[ARCHIVED THREAD] - .357 Wheel Guns, Colt Python? S&W? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 1/16/2005 3:58:24 PM EDT
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OK, a friend of mine called me today to ask if he could buy back a weapon that he sold me when his (now ex-) wife was nagging him about his guns. I told him at the purchase that the rifle would be waiting here for him if he ever wised-up and left the bitch, and he finally did... Anyway, I'll be selling his rifle back to him for the $1,000 that he sold it to me for about 5 years ago. I'm looking at wheelguns, preferably 6" barrel .357 because I miss the one I sold years ago. I'm thinking either Colt Python or similar. I want a slick-as-grease-thru-a-goose action and trigger. Any suggestions here? I may post a poll if we can get enough suggestions. Also, where should I buy one? |
| I've never fired the Python as they were expensive as hell - about twice the price of a S&W but the gun writers all seemed to think they had the model trigger pull. They were hand tweaked one at a time by Colt. That said there's not a gunsmith in the country that can't work on a S&W and improve the pull for about $50. |
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Python is the best! Retired my 1986 model with limited rounds thru it (2K). Excellent action and aim. 4" barrel. Still a fine gun in the safe. I needed a "working-range gun" 357 gun so I got the closest thing to it 686 S&W, with a 6" barrel. I will continue to shoot it and wear it out! Fun and dependable gun. Both are fine guns. |
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I had several S&W's and thought they were pretty good guns. Then I got a Colt King Cobra (couldn't afford the Python). The difference was like night and day. Very slick action, incredible single action trigger pull and very accurate with the 6" barrel. Get the Python if you have the scratch, else get the K.C. and be very happy. |
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I've owned a couple of Pythons. I carried one as a police officer in the 1970's. It was a 6 inch, nickeled. I now own a 6 inch blued, and the blueing is something to behold. Nothing else compares. The action of a Python is above any other revolver. But, if you want to shoot a lot of really hot .357 Magnum loads, I would caution you that the Colts will not stand up to a continual beating like some others. But, maybe like me, you will shoot mostly .38 Special loads in it for plinking and only shoot the heavy stuff for "social" occasions. If I want a really stout pistol for heavy loads, I shoot my S&W Model 27, six inch (or 8 3/8"), pinned and recessed. It has a cylinder as big as a soup can and can take all you can load in it. But it will never equal the smoothness of the Python. BTW, I love wheel guns.  |
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Old Colt revolvers are beauty, art. With a blueing that can make your pecker tingle. And fine shooters. S&W is the workhorse. Handle most anything. Easy to find someone to work on. Rugers are the Hulk's of the revolver universe. Massive, strong, and a bit crude in the action. I hear it is hard to find a RUger smith, but have never needed to look. I have used them all, but only own the S&W and Ruger revolvers. Even if I could find a Colt at a reasonable price I'd have to pass. Why confuse the manual of arms by having one wheel gun whose wheel spins backwards? DanM |
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The Colt Python is one of the few handguns I'd still like to add to my "stockpile". One of the guys I shoot with regularly has one. The 4" barrel, blued model. VERY sweet. I have a 686 S&W and the action of mine differs little, if any, from his. In fact, the Python IS THE ONLY WHEELGUN I'd trade for my 686. I consider them equal in build, the Python gets the nod in "coolness" factor. |
I keep the Colts and 'Smiths to keep myself on my toes, even though I have 2 Colt Pythons(a 6" brushed SS 357, and a 8" nickeled 38spl for my oldest son when he turns 21) bought years ago, I probably would not buy another at today's inflated prices. For me, it would be a S&W 686 or a Ruger GP100. |
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Know it all mode on) Go for the S&W 686,pick your barrel length,get aftermarket grips if you don't like size or material (I like the HOGUE but grips are a personal thing)put in aftermarket springs or pay a smith to do this for you.If you aren't reloading now buy yourself a DILLION SQUARE DEAL.You still get change from your $1000 for powder and bullet heads(know it all mode off) Seriously- Many like the python and you can't go real wrong with one but the price is wacky.A S&W 686 with some simple trigger work may not look the same but will shoot pretty much the same.Something about the weight and size of the L frame,the trigger setup, and the .357 or 38 makes for a very happy balance of size,shape and power that just plain works. I have owned RUGERS and they are workhorses and a great value compared to the more pricey S&W but for the life of me I just can not come close to shootong one anywhere as well as I shoot the 686 I own several 6" and a 2 3/4 |
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Ahhh. The Security-Six. The one that I sold long ago that still pains me whenever I am reminded of it. What an utter fool I was. That was one sweet shooter. I tried to buy it back, but the new owner wasn't as big a fool as I. Currently have a 6" 686 that I love to shoot. Pure accuracy. Also have a Ruger SP101. Bought two when they first came out, a 2.25" and 3.25" bbl, to see if there was really a difference... I couldn't discern a difference so sold off the 3.25". Great small piece. If I had it all to do over, I'd have not sold the Security-Six. And I would have got the 4" 686 instead of the 6". Seems to balance better for me. Damn .357 revolvers are fun. So are .38 and .22 revolvers. DanM |
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I own my grandfathers Python from th 60's. It is the most beutiful firearm I have ever seen. One thing I have never liked about it is that the cylinder release operates backwards to a Smith. I think it is very slow and not easy to operate. Also, You can get anything done to a Smith, not as easy with a Python. Finally, I think the Smith revoler in .45 auto with full moon clips may be one of the best revolvers ever, the speed loaders go into the gun, very fast. |
I picked mine up at a pawn shop in Ft. Knox back in 94' Less than 50 rounds through it and paid less than $250. Dad had a 6 inch stainless and I liked the trigger. 
