The Better Gun: Colt Python or S&W 686?

[Anchorite]

I’m fortunate to have both. My 6” Python was tuned by the late Reeves Jungkind and I can barely describe the feel of pulling the trigger ... in DA or SA. My 4” royal blue Python is stock from Colt. I wish I had had Reeves work that one as well.

I also have a 6” 686-4. It’s got a fine action out of the box, but it’s no Python. It’s different. Rumor is that it’s more “robust” than the Colt. I don’t know, and I’m not sure it matters at days end. If you have to “lean” on your 357, get a Ruger GP100. (Got 2 of those too, and they are the ones I lean on).

Quality wise, I’d give the nod to the Python. Accuracy wise, I’d have to give the nod again to the Python, if by a slim margin.
Both are fine revolvers. Both are easily capable of accuracy beyond my skills.

Durability wise, I’d probably give the nod to the Smith, as it’s a more “modern” design having come into the scene well after the Python had been established. More folks know how to work on the Smith. Now as for the new Python, I have no real idea with respect to the “newer” lock work wether it’s “better” than the 586/686.

I hope this helps you.

 

[swg1]

Between myself and my father, we've had three pythons pass through our hands. I prefer the S&W trigger to the Colt. YMMV.

 

[PapaG]

I have had both. I go for utility over hype. My Pythons (4) have been fine but a little finicky. My Smiths (686, 27, 28, 19, 66) have not. My present 686+ I have had for 31 years and won't let it go until the DHS boys come with the jack booted thugs. My Pythons wouldn't work with my 200 grain bullets, either.

 

[Armored farmer]

I have a nice s&w with a tuned action that I like very much.
I have shot performance center s&w's.
None compare to my factory tuned and rebuilt Python.

I like the cylinder latch better on the s&w

 

[PapaG]

Dang. We need to burn some powder together.

 

[Snake Plisskin]

I like em both , I have a 586 and a 2020 Python, they are both great and shoot awesome.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

Colt doesn’t insult the owner with the ridiculous internal lock that S&W defiles their revolvers with.

 

[Ru4real]

I made this choice last year and went with a 586 for a bunch of reasons. Cost. Accuracy. Blued gun, not SS, the only way I could get a new Python. I like to shoot, not a safe queen guy. I already had a Colt to shoot 38’s and no S&W at the time. Here is my 586 with my 1937 Colt OM Match Heavy Barrel.

You can see the Old Colt frame is slightly bigger than the L frame.

Is the S&W better? Both are great guns, IMO.

 

[Ru4real]

Colt doesn’t insult the owner with the ridiculous internal lock that S&W defiles their revolvers with.

But the laser embossed QR code on the Colt doesn’t seem to bother you. Interesting.

 

[mnrivrat]

Have no experience with the Python, new or old. Had a Diamondback , about as close to a Python as Colt made.
I owned 2 Model 686's. A 4" no dash and a 2&1/2" round butt Lew Horton. My Diamondback did not make it to a 1,000 rounds as the bolt lock broke. The 686's ran well and stayed in time. Accurate , durable ,good actions with very little work. I will take the S&W for the long haul.

 

[cfullgraf]

I bought a new Python in 2020, my first Colt revolver (I have a bunch of 1911's and a few Mustangs).

I do not see much difference between the Python and my several 686/586 revolvers.

The Python's price is a definite negative for most folks. Except for the Python's mystic, I'm not sure it is worth the extra expense over the cost of a 586/686 S&W L-frames.

 

[forrest r]

I’m fortunate to have both. My 6” Python was tuned by the late Reeves Jungkind and I can barely describe the feel of pulling the trigger ... in DA or SA. My 4” royal blue Python is stock from Colt. I wish I had had Reeves work that one as well.

I also have a 6” 686-4. It’s got a fine action out of the box, but it’s no Python. It’s different. Rumor is that it’s more “robust” than the Colt. I don’t know, and I’m not sure it matters at days end. If you have to “lean” on your 357, get a Ruger GP100. (Got 2 of those too, and they are the ones I lean on).

Quality wise, I’d give the nod to the Python. Accuracy wise, I’d have to give the nod again to the Python, if by a slim margin.
Both are fine revolvers. Both are easily capable of accuracy beyond my skills.

Durability wise, I’d probably give the nod to the Smith, as it’s a more “modern” design having come into the scene well after the Python had been established. More folks know how to work on the Smith. Now as for the new Python, I have no real idea with respect to the “newer” lock work wether it’s “better” than the 586/686.

I hope this helps you.

If you ever get around to putting some rounds down the tubes of those python's you'll find out 2 things. Namely:
Just how durable they are
How quickly that tuned action will go out of time

 

[forrest r]

Don't know about the new python's but I know colt used to do an excellent job every time I sent the python back (both times) to get new internals/re-time the action. Never ran that python hard +/- 75% 38spl's/25% 357's. They'd even re-blue that python for free!!! The last time I sent it back to get redone it came back with a letter stating they would no longer service the python's. Never could get that python to get past 20,000 rounds before it started spitting lead.

I down right hated the short cylinders on that python, really limited the choices in bullets.

 

[Broccolis]

Colt has had a tough go of it since the early 2000’s by losing government contracts, financial restructuring and low demand of it’s products. Something had to be done to renew interest and the re-invent of the Cobra, King Cobra and now Python is an effort to regain a place in the handgun market. Engineering, machinery and material is expensive and Colt has a reputation to live up to with the success of past products. A Python should be equal to a S&W PC gun and they are trying to prove that with their price point. S&W has lost the craftsmen, exhibited poor QC and the dreaded lock has cost them an unknown amount of customers. Revolvers are no longer accepted by law enforcement as the handgun market leans toward plastic autos. It is a tough business when you sell products one at a time instead of purchase orders for many. It is much more involved then a 686 verses a Python. Hopefully, the 2020 Python will live up to it’s name.

