Posted: 4/16/2013 3:41:34 AM EDT
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My brother is in the market for a new wheel gun. He doesn't seem to care too much about the collectible aspect of the Python. He seems to just want a really smooth action/trigger out of the box. The Performance Center Smith & Wesson he is looking at is the 5" 627. I've never owned or even touched a Performance Center, so I honestly can't say anything about it.
I'll admit that I'm a Colt guy though. The main problem with the Python is I've not seen one under 2k. |
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Quoted:
Parts and service can be had under warranty for the smith and that is the way I would go. Concurr. The Python is a highly rated gun, but it has had a rep as not being durable. With it being long out of production, finding someone to work on it could be a hassle. I have several Performance Center guns, including the 5" 627PC. They are about as good as a factory gun can be. I still like to smooth the interior of my new guns, but the PC is very good. Mine have also been very durable, at least so far. |
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You have numerous problems if you go the Python route. First off they are no longer made and command insane prices. Second is there are maybe three places in North America that I would trust to work on a Python. At some point Colt may loose this ability because as their people retire they take all that skill with them. Third is even though the Python is a durable design, the way the action works means that if you shoot it on a regular basis there are parts in the action that have to be replaced to keep it running like a Python. With the lack of places that can work on a Colt you could be waiting six to eight months for a simple tune up.
Now before all the haters chime in, let me explain a bit about the Python action. The snake has less than half the end shake of a custom shop S&W. The way the Python cylinder locks up produces zero rotational movement. Colt achieves this by using a small arm that sticks out and locks the cylinder in place at the moment of firing. This piece wears as you fire the pistol and eventually needs replacing. The replacement has to be done by someone who understands how Pythons work and how they are timed. Letting someone who doesn't know how this is done work on your gun is an invitation to disaster. I have two older S&W's. An M27 and an M19. Both are pinned and recessed and both are in excellent condition. Compared to my Pythons both the Smith's are way loose in terms of both head shake and rotational movement. My M27 is a target model and it has a trigger that's as good as either of my Pythons. If I need work don't on either of my S&W's I can take them to any number of local shops that know how to work on them. Your buy a Python because it's a hand made gun. You buy it because of the mile deep bluing. You buy it because you want it. You buy it because it's a Python, and you always wanted one. If I were buying a gun for shooting I'd pick the Smith in a heart beat. A performance center 627 is going to be butter smooth and be more accurate then he is. It will also be easier to get serviced if needed and being an N frame Smith it will probably never wear out. |
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Best "bang for your buck" will be a S&W M19. Look for a -2 or -3 suffix. These can be found reasonably on the various auction sights in the $400 to $500 range.
I collect S&W, and IMHO, they attention to detail at S&W was much higher on their pre-1980 double action revolvers. Every pre-1980 M19 I've handled has been smooth as butter out of the box and even better if it's been shot some and well cared for. I picked this beauty up on GB last month. It's a -2, 1964 production. 
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