S&W Model 27 or Colt Python?

[Not....Simple]

Well do you want a cylinder that rotates to the right or to the left.

Big Snakes are pretty but ............Since Colt "Went out of Business" the prices are through the roof on anything in a Colt box. My first legal gun was a 5" Model 27. I love that gun. And have you ever compared a 5" Model 27 to a 4" model 19? They are like the big and little brothers. Frankly the N frame is better suited to the energy generated in a .357 Magnum cartridge. Now don't get me wrong you can shoot any gun to pieces if you feed it a steady diet of hard pounding full power magnum ammo. But I think as a shooter the 5" Model 27 is the best in balance and feel in the hand. ( But I have large lunch hooks.) From a repair parts situation I think most will agree that the company who stayed in business will be better able to provide you with repair parts if needed.

And here is the most compeling reason to buy the Model 27 over the "Constrictor."

During World War II General George S. Patton Jr. carried two pistols. One was his engraved Single Action Army Colt which he carried most of the time. The other was a Pre Model 27 3 1/2" given to him by the factory. That gun is on display at the Patton Armored Museum at Fort Knox, with the Ivory (Not Pearl) grips with G.S.P. carved in them.

 

[BubbaBlades]

You could go with a Smython and have the best of both worlds. A like new $100 6" Python was my first centerfire handgun also (1965). It was my PD duty gun for several years until I replaced it with an S&W M66. Both guns fired thousands of rounds without any problems.

I now have 3 Colt Pythons in addition to the 2 Smythons plus a S&W M27 & M28. All of these guns shoot very well and have been totally problem free. If you know someone that has one or more of these guns, I recommend trying each of the guns that you are considering (in as many barrel lengths as possible) and choosing the one that feels best and shoots best for you.

Mark

 

[Ballarat]

Bounty hunter in my opinion is right. the 27 and for my purpose in 5 inch is superb. Colt is pretty but I prefer the 27 in double action shooting. Just my preference, we are all different, but I think the S&W double action still has it over the Colt. The S&W for me just handles better. Points better. At the end of the day its what you are comfortable with. Its your choice at the end of the day.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I answered your same question on the other post on 1980 and newer. I think it comes down to do you want a humvee or a cadillac? Here are my two. (or rather, three)

Ferrilmiller, I'm sick and tired of you showing tha same old pic. of that shiney Python and Alphoso rig! If you can't come up with something new... Wait!! you want the truth?! I'm jealous! Really, really jealous!! Stop rubbin' it in, will ya'?!

 

[stromdog]

Thanks once again...

Boy, talk about food for thought. This has been fun, not to mention highly educational.

I have a Colt Diamondback in .38 special--advertised as unfired, when purchased--which is a real hoot to shoot. The gun store clerk was a bit distressed when I told him I wasn't going to set it on a velvet cushion and nestle it back deep in the safe, but I told him I was too poor not to shoot all of my guns. The logic may have escaped him, but not me, and ultimately that's all that counts, right?

 

[stromdog]

Are you buying to shoot or collect? If it's a shooter, go buy the 27. As a collector's piece the Python probably is a better buy.

I own a 27-3 with a four inch barrel and it's one of my favorites. I love the balance of the gun and it is accurate as any gun I own. It also handles heavy magnum loads with aplomb. Obviously, it is no safe queen. I'm confident that if it ever needs service I can send it to Smith and have it repaired as good as new.

I've had the opportunity to fire a Python. I was a little disappointed with the way it handled, to be honest. In my opinion, the Python double action trigger is not as good as a Smith. It certainly is different, with this weird stacking (increase in resistance) at the end of the pull. I very much prefer the Smith trigger but, I suppose, it's all a matter of taste.

If you're buying to shoot it, keep in mind that the gun hasn't been made in several years, and that means parts and knowledgeable gunsmiths are a diminishing quantity.

Now, as a collector, I've noticed that Pythons command significantly higher prices than 27s. My guess is that they'll continue to do so and will appreciate at a faster pace than 27s over time.

So, it's a question of choice. Do you want a shooter or a safe queen?

