You Walk Into A Gun Store in 1978...

[les.b]

Been there, done that. I was awfully young, but with my dad on tug I adquired my first centerfire pistol in 1978, the 4" Python, and never looked back. It is still in the pen, along with the K22 that was my first handgun.

Now comes the strange part: I took that thing out about twice a week, and fired like only a teen with unlimited ammo supply can. Remington 125 gr. full house stuff. To say that this gun has been well used would be the understatement of the century, even if in the past few years I have slowed down a lot. But it has never ever had any timing trouble. No trouble at all, in fact. Seems like it never read the internet.

I've never had a Python, but I have a lot of Colt revolvers, and that has been my experience as well. That doesn't mean I don't love my Smiths, but I have had no complaints about my Colts either. Maybe we are just lucky, but I think this whole Colt timing thing has been exaggerated.

Best Regards, Les

 

[cmansguns]

Forum;

Why make a choice anyway? They're all great guns, shooting or collecting, and the two brands have peacefully co-existed for bucoo years.

Reminded of a wooden plaque I saw years ago on the wall at the entrance to a "backwoods" (relatively speaking) gunsmith/small dealers shop. "This property protected by 3 old Fa%#s. If you insist on entering without me knowing then come right on in and meet Mr. Colt, Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson". Or at least that's what I remember....wish they had smartphone cameras back then (or even cell phones).

I do have to admit that I have sold the 6" Python, and the Colt Officers Model Match (1- 6" .22, 1 - .38 also 6") just so I could buy more (a lot more actually) S & W's.

 

[hdwhit]

...You only have enough $'s for one. So which one do you take home with you?

I did walk into a gun store in 1978 (many times). I did have enough money for one, but not both of those pistols. I didn't take either of them home because in 1978, I was under 21.

 

[Trooper224]

Had a Python, still have a 3.5 inch 27. Don't regret it a bit.

 

[Oliver357]

i had this choice in 1986 and i was taking a Smith & Wesson 686 with 6'' barrel ... i love this gun till today and it shoots very nice ...

 

[Lt JL]

I wasn't making much either, and I wouldnt have been allowed to carry any of them on duty. (pencil barrel Model 10). but, if all my stars had been aligned, I would have owned that 3 1/2 " 27 in a heartbeat. I still tote one occasionally when out in the big woods.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

Easy choice for me, it would be the Model 27. I graduated from high school in 1978, so it's a moot point. But I did eventually have similar choices and did pick a 27-2 8-3/8" over a Python. I'll take a pre-lock S&W revolver over a Colt any day of the week.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I'd take the Model 27, take off the target grips, put smooth oil-finished walnut magnas and a gloss black Tyler T-Grip on it, drop it in a black basketweave Bill Jordan holster by Don Hume, and go to work.

Well, that's not quite true, because in 1978 I was a SGT/E5 tank commander carrying an M1911A1 in a chest holster and the "house gun" was a nickel-plated 3 inch S&W Model 36 square butt.

 

[JR78]

I wish I remembered the name of the LGS in NW San Antonio, but in 1980 I walked in and walked out with a Hi-Power and Model 13. I was cool.

 

[Black Knight]

Just caught this thread so I will try to toss my 2 cents in if I may. My dad helped me get my first handgun in 1979, a 6" blue Colt Python. It was ordered by someone and delivered to the shop in October 1978 but the person never picked it up. The local shop I had been working with quoted me a price of $425 and had to order it. After several months of coming up empty I tried this other shop out of town. The shop that had the Python told me this particular one was $375. Needles to say I jumped on it. With the 1978 Python being $375 you might be able to buy both S&Ws or at least come close. BTW I still have that old Python and the S&W 28-2 I bought about 3 years later when I retired the Python from my duty carry.

 

[triaxle]

Those guns here in Eastern PA were 225 in the wood box and Colt 45 autos around 225 also. I bought them all . I sold them over the years . I did go into an old gun shop not long ago and their was a mint rare 6.5 inch no dash 27 with non relived target grips and gold Smith box for 625 I jumped on it . I did have a few Colt 357 in both 4 in and 6 in back then . My buddy wanted to sell me his 6in Diamondback 22 for 275 . I didnt want it but another friend did and still has it .

 

[Brian in Oregon]

No question about it. This one.