S&W 586/686 Versus Python

[66snub]

I've said it before, but in my opinion, the Python looks rather cartoon-ish. The vented rib, the exaggerated thumb spur of the hammer, the bisley-eque grips.

As far as the function, I have a close friend who owns a Python, and he has had more than one issue with it. It seems to have a problem with timing and the mainspring isn't as long-lived as a Smith.

Now, the Smith L frame, in my opinion, is a much more handsome piece. It is the model of doing more with less. Everything you need, with nothing you don't. No special ribs, beveled-off cylinders, oddly shaped grips, excessive hammer spurs. I don't believe that the Smiths require an action job, per se. Just shooting it smooths it out (no one will be afraid to shoot a $600-ish gun). My 686+ was extremely crisp and smooth. I didn't have a ton of rounds through it. Besides, who wants to shoot/carry a $2700 handgun? I'd be afraid to even handle it just standing at the safe door for fear of dropping/scratching/smudging it.

As an aside, I speak of my 686+ in past tense because I traded it for a M19-3 with a 4" in nickel. Someday I'll replace it with a 586/686 with a 6" barrel. What can I say, I have a sickness for K frames...

 

[S&W357]

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?

That's so funny- I saw that post also and went on line to see
if i should send my SW rev. to have it customized. I don't own
any Colt Rev. I really like my SW 686 -I own 3 of them. They shoot great. I don't know if having the trigger work done is a good think. Having the trigger pull lighten is not safe --For me----
PS -every gun i have sold--i'm sorry i did that!!!!

 

[bmcgilvray]

Pythons are over-styled and vastly overrated. Of the E and I frame Colts kept around here, the Python isn't even near the top for smoothness of action and its action is typical of garden variety factory Pythons. No better or no worse.

This 1978 Python isn't as fine as this 1953 3 5 7.


The 1925 .41 Army Special (second from top) beats all the other Colt E and I frame revolvers and the 1957 Officers Model Match at bottom is also ahead of the Python for fineness of action. The plebeian 1953 Official Police (second from bottom) is fully equal to a Python.


The Colt double-action trigger characteristics are "nothing to write home about" to a finger so programed to a fine Smith & Wesson double-action pull. The .41 Long Colt chambered Army Special here gives the best Colt double-action performance in the Colt stable.

I will say that I wholly dislike the full underlug barrel on both Pythons and L-Frame Smith & Wessons.

The Colts "unbuttoned." The only difference in E-Frame Colts and I-Frame Colts is the firing pin is on the hammer nose on the E-Frame models but is frame-mounted on I-Frame models.

 

[MikeyB]

Back in 1980 I bought my Dad a 6" blued Python and had Reeves Jungkind tune it. It's a wonderful shooter but it's more of a safe queen. Don't even remember when the last time it was shot.

 

[Harry_Callahan]

I'm looking for a Python here in Italy, the lowest price I've seen so far is 1400$ about 1000€

There is a gunshop that has one and if it's still around next month I'll grab it

but how many of you would shoot some Full Magnums in a Python?

Last saturday I tried my 686 with some 110 grain FMJ with 22 grains of H110.
Would you try that load in a Python?

 

[big&slow]

Smith vs Colt. Warning. Controversial

Take a read of Chuck Hawks opinion. Warning! This is a controversial diatribe from a well known gun writer who obviously has issues with Smith and Wesson. I have no dog in this hunt.
I apologize in advance if this stirs the pot.

The Dark Side of Smith & Wesson

 

[arjay]

Blonde or brunette?
This pic needs a combat magnum.

 

[gmiller0737]

I have a 2.5 Inch 686 as well as a Stainless Python in 4" the Python has a Much smoother DA Trigger & the DA Pull is considerably lighter,Both guns are in Stock Factory Condition with no Trigger work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Warren Sear]

Take a read of Chuck Hawks opinion. Warning! This is a controversial diatribe from a well known gun writer who obviously has issues with Smith and Wesson. I have no dog in this hunt.
I apologize in advance if this stirs the pot.

The Dark Side of Smith & Wesson

Hahahhahahahaaaa!!!!! Somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning!

 

[Warren Sear]

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

As in every business decision of that type, Colt stopped making the Python because it became unprofitable. It would seem the time is nigh to re-think that decision.

The 686 and 586 have absolutely nothing in common with the Python, other than visual similarity where S&W copied the Python "look" with apparent great success.

