S&W 686/ Colt Python

[smithra_66]

Modern Smith: Key lock. NOPE.
Modern Colt: Terrible SA trigger, terrible rear sight, ugly QR code on the frame, NOPE.

Old Smith: YES YES YES.
Old Colt: YES YES YES.

Gunbroker is your friend.

 

[Grayfox]

I keep hearing great things about the new Colts. I don't have one yet, but I'm pretty sure there's one in my future.

I love the 586/686 S&Ws and consider them to be the perfect .357 revolver. But, I won't own a newer one with the lock or MIM parts. Especially anything made in the last few years. S&W's QC has gone straight down the toilet. I've seen far too many problems reported on the new guns.
Older gun: absolutely. New gun: no way.

 

[Rodan]

I have always wanted a Python, but I preferred the S&W double action, and never convinced myself to pay the premium just to 'have' one. Now that I'm finally in a position to spend a little more for 'wants', the prices on the originals are crazy enough to keep me from buying one.

On three separate occasions, I've asked to see a new Python from the display case with the intent of buying it. Every time, when it's in my hands, I just can't go through with it. The QR code on the frame... the squared off trigger face, the rear sight I know will need replacing. And they just don't have that 'X factor' that the early Pythons do.

IMHO the new Pythons and Smiths are perfectly functional guns, each having some drawbacks. There are pluses and minuses for each.

If I were looking for quality and durability in a shooter, I would just buy a pre-lock 686. There are plenty of them out there, and as pre-lock Smiths go, they're reasonably priced.

 

[03hemi]

I've been considering the purchase of a new revolver in .357 magnum and am considering either one of the above.
I've not really seen or handled either model . I do like the S&W 357 series with the unfluted cylinder and a 5 inch barrel .
I see on Colts website that the Python can also be ordered with a 5 inch barrel and is available in a matte stainless finish which I would prefer over the bright stainless.
Also the matte finish on the Colt is a couple of hundred less than the polished stainless bringing the price to within about $425 of the S&W 686 ... no small difference.
As of right now I have no preference . I own both S&W as well as Colt firearms and like them both, but is the Colt Python really worth $400 plus more than the S&W 686 ?
The revolver would be used as a range gun on paper as well as steel targets and really nothing more.
So ...for those of you that have either or both of these models I would appreciate your input and your experience good or bad.

Absolutely, the new S&W are garbage.

 

[Dvus]

If you want a Smith, get a pre-lock 686, the older the better. And the "plus," if you can find a pre-lock, is indeed a plus. I've had 3 older Pythons and none performed as well as my no dash 686, so they didn't stick around. Just didn't live up to the hype or the inflated price tag. So if it's a new gun you want, go with the new Python, they seem to perform well at a better price point. But I will ALWAYS go for the old Smith first.

 

[chief38]

These days, the Python is the better choice hands down!!!! Very high quality, beautiful finish, excellent action and trigger. No I/L either! I have a M586 but it’s an older one from the early 80’s.

 

[ZGrand]

I have a 686-6 Plus Deluxe and two of the new Pythons -- one stainless and one blued. The Smith is beautifully finished, and shoots like a dream. Although it's my only S&W revolver with the lock, it doesn't bother me at all. The Pythons are both beautiful, and also shoot like a dream. I did replace the rear sights on both, not because the stock ones didn't function properly, just because I don't like the tiny set screw used for windage adjustment. I rate them all pretty much equal, though the Pythons are obviously more expensive.