Too each his own on the topic of Python vs. 586/686
In my opinion, the Python has the better look and action. Colt went well beyond the call to polish them perfectly and design the action with the fewest components. It is like a fine a watch. Plus it has less failure points.
S&W over complicated their action design. Too many springs and pins and other parts. All of which make more failure possibilities. They didn't take the extra time to polish everything perfect. The only thing better is the non-stacking DA pull, and even that is terrible in some models that approach 15lbs+.
It is all who you ask. This is the S&W site, so I would assume everyone supports them.
I only own 2 Smiths. I bought a 17-4 P&R when I needed a 22 revolver because the 22 Diamondback I would have preferred was just too much. I really like it and it suits the need for a far better price. However, the polishing is sub-par. You can see machining lines under the blue and they jump out at you in the cylinder flutes. I couldn't believe it once I received the gun. Then I bought a 629-2E with the 3" barrel. I got that to be my mountain hiking gun due to the size coupled with bigger caliber. In fact, I sold my two Anacondas in favor of it.
However, I had to send it off to Frank Glenn in order to correct the canted barrel which is way too common in Smiths. The gun had barely been shot but was 'out of time' so he corrected that too. I declined an action job so I could do it myself. I can work on Colt actions all day. What I seen inside the Smith, I did not like. After getting my 12lb+ DA (Lyman doesn't go past 12lb) pull down to a reasonable 9lb, I decided that the Smith action is NOT for me.
I disliked the action so much, that I opted for a 2.5" Python over a 2.5" 686 as my snub nose 357mag revolver.
It was a 686-1 made in the first year to come out with the 2.5" barrel. It was in excellent condition but just the gun. The BIN price was $950. Very tempting, but I just didn't want another S&W action. A sole bidder got it for the $849 starting bid.
I ended up waiting for the right Python to come up and snagged a '72 complete package in good condition for 3x the BIN price of the 686. That is how much I wanted a Colt V spring action instead of a Smith action.
Again, it is all who you ask.