Python vs. Korth

[cowboy4evr]

Frank Glenn in the Phoenix valley still works on pythons . I have an Old Model Trooper . It's built on the same frame as a python and has the same internal mechanism , it lacks the ribbed / vented barrel and the lustrous finish . It was " like new " , no wear marks and I paid less than $500 . I have enjoyed shooting it and will continue so .
I see Manurhins coming up for sale on GB . My question is " how shot out is the barrel " ? If it's a law enforcement gun , some of those students shoot as much as 40,000 rounds in a years time for Norma full power 357 ammo . After 7-8 yrs of that much use , that comes to over 300,000 rounds . I have read that the throats are pretty well eroded degrading accuracy some . I have no personal knowledge , just sharing what I have read and was told by a previous Manurhin owner , for what it's worth . My 2nd question is ," who can shoot , consistently that accurately --- 1" @ 25 meters (approximately 28 yds) " ? I can't , so an expensive revolver would not make the difference for me ! Regards, Paul

 

[cowboy4evr]

If you just want an expensive revolver and can afford it , then more power to you . I personally would not get pleasure out of owning such an expensive firearm . My Smiths / Rugers / Colt (1) do all I am capable of shooting . Regards, Paul

 

[typetwelve]

If you just want an expensive revolver and can afford it , then more power to you . I personally would not get pleasure out of owning such an expensive firearm . My Smiths / Rugers / Colt (1) do all I am capable of shooting . Regards, Paul

I agree.

It's a personal choice with no right/wrong to it, but I couldn't allow myself to shoot something like that. If I dropped huge $$ on an old Colt revolver, I just couldn't bring myself to shoot it...and that sucks.

I shoot the snot out of my firearms, all of them...well, most of them, I despise shotguns. If I can't shoot it, I won't buy it.

 

[Andyd]

I haven't shot a Python in over 20 years...but I'll never forget how stunning their royal-blue finish could be. I'll also never forget my father complaining about how finicky they could be (and yes, he owned many of them including pythons, king cobras, anacondas, troopers, etc).

...but...

From my 10,000 ft view, I don't know why anyone outside of a collector would get an old Colt revolver unless it was to look at the thing in a safe. By what I understand, you cannot get them repaired.

IF I had the $$ and IF I was going to get a really nice high end revolver, I'd want one I could shoot and I just couldn't let myself shoot a Python all that often. I'd feel guilty shooting it.

I bought my first Python pre-owned but obviously unfired in 1985 and the gun went through about 10,000 to 12,000 rounds of mostly .38 Special target loads. It wasn't bought as a collector's item, neither were my Korths, or MR 73s.

It is an honest post of Cowboy4ever that he can't shoot a 1" group at 25 meters, neither can I, otherwise the U.S. olympic shooting team would not do poorly in recent events because of the lack of talent.

 

[Jebus35745]

Gonna be in the Korth club again, should be here next week. Been watching for a while, just a matter of time. Chose the early one in .22 made about 1971. Really like the cylinder release by the hammer and the trigger on bearings. Will enjoy the many hours workmanship as I shoot it. Larry

 

[Andyd]

Larry,

I am looking forward to your range report when the Korth arrives. Sounds like a 26 series with the slanted ejector rod shroud. My favorite full size centerfire revolver is a 26 series .357 Magnum 5 shot revolver.

 

[sodacan]

A Colt revolver that flies under the radar is the model 357. This gun was the immediate progenitor of the Python. It was Colt's top of the line revolver having the same mechanics and clockwork that would become the guts of the Python. This model is far rarer having a production run of around 15K versus about 600K for the Python. Here is a very early one I bought earlier this year. It checks off all of the boxes for the earliest most unique of this model including the Duo-tone finish, polished, unblued muzzle, target hammer and stocks, and the rounded end sight leaf. It does resemble an early Trooper model, but it is a much nicer gun. Purchase price: $900.00 from an online auction. Is it as pretty as a Python? Not even close, but the early Korth revolvers look like Rohms. Yes, I do shoot it.

