My Dad's 93 year old eyes detests them too.
586 or Python?
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My Dad's 93 year old eyes detests them too.
Mehutch
Member
Nothing beats the look of any Python, great gun. However, expensive and more money that I care to spend when I can have a great solid shooter of the 586 or 686. You would never baby the S&W guns. The Python you might.
Will not be able to test a new Python against my S&W's but purchased a 1960, 4" barrel, Python today. In IL so will have to wait till next week to pick it up and get to the range. First Python purchase after all these years so I am anxious to see how they perform.
While lots of folks like them, I've never been drawn to the Python myself. S&W 586 every time for me.
SnidelyWhiplash
Member
I have a 1960 Python 6" and shot it alongside a 2020 Python 6". I used identical grips and ammunition from the same box to make things as equal as possible. There were two variables I had no control over…I had no idea the round count from the older gun plus it balanced slightly different as that vintage Python has a hollow underlug where later Pythons do not.
The 1960 Python shot superbly…the new Python shot even better…a tighter group but not substantially so.
You will be happy with your purchase.
I had a Python and it was great. My brother swears by his Python and it is a great gun. Ideally it is good to have both but if I could only have one I would pick the Smith every time.
JonE406
Member
I do have fond feelings for the 586
My outdoor carry rig with the 586
My outdoor carry rig with the 586
I like both
HOUSTON RICK
Member
Engine49guy
Member
Oh you done gone there...
Python is prettier with its vented barrel rib.
586/686 has a better trigger /action and factory support.
Are you gonna shoot it or show it off?
Python is prettier with its vented barrel rib.
586/686 has a better trigger /action and factory support.
Are you gonna shoot it or show it off?
I just had a New Python and it was unreliable with lite primer strikes and miss fires. Go look on the Colt forum they are not good,run as fast as you can. The SW and Ruger are better wheelguns,New Colts are a joke.
Not a single malfunction with mine so far. In comparison my 686-6, new out of the box, had to go back due to excessive end-shake.
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In the 80's I had a S&W 66. i bought it used and got a good deal on it. One of my friends had a 586 that he loved. I had another friend that had just bought a python from the 70's it was beautiful. He talked so highly about this gun that me and my friend with the 586 were ready to sell our guns and start looking for a python. That is until we both shot the python. It was nice, but it wasn't the magic he described. I haven't seen any reason to get rid of my 66 and buy a python.
OP here. Love reading everyone's experiences with their 586s and Pythons. Realizing this is the Smith forum, I went over to the Colt forum and asked the same question. Even over there the responses were mostly pro 586 over the Python.
The Python's a beautiful revolver and a great shooter but the 586 is clearly getting more votes on both forums.
This is probably all somewhat of a moot point because I'll most likely end up with both anyway!
Thanks for all your feedback and keep it coming!
The Python's a beautiful revolver and a great shooter but the 586 is clearly getting more votes on both forums.
This is probably all somewhat of a moot point because I'll most likely end up with both anyway!
Thanks for all your feedback and keep it coming!
Moot point …. Go figure.
rincar
Member
The Colt Python is for looking. While The S&W 586 is for shooting. I have owned both I liked the 586 better.
I've owned four Pythons over the years, own none now. I never could warm up to the stacking double action pull. I got a healthy bonus in December and thought I'd pick up a new 3" Python just because. Went to my preferred LGS and they had a pair of new Pythons, a 3" and a 4.25". They also amazingly enough had a 586 ND in the bottom of the case, used of course. I handled all three. The Pythons were very pretty but the trigger PALED in comparison to the 586. I brought the Smith home and didn't look back.
I have several Colt (and Smith) revolvers now but no Pythons anymore. I do like my Diamondback but the only real reason I haven't replaced it with another Smith is merely that there's no way I could replace it for what I bought it for. Once it warms up I'll be shooting the Diamondback and 586 back-to-back with my wadcutters to see who wins……
586 ND
Diamondback
I have several Colt (and Smith) revolvers now but no Pythons anymore. I do like my Diamondback but the only real reason I haven't replaced it with another Smith is merely that there's no way I could replace it for what I bought it for. Once it warms up I'll be shooting the Diamondback and 586 back-to-back with my wadcutters to see who wins……
586 ND
Diamondback
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ChargerBill
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Pythons can be pretty, but the old S & W bluing is also beautiful. For me, I have never pulled a trigger on ANY Colt that was as smooth and refined as an older Smith & Wesson. And that Colt cylinder release… hate it. Smith & Wesson all day long.
