S&W 686....Colt Python

[wnwitzell]

Ask that question on the Colt site. And see what they say…

 

[swagmeister]

I would go with the 686. The new Pythons seem to be solid revolvers but for just casual shooting, I would go with the Smith and save a lot of money to spend on ammo. I have a 1980 6" blue Python with a Reeves Jungkind action job which I will probably never sell unless someone wanted to give me just stupid $$$$ for it. My 1998 686-5 Mountain Gun is a keeper also, with only around 2000 made.

 

[Tom S.]

This was available from S&W for about the same price as the Colt but with a whole bunch more bells and whistles:

686 Performance Center with 5" barrel and 7 shot cylinder. I don't know if they are still available new or if you would need to look on the secondary market. I love mine!


EDIT: Look to be available on the secondary market for around $1,100 - $1,200 - still a bargain IMHO compared to the Colt.

 

[murphydog]

I would try to find a rental range at which you can try both out. If you have other S & W revolvers you may find the 686 works better for you, but if you like the Python and it's within your budget it would be hard to go wrong with one of those too. Good luck in your decision.

 

[malph]

Next we can do an Anaconda vs 629 thread.

 

[lppd4]

I would buy a new Python over a new S&W but I would buy a vintage (pre-lock) 686/586 or even a 27 over a new Python or new S&W

 

[Ameshawki]

Ford vs Chevy. I have both, and Ruger as well. Try them on for size, one of them will speak to you.

 

[RMFnLA]

As several others have said, go see how they feel in your hand.

Test firing, if possible, is great to see how they recoil for you, but it doesn’t feel good in your hand nothing else matters.

 

[malph]

Do you want to shoot it or just look at it? Being a PPC, USPSA, IDPA shooter, I know that the colt needs a very expensive action job to perform as well in action pistol as the 686 does with only a "standard" tuning up. Don't take my word for it, look up Jerry Miculek's video on the subject. The colt's reputation was made when slower paced bullseye competition was king, using 700fps hbwc loads that were more accurate in the Python's faster twist compared to the smiths of the day.
Yes, as a new 2Lt I was shooting bullseye with the USAF in 1970 using their Model 15 S&W.
I have a 686 of every length (-3 and -4s), and have shot a buddy's Pythons that he bought 30 years ago and has kept.

Very well said. You nailed it.

The Colts sure are pretty though.

 

[CH4]

Python!
Python!
Python!

 

[ruger 22]

Have not seen the new Pythons yet. My brother has several of the old ones and a lifelong Python fan. I have used his and my 686 and will pick the S&W every time.

 

[Tom S.]

Ford vs Chevy. I have both, and Ruger as well. Try them on for size, one of them will speak to you.

But now your talking Ford vs Chevy vs Yugo!

 

[Empe]

Wow...lots of replies to this thread . Not surprisingly I guess on a S&W forum most of the replies favored the 686 .
I am familiar with S&W revolvers owning both a 14-1 made in 1960 as well as a 17-3 made in 1973 . Both are very well made firearms.
I am not really familiar with the Colt revolvers thus my question.
I still haven't made up my mind yet but am leaning more towards the 686 3 5 7 series with a 5" barrel and an unfluted cylinder.
Ideally I would like to see and handle both models but would have to find a gun shop that carries them...not an easy task and would probably end up having to buy sight unseen.
Anyway thank you for taking the time to reply and offer your perspective.

 

[AmStaff64]

Wow...lots of replies to this thread . Not surprisingly I guess on a S&W forum most of the replies favored the 686 .
I am familiar with S&W revolvers owning both a 14-1 made in 1960 as well as a 17-3 made in 1973 . Both are very well made firearms.
I am not really familiar with the Colt revolvers thus my question.
I still haven't made up my mind yet but am leaning more towards the 686 3 5 7 series with a 5" barrel and an unfluted cylinder.
Ideally I would like to see and handle both models but would have to find a gun shop that carries them...not an easy task and would probably end up having to buy sight unseen.
Anyway thank you for taking the time to reply and offer your perspective.

Buy both, and sell the one you deem to be lesser. You won't loose a lot.

 

[Nick B]

Arms Unlimited has new Pythons for $1299.00 .

 

[ladder13]

Arms Unlimited has new Pythons for $1299.00 .

Any experience buying from them? The online reviews are very mixed.

 

[Nick B]

Any experience buying from them? The online reviews are very mixed.

No I don’t but from what I’ve read they’re the largest Colt dealer in the US .

 

[Roofuss]

I have both, but the 686+ has a 6" barrel and the Python is a 4.25". I love them both. The fit and finish is a little better on the Colt, and it balances better (but again they are different barrel lengths). The double action on the Colt is slightly better, and the single action on the Smith is slightly better. They seem equally accurate.

Same here, I also have both and both are fairly new guns.
I would suggest you do your research, and look at both in person. Personally, I prefer the Python, but think it comes down to personal preference more than anything.

 

[acpjim]

OP, I happened to look yesterday at the exact two revolvers you mention…a 5 inch 686 and a 6 inch Colt Python. I went into the gun store expecting to like the Python more, but at least on the two samples I inspected, the 686 had a better da and sa trigger pull, and just felt better to me. The fact that it was @ $500 cheaper was an added bonus. I like the looks of the Colt better and hate the internal lock on the Smith, but I have to say that the Smith is probably the smart buy. Appearance wise, I also prefer the looks of a fluted cylinder which the 5 inch Smith did not have. Not sure if Smith makes the 5 inch in a fluted cylinder or not. The cylinders on the 686’s in other barrel lengths were all fluted, and I assume the unfluted cylinder may be stronger, but I just don’t care for the looks of it as much. Otherwise,the five inch barrel on the S&W seemed like a perfect length to me.

 

[randyp]

I have a 586 4" and a new Python 3". Smith has a great single action trigger and ok on double action. Python has a great double action trigger but the single action is too heavy as it was engineered to pass drop tests in California, Mass, etc. People on the Colt forum will have mixed opinions but there is alot of discussion on the few gunsmiths that can properly modify the Colt trigger. Colt also does not sell replacement parts. Fit and finish on the Python are excellent but the rear sight also gets alot of discussion. There is too much side to side movement in my opinion and was a poor choice on an expensive pistol. Wilson Combat makes an excellent replacement sight. As mentioned in previous posts you may want to get hands on both before purchase.