 

[CajunBass]

I'll toss in my two cents worth. I've never cared for the 5/686 guns. I have no idea why, I just don't. I've owned one of each and don't recall ever firing them before they moved on down the road. I know, I know...I'm the only person in the world who feels that way.

I've owned dozens of other 357's though. Smith and Wesson, both K's and N's. Other Colts, Ruger, Taurus and probably others I don't recall. They were all good guns. Not a thing wrong with them.

When I wanted a Python, I wanted it because it was a Python, not something else that was "just as good." Just as good didn't matter. I really don't think it's any better than the others. I just think it's a Python, and that my friends is good enough for me.

They really ARE nice guns though. That doesn't hurt at all.

 

[mcb]

I don't think much of 357 Mag and the Python's cylinder release goes the wrong way.

The only S&W L-frames that interests me is a 10mm Auto and it does not exist as a factory option.

 

[Redranger]

I own several Pythons, acquired over the past 35 years. Anacondas and Diamondbacks as well. Mostly investment guns, but I’m not afraid to shoot them. I’ve got a 4” Python that I had worked over by Mag-na-port 30+ years ago that is my #1 go to 357. I’ve shot it a ton over those years with no issues. The balance and feel in my hand is just perfect for me. I had a 6” 686 no dash that I worked over myself as well as having it mag-na-ported that I’ve since gifted to my son. It has the best SA and DA trigger of any revolver I own or have owned in my life. Also, at one time I had it scoped and is the most accurate revolver I’ve ever shot. In my opinion, the S&W action is much easier to tune. Contrary to all the stories I’ve yet to have one of my Pythons go out of time. The 4” would be the candidate since it has been shot by far the most over the years. The only Colt that I’ve ever had a timing issue with was a .22LR Diamondback that I acquired from a less that honest gunbroker seller. Hard to believe you could shoot a .22 out of time, but the overall condition of that gun would indicate it had been mishandled over the years. I sent it back to Colt for a tune up, action job and Royal blue refinish and it’s now absolutely beautiful. I’ve got one of the internal clock S&W’s and that’s 1 too many. Even though I’ve removed the internal lock that horrid hole remains. I love nice S&W revolvers but any that I acquire will be Pre-lock.

 

[Paul7]

Not so much the guns themselves but if you must know, the customer service was horrid. In the end one was never fixed but deemed good enough, the one that was fixed was loose and out of time again after a couple thousand rds. To me, unacceptable. If you like that sort of thing, more for you.

Interesting, and supposedly it's the Python that has the delicate timing.

 

[Paul7]

I don't think much of 357 Mag and the Python's cylinder release goes the wrong way.

That's what I think about the S&W cylinder release.

I've had both the OP guns, only have he Python now. To me, when you get used to the Colt lock up nothing else measures up.

 

[P5 Guy]

This is my only 367MAG and I will not trade it for two Pythons.

 

[mcb]

That's what I think about the S&W cylinder release.

I've had both the OP guns, only have he Python now. To me, when you get used to the Colt lock up nothing else measures up.

When was the last time you was a Colt place at USPSA or IDPA match? Colt's cylinder release goes the wrong way if reload speed is of a priority to you. YMMV.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

But the laser embossed QR code on the Colt doesn’t seem to bother you. Interesting.

WRONG. You seem to make assumptions too easily.

It DOES bother me, but unlike the lock on the “New n’ Improved!” Smith, the QR code is purely cosmetic and last time I checked cannot render the gun inoperable should a part fail.

 

[Jim Watson]

My 6" Colt Custom Shop Tedford Action Python served for several years of PPC competion; only .38s, but a lot of .38s and it remains "in time."
So I got a 4" and sent it off to Mr Jungkind for IDPA and liked it as well.
But Smiths are more common and less expensive and I got interested in moon clips so I accumulated an Urban Arsenal of S&Ws; most sawn off twice.

I have run side by side by side by side comparisons with targets and timer.
-Python is accurate but the long trigger pull and soft return make it a bit slower. Reload is not bad once you are used to the latch.
-S&W M25 .45 is great on the moon clip reload but is a heavy gun to draw and swing, big for my hands.
-S&W M686 is kind of the industry standard now and does very well, a good speed loader reload is plenty quick. Converting one to moon clips is not a great advantage; the long skinny .38s in thin clips are not the same as short heavy .45s in heavy gauge clips. IDPA power factor is now a hindrance.
-S&W M67 is light and handy and Just Works.

Ammunition inventory in the present disruption is leading me to shoot the .45 for local IDPA.
But if you wish to sponsor Team Mediocre to shoot Revolver, please have a full underlug 4.2" barrel installed on one or another KT with action well honed. S&W built about 300 of those for a distributor and they are scarce collector items, but they look about right, my M67 is just a little wispy up front.

 

[Hal]

Colt doesn’t insult the owner with the ridiculous internal lock that S&W defiles their revolvers with.

I'm no fan of the lock - but - I do take into consideration the fact that the people that were responsible for that are gone. (Tompkins PLC)

 

[AustinTX]

I've had both the OP guns, only have he Python now. To me, when you get used to the Colt lock up nothing else measures up.

I’ve had double-digit Pythons over the years and still have five, so I do love them, despite their particular shortcomings. That said, the fabled "bank vault lockup" of the old Colts was always massively overrated (pointless, really) and nothing close to being worth the sacrifices necessary to obtain it. Korths and Manurhin MR73s are better revolvers than any Colt, and their actions operate on the more durable S&W principle that doesn't involve stressing the hand at the moment of ignition.