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IMHO, the Python has "the look" BUT in every other department, the vintage M586 has the credentials. The M586 is stronger, simpler, more robust and can be tweaked easier if need be. They Python is a capable well made Revolver with better fit and finish, but is more "fragile" if shot a lot, more expensive to buy, maintain, and harder to tweak if used for competition. IMHO the NEW Pythons are actually made more robust and stronger than the originals.
In 1983 I went into a gun shop to buy a Python. I walked out with a 6" M586 which I still own and shoot today. I also maintain my own guns and much prefer the S&W lock-work over the Colt.
That said, if you have the coin, get both!! Nothing like the lines of a Python and it is a fine, accurate Revolver.
In 1983 I went into a gun shop to buy a Python. I walked out with a 6" M586 which I still own and shoot today. I also maintain my own guns and much prefer the S&W lock-work over the Colt.
That said, if you have the coin, get both!! Nothing like the lines of a Python and it is a fine, accurate Revolver.
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xfarfuldog
Member
This is a S&W forum. Respectfuly to all the other posters, their criticism of the Python has been proven time and time again to be BS. I own 2 blue Pythons and several K frames. I have owned one of the Pythons for over 40 years. It was used in a basic police academy and helped some shooters pass the course when they couldn't pass with their own guns. All my revolvers are excellent guns, never a problem with any of them.
s3dcor
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These three revolvers are so similar, any one would serve you well.
The difference is your personal choice. For the money the GP100
will do the job and you will still have money left over. For reliability,
parts and repair the GP100 gets the award. For beauty and finess
the Colt is over the top. But there is just something about this 586
no dash nickel that moves me.
The GP100, 2010
The Python, 1964
The 586, 1983
The difference is your personal choice. For the money the GP100
will do the job and you will still have money left over. For reliability,
parts and repair the GP100 gets the award. For beauty and finess
the Colt is over the top. But there is just something about this 586
no dash nickel that moves me.
The GP100, 2010
The Python, 1964
The 586, 1983
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brendonjames65
US Veteran
I have one of the new pythons and an older 686-3 and newer 686 PC. All great revolvers and I recommend getting both! As far as which is the better revolver overall based on these categories: Fit, finish, accuracy, durability, shootability in both DA/SA, my new python but not by a huge margin. Anyhow, get both if you can and if you can only choose one, get the Python, it's the best that ever was or will be!
Repeater
Member
Been trying to get a 586 for a while now...S&W says maybe in three months...Gun BROKer prices are ridiculous!
I've owned quite a few Pythons and L frame Smith's over the years, all are great guns. Yes, one of my Pythons did start to go out of time. It is a 2 1/2" Nickel gun which was carried as a duty gun from its birth in 1965, and had been primarily used with factory 357 ammo, usually around 2,000 to 4, 000 rounds per year between practice and qualifying. When it began to go out of time, in late 2010, I sent it in to Colt's Custom Shop, where they retimef t, replaced some worn parts, installed new sights (red ramp front/white outline rear) at my request, and sent it back to me "good as new." Fragile? Nah, 45 years of constant use before needing minor maintenance doesn't indicate that to me. I also have a blue 4" I bought new sometime in the late 70s which has seen a lot of use and is still tight and like new. In 2011 I bought a stainless 6" Python to replace a stolen older 6" and sent it to Colt Custom Shop for their factory tune, specifying tune for 357 magnum. All those Pythons are super smooth both in single and double action, and the fa Tory tuned gun is incredible. I recently sold a 586 no dash in nickel which had an extremely smooth action (almost as good as the Python, but the 586 had been professionally tuned) and a 586-3, which was like new and had a decent action, typical Smith, but none of my many Smith's quite approach any of my Pythons in terms of action smoothness. I don't like selling guns, but it is some times necessary. My Pythons are never leaving, no matter what. YMMV, everybody has their own preferences. I can't speak to the new Pythons with any real experience, but I like their DA, and I understand the SA can be remedied by some judicious stoning. When they first were announced, I ordered one, b I t didn't really see the need to effectively duplicate one of my old Pythons. If Colt comes out with an 8" version, I will probably add a new one. Best wishes and good luck on your decision.ooo
eclayton
Member
I don't own a 586, but I have a new 4.25" Python, many K-frame S&Ws, and several Rugers besides. I have shot my brother's 686 a fair bit. The Python and L-frame in my opinion do the same things and about equally well. If I were outfitting a department there is no question I would take the L-frame for equal performance at lower cost. I have never yet met a S&W revolver without a high-quality trigger job that could match the smoothness of my stock Python. The new Python lock work I believe obviates the old concerns about fragility and timing issues. I never bought a 586/686 because I already had a Ruger GP100, and I couldn't see enough of an upgrade in the L-frame to justify buying another functionally equivalent .357. I never bought a Python because of the stories of timing problems and the generational vanishing of gunsmiths who knew how to fix them. The new Python is not fragile; it is so smooth that I can feel where the extra money went when I handle it alongside my Rugers and S&Ws; and being in current production, I am not worried about breaking it or wearing it out and being unable to have it repaired. So I bought one. Already owning the Python, the only thing likely to make me buy an L-frame would be if S&W offered a new production 686+ without the internal lock. I would buy that for the extra round AND to put my consumer dollars to a good cause, rewarding the company with my business for bringing back no-lock L-frames. The only S&Ws I bought new in the last 20+ years were no-lock J-frames that I bought largely just to celebrate that S&W was offering them again.