 

[Johnnu2]

Korth v. Python

I had an early 70's mint Python, 6" in the orig box with papers. Seldom shot it because it was too pretty )). As soon as the prices started to skyrocket, I sold it for $2300. My daily shooting is done with a 686 or a Ruger Blackhawk. I did keep my Trooper 4" just because it's pretty... I really have no opinion, just wanted to show off my Trooper

 

[Skeet 028]

Have owned 2 Korth revolvers and many Pythons. Colts are pretty Korths are works of art that shoot and are what the Python wishes it could be. In my somewhat jaded view the Python is a 900 dollar revolver that sells for so much more. I traded one Korth to a guy that had a lot of money for a Kreighoff K-80 (replacement cost today of approx 30 grand) cause he wanted what he considered the best revolver made. Dieter Kreighoff told him about the Korths. At the time I didn't appreciate handguns as much as I do today. so most of the great stuff I have had is sadly gone. As far as Pythons...if I had a frame I could build one with a few of the parts I have. (anybody need a Large amount of Colt parts?) As far as a shooter I'd rather have a reasonably priced S&W 27 in 4 inch as I don't have a 4 inch. I looked at the Colts and the Korth revolvers as just another profit when I sold 'em. I do wish I had kept one of the Korth's though. Heck turned down a 4 screw M-27 yesterday cause it had the long barrel... for under 700 bucks. I am too cheap and old to buy the real expensive guns now

 

[Stentor]

Gonna be in the Korth club again, should be here next week. Been watching for a while, just a matter of time. Chose the early one in .22 made about 1971. Really like the cylinder release by the hammer and the trigger on bearings. Will enjoy the many hours workmanship as I shoot it. Larry

If you purchased that on GB, I believe I saw it (was watching auction)--looked very nice. Congratulations on the pick-up.

 

[Jebus35745]

Stentor, that's the one, ended Sunday nite. It's a half lug that are in the $3500 range and I believe I got it for a lesser decent price. Don't want to say where I got it so I don't get dinged. Appears to be a nice gun. If I was gonna get one in .357, would buy one in the same era. Not knocking the Mongoose, but would want the earlier model for about the same price. Come On Tuesday, can't wait. Larry

 

[hardluk1]

Go buy a new DW 715 or a nice used 15-2 . It will out shoot a python.

Mines a '76 15-2 and wears mostly an 8"barrel and standard shroud but I have a 4" set too . Its always been able to place 6 rounds in a 4" groups with a long time 170gr sp hunting load or a tinny bit less years ago assuming I can . I also use an equally as old Buehler 1" no drill scope mount but I have a 2moa ultra dot on it now .

 

[Qc Pistolero]

A few years ago I lucked in a 1956 Python for $600.Of course,it went home(after a few circumvolutions with these stupid canadian gunlaws!).Last year,a collector friend of mine who had buggered me for a few years offered me a 1975 unfired Python for trade for my 1956.The poor guy seemed suicidal upon the deal so I accepted.1956 vs 1975;same smoothness.
Now to answer your quizz question,I've never fired a Korth:which one would I buy?Well,I guess the german gun must/ought to be a nice piece of machinery but for the price they go for,I'll stick with my $600 Python.And if I had have to pay $3000 like the Python go for up here(Canada),I'd very much be happy with my old 586.
SA,the Python wins it by a small margin but DA,my 586 will blow it away like a Corvette blows the doors off a Lada by overtaking it on a racetrack!

 

[JohnRippert]

Rather have S&W's than either Korth or Pythons, monetary worth or not.

 

[Terry Two Shanks]

Korth or Python? Having owned both I would go with Korth. I have a strong like for Pythons but a Korth is really nice. Ratzburg or Lollar makes no difference here they are both nice. I currently have a couple of MR73 Manurhin. Also a very fine revolver but if you want a Korth go for it.