Python on duty because it was a "status" symbol, nothing more,nothing less.

 

[Watchdog]

Shot a python today.... meh.

So what were your expectations regarding the Python?

Having handled pythons before, but never shooting one, I was excited. The trigger was nice, but my k-38 flat out shot the python.

What does that mean, the K-38 "outshot" the Python? It was more accurate for you, or it handled better, or what?

My cousin said well of course! It has a 6" barrel! Well I put it up against my 1958 m15 with umpteen thousand rounds down the tube, and the python couldn't hang.

It couldn't hang?

I don't know what that means, either. Did the gun fail? Stop working?

I didn't care for the handling of the colt. It didn't balance well in my hand and the ribbed barrel was not pleasing to the eyes.

Some guns work for some people, other guns don't. Some guns have eye appeal to certain people, others do not. Your K-38 obviously works for you. In someone else's hands, the Python would probably "outshoot" (whatever that means) your Smith.

 

[JayFramer]

This article is "udder rubbish" as paps used to say. The Col. Colt's Revolving Snake Pistol of Magnum Caliber is, and forever will be, the FINEST double-actioning belt pistol in HUMAN HISTORY. NOTHING even comes CLOSE to it!!! I have over $50,000 wrapped up in my collection of a half dozen Pythons, because they're the best!!

(At least that's what the Rampant Pony fan club will try and make you believe!!)

Really though, there is a reason why S&W still makes as many different and numerous revolvers that they do. They beat Colt in the revolver game. There are many reasons for that, but it isn't because S&W makes an inferior product IMHO.

 

[samnev]

I bought a 6" Python in 1976. Shot 50 rounds thru it put it away and never shot it again. Went back to my 3 3/4" 27-2 that I liked much better. Just sold the Python a few months ago.

 

[reddog81]

Pythons are very well put together revolvers that many consider to be the ultimate .357. However the premium they command today is strictly a function of collectors interest. As far as accuracy, shootability, durability they are on par with S&W's or even a Ruger GP100. If they were still being made today the collectors would be ignoring them and the prices would only be 10 to 20% over S&W prices.

For the most part the people paying over $2,000 for an average condition Python aren't buying to shoot it.