Conversely, if I already owned an L-frame, I probably would not buy the Python either, but I would spend the money on a first class action job. If I had no mid-sized .357 and just wanted only one, I would buy a new production Python unless I could afford a Manurhin or Korth.
Conversely, if I already owned an L-frame, I probably would not buy the Python either, but I would spend the money on a first class action job. If I had no mid-sized .357 and just wanted only one, I would buy a new production Python unless I could afford a Manurhin or Korth.
Invictus357
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I have a new 586 Classic. It is heaven to shoot it.
3rdgeargrndrr
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You might as well compare cats and dogs.
Cats: I have always stated the old Pythons have a sterile, cold feel. It just wants to be alone and unloving. Just slightly stacking pull straight back. For bullseye matches though, it is dead nuts accurate, like a sniper rifle in a handgun. I needed to replace the mainspring in the python once. Even 8 years ago, parts are nonexistent.
Never truly liked Pythons as much as my…
Dogs: K&L frames. Action feel is quite different from Smith which I describe as warm. I love the snickety snick staging prowess of the Smith action. You can't help loving this gun and it feels as though it loves you back. Just a trusty old friend like your beat up old dog.
The SW only has slightly larger diameter groups but I think it might have to do with me and getting better fitting grips than factory. But I wont. I really love the way they look.
Cats: I have always stated the old Pythons have a sterile, cold feel. It just wants to be alone and unloving. Just slightly stacking pull straight back. For bullseye matches though, it is dead nuts accurate, like a sniper rifle in a handgun. I needed to replace the mainspring in the python once. Even 8 years ago, parts are nonexistent.
Never truly liked Pythons as much as my…
Dogs: K&L frames. Action feel is quite different from Smith which I describe as warm. I love the snickety snick staging prowess of the Smith action. You can't help loving this gun and it feels as though it loves you back. Just a trusty old friend like your beat up old dog.
The SW only has slightly larger diameter groups but I think it might have to do with me and getting better fitting grips than factory. But I wont. I really love the way they look.
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Safestuffer
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I recently had the opportunity to handle the supposed pinnacle of Python production, an early 60's new in the box. I was not impressed. Compared to my 586's, the python felt mushy. When you closed the cylinder there was zero sensation of a positive latch lock. You just had to push it closed, and test to make sure it latched. No tactile click, nothing.
The trigger was garbage in DA. Yes, python fans, garbage. Stacking, heavy, uncomfortable hot garbage. Now i'm comparing against a well used 586 trigger, and the supposed superior Python trigger was not good.
This is what I passed on.
Now, I paid less than HALF of what that python was offered to me for, for these three 586's COMBINED. The last 6" is covered in RIGS, so it looks crusty.
The trigger was garbage in DA. Yes, python fans, garbage. Stacking, heavy, uncomfortable hot garbage. Now i'm comparing against a well used 586 trigger, and the supposed superior Python trigger was not good.
This is what I passed on.
Now, I paid less than HALF of what that python was offered to me for, for these three 586's COMBINED. The last 6" is covered in RIGS, so it looks crusty.
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