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actually I'm wondering about this saying, as right now I may have a sinus infection, and it is by no means slick. Its kind of stuck up there, clumped together, and unfortunately unable to break free.... you know its greenish yellow brown and red.......I don't think its very slick..... |
| I like the Python as well. But what I really want to say is that your buddy is lucky to have a friend like you. I had to do the same thing for someone that couldn't pay his bills and had to hock his GP100. I bought it from the pawnshop and sold it back to him for what he got for it. |
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I have a 1980 Python, 8-inch bbl, blued, that my pops passed down to me. It is absolutely gorgeous, the blueing is a sight you don't see in modern firearms. The action is like glass. Also extremely accurate....it's a monster. I like Smith wheelguns too, though. I think a Python similar to mine is around $800...you can get a nice smith for less. |
| The Colt has a longer trigger "reach" than the Smith. This may be a factor for you depending upon the size of your hands. This subject doesn't come up very often in discussions about these guns, but strictly speaking, the Colt Python isn't precisely interchangeable with the Smith & Wesson equivalents, i.e. 586/686. |
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I can't believe all these NOOBS telling you to get a Python. It really ain't nuthin special, nuthin at all. Now, my boy, if you want to git yersulf sumthin special with all that cabbage, may I humbly suggest a... Python ELITE Now THAT'S an action that's slicker than snot on ice! Trust me on this one... There are Python Elite's, and then there is everything else! 
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Another vote for the Python. Action is something to behold. Mine is one that I inherited from my wife's grandfather when he passed away, blued, and the bluing, as others have said, is something to behold. As far as the cylinder rotating the "wrong" direction, it rotates the same direction as on my first gen SAA Colt. BTW, for those that have seven or eight shooters, are there speedloaders made for those? And how bulky does the cylinder end up being? Just always wondered. Nick |
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Python - mine is a 4" barrel stainless steel model. I love it. I would NOT trade it for a S&W. Ruger is not even in the same class, neither is the Anaconda. The only one that's close is a S&W 686 AFTER it has been reworked by a gunsmith. I could have purchased any revolver I wanted. I chose the Python. I've never regretted the choice. It needs no gunsmithing work. It is very accurate. The trigger is sweet in both double action and single action modes. It is so good, I actually perefer double action mode. P.S. - If you want to shoot light loads in any .357 revolver you should use .357 brass rather than the shorter .38 Special brass. The shorter brass will allow the chambers to become eroded by the hot gas about 1/8" farther back than would happen if you use .357 brass. This is not critical but it is not good. |
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I say get what you can afford and willing to pay. If you can afford and are willing to pay for a python go and get it, same for python elite and all other wheel guns. The python and 686 are probally the best ones on the market, from customer reviews I've read. Just so you know I have not fired any of the weapons said in this thread. |
+1 Yep had both and the Pythons are not nearly as robust and no more accurate than a S&W 686 in any flavor. |
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Do any of you guys know a good grip manufacturer for S&Ws. I am thinking about getting wither a 629 or 686 but I don't like the finger groove grips. It makes the gun feel funny in my hand. Would like black grips -- does Hogue or Pach make a good set? What about the Ruger Redhawks and GP100s...are they crap? This is not a daily shooter - just for fun. |
| Python is great if SA is what you want...the DA needas some tweaking which costs bucks these days. My vote for best all 'round .357 is the older...no locking safety..."L" frame 586-686 as I think you will be happiest with one of these...even though I am a "Python kinda guy"! (It is just very difficult to compare the older Pythons with any other revolvers as the quality is absolutely superb!) |
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The Ruger GP100 is a great gun. A friend of mine came by a few months ago and asked if I wanted to by a .357 from him. He wanted to get rid of it, didn't want it in the house. He said he wanted $150 for it. I already had a S&W 2 1/4" barrel .357 and told him I didn't want it but would look at it and could probably find someone to buy it. He pulled it out of the bag he had it in in a holster. I took it out of the holster and nearly dropped my teeth. Stainless Steel Ruger GP100 with 6" inch barrel rubber and rosewood grips for $150. I tried not to seem to be to excited when I told him that I guess I would take it. I got the pistol, holster and about 50 rounds of ammo. He had bought this gun from a friend of his, that needed money, a few years ago and had never shot the gun. I took the gun out and shot it and fell in love with it. Most .357's I have shot in the past I've wound up shooting .38's in it to lessen the recoil, but with the heavy barrel and large frame on this gun I prefer shooting .357 in it. I get better groups with the .357. a S&W is a good gun, no doubt, but if the Ruger GP100 is more in your budget, by all means get the Ruger it is a great pistol. |
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Just Bought a S&W Model 27-2 yesterday. She is probably at least 25+ years old, but has hardly been fired. The action is SMooooTH, a nice deep dark blue, wonderfull target grips, hammer and trigger. Oh Yes, the barrel is pinned and the cylinder is recessed! After firing this beauty, I am convinced the 27-2 has to be one of the finest revolvers ever made. Everything about it just puts a big grin on my face. I will never part with her, she is all mine, I tell ya Tagged for pics... |