586 or Python?

[CH4]

Ford vs. Chevy. They're both quality weapons and each have their peccadilloes. I have several of both and the only trouble I've had are with my Smiths breaking hammer studs; never had an issue with any colts, especially going out of time.

 

[Goblin]

I'm an old Python fan, and shot competitively with one for years. I put thousands of rounds through one without any problems with timing or otherwise, so I take the stories of timing issues with a grain of salt.

That said, I shot against many 586s and 686s, and those with aftermarket trigger jobs felt even better than my Python. In shooting both (back in the 80s), there wasn't a nickel's worth of difference, functionally. I still preferred the Python, looks and all things considered. Therefore, I'd tell you it's a push.

As for the new Python, I have a 3", and sadly, I have misfires with both factory loads and reloads. Note that no other revolver of mine, Colt or S&W, has any problems with my reloads or factory loads. And while the double action is fantastic, the single action is horrible. I can't remember how the S&W single action feels on their new guns, but the double action doesn't match the Colt.

Bottom line, I say buy what appeals to you, or buy both. You'll never regret buying either, in my opinion.

 

[Borderboss]

I have a 1979 Python that I bought new back in the day, and a 586 no dash that I bought a couple of years ago that had practically no rounds through it.

The Python is outstanding and always has been. I have thousands and thousands of rounds though it, 95% of which were .38 Special. It's still as tight as when I bought it, without a hint of going out of time (urban myth).

The 586 no dash went back to the factory for the warranty work back when it was new, and someone must have tuned it up when it was there because the trigger pull is fabulous. But no where near as good as the Python. The 586 is really good, but not nearly as tight as the Python, and with a fraction of the rounds through it.

I like them both, but if I had a gun to my head and could only keep one, it would be the Python.

 

[Moo Moo]

Get a Smolt and split the difference. Lol.

I have a 6" 586 No Dash and a 4" barrel 686-1. I don't have a Python nor do I have any direct experience with one other than what I've heard, seen, or read. From what I understand:-

- older Pythons had a better single action trigger whilst the S&W's had a better double action trigger pull. PCC shooters preferred the S&W trigger as it could be more easily tuned to make the double action even better. Most PCC competitors use Double Action almost exclusively.

- 2020 Pythons have a terrible adjustable sight according to Bill Wilson. Naturally he's got a replacement adjustable sight to sell you.

- Older Pythons had a barrel twist that was more favourable for PPC shooters to stabilise their bullets. 1 in 16 inches from memory. So the Python barrel was thought to be more accurate than the Smiths.

I suppose it really comes down to what purpose you want this handgun for? If it came down to a beauty contest, I'd choose the Python over the 586.

 

[BAM-BAM]

This question has been asked hundreds if not thousands of times since the introduction of the L-frame in 1979/80.

Never been a clear winner in any " Gun Rag" article or on line forum debate in 43 years!

Even in my family.... Dad a 1950-80s bullseye shooter prefered the single action on a Colt....... me starting out in 1980 in PPC prefers the double action trigger of the L-frame.

I've got a 1995 4" 586-5 factory round butt with a set of Spegel extended Boot grips in Birdseye maple......that's mighty pretty to look at!

Wish I'd had a 4" Round butt Smolt built back in the 80s

 

[shawn mccarver]

The 586 definitely over the Python. And if you only want six rounds, the new Model 19/66 with the new lock up and the full thickness at the 6:00 o'clock position on the barrel shank. The 19/66 is lighter and easier to carry.

 

[Baxter6551]

Borderboss - can you share the significance of the "1 of 100" marking below the cylinder on the 586?

 

[Phish]

I'd take a 586 please! Python are nice to look at if you're not a shooter so therefore I am shooter so.

 

[Bhfromme]

I'd take a 586 please! Python are nice to look at if you're not a shooter so therefore I am shooter so.

OP here. I'm also a shooter so I'm leaning 586. Great information here. Especially the posts on the single action trigger pull designed to pass the California drop test.

I shoot mostly SA and want a nice crisp pull. The older Smiths are pretty tough to beat. I've got a bunch of old Smiths so thought I'd go Python for a full lug 357 but now I'm thinking I'll wait for a nice 586 to show up somewhere.

 

[03hemi]

Python all day long over the Smith, just a better feeling gun all the way around to me. Strangely, the only people I 've ever met that had a Python go out of timing were on-line?

 

[swagmeister]

For me, the 586/686 vintage pre lock models are the better of the two. A Python is a beautiful weapon and I have had several over the past 50+ years. The single action pull was nice on them and they were very accurate but I could never get used to the stacking in the double action pull. The age old debate of the Python's action being delicate and timing problems always comes up. When I read that someone has 10,000 or more rounds of full power .357 ammo through one and it was "still as tight as it came from the factory", I have trouble believing that claim. Shoot 10,000 or more rounds thru both and see which one stands up better in the timing department; it will be the L Frame. I know from personal experience in that many years ago, I had a six inch stainless Python and sent it back to the factory because of it being out of time. It was in like new condition when I bought it but out of time. After getting it back and shooting only 2 boxes of factory Remington 125 grain .357 ammo thru it, it went out of time again. I never owned another one after that. The newer Pythons are supposed to be better in the strength and timing issues as to compared to the vintage ones. But the rear site assembly on them has been reported to be terrible. Just comes down to personal preference and opinion between the two. Both are fine weapons. I'll stick with my 2 pre lock 686's.

