I shot a beautiful six inch original Python today...

[ysr_racer]

..in double action. Color me unimpressed.

I shoot a custom S&W 627. The Python has funky grips, and the double action trigger pull was terrible.

The emperor has no nose?

[ojisan]

The Python had a stacking trigger pull compared to the Smith constant pull.
The Python barrel had rifling that increased the twist towards the muzzle and were considered to be very accurate.
Some competition guys would use a Python barrel on a Smith frame (Smython) to get the barrel and trigger combo they wanted.

Some of the Colt grips were a strange shape for sure, that's one reason why there are so many aftermarket grip companies.

[ACfixer]

Some people love that trigger Brad. For my money, the 27 and 586 are both better handguns and like you I prefer the trigger and the grips on the S&W magnums.

[Wyatt Burp]

[Pinkie Pie]

I like the look of Pythons and always have however that is where the like ends. I have always went with highly custom tuned S&W revolvers of .41 caliber and above. Now that they have eight shot .357 Mags cut to use full moon clips; if Federal would produce a HST round in .357 Magnum I just might be tempted by one those.

[Cowboy T]

I've never shot a Python of any vintage. But I have shot several S&W's, some with some polished triggers that were suh-weet shooters. For the money, I'd go with the S&W.

[M76]

I thought you took a trip to FLA

[k1dude]

You're using a Performance Center 627 Brad. That's hardly a fair comparison.

But, for the price point, you'd be correct. For ridiculous reasons, Colts command a pricing premium.

I've always owned Smiths. I've never owned a Colt. But I understand the appeal of this new Python. Pythons are probably the sexiest double action revolver ever made. But the old ones had problems that the Smith's usually didn't have. I wasn't willing to pay the premium for something that had problems like that.

But this new Python fixed those problems. So I finally pulled the trigger and bought one after decades of pining for one.

The trigger is pretty damn good for a factory trigger. I'm sure with a little elbow grease, the trigger could be fantastic.

[Litespeeds]

[divingin]

But, for the price point, you'd be correct. For ridiculous reasons, Colts command a pricing premium.

In the mid 80's, a S&W 586 ran about $400-500. A Python ran about $600.

The pricing these days is all about collector demand driving the prices up, so that's not exactly a fair comparison, either.

Older Python's are not particularly rare, nor do they excel in anything other than finish (though the barrels were quite good), but the price people are willing to pay is, like all collectibles, what it is.

[k1dude]

In the mid 80's, a S&W 586 ran about $400-500. A Python ran about $600.

IIRC, Pythons ran almost double what an equivalent S&W cost back then. I wasn't willing to spend that much extra.

[sigstroker]

..in double action. Color me unimpressed.

I shoot a custom S&W 627. The Python has funky grips, and the double action trigger pull was terrible.

The emperor has no nose?

When I bought my first revolver (devolver?) the store had a Smith Model 19, a Python, and a Damn Wesson, all fairly close in price. After playing with all of them, the Python had the worst action, the Smith had the second worst action, and the Damn Wesson had the best action.

Like a moron I bought the worst gun, that happened to have the best action, the Damn Wesson. That I later sold for $120, after warning my friend it was a POS.

[redcliff]

All of my Pythons are pre-78 and have actions better than any stock S&W I have, and I have a bunch. I find the stacking a non-issue personally. Now a custom tuned S&W, expecially an N frame with its greater leverage, feels better than the Python's to me and are certainly more durable. But the Pythons are works of art in their polishing and blueing.

[Calif Hunter]

The Python had a stacking trigger pull compared to the Smith constant pull.
The Python barrel had rifling that increased the twist towards the muzzle and were considered to be very accurate.
Some competition guys would use a Python barrel on a Smith frame (Smython) to get the barrel and trigger combo they wanted.

Some of the Colt grips were a strange shape for sure, that's one reason why there are so many aftermarket grip companies.

I had not heard of Pythons having gain twist rifling before, but they did have a tapered bore that slightly tightened towards the muzzle.

[Che762x39]

..in double action. Color me unimpressed.

I shoot a custom S&W 627. The Python has funky grips, and the double action trigger pull was terrible.

The emperor has no nose?

Don't be so harsh.

A friend was complaining about his revolver's DA trigger. I said let me work on it. All it needed was 12 or so drops of oil in the right place. He would clean the barrel and cylinder but totally over looked the area between the hammer and trigger.