S&W 586/686 Versus Python

[mjolnir2]

I just read a thread regarding tuning up a 586 and one poster stated "Get that crown jewel S&W custom revolver for less total cost than a python, and then show those "devout" Colt followers what accuracy and precision looks like."

So… how many forum members have a Python curled up inside the safe?

Back in the 1980's when my father in law bought his first S&W 586, I wanted something different and paid $100 more for the Python ($475). Yes, we know about the current price craziness of the Python and investment angle, but how do they really compare out of the box? What did you get for the extra $100?

My impression/thoughts… I know you guys are not going to like this… but the action of the Python was better than the period S&W 586. My father in law had to send his 586 out for a $125 action job before it was on par with the Python. Fit on the 586 was on par with the Python; however, the finish (i.e., bluing) on the Python was so so well done it appeared black.

What say ye forum members?

 

[AimHigher]

I continue to kick myself in the arse for not buying a Python back in the day. There was nothing like the late 60's, early 70's "Snakes". Maybe the best production handgun in the world. I keep hoping I will run into a unique situation and will be able to get one without cringing at the inflated price tag.

 

[kaaskop49]

Saw a 6" NIB Royal Blue Python for sale at a Vegas show today. I asked the owner how much, he replied "There's no point in asking." Strange. He finally let on in a roundabout way that he wanted $2700.

Problem with the Python is that it is essentially out-of-print and parts and competent smiths to handle it are becoming hard to come by. Don "Ted" Tedford of Colt's and his screwdriver are long gone, I understand. Does anyone else remember him?

Smith parts are still available and the 686, albeit in a modified form, is still made. Shooting it in a regular manner is practical, as it can be serviced. Also, for many, the Colt grip is a smidge larger than the K/L grip, forcing us to grip it slightly to one side. A minor point, perhaps, but it does not feel as comfy as the SB K/L.

 

[arjay]

Well,my python is a prettier gun than my 586 ( both are 99%) and the python has a smoother action.The 586 is an accurate gun,but I just don't have the heart to dirty up that 45 year old Colt :-D

 

[perrazi]

pythons are better then the l frames in fit, finish, and in my opinion, accuracy. of course they used to cost about twice what the l frames did too. yes, I do know who ted tedford is. I own a python tuned by him. colt gunsmiths are available, just not everywhere like the smith guys are.

 

[Warren Sear]

I bought a new Python in 1981 for $440. It was nice, but they have to be the most over-rated gun in history. They are not exceptionally accurate; no more so than most, but certainly not inaccurate. The full lug, ventilated rib barrel looks ridiculous (my opinion) and I was so surprised that S&W copied that look for their L frame guns (I never have owned an L framed gun for that reason).

If the shiny blue is what really gives you a chubby, then, yes, the Python has "bling" going for it, but "pretty is as pretty does". And yes, Pythons do have a very nice, smooth trigger right from the factory.

After my father died I inherited his Model 28-2. A while after that I sold my Python and have never regretted it. I still have the M 28, along with more N, L, and J frame revolvers.

Incidentally, the Colt Army Special (I have one of these, also inherited from my dad), the Official Police (same gun, different name), the 3 5 7 (same gun, but with adjustable sights), and some other Colts share the Python frame, yet no one rants and raves about these. Minus the dude finish and pimp barrel, and adjustable sights (on some models) these are the same gun as the Python. There is just nothing about the Python that warrants its fame, except "they aren't making them any more". Of course, the same thing would be said about the other Colts I mentioned. I don't get it.

Just my opinion, for what it is worth.

 

[Warren Sear]

I actually like my Colt Army Special (D.o.B. is 1927) better than I did my Python exactly BECAUSE it does not have the pimped-out look of the Python. This is what a man's gun should look like:

 

[lhump1961]

I had a LNIB 6" blue Python for a while...let it go. Yes, excellent action and beautiful gun overall, but while the action was smooth it did stack a bit and the reach to the trigger was too long to be comfortable for me. I only shot it once...shot fine but I enjoy my 586's more. I just can't own and shoot guns that cost that much.

