New Python vs. 1985 28-3 Highway Patrolman

[Laketime]

I would pick the Python over the 28. My first Smith & Wesson was exactly your model that I bought new in 1985. and had a six inch model 28 and a six inch 28-2.There is a surprisenly strong interest today in these guns.During the late 1970's through the 1990's they sat and accumulated dust in gun shops.The Python has and always will be in demand wether new or original.Other than a few rare cases , the 28 was purchased as an affordable second choice to the model 27.

 

[rockquarry]

The new Python is touted as being a very strong and reliable revolver. The old Pythons were very accurate revolvers but were subject to going out of time. I know because I had a stainless 6" Python several years ago that was sent back to the Colt factory to have the timing issue addressed and also an action job from the Colt Custom Shop. After it was returned, I shot approximately 150 rounds of factory .357 ammo and it went out of time again. And this was shooting it at a moderate pace, both in single and double action; no trying to mimic the great Jerry Miculek. I have several shooting friends who have experienced the same timing problems with their guns. Hopefully your new Python won't have the same issue or any other issues. I have read articles in the past where the old Python shot thousands of rounds of .357 without any timing problems. I just don't believe that. I would take a clean Model 28 all day long over a Python. I have had several Model 28's over the years with zero issues of timing problems or any other problems whatsoever, and this after thousands of rounds of .357 were shot thru them. I hope that you have zero issues with your new Python and enjoy shooting it for a very long time. I'm just an old fool who is stuck in the past and believes the older a handgun is, the better. This was not meant to be a Python bashing post and I hope it was not taken that way. Just my personal opinion.

I've fired both of my 1970s Pythons considerably with cast bullet handloads (.38 Special and .357 Magnum, though far more .38s) for many years and have never had a problem. However, I shoot Bullseye style using single-action. I don't recall ever firing either gun double-action. Most of my revolvers are fired in this manner and they seem to work well even after decades of use.

 

[cowboy4evr]

In my Old Model Colt trooper , which is built on the same frame and has the same internals as a Python . It lacks the vented ribbed barrel and lustrous finish . I only shoot 357 magnum loads in it . After all this time and countless 357 rounds it is still in perfect time and functions perfectly in single and double action . Regards Paul

 

[03hemi]

In addition to my vintage Pythons, I have and appreciate my 4" 2021 Python and 4" 28-2. Fit and finish are nice on both, but tolerances on the new Python seem much tighter; although my 28-2 is over 40 years old, it hasn't seen much more use than my 6 month old Python.

If I had to choose one to CCW or carry on duty, I'd go with the Python merely because it's smaller - I frame v. N frame. I haven't done a side by side shootout, but knowing my abilities, any differences in accuracy would likely be negligible.

Hey CH4,
What gator boots are those?
They look to be belly cut, as you know it's almost impossible to find gators in a natural color.

 

[dave1918a2]

Had a Python or 3 when I first started doing gunshows around 75. These were early pythons and I had a diamond back 22 also. Had a model 27 3.5 inch and a 8 3/8 model 17. I could shoot the Smiths just fine, but the grip angle of the pythons and the diamond back were just wrong for Me. I think I paid $205 for the 27, 175 for the diamond back and $210 for the python. Sold them all for a profit as I was getting into IPSC and needed the other Colt. Had several more Smiths on and off, no more pythons or diamond backs. Lots of 1911's tho.

 

[41 Charlie]

I too have a deep attraction for the S&W 28 Highway Patrolman!