From the day I got it until I sold it, I always wanted to cut the barrel lug off my Python, but it would still have the stupid ventilated rib, so why bother?

Has S&W manufactured any L framed guns without the lug?

I do like the beveled face on the front of the Python's cylinder. It allows smoother re-holstering.

 

[DDDWho]

The desirability of most things not made any more goes up as the "haves" praise it to agitate the "have nots". Pre Locks, walnut stocks, machined steel receivers and trigger groups, Pythons, in the world of guns the list is endless.
I like my 686, it oooozes quality, cocking the hammer sounds like music, they still make um. I accept what is available to me at a price I can afford and continue on with my life seldom looking back.

 

[arjay]

I suspect a lot,if not most,python holders that never shoot them are aging baby boomers that couldn't justify buying them when we were young ( mortgages,babies,etc) and now that we have them,that urge to shoot every gun we touch,has passed.

 

[Warren Sear]

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............

About the same time (1981) as I bought my new Python for $440, my sister bought a house for about $40,000. What do you suppose that house is worth today?

Almost anyone could arrange the funds to buy a Python if they wanted to badly enough. They aren't that hard to find for under $2000. Once you scratch that itch, you too will probably wonder what all the hype was about. That's OK, because you should be able to quickly re-sell at at a profit (for now, anyway...)

Better yet, just get one of the Colt Army Special, Official Police or 3 5 7 revolvers mentioned above.

I like Colt revolvers, including the Python, but I hate Bull Squeezin's.

 

[Warren Sear]

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.

Ri-i-i-i-i-i-i-iht...

 

[kaaskop49]

attn thomasinaz

Tom, you said that better than I ever could! Heaven knows I tried above. Got a great Python story, but it's not for now.

Stay safe, partner.

Alan (Kaaskop49
Shield# 5103)

 

[wproct]

I have always thought that the Python was the best looking double action revolver ever, and have always had the desire to own one. However, I just never did pull the trigger on one before the prices just started going crazy. I have always owned a 586 or 686 and am totally content.

 

[spad124]

I bought my first handgun about 1986. At the time I had several LEO friends and they helped me quite a bit regarding selecting my first revolver. At the time the 686 was known as the poor man's Python. Also, at that time the $150 difference between the 686 and Python was a substantial amount for those of us on limited budgets or with new families. So I chose the 686. Never regretted the choice, never looked back. Now I have 5 S&W revolvers, including a 686 I bought in 1988

 

[00Buck2]

I don't shoot either one of these but I would have to agree that for appearance the python wins.

Oh I forgot the thread was about 586/686 vs the python so I had to add a photo of a 586 & 686. The 686 is a great shooter.

 

[Cleandean]

I don't have a 586,or 686. Although I have shot them , some years ago.
My python has not been shot for at least 14 years. But I can honestly say that ...my python, and a friend's Boa , were the revolvers that would shoot a x ring in the bullseye on the first shot... cold bore shot.
This happened very often, in my , good earlier years and with my sharper younger eyes. my 30's.

 

[model70hunter]

I have a tuned 6" Python. It is smooth and accurate. I bought it before the prices climbed the stairway to heaven. I have owned 4 Python's. All were made in the 60's and great. I carried a 4" when a LEO.

I still carry and shoot my 6". My Late father had an early 586. I shot it a lot, when Dad passed my brother asked for it. It was basically as accurate as a Python and I did like the 586. My lucky brother bought another 4" Nickel 586 no dash with the M stamp recently for just under $300 and won't sell it.

I've been looking for a 4 or 6" 586 but they too they have turned very expensive. If I find one and like it I probably will sell the Python. But would not trade the Python for an unknown 586 and cash.

I have owned a 6" SW 19-2 that had an action job, it was the equal of the Python for accuracy and every bit as smooth. Sold it due to having other 6" 357's.

For 1 year I owned a 98% Colt 3-5-7. It was a Python with out the trim. It was a very nice gun. The original owner wanted it back and offered me twice what I had paid him.

The Python was originally set up to be a target gun in 38 Special. That is why it had the rib and under lug. Colt brought it out in 357 Mag. Maybe because they had a set up for 3-5-7 cylinders....

This is the old which is best, Ford or Chevy. Both S&W and Colt have great positives. The big difference is, except for the SAA, Colt revolvers are like extinct orphans and collectors love them.

I love both too, but I now have 8 or 10 S&W's and 1 Python. I enjoy what each brings to the range or hunting fields.