I traded the Python for a 3" 66 (before they got expensive) plus some cash...turned the extra cash into another gun. I don't miss the Python...it was really only good for looking at.

 

[DR505]

I've never been a fan of Colt revolvers, and the Python never did look that good to me. Nice bluing, but the vent rib and full underlug, with a teeny .357" hole, looked a bit over done to me. They shoot nice, but they are not worth the $$$. I'll take a Registered Magnum, Pre-27, or Model 27 over a snake any day. But that is me.

 

[Rpg]

A python from the '70s and earlier is a wonderful revolver, far better than a S&W

Tuning a S&W to Colt standards of that age required more money and luck in finding a good gunsmith than buying a factory Python

No S & W came close to the Pythons.

 

[wildenout]

Why exactly did they stop making them? And I once heard that the 686 and 586 were based on the Python.

 

[jaymoore]

Of the four or five Pythons I've had (only two right now) none had as good a DA pull as your average S&W. Ejector stroke is shorter than any S&W with a barrel 3" or longer, so it's easier to foul up a quick reload. The Colt Accro sights aren't as good as the S&W's but the Elliason sight is excellent. That's providing the roll pin on either Colt rear sight doesn't fail. Single action pulls aren't too different. Can't load Keith type bullets as far out in the Colt, so some downloading is required. Cylinder throat diameter consistency is about the same, tending larger in the Pythons.

Have found that the Colt's shoot with fairly consistant accuracy in my small sampling over the years, but I've some S&Ws that are far better! (That's at 25 to 100yards.)

Did swap two S&Ws for one 6" Python recently, but only because the two Smiths weren't up to expectations. (One of 'em, a 629 PC, just because it looked "funny" and felt nose light!) Quite frankly, the "new" late 1970ish Python isn't all that exciting, either. The 4" stainless Colt has been the most satisfying of the lot, but it needed a fair amount of internal massaging to make it so.

Heck, this old Army Special 32-20 has a far better action than any Python I've ever hefted!:

And the factory Colt Grips on the Python? Wretched! But that's too subjective to get all wound up about:

Generally, I'd rather have a 586 or 686. The Colts linger about mostly as reminders of that opinion.

 

[arjay]

The 586 was a less expensive copy of the Python.The latter required more hand fitting and a higher level of skill to produce and just became too expensive.

 

[WR Moore]

Not to mention that the S&W will still be working long after the Python. The action was designed by Rube Goldberg and it needs attention far more frequently than the Smith.

Depends upon what you want: an investment or a shooter?

 

[Engineer1911]

I bought a Python 38 Spl Target revolver in 1987 from a LGS. One customer had brought in 30 guns because of a divorce settlement, angry ex-wife to be, and a poor choice for a lawyer. I paid $400 for a gun that shot off the paper at 25 yards. The barrel rib did not line up with the top strap. Contacted Colt, sent it in, came back with a factory letter saying it was in spec .

Gun went to Ahlman's in Morris, MN for repair, fitted with a 357 mag cylinder, and now shot to point of aim with rear sight centered. Average trigger at best, in fact my old Ruger Security Six had a better DA and SA trigger pull. The blueing was exceptional compared to M586 at the time, but not much better than a M27 of the day. The Python went to the first Colt collector I met with more money than what I had in it. He was not nearly as happy as I was .

The Python was grossly over-rated in my opinion. I had two Trooper Mk IIIs (very different actions) that held their own against that Python. Python blue is just cosmetics, just like the painted lady -- price to be determined. Ultimately the market place determined the real value. Colt Pythons are gone, and S&W is still in production.

Colt Python, Corvette StingRay, Hemi Cuda, Camaro SS 396 are collector pieces not every day working models. I want a car / truck I can drive and a gun I can shoot. I have three Gold Cups and a Government model all bought because the price was right -- not because they say COLT with a pony on the slide.

