New Python vs. Model 27-9

[MSD2343]

I’ve had my new Colt Python 4.25” for several weeks now and have put close to 300 rounds through it across a few range outings. So I think I have enough of an impression of it to offer some comparisons to my tried and true S&W Model 27-9 “Classic,” which I purchased new in 2012 and have since cranked over 14k rounds through (approximately 25% of the rounds are magnums).

So here’s some comparative reactions and thoughts:

- Finish quality on both revolvers when new was flawless.

- Mechanical quality has been flawless on both, at least at this early stage of ownership for the Colt.

- On overall aesthetics, I’d say the Python barely edges out the 27. The overall proportions of the Colt just appear more balanced and the lines of the piece seem to flow perfectly. But I do love how the 27 looks and I’d say it has a “meaner” look than the Python. The Python is the quarterback while the 27 is the black & blue linebacker. This is all obviously subjective and everyone will have their own take.

- The Colt is an easy win on DA trigger pull and the Smith is an equally easy win on SA pull. The Python’s trigger is a bit of a disappointment in that it has very sharp edges that get very uncomfortable very quickly when shooting DA, which is how I usually shoot. That’s why I have the goofy looking Talon Grip tape on the right side of the trigger.

- Sights go to the Model 27. The Python’s rear sight hasn’t been nearly as loosely-goosey as feared, but it still seems pretty chinsey considering it sits atop a $1,500 revolver that’s supposed to be a flagship offering of the brand.

- The Python’s grips feel absolutely magnificent in my hands and while they don’t look bad, I find the factory grips on the 27-9 more aesthetically pleasing. I did have to add the Tyler grip adapter so the 27 wouldn’t twist in my large hands under .357 recoil.

- Both spec sheets claim 42 ounces, but the Smith is noticeably better at taming .357 recoil. I suppose it’s possible that’s just because shooting this revolver is second nature to me at this point.

So that’s what I’d have to offer by way of comparison. Way to early to pick a winner, and in any case, they’re both terrific pieces.

 

[The Norseman]

Go Team Revolvers

Thank you. I will be buying my first CZ-Colt at some
point. I want the Python with 4.25 bbl, but waiting
for the Anaconda 45 Colt.

I really liked your review. The Best to you and
your Endeavors.

 

[MSD2343]

Thank you. I will be buying my first CZ-Colt at some
point. I want the Python with 4.25 bbl, but waiting
for the Anaconda 45 Colt.

I really liked your review. The Best to you and
your Endeavors.

Most welcome! Hope that the .45 Anaconda is available soon and proves well worth the wait.

 

[luvsmiths]

CZ Python?

sigh.

 

[sophie]

- The Colt is an easy win on DA trigger pull and the Smith is an equally easy win on SA pull. The Python’s trigger is a bit of a disappointment in that it has very sharp edges that get very uncomfortable very quickly when shooting DA, which is how I usually shoot. That’s why I have the goofy looking Talon Grip tape on the right side of the trigger.

- The Python’s grips feel absolutely magnificent in my hands and while they don’t look bad, I find the factory grips on the 27-9 more aesthetically pleasing. I did have to add the Tyler grip adapter so the 27 wouldn’t twist in my large hands under .357 recoil.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts after shooting your new Python and S&W M27 Classic. Very good comparison.
I took my new 4.25” Python to the range a few weeks ago. I shot 75 rounds, all .38 Special, all 130 gr. FMJ FN and was not very happy with the factory grips myself. My hands are just average I would say, and the trigger guard will bite the knuckle on my right middle finger. All shots were double action, smooth as silk. I was shooting the Python for the first time and adjusting my new Wilson Combat Sights. Didn’t take but a few shots to sight them in. I was shooting 15 yards.
The trigger just about ate my finger up. Colt should do better on the sights and trigger. I’ve never had that problem with my S&W Revolvers. I keep the Talon rubber in sheets and was just going to try some on the trigger. I see you have some Talon material on your trigger. Does it help the trigger finger soreness? Did you wrap the front surface of the trigger?
I’ve since got a Pachmayr Presentation grip that I’m going to try to see if it’ll keep the rear of the trigger guard from biting my knuckle on my right middle finger.

 

[MSD2343]

The trigger just about ate my finger up. Colt should do better on the sights and trigger. I’ve never had that problem with my S&W Revolvers. I keep the Talon rubber in sheets and was just going to try some on the trigger. I see you have some Talon material on your trigger. Does it help the trigger finger soreness? Did you wrap the front surface of the trigger?
I’ve since got a Pachmayr Presentation grip that I’m going to try to see if it’ll keep the rear of the trigger guard from biting my index finger so bad.

