Python Vs. Your Favorite S&W?

[rich5674]

I'll stick with Smith

I'll stick with my 686 Stocking Dealers Special. If I didn't have that it would be a 686 Silhouette with the adjustable front sight.

 

[BAM-BAM]

From an armorer's and a shooter's perspective, I'll have to agree in terms of the superiority of the S&W action design.

The Python is a beauty no doubt, until you remove the sideplate to attempt a repair. The original design of this Colt model is much more difficult to disassemble and re-assemble, and to repair in my opinion.....more difficult by far than any model S&W.

Another interesting thing to note is that Colt never offered an armorer's school as far as I know. Not sure how or if they trained people on specific gunsmithing techniques in terms of repair of these revolvers.

Saved me a lot of typing,

Colt use to have a number of official Service Centers scattered around the country with specially trained local gunsmiths... was one here in the Burg for decades....Pittsburgh Handgun Headquarters...... the gunsmith passed late 1990s IIRC ......the shop closed a few years later.

Give me S&W's double action any day of the week!! I don't shoot bullseye (single action) .....last time I shot single action was deer hunting in the 80s for the first shot.........

 

[Andyd]

Python Vs. Your Favorite S&W

The title, coupled with the fact that this is the S&W Forum, is obviously expecting answers to be going in one direction. I have owned and handled more Colts and S&W revolvers than most people and found more serious flaws in S&W revolvers, especially from the 1980s and 1990s, than among Colt Pythons and Rugers, such as barrel being over torqued, timing, yoke fit etc.

When you look at higher level competitions of past years, the Colt Python and S&W 14 had both been present at the big matches. That counts more than how many S&W's or lnib Colt Pythons slumber in the back of somebody's safe, or the general consensus of a forum dedicated to one brand.

My Python that I bought pre-owned in 1985 has been shot a lot and did not go out of time and is as accurate as my S&W 14-2. The Python was gifted to my son, the 14-2 is being shot rarely since both do not compare to a 1969 Korth or Mulhouse MR73.

To make things even more disturbing to all blindfolded fan boys of Colt, S&W, and Korths alike ( and it had surprised me and shaken my beliefs ), I had recently imported a Taurus 83 that was import-marked by Hämmerli in Tiengen that can just be described as smooth. The only revolver of recent manufacture that I can compare to it in smoothness and fit is a 4 inch Chapuis Arms Manurhin MR73.

 

[5-Shot]

Back in the 60's I bought my first 357, a 6 inch Python. We shot it regularly...mostly plinking at random targets at all sorts of ranges. Our group's shooting was invariable slow fire, off hand. In 1968 I stumbled across a K-38 and started shooting it too. It became clear, after a while, that no matter the load, I was more accurate with the Smith. After a lot of thought I concluded that the hammer fall on the K-38 was quicker so it shot closer to where I was aiming when the trigger released. Owning other Pythons over the years did nothing to change that conclusion.

Ed

 

[47knuckle]

I met a new member of our local gun club last week, he was shooting several handguns, one of which was a "new" python.

He shot my pre-27 while I shot his python.

I'm not selling my pre-27 or my 27-2; but I am now looking for a new python.

 

[Chief Wiggums]

nope....

I hate all snakes , except Pliskin

 

[BillBond]

Should have tried a set of Hogue grips like I did on my 4'' python made a world of difference.........................M*

For some reason I really dislike Hogue grips.

 

[JohnRippert]

Have no interest in Pythons really. Not to say I would not snag one if it was really lowballed in price. The only Colt revolvers I have are a .357 3rd gen SAA and a .38 Officers Target. Not a fan of the Colt revolver DA trigger pull.

 

[steelslaver]

Early on I bought a Colt New Service 45 ACP. I disassembled it several times to study it. The little leaf springs and the interactions of the parts convinced me that S&W had the superior design. I will not deny that Colts had a great blue job and looked good. I am sure they can be very accurate. If I found one reasonable I might buy it just to have some variety, but would never sell any of my better S&Ws to get one. I have a hard time believing Pythons are worth the price tag at this point.

 

[Old cop]

While I really like the aesthetics of a classic Python you just cannot beat a Model 19/66.