 

[thomasinaz]

Having learned double action shooting on the S&W trigger in the Air Force, I could never learn to like the Colt trigger. I owned a 6" stainless Python and a really nice 2 1/2" 357 in the mid 90s, but sold them because of the different trigger feel. The Python trigger was smooth and light, but just never felt right. The 357 trigger was a heavier version of the Python. Something about the angle of my grip in relation to the trigger pull just didn't work for good double action shooting. So I sold both and kept happily buying and shooting Smiths.

 

[chief38]

In 1983 I walked into Charles Greenblatt's Gun Store in Commack, Long Island to but a new 6" Python. The sales person was Louie Greenblatt himself and when he showed me one and told me the price was $475 my stomach was churning! I was about to do an about face and leave, but I guess Louie realized the Pythons was out of my league at the time so he said in his grumbly voice - "wait here kid I want to show you something".

Louie brought me out a 6" Smith & Wesson Model 586 which was relatively new at the time and the designers must have been going after the Python market judging from the full underlug Python barrel it has. He told me he would sell me the gun for $265 and throw in a pistol rug too. I noticed that the action was VERY smooth, crisp, and was almost as good as the Python's. The Target grips had just enough character to grab my eyes attention and within 2 minutes the gun was being processed and on paper.

Well that's my Python story, but NOW I wished I had coughed up enough coin to buy the Python - UNDER $500 BUCKS, can you imagine?!! I still have my M586 and the action is as smooth as silk and still performs 100%. I have shot 10's of thousands of rounds through it and it is still in perfect time, still looks great, and I have never regretted buy it, but what I do regret is NOT buying a Python.

Each time I look at them the prices jump another few hundred bucks and I always wonder if & when the Python bubble will burst.

One of these days............

 

[357Ruger]

I only have one Colt left in my collection. I wouldn't trade any of my 586/686s or Sec Six/GPs for a Python. Nothing against those that enjoy the Snake but I prefer more robust working guns.

My Colt had to be sent back because the bore was drilled at an angle. Something you could see with your eye and it shot terrible. This was an 80s gun and it shot fine when I got it back but nothing to write home about.

 

[Rick_A]

The cylinder release always seemed counter intuitive to me, and when I was first shopping for revolvers in the late 1990's the Colts were notorious for Q.C. issues.

I'm afraid this is as close to a Python as I was willing to get:

I've had great luck with S&W, though they became very unpopular for a time right after I purchased the first two, with the whole Clinton debacle.

I've always preferred the N frames and never warmed up to the K and especially L frames myself.

Of course, once anything becomes unavailable, they are more sought after. I have no interest in collectibles myself. If the Colt trigger was so superior they'd have been sought after in competition circles as well. To my understanding they were often not used as many felt the lockwork was too delicate for hard use.

 

[Rick_A]

In 1983 I walked into Charles Greenblatt's Gun Store in Commack, Long Island to but a new 6" Python. The sales person was Louie Greenblatt himself and when he showed me one and told me the price was $475 my stomach was churning! I was about to do an about face and leave, but I guess Louie realized the Pythons was out of my league at the time so he said in his grumbly voice - "wait here kid I want to show you something".

Louie brought me out a 6" Smith & Wesson Model 586 which was relatively new at the time and the designers must have been going after the Python market judging from the full underlug Python barrel it has. He told me he would sell me the gun for $265 and throw in a pistol rug too. I noticed that the action was VERY smooth, crisp, and was almost as good as the Python's. The Target grips had just enough character to grab my eyes attention and within 2 minutes the gun was being processed and on paper.

Well that's my Python story, but NOW I wished I had coughed up enough coin to buy the Python - UNDER $500 BUCKS, can you imagine?!! I still have my M586 and the action is as smooth as silk and still performs 100%. I have shot 10's of thousands of rounds through it and it is still in perfect time, still looks great, and I have never regretted buy it, but what I do regret is NOT buying a Python.

Each time I look at them the prices jump another few hundred bucks and I always wonder if & when the Python bubble will burst.

One of these days............

Technically, factoring inflation into the equation, Python prices have remained steady, not risen.