The sheet of rubber Talon Grip material is what I used as well to try to soften the edge of the trigger. Unfortunately, it stlll is quite uncomfortable and so I’ve thought about adding a second layer of the grip material. But the DA pull is light enough that I’ve found I can use less of a hooked finger position to ease up the pressure and the resulting pain.

With all that said, it’s a shame that three full years after it’s introduction, Colt can’t finish the trigger to be more comfortable.

 

[6string]

I’ve had my new Colt Python 4.25” for several weeks now and have put close to 300 rounds through it across a few range outings. So I think I have enough of an impression of it to offer some comparisons to my tried and true S&W Model 27-9 “Classic,” which I purchased new in 2012 and have since cranked over 14k rounds through (approximately 25% of the rounds are magnums).

So here’s some comparative reactions and thoughts:

- Finish quality on both revolvers when new was flawless.

- Mechanical quality has been flawless on both, at least at this early stage of ownership for the Colt.

- On overall aesthetics, I’d say the Python barely edges out the 27. The overall proportions of the Colt just appear more balanced and the lines of the piece seem to flow perfectly. But I do love how the 27 looks and I’d say it has a “meaner” look than the Python. The Python is the quarterback while the 27 is the black & blue linebacker. This is all obviously subjective and everyone will have their own take.

- The Colt is an easy win on DA trigger pull and the Smith is an equally easy win on SA pull. The Python’s trigger is a bit of a disappointment in that it has very sharp edges that get very uncomfortable very quickly when shooting DA, which is how I usually shoot. That’s why I have the goofy looking Talon Grip tape on the right side of the trigger.

- Sights go to the Model 27. The Python’s rear sight hasn’t been nearly as loosely-goosey as feared, but it still seems pretty chinsey considering it sits atop a $1,500 revolver that’s supposed to be a flagship offering of the brand.

- The Python’s grips feel absolutely magnificent in my hands and while they don’t look bad, I find the factory grips on the 27-9 more aesthetically pleasing. I did have to add the Tyler grip adapter so the 27 wouldn’t twist in my large hands under .357 recoil.

- Both spec sheets claim 42 ounces, but the Smith is noticeably better at taming .357 recoil. I suppose it’s possible that’s just because shooting this revolver is second nature to me at this point.

So that’s what I’d have to offer by way of comparison. Way to early to pick a winner, and in any case, they’re both terrific pieces.

Have you measured to bore (groove) diameters vs. the cylinder throat diameters?
What about checking chamber to bore alignment?

Both S&W and Colt have had a spotty history in these regards.
You can fix trigger pull. But, problems with cylinder throats and/or bores make a difference between a gun that'll and one that won't. And, these are problems that can be difficult or impossible to fix, at least without major surgery.

Doesn't anybody test accuracy at 50 yds or beyond anymore?
When Colt built their Silhouette model Pythons in the 1980s, they knew guys would be shooting them out to 200 meters, and they built them accordingly.

 

[MSD2343]

Have you measured to bore (groove) diameters vs. the cylinder throat diameters?
What about checking chamber to bore alignment?

Both S&W and Colt have had a spotty history in these regards.
You can fix trigger pull. But, problems with cylinder throats and/or bores make a difference between a gun that'll and one that won't. And, these are problems that can be difficult or impossible to fix, at least without major surgery.

Doesn't anybody test accuracy at 50 yds or beyond anymore?
When Colt built their Silhouette model Pythons in the 1980s, they knew guys would be shooting them out to 200 meters, and they built them accordingly.

I should have at least mentioned cylinder gap (as I do have feeler gauges) and practical accuracy.

The Python wins on cylinder gap at .005 vs. .006 for the Model 27.

As for accuracy in my hands, let me start by saying I’m not a great shot, and so 25-30 yards is about as long as I go. Most of my shooting is done outdoors on a 12 inch steel plate at about 15 yards. With both of these revolvers, I can consistently “ring the bell” at that distance at a decent rate of DA fire. At 25-30 yards, I’m still shooting DA, but at a slow rate of fire and do miss more often and do so at about the same rate with both guns. So overall, I’d rate their practical accuracy the same. Relative to my other handguns, these are pretty much my top performing range guns.

 

[sophie]

In the #5 post I should have said when shooting my 4.25” Python, new model, the trigger guard bites the knuckle on my right middle finger and not my index finger as I stated. I have corrected it.

