Colt Python and Dan Wesson 15-2

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Quincy12

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How does a Colt Python and a Dan Wesson Model 15-2 (pre-1980) compare? I have not handled the Python, but I have looked at several of the older Dan Wessons, and it seems they have good triggers and are known for their accuracy. Colt, I’m sure has better bluing, but what about other comparisons. Just curious. Thanks.

Quincy
 
How does a Colt Python and a Dan Wesson Model 15-2 (pre-1980) compare?

Other than both being .357's they don't. Dan Wesson's have a rep. for being accurate but I have never seen anyone saying their actions were even up there with a Ruger, S&W or last but not least a Colt Python. The Dan Wesson's are functioning working guns that will perform. The Colt Python is not only a functioning working gun but also a work of art IMO.
 
Here would be a Python my Uncle owned and I got to shoot once. Really nice gun. Very smooth and comfortable for a .357. On the barrel it has this weight thing, it makes it a little heavy, but makes the gun's kick feel like a .22MAG. I cannot compare to the Dan Wesson, as I've never handled/shot one.
 

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DW are very good guns and often good values. The actions are good but seem to need lubing more than smiths or colts...don't know why.

Very accurate and it is always fun to have something different.

The Python is the gold standard for smooth butter actions and many think that they are beautiful.

If you have an extra grand sitting around, buy a Python. You can buy 3 or 4 DW's for that if you shop well.
 
If you want a shooter, get the Dan Wesson ... if you want to collect Pythons, there's nothing wrong with that.

Pythons are great guns, don't get me wrong, but for what one nice Python would cost you, you could have a couple of complete Dan Wesson Pistol Packs. And no, the Python is not going to out-shoot the Dan Wesson.

But yeah, the Pythons are works of art.
 
Improving the action

Okay, then my follow up question would be, can the Dan Wesson action be tuned to be more like the Python?
 
"..can the Dan Wesson action be tuned to be more like the Python?"

The Wesson can be tuned but few do the work. Grant Cunningham stopped working on them. Perhaps Teddy Jacobson still works on them. There are probably a few others
that work on them but I am not aware of who they are.

It will not be like the Colt. The Python has a very long action or hammer arc which allows tuning to reduce the trigger pull to very low figures in double action. The Wesson has a very short hammer arc. This requires a heavier trigger pull for ignition reliability. Until very recently the Wesson used sintered metal internal parts vs. the forged on the Colt. This constrains what can be done internally on the Wesson.
 
a Dan Wesson action can not be tuned to feel like a Python action...the geometry is just different...but it can be tuned as nice as a good S&W action.

the advantage of the DW is the engineering to provide inherent accuracy. the front cylinder lockup, flush muzzle, adjustable cylinder gap and double tensioned barrel contribute to superior accuracy

the frame of the DW is about the size of the Colt I-frame, but the cylinder is about that of the S&W K-frame
 
If you want a shooter, get the Dan Wesson ... if you want to collect Pythons, there's nothing wrong with that.

Pythons are great guns, don't get me wrong, but for what one nice Python would cost you, you could have a couple of complete Dan Wesson Pistol Packs. And no, the Python is not going to out-shoot the Dan Wesson.

But yeah, the Pythons are works of art.
+1

The DW well live much longer than the Python in regards to round count. The Python is a work of art and the DW is a work horse.

This DW 40-V8S is almost as smooth as the two previous Pythons I have owned.
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The Dan Wessons are excellent guns. The actions can be slicked up to close to Python levels. I doubt most people could tell the difference between the two. Trigger jobs will perfect the trigger pull which is mandatory for my guns. The Dan Wessons are probably the most accurate double action revolvers ever made.

I would very much like a Python as they are beautiful guns. The ones I've handled had an excellent action but I'd expect a better lockup for that kind of money. They are of the best double action revolvers ever made though.
 
A Python if good shape has no movement in the action at full lock up. Zero, nada, zilch

I would be curious to see after 5-10K rounds how much tighter that lockup is than the Dan Wesson though. I am not saying anything against the python, other than I have seen several that after a steady diet of full power loads shot themselves loose.
 
other than I have seen several that after a steady diet of full power loads shot themselves loose

I have to admit, my Python does not get shot like a gun range rental but a buddy of mine has one that he uses a...A LOT. He is the kind of guy that reloads all week for a day at the range at least twice a month. He has had some issues with his Python. And his Smiths. And his one Ruger.

The bottom line is that if the timing is not rock solid, do not shoot a Python.

The following is from Grant Cunningham

Now, let's say a S&W owner, used to their looser standards of cylinder lockup, buys a Colt. He goes and shoots it a bit, and the hand (which probably has a bit of wear already, as he bought it used) is approaching the normal replacement interval. He checks his gun, and finds that the cylinder has just the slightest amount of movement when the trigger is back, and half of his S&W's longitudinal travel. Heck, he thinks, it's still a lot tighter than his Smith so it must be fine to keep shooting it.

WRONG! It's at this point that he should stop shooting, and take it to an experienced Colt gunsmith to have the action adjusted. Of course, he doesn't do this - he keeps shooting. The cylinder beats harder against the frame, compresses the ratchet (ejector), causing the hand to wear even faster, and the combination of the two leads to a worn bolt. If left unchecked, the worn bolt can do damage to the rebound lever. When it finally starts spitting lead and misfiring, he takes it in and finds to his astonishment that he's facing a $400 (or more!) repair bill, and perhaps a 6 month wait to find a new ratchet.

Of course, he'll now fire up his computer and declare to anyone who will listen that Colts are "delicate" and "go out of time easily" and are "hard to get parts for." That, folks, appears to be the true origin of these fallacies.
 
After shooting dan wessons for over 30 years and thousands of rounds i will stay with a gun that can still shoot like new. My old DW's. NO break downs or problems of any kind. My 357 spent most of it's life with a 8" barrel and a red dot and always was able to shoot at or under 3" 100 yard groups.The 44 mag is a some what new to me gun but shoots just as well. Those that talk about trigger pulls, the 357 had a SA break of 2 1/2lbs and 8lbs DA pull. The 44 is one pound heavier. I would not trade a wesson for a smith or colt for any reason. Only lube used is break free and a gold benchrest grease on the trigger group.
 
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