Trigger Question

cdt

Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2015
Messages
15
Reaction score
1
I have been thinking about getting one of the new models Pythons. I have an older Ruger Security Six, a Taurus 692, not the EG, and a S&W 686. All three revolvers have very good triggers. The 686 is the best of the 3. Is the Python trigger noticeably better than the 686?
 
Re the Python, in single action, NO.
The double action is pretty decent on the new Pythons.

The lawyers and politicians ruined the single action, but you can, for $250 have that SA trigger corrected. The trigger will then be telepathic, or a reasonable facsimile there of. lol

Mike Heffron at Heffron Precision is who you should contact.

After you get that done, you have possibly the finest production revolver being currently made.

Your next question will be about the rear sight…..
It’s different from any other current design that I am aware of, but it works fine.
 
Last edited:
In single action, NO. double action is pretty decent on the new Pythons.

The lawyers and politicians ruined the single action, but you can, for $250 have that SA trigger corrected. The trigger will then be telepathic, or a reasonable facsimile there of. lol

Mike Heffron at Heffron Precision is who you should contact.

After you get that done, you have possibly the finest production revolver being currently made.

Your next question will be about the rear sight…..
It’s different from any other current design that I am aware of, but it works fine.
Is the double action trigger for the Python quite a bit better than the 686? The 686 is very smooth. Is the trigger pull much lighter for the Python?
 
I don’t know if either is better or worse.
They’re both approximately the same weight.
They are different. Some people prefer one or the other.
Me? I don’t care. Either one work for me.

I think the Colts are slightly more accurate.
As they say: Your mileage may vary.
 
Your in a S&W forum. Colt sucks. Now if this was in the proper forum.
They still suck.🤭JMHO
I've never got to use a Colt. Still, I don't see how it could have a much better trigger than the 686.
 
I have multiples of the new Colts: Python, King Cobra .357 & .22LR.

I agree the trigger between Colt & Smith is unnoticeably different. My Python is a disappointment in accuracy, but that may be the ammo.

Colt is making perhaps the best guns they've made since the late 1950s, early 1960s, IMO.
 
I've owned one Colt, fired another, and handled many. I won't buy another due to the weird cylinder release.

With any of my S&W I can open the cylinder and use my left hand to reload with a speedloader, without ever releasing my grip / grip position.

On the Colts I need to turn the gun 90 deg to the left to thumb that weird half-pawn cylinder release. I wouldnt want that in a self-defense situation.

As a range toy, maybe. Not for a carry gun.
 
Back in 70s shot quite a few Pythons that had some of the best triggers ever. LEO friends shot them on the range and had lots of fun. I could not afford one back then. Fast forward I bought several older Colt revolvers but no old Python. Gave son my last Mk III Trooper but picked up another Det. Spl. to replace it, LOL.
As for the new Colts I would Only consider one after I shot one. Guess have to ask gun buddies who has one?
BTW, have heard horror stories about new Colt rear sights....
 
Yo Bigolbruce, if Colts are so awful, why is there one in your signature avatar? Hmmmm? Looks like a contradiction to me. lol

Maybe others can’t shoot Colts well. I think you’d be hard pressed to find a Smith, especially in 45 Colt that shoots appreciably better.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1448.webp
    IMG_1448.webp
    1.6 MB
I bought a new Python 3" two years ago. It is now well broken in. I'd say the DA (~6 lbs) is nice and smooth. The SA (~3.5) is not impressive. Compared to my new/old Smiths, I'd say the DA is as good as new broken in SW. The DA is not as good as a nice old worn in SW. But I'd take any SW SA every day.

I replaced both the front and rear sight. The front sight because all my ammo shot high. I replaced the rear sight with the Wilson Combat version so it was easier to adjust.

I put Hogue grip on because I can grip the gun tighter with my old hands.

20250914_092628.webp
 
I have a new Python,and Mike Heffron has 400 of my dollars, so I could have a trigger as good as a Smith.
I bought a 4.25" & 6" new Python, all hat & no cowboy. Nothing beats spending $1,500 + $400 when you could spend $800 - $1,000 on an older Smith and get the same thing. I agree 100% w zodiac.
 
Is the double action trigger for the Python quite a bit better than the 686? The 686 is very smooth. Is the trigger pull much lighter for the Python?

I have several new Colts - 2-3 Pythons, KC in 357 and 22LR, etc...I would say the new Colts have better triggers than the NEW Smiths, but worse than the older (Pre MM parts guns) Smiths.

