Python vs. M19,14, etc. for PPC

[phils]

I used a M19 6" blue for PPC years ago and most used that or a M14 or custom M10 from Ron Powers or other pistolsmiths.
We used 148gr. wc and 2.7 or 2.8 gr. Bullseye.

One of the guys shot a 6" blue Python which was prone to breakdowns. We teased him about his little brown leather bag he carried full of spare parts.
BTW the barrel on the Python miked .355".

 

[phils]

I used a M19 6" blue for PPC years ago and most used that or a M14 or custom M10 from Ron Powers or other pistolsmiths.
We used 148gr. wc and 2.7 or 2.8 gr. Bullseye.

One of the guys shot a 6" blue Python which was prone to breakdowns. We teased him about his little brown leather bag he carried full of spare parts.
BTW the barrel on the Python miked .355".

 

[danski]

Your experience, I think, is pretty much the story of the Python vs. the M-19 etc. Beautiful good, the Python, but no match when it comes to constant and fast double action shooting.

As to the Python barrel at .355, I believe that is normal. The Python shoots "harder" than the Smiths because the barrel is internally tapered down, squeezing the .358 or .357 bullets. I believe Smiths are pretty consistent at .358 from forcing cone to muzzle.

Danski

 

[lpd625]

I shot a Reeves Junkind Python for well over ten years as a very active PPC shooter and never had a single breakdown. I still have the Python and shoot it every once in awhile. It was made in 1960 and still going strong.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

I really really like my Pythons but find that after awhile they will start to go out of time. Usually it's not a problem as the cylinder has enough enertia to carry up to the cylinder locking notch but still it always bugged me.
It wasn't much of a problem when my gunsmith had the parts and knowledge to fix them.
Now that he is retired I got rid of most of them and only kept a few of which the ones I shoot are pretty much in time. I've not yet shot a S&W of any kind to the point where it was out of time. (I did buy a 629-4 Classic DX that was worn enough it needed a trip back to the mother ship)

 

[john traveler]

The classic Colt DA revolver was the sidearm of choice for the majority of police officers prior to WWII. It used the same DA internals since it's introduction in the 1890s.

Post WWII, that situation changed, probably from some half million or so Victory model .38 specials used by US Army, Navy, and Marine aviators, industrial plant security guards, and Government investigator types that experienced the rugggedness of the S&W K frame action.

As beautiful and as treasured as a Python is, an individual example that holds up to the extensive shooting of PPC competition is a rare bird indeed.