feralmerril
Absent Comrade
Phils, maybe that reliability thing is in the luck of the draw? Read vemous1s account further back. I have both and have been luckys with both.
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SW 686 versus COLT Python?
- Thread starter DandyDon1
- Start date
JoeS
Member
I personally think the Smith and Wesson is the better fighting revolver. I find their double action pull easier to master. At one time you might have found some gunsmiths that could tune out the 'stacking' of a Python action but they're few and far between.
I tried using a six inch Python in police matches in the very late 70s. I shot up to expert scores with it, then tried a Smith and Wesson of a friend with a Bo-Mar rib on it and saw my scores jump 15 points just like that. It was then no mystery to me why I was the only shooter with a Colt out of 50 guys.
The Python served well in the sense I could use it for bowling pins with full house magnums but if the L frame had been on the market at the time I would have went that way.
If it were me, unless I was just hot for a Python I'd buy a 686, have the action tuned and shoot away.
I tried using a six inch Python in police matches in the very late 70s. I shot up to expert scores with it, then tried a Smith and Wesson of a friend with a Bo-Mar rib on it and saw my scores jump 15 points just like that. It was then no mystery to me why I was the only shooter with a Colt out of 50 guys.
The Python served well in the sense I could use it for bowling pins with full house magnums but if the L frame had been on the market at the time I would have went that way.
If it were me, unless I was just hot for a Python I'd buy a 686, have the action tuned and shoot away.
The first 357 Magnums I ever shot almost 30 years ago was my father's 4" Model 19 and my Uncle's 6" Python, which both of them still have. Both are VERY high quality. A few months ago, I shot the Python again, and the result was the same. You can't go wrong with either.
Myself personally, I am partial to the 4" Smiths. I bought a 4" 686 no dash about six years ago. It had a plain black rear sight. I ordered a white outline to replace it. I never shot it to check to see if it was sighted in. A few months later I had the opportunity to go to firearms instructor scool with my Dept. and got to take the 686.....and passed. Talk about a gamble.
Would I buy a Python....Yes I would...they are a wonderful piece of work. They are very over priced, due to the fact Colt doesn't make them anymore. If they did, the price probably would come down on the older ones, because everyone would buy new.
Both are high quality firearms....and you wouldn' be disappointed either way... I know I wouldn't be. With all the calibers to choose from, I feel the 357 Mag is the best ever created. Look at the popular models....Smith models 19, 27, 28, 66, 586, 686, Ruger SP101, GP100, and Colt Trooper, Python......nothing bad about any of them.
Myself personally, I am partial to the 4" Smiths. I bought a 4" 686 no dash about six years ago. It had a plain black rear sight. I ordered a white outline to replace it. I never shot it to check to see if it was sighted in. A few months later I had the opportunity to go to firearms instructor scool with my Dept. and got to take the 686.....and passed. Talk about a gamble.
Would I buy a Python....Yes I would...they are a wonderful piece of work. They are very over priced, due to the fact Colt doesn't make them anymore. If they did, the price probably would come down on the older ones, because everyone would buy new.
Both are high quality firearms....and you wouldn' be disappointed either way... I know I wouldn't be. With all the calibers to choose from, I feel the 357 Mag is the best ever created. Look at the popular models....Smith models 19, 27, 28, 66, 586, 686, Ruger SP101, GP100, and Colt Trooper, Python......nothing bad about any of them.
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I realize that there are many newer threads discussing 'Python vs 686/586', but I think I enjoyed reading this one the most. The price changes are especially interesting, but also the heavy leaning in favor of the 686/586. That was 2009. Members seemed to have a more positive attitude toward the Python by the 2013/2017 thread I located.
I did my 'Python vs 686' search because I have been shooting a 686, but have a blued 1970 Python and a couple of blued N-frame .357's arriving soon. I've handled all the guns, just haven't taken possession of the Python and N-frames yet. As far as looks, the Python blued finish is really incredible. At the time I held the Python the shop also had a blued 27-2 and it was pretty amazing as well, but not as nice as the Python (in my opinion). Both guns were 98%+
As far as shooting, one thing I'm getting from these threads is that different examples of the same model can have very different action, so it might not matter at all what I discover with only one example of each gun. I have old, weak wrists and personally can't handle the 686 in double-action with .357 rounds. I'm hoping things will be better with the other guns.
Sorry if bringing up super-old threads is frowned upon (I don't know), but I enjoy spending a fair amount of time just reading through the old stuff in this forum, so there must be a few others who do the same.
I did my 'Python vs 686' search because I have been shooting a 686, but have a blued 1970 Python and a couple of blued N-frame .357's arriving soon. I've handled all the guns, just haven't taken possession of the Python and N-frames yet. As far as looks, the Python blued finish is really incredible. At the time I held the Python the shop also had a blued 27-2 and it was pretty amazing as well, but not as nice as the Python (in my opinion). Both guns were 98%+
As far as shooting, one thing I'm getting from these threads is that different examples of the same model can have very different action, so it might not matter at all what I discover with only one example of each gun. I have old, weak wrists and personally can't handle the 686 in double-action with .357 rounds. I'm hoping things will be better with the other guns.
Sorry if bringing up super-old threads is frowned upon (I don't know), but I enjoy spending a fair amount of time just reading through the old stuff in this forum, so there must be a few others who do the same.
Bumpus13
Member
Holy Necro Thread Bump, Batman!!!