 

[Ameshawki]

I have a new Python (two actually) and a 27-2. I agree with almost everything you said. My local smith did a trigger job on the Python and the single action is much better now. Thank California for their drop test.

 

[PauldL]

Gotta say, I am super impressed with the Double Action of the Colt Python!
The only double action I like better would be my dad's service revolver, a model 19-3 with a few rounds thru it. It's extremely smooth as well.
But, Colt can forget it when it comes to that Single Action. The older Smiths rule with an Iron Fist.

 

[reddogs]

Colt once made some nice SA/DA guns not tried any new colt's yet.

 

[MSD2343]

Gotta say, I am super impressed with the Double Action of the Colt Python!
The only double action I like better would be my dad's service revolver, a model 19-3 with a few rounds thru it. It's extremely smooth as well.
But, Colt can forget it when it comes to that Single Action. The older Smiths rule with an Iron Fist.

I also have a 19-3 that, from all appearances, saw years of service in a duty holster as well. It has the nicest trigger among my modest S&W revolver collection and I’d say it nearly rivals my Python’s DA trigger.

 

[Fishinfool]

OP - Nice comparison. I have a new Python and a new Anaconda, and I agree about the sharp trigger edges. The edges and serrations don't LOOK sharp, but they are. Not very difficult to polish them, and cut the sharp edges.

One thing I noticed is my Anaconda has a noticeably better SA trigger than my 3 inch Python. DA is excellent on both And that actually works out as I shoot the Anaconda mostly SA, and the Python DA.

Larry

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Questions:

Are the stocks on your M27 Classic the same? One looks like rosewood and one looks like walnut.

Do the stocks fit the frame correctly? The point of the rosewood stocks on my M27 Classic rose above the frame (no pun intended).

I fixed that thanks to bgmntmn of this Forum:

I still think the M27 is the prettier of the two......

I have not shot mine in a long time!

 

[MSD2343]

Questions:

Are the stocks on your M27 Classic the same? One looks like rosewood and one looks like walnut.

Do the stocks fit the frame correctly? The point of the rosewood stocks on my M27 Classic rose above the frame (no pun intended).

In real life the stocks on my 27-9 do appear the same color and I’ve always presumed they’re rosewood. The revolver left the factory in January of 2012, so perhaps others here may know if rosewood was the material used at that time. I’ve always been quite happy with the stocks and yes, they do fit properly. Not sure, but I believe Altamont supplied these stocks to Smith.

 

[CajunBass]

I've got a couple of 2020 Pythons, and I have owned a 27-9 in the past, but don't really recall anything specific about it. If there was anything wrong with it (the 27) it wasn't bad enough to remember it. I would have gotten rid of it, simply because that's what I do. I buy and sell guns, to try something else. Also owned a "Classic" Model 19-9, and same thing. Not a thing wrong with that gun.

I've still got the Colts and like them quite a bit. I've never noticed the problem with the trigger you've mentioned, the sharp edges. I remember my first Model 19, many years ago about wore the skin off my trigger finger shooting it DA, but that's the only gun I ever remember doing that. I actually tried to buff it down a bit with some 600 grit sandpaper. I was young and dumb then, but even then I knew not to try too hard. Didn't work anyway. I think I ended up with a trigger shoe on it.

I've never noticed rather the SA pull on the Pythons is good or bad. I almost never shoot them SA, so it's a moot point with me anyway. These are the first revolvers I've done that with. I used to shoot a SA a lot with my revolvers, but for some reason, I've just gone with the DA on these. I say they just beg to be shot that way, so it's what I've done from the start.

Really I just don't see much to not like about the Pythons, but I don't really think they're any "better" than other guns. If I just wanted a 357, the Dan Wesson 15-2 I've got would fill the slot and I paid less than half what a Python cost. I wanted a Python, just because I wanted a Python. I couldn't tell you which one shoots the best. I shoot one just about as poorly as the other I suppose. I'd probably shoot a Windicator about the same to be honest.

But I look better shooting poorly with a Python.

 

[AJ]

Have not handled the new Colt Python and don't have a 27-9, so no dog in that fight. I did have an older Python ('70's) with a six inch barrel and do have a 27-2 3.5 inch barrel. The Python shot well, but to me it was muzzle heavy. So down the road it went. The 27-2 shoots well and is comfortable to shoot. So it still has a home.

 

[Bill Lear]

CZ Python?

sigh.

Exactly.
It's gotten stale at this point.

 

[johngalt]

Exactly.
It's gotten stale at this point.

Yep. It appears that some would rather have none at all rather than a company that actually wants to produce a quality product.