If you are looking for an upgrade on the 686 / Ruger 6 series, I would suggest an older (70s is a sweet spot between price and quality) M27/28 or M19. Both are work horses, produced in high quantities where the trigger actions were perfected. You will most likely spend less / around a new Python $ but will have a better gun.
 
I have been thinking about getting one of the new models Pythons. I have an older Ruger Security Six, a Taurus 692, not the EG, and a S&W 686. All three revolvers have very good triggers. The 686 is the best of the 3. Is the Python trigger noticeably better than the 686?
I picked up one of the new ones a year ago. DA very nice SA 6. lbs. there’s a ledge on the hammer notch the trigger has to ride over. I work on my own guns and got the trigger just under 4 lbs. If you know enough to remove the trigger and hammer you can just send them and not have to deal with the shipping a gun process.
 
Re the Python, in single action, NO.
The double action is pretty decent on the new Pythons.

The lawyers and politicians ruined the single action, but you can, for $250 have that SA trigger corrected. The trigger will then be telepathic, or a reasonable facsimile there of. lol

Mike Heffron at Heffron Precision is who you should contact.

After you get that done, you have possibly the finest production revolver being currently made.

Your next question will be about the rear sight…..
It’s different from any other current design that I am aware of, but it works fine.
I agree 100%. The new Pythons have DA that rival and in a lot of cases are smoother than the original.
Bottom line, the SA sucks, but as you said with a little work can be made much better.
 
The S&W and Colt DA trigger mechanisms are different. That goes for new and old productions.

Revolver champs have mastered one or the other or both.

I've been a S&W DA fan possibly because of availibilty and price.

But I've liked Colts too and wish I still had a Diamondback .38 6" and a Python .357 6". Can't say I miss any of the many, many Smiths I've owned. Colts were special.

I suspect the same would hold true with the modern productions.
 
Re the Python, in single action, NO.
The double action is pretty decent on the new Pythons.

The lawyers and politicians ruined the single action, but you can, for $250 have that SA trigger corrected. The trigger will then be telepathic, or a reasonable facsimile there of. lol

Mike Heffron at Heffron Precision is who you should contact.

After you get that done, you have possibly the finest production revolver being currently made.

Your next question will be about the rear sight…..
It’s different from any other current design that I am aware of, but it works fine.
So as OP queried, “is the Python trigger noticeably better than the 686?” Your readout did not answer square on. At this point, I think inquiring minds want to know. Cheers!
 
Perhaps some would find it informative to Google "Bill Wilson Colt Python" in which the 1911 guru exp;ains his history with the Python and his shooting method. As to the rearward cylinder release, gun trainer Mas Ayoob tells how to operate it without changing hand positions. They do discuss the new Python and need for a new sight.
Wilson and others has since addressed that with new designs.

Main thing, keep in mind the S&W and Colt mechanics are different. And let's be thankful Colt has jumped back into the revolver market with both feet, offering numerous models beyond the Python.
 
I have been thinking about getting one of the new models Pythons. I have an older Ruger Security Six, a Taurus 692, not the EG, and a S&W 686. All three revolvers have very good triggers. The 686 is the best of the 3. Is the Python trigger noticeably better than the 686?
NO! MUCH WORSE IN MY INFORMED OPINION.
 
SW versus Colt on trigger pull. I have several of each and love them all. I will use the worse case scenario for one of my S&W and one of my Colt Anaconda trigger pulls.

S&W 617 goes first as the worst trigger pull of all my pistols out of the box. 7 lb SA and 12lb DA. $25 and 30 minutes later 4lb and 7 to 8 with no misfires. All I did was change springs.

Colt Anaconda made for TALO. Love the grips, the sights, but the trigger was not good. Took it apart filed the Cali Hump down, fine sandpaper, steel wool with Flitz polish. Ended up with 5 and 8. I do not claim to be a gunsmith so therefore I clear the hump and stop, not brave enough to try and get something lighter. The difference with across the board for all my S&W revolvers is 4 SA and 11 DA because of the stacking trigger. My Colts 5.5 SA and 8 DA no stacking. And FYI all trigger gauges measure differently.
 
My 1975 made Colt Python had a trigger and action as smooth as oiled glass!!! Still, I prefer a S&W with a good trigger job. Seems like the S&W's in general, fit my hands better than most of the Colt's. One solution, which I took, is to own both!!
 
Back
Top