 

[cowboy4evr]

Some prefer one and some prefer the other . I happen to have both and find no fault with either . My Python is a new one that has been 100% reliable shooting my 357 magnum reloads in SA and DA .
My 686 has been also 100% reliable since I bought it many years ago . So to me it's " ford vs chevy " . Now I'll throw a " chrysler " in the mix by saying I recently bought a Ruger Security Six , stainless 4" barrel . It also has been 100% reliable , feels just as good in my hand with factory grips . So I'm not going to run down either of the 3 as they all are fine pistols and I will keep them , for sure . Regards Paul

 

[Borderboss]

Borderboss - can you share the significance of the "1 of 100" marking below the cylinder on the 586?

Absolutely. This gun was a commemorative built back then by S&W for the 50th anniversary (1936-1986) of the Arkansas Municipal Police Association. It came with some great-looking grips and a glass case. I picked it up at auction because I figured it would be a good shooter and most people wouldn't want it because of all the markings. I just wanted a 4" 586.

 

[Borderboss]

For me, the 586/686 vintage pre lock models are the better of the two. A Python is a beautiful weapon and I have had several over the past 50+ years. The single action pull was nice on them and they were very accurate but I could never get used to the stacking in the double action pull. The age old debate of the Python's action being delicate and timing problems always comes up. When I read that someone has 10,000 or more rounds of full power .357 ammo through one and it was "still as tight as it came from the factory", I have trouble believing that claim. Shoot 10,000 or more rounds thru both and see which one stands up better in the timing department; it will be the L Frame. I know from personal experience in that many years ago, I had a six inch stainless Python and sent it back to the factory because of it being out of time. It was in like new condition when I bought it but out of time. After getting it back and shooting only 2 boxes of factory Remington 125 grain .357 ammo thru it, it went out of time again. I never owned another one after that. The newer Pythons are supposed to be better in the strength and timing issues as to compared to the vintage ones. But the rear site assembly on them has been reported to be terrible. Just comes down to personal preference and opinion between the two. Both are fine weapons. I'll stick with my 2 pre lock 686's.

I did note that the thousands of rounds through my Python were .38 Special.

What I find amusing is that the same people that keep saying the Pythons will go out of time don't seem to have a problem with all the end-shake problems with older Smiths with a lot of rounds through them.

To your point about your stainless going out of time, it might be the stainless guns that have an issue. The one Colt I've tried that had timing issues was an Anaconda that was in a gunshop case. Every chamber was out of time. Again, a stainless gun.

 

[swagmeister]

My post was not intended to be Python bashing. The OP asked for opinions from persons who have used both and I gave my opinion. If you use and shoot firearms for very long, there is a good chance that you will have problems with some of them, of all brands. I won't deny that older Smiths develop many problems and I have had many problems with them over the course of many years, including end shake problems, firing pins breaking, binding of the cylinder because of an incorrect gap between the barrel and the cylinder, canted barrels, and the list goes on. And I do have a "problem" with any of those problems. But any firearm, including L Frames and Pythons, could be prone to breakage or malfunction if used hard enough for long enough.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Another issue is when a particular gun was made and under what corporate ownership. Like automobiles there are good and bad eras of quality control…or "vintages" if you will. Some time periods were renown for quality…some just the opposite.

And if your talking used guns…anything could be happening with a particular gun. Original quality control means little once it has some miles on it and who knows what care and even abuse.

 

[Model19man]

The 586 is a far better choice. Better action and better design. Good luck finding one.

 

[Bhfromme]

It absolutely is a Ford vs Chevy comparison and I really do appreciate all of the feedback. Learning a lot. What I find especially interesting is that I've asked the same question on the Colt forum (worded slightly differently of course) and the feedback so far is very pro-Smith. Yup, even on the Colt forum the guys hold the old Smiths in high regard.

 

[Bhfromme]

Mr. Snidely Whiplash in post number 5 mentioned that there's a chance Colt will come out with a "blued" Python. I much prefer blued revolvers so I'm leaning toward getting an old 586 now and waiting for Colt to introduce the Python in their DLC finish.

 

[Jeep 1]

I have a 1979 Python that I bought new back in the day, and a 586 no dash that I bought a couple of years ago that had practically no rounds through it.

The Python is outstanding and always has been. I have thousands and thousands of rounds though it, 95% of which were .38 Special. It's still as tight as when I bought it, without a hint of going out of time (urban myth)./QUOTE]

It's more than an (urban myth). I started out in the late 80s using 2 colt pythons shooting in multiple competitions.
All double action shooting 38 special to make minor power factor
One was a 6 inch blue, and the other one was a stainless silver snake. While I agree they are beautiful and accurate. They will not hold up to double action competition shooting I continuously had one of them knocked out of time and sent back to Colt to be repaired
A buddy of mine talk me into buying a new Smith and Wesson model 686 no dash. By the way, it has never been modified or has had any updates!
And really close to 200,000 rounds fired through it and at least that many times dry fired not one single malfunction, the only modification other than polishing the interior of a gun was a wolfe main spring
I had two other 8 inch pythons in stainless also that I never shot
And wish that I had kept for their monetary value. However, I started collecting Smith and Wesson and never look back.
Tom