I want a shooter, something that can ride my hip in the woods.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

Either the 27 or the Python can be a really nice revolver.
If you find a shooter grade Python there is a very good chance is has been used enough to be out of time to some degree. That issue isn't likely to be seen on a 27.
The second stage of the hand in a Python presses against the ratchet as the gun is being fired, it actually holds the cylinder snug against the cylinder locking notch. That's why they seem so tight when fit up right and then a little bit more loose after some use. To avoid this, keep the ratchet and hand well lubed. Any end play accelerates this wear.
For a carry gun, I'd probably go with a 686 or 586 but that's not one of the choices.
I think I'd go with the N frame.

 

[buckeyeshooter1]

I would pick a 27 over a python every day.

 

[Waldo]

This is a hard question. I prefer S&Ws over Colts. So I already had a Model 27. But I liked the look of a Python,just never had both the money and desire to buy one at the same time. But always though it would be nice to have a Python. So I got one a couple of years ago. I am glad I did. I like both the S&W and the Colt. I think it is very subjective which one feels better to shoot. So I say buy both. Look for a good deal, and buy whichever you see first. Then you can make your own decision on which you like better.

 

[manderson]

It's amazing how much difference one inch can make. I've always preferred six inch revolvers at the range; then I picked up a five inch 27-2 about a year ago. The balance and feel of the five inch revolver is much better for me.

As a shooter, I'd also have to chime in with the possibility of a Smith 586 or 686.

I wonder how much trouble it will be having a Colt revolver serviced ten years down the road. I've heard Pittsburgh Handgun Headquarters has gone out of business. And I worry that Colt will lose the expertise and possibly stop supporting the revolvers altogether at some point. Right now, I wouldn't know where to go for authorized Colt service other than the factory.

 

[Crazy K38]

go with the smith it will cost less and it is dependable as hell

 

[bountyhunter]

You could go with a Smython and have the best of both worlds.

If only I could find one out here in Kali.

 

[kennyb]

i have both and each are simply great shooters...the pythons are getting difficult to locate at a decent price as everyone seems to want one...if you are leaning towards one....go with the python before they go even higher

 

[perrazi]

cylinder&slide still works on colt revolvers. have owned many pythons and smiths over the years but pythons feel the best to me. they have a much different feel than smiths and something you have to get used to. the 4in python is the best balanced but i prefer the 6in. it it quite muzzle heavy and a lot of people shoot low with them at first because they are letting the muzzle droop and not realize it. most accurate revolver i have owned was a custom tuned python by the old master at colt, ted tedford. was like glass on ball bearings. 21/2lb. single action and 7lb dbl action. they will spoil you for anything else .if you find a factory custom tuned gun in the original box, then end label is a yellow custom shop label. they also had elliason sight pkgs. available for even more precise sighting. one last thing, if you buy a python, the first thing you do is replace the stock grips with something that fits your hand. lots of good grip makers out there today.

 

[44wheelman]

I bought a bright stainless Python brand new in the early 1990's; it wasn't very accurate. My S&W's shot better. I sold it for what I paid ($585)....now it will cost me double to buy one in that condition. I'm convinced now that all it needed was for the cylinder chambers to be reamed to the proper size; then, it would have shot just fine. But I was ignorant & didn't know any better.

 

[jrm53]

Colt or S&W

I would go with the 27 every time. Jeff

 

[minuteman]

Colt or S&W?

Two words- Smith & Wesson

 

[phils]

Python for looks, S&W for shooting.
The Colt is not as tough and durable as the N frame.
That said, for your purposes you might consider a L or K frame .357 as they are lighter to carry.

 

[WVfishguy]

Python for looks, S&W for shooting.

I never understood that, but I think it's how most people feel.

To me, the Python's styling was overstated to the point of being gaudy, almost silly looking, more of a status symbol than a revolver. And the grips are terrible.

That being said, I confess to owning a nickeled Python with beautiful old Mustang zebrawood grips, and it does look pretty damn sharp. Mostly I guess, cause it's mine (I've gotta get that camera fixed!)

But there's nothing more impressive than a deeply blued, massive, N-frame S&W. If I absolutely had to, I would not mind selling the Colt. But I'd have trouble sleeping without at least one N-frame in my safe.

 

[stiab]

And the grips are terrible.

I agree, the Python grips are terrible, but the S&W targets grips are no better, in my opinion. As a matter of fact, when you look at pics on this board, hardly anybody uses wood factory grips alone for carry. The K RB's need a Tyler or different stocks entirely. When was the last time you saw a J frame being carried with the wood magna's? I think both the S&W and Colt products need a lot of help when it comes to the original wood grips.