I have a Python and several 686's. I love them all. The Python was my first handgun so it is a priceless gun, but it has been used, abused and beat to hell and still shoots great. I know probably 25k+ rounds. They each have their own positives and negatives so I try to love them both for what they are. Is one better than the other? Is a blonde better than a redhead? We all have our own taste. That's why there are menus at restaurants, we all don't want the same thing
mike campbell
Member
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IMO, some of the posters in this thread might have been technical consultants for this cartoonist...
I'm starting to feel proud of myself. You also just reminded me that I'm behind on 'Gotham. I'm feeling a binge night.
Grayfox
US Veteran
Zombie thread! 
Bringing back the dead accepted and I'll add this little bit. I own a 1982 6" 586 no dash and a 1975 6" Python. I've shot these two guns side by side, rested off the bench at 25 yards for accuracy. Both are excellent shooters. However, the Python always wins, but not by a great deal.
OTOH: I have a 1953 6 1/2" pre-27 that'll out shoot 'em both.
With the current prices on Pythons, I just don't see where this is a legitimate question any more.
Bringing back the dead accepted and I'll add this little bit. I own a 1982 6" 586 no dash and a 1975 6" Python. I've shot these two guns side by side, rested off the bench at 25 yards for accuracy. Both are excellent shooters. However, the Python always wins, but not by a great deal.
OTOH: I have a 1953 6 1/2" pre-27 that'll out shoot 'em both.
With the current prices on Pythons, I just don't see where this is a legitimate question any more.
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Pig Hunter
Member
A friend let me shoot his Python a lot. It was a 6" type. One of the guys in my AF flight got a 4" 586. The 4" felt more muzzle heavy to me. If somebody was to give me one or the other, I'd take the Python. For what I've actually bought , N frame 2 to 1 over K and no L. ymmv
My 686 plus is my favorite handgun I own. Period. I wouldn’t trade it for a python. As nice as it shoots I probably wouldn’t trade it for two.
Zombie thread!
......
OTOH: I have a 1953 6 1/2" pre-27 that'll out shoot 'em both.
I picked up my 1955 6 1/2 .357 this afternoon. I don't know the history of it so will have to wait for a gunsmith to check it out, but the double action dry fires almost identical to my 686.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
My ‘75 colt Python 357/6” barrel was awesome. I could ping any small rock on the 100yd berm. I traded it off to start a business i was dumb but the business made money.
I like my 357 Redhawk, 357 security six, my 357 s&w m28/m27 but still miss my Python.
I like my 357 Redhawk, 357 security six, my 357 s&w m28/m27 but still miss my Python.
I've owned several pythons over the years. They're nice guns, but I feel they've become way overpriced. And actually even for the same price, I prefer the 686's. I've always felt the S&W lockwork is way stronger than the pythons.
Bulldawg Dad
Member
I currently own three 686's (2.5", 4", and 6") and have owned several others. Absolutely my favorite revolver model. I've never owned a Colt Python so I can't speak intelligently about them. I would like to own one, not to shoot, but just to show people. Kinda like a t-shirt I once saw that said "I show my friends my Kimber but I show my enemies my Glock"
Hi,
Just in case anyone's interested in how these compare in terms of int'l level target competition, here is a nice photo chart that pits the Python, the 686, the 586, and a .S&W 14 up against each other. Ammo used is mostly match grade 38 Special.
All fired at 25M, offhand bullseye style, by a Swedish competitor.
I believe the results were published in Visier or one of the other Euro journals.
http://ake_nordin.ownit.nu/frilans/38special/index.html
Best Regards,
Jim
Just in case anyone's interested in how these compare in terms of int'l level target competition, here is a nice photo chart that pits the Python, the 686, the 586, and a .S&W 14 up against each other. Ammo used is mostly match grade 38 Special.
All fired at 25M, offhand bullseye style, by a Swedish competitor.
I believe the results were published in Visier or one of the other Euro journals.
http://ake_nordin.ownit.nu/frilans/38special/index.html
Best Regards,
Jim
Without actually measuring, it sort of looks like the Python May have slightly edged the M14. The 586’follows really closely. The 4” 686 is expected to be a little less accurate at that distance due to sight radius. From a Ransom rest, there shouldn’t be much difference. Interesting.
Python vs 686
I have one python and several 686s. The python is a beautiful handgun, and I will never sell it. That being said, I really dislike the way the python’s trigger stacks in double action. I’ve never been able to get used to it.
I have one python and several 686s. The python is a beautiful handgun, and I will never sell it. That being said, I really dislike the way the python’s trigger stacks in double action. I’ve never been able to get used to it.
The Python's cylinder rotates clockwise. The 686 goes counter-clockwise. In the northern hemisphere, the force of the rotation of the earth assists the Python 's action, making it smoother.
Also, the Python has left hand rifling twist. This also takes advantage of the earth's rotation, and also explains why so many great curveball pitchers were left handed.
Of course, our military struggled with their issued Colts when empire building in the southern hemisphere, and for the same reason, little if any baseball is played south of the equator.
So that's why the Python is the more desirable handgun.
Also, the Python has left hand rifling twist. This also takes advantage of the earth's rotation, and also explains why so many great curveball pitchers were left handed.
Of course, our military struggled with their issued Colts when empire building in the southern hemisphere, and for the same reason, little if any baseball is played south of the equator.
So that's why the Python is the more desirable handgun.
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