 

[cmansguns]

This "debate" is just like my wife's perennial flowers. It comes up every so often, at least once annually...on most all handgun forums. Even saw a thread about this same Colt vs Smith one time on the Garand forum.

Me? Owned both, shot both (not competitively), collected (accumulated) both, admired both. I do admit I personally gravitated more towards S&W as the shape of grips, balance for me and my hand/eye coordination felt better with S&W. That and the crazy prices (even years ago) for anything with the prancing pony on the side led to selling the Python, and Officers Model Match guns (.22 and .38), and many other Colts in my possession.

I do admit also that those sale dollars went a long way in acquiring some very fine condition S & W's, Model 27, Model 28, Model 29, Model 25.....really good shooters all. The only "comparison" I ever attended was a range session with a friend of mine...I had the Model 28, he had a Colt Trooper....both fine guns, he and I shot each others and I admit he did outshoot me, group size and calling point of aim....BUT he outshot me with BOTH guns....so no real gun comparison.

Enough for now......see you next year.....same place...same time.....same subject.

 

[Art Doc]

One thing you can count on in one of these debates is the S&W guys insisting the Smiths have a better trigger.

Oh, and "goes out of time" comment is also common. This is a 1909 Officers Model Target. Same internals as a Python. Has fired untold tens of thousands of rounds as a competition revolver. Still locks up perfectly. At some point an owner upgraded it with a heavy barrel that became available in 1935.

 

[Doug44]

Never had a Python in my hands. I like the S&W. If the Python sold for let's say around $800 like some of the smiths Colt could make enough of them. I would be standing in-line for one.

 

[Erocksmash]

Hmm I think it lies in the beholder... I love my 81 4in nickel Python and the DA pull on it is buttery smooth and rival's anything ive ever felt...

I run the S&Ws. Far far more than I ever would the snake...

 

[DRYHEAT]

The 8" snake is good friends with the 27-2

...even with more than twice the barrel length!

 

[diyj98]

I've owned several Pythons over the years. I believe S&W lockwork is stronger than the Python. The Pythons shot great, but I don't know if they really averaged any better than some of the 686's I've owned.

 

[Patrick L]

Although I never owned a Python, I do have an original Trooper . 357(not a Mk III) S I essentially have a poor man's Python.

After really thinking about it, I conclude that the Colt action is just not for me. I'm not saying not as good, I'm saying not for me. Forget the DA stacking, I'm talking the SA pull. I shoot almost exclusively NRA Bullseye with . 38 wadcutters, and the SA Colt pull is "snappier", even with identical pull weights. The S&W just sort of releases, the Colt "snaps" enough to cause me to pull shots. Thats jyst me, the Colt is a FINE revolver for sure. YMMV!

 

[Ed Fowler]

From an armorer's and a shooter's perspective, I'll have to agree in terms of the superiority of the S&W action design.

The Python is a beauty no doubt, until you remove the sideplate to attempt a repair. The original design of this Colt model is much more difficult to disassemble and re-assemble, and to repair in my opinion.....more difficult by far than any model S&W.

Another interesting thing to note is that Colt never offered an armorer's school as far as I know. Not sure how or if they trained people on specific gunsmithing techniques in terms of repair of these revolvers.

Way back in the 70's I attended the S&W armorers school, there was a man who visited us from the Colt armorers school, he said they learned all they needed in one day and the rest of the time they just sat around. He got to watch us work and appreciated the S&W.

I have only shot one Python that shot well and it was great, the rest I would have traded off immediately if I had owned them.

 

[shamrocker]

I have a late 70's python that my wife bought me for Christmas back then.
I don't know how she saved the money as we were beans and weenies and Mac and cheese kinda poor.
I have poured at least 10 thousand rounds through it and love it, and would never part with it due to its history......
however I almost never shoot it, my 27 and 65 are the ones that get shot.
not really sure why, I just enjoy the 27 more.

 

[ralph7]

One thing you can count on in one of these debates is the S&W guys insisting the Smiths have a better trigger.


]

The double action stacking in the Colts is the single biggest reason I prefer Smiths to Colts.
The stacking cancels out any smoothness the Python may have.
It feels like mush as opposed to a positive break. IMO