.357 Choice

[Confederate]

Okay, here's one for you.

Santa Claus is going to give you a brand new, unfired .357 magnum, but there are a few stipulations. First, you can never sell it. You must keep it forever. You do not and can not possess the other revolver offered. You must choose one over the other.

Your choice:

A Colt 4-inch Python, a Smith & Wesson 4-inch 686, or a Smith & Wesson 4-inch pinned and recessed Model 66.

What would you choose and WHY?

Just curious.

 

[.38 Special]

I'd take the 66, because it is a light and packable gun with tremendous history. I consider it the most versatile of those listed.

The 686 is a great gun but bigger than it needs to be, IMO. I use one for Bianchi style competition where it gets decked out in an additional couple of pounds of crap, making the original size and weight irrelevant. To me it is a bulky, heavy, and relatively unattractive revolver.

And I hate the Colt DA trigger.

HTH!

 

[Black Knight]

I would take the Python. I like my Smith's but I need a partner for my 6 inch Python.

 

[Sunray]

None of 'em. Have a GP-100.

 

[kevin387]

Python, first gun I ever really wanted.

 

[10-Ring]

Depending on the year of vintage, I'd go w/ the Python 1st



If it is younger than '69-'71 vintage, I'd go w/ the mod 66

 

[SJshooter]

First of all, I'd give Santa a swift kick in the nuts. Where is the 586, the 27 and 28, Model 19, and 627 on this list?

Nonetheless, it comes down to what you want to use it for.

If you just want a gun to stare at because it is so darn beautiful and you want to start a collection of unfired guns that you are the caretaker of, then a Python is an easy pick.

But, personally, I don't think the Pythons shoot as good as they look... and if you shoot it a lot and encounter problems, good luck finding people to work on it cheaply or quickly.

As for the other two, if you want a shooter - the 686 is easily the finest mass produced .357 ever and is the standard by which all others are measured. It's a perfect range gun and everyone I know who has one loves it... but what the hell is Santa setting up some elaborate hypothetical for a gun that is a dime a dozen. Honestly, you pretty much can't walk into a gun shop and NOT find a NIB 686.

That leaves the 66, a classic Smith model to be sure, pinned and recessed isn't and will never be made again, on a gorgeous K-frame (also won't be made again in .357).

If Santa gives me this choice, I take the 66... but remind him that I've been pretty good and he better come back with a better list next year.

 

[joneb]

I'd go for the Colt Python 1st , and the Ruger GP 100 2nd.
Why, cause they're the best, but a S&W mod 27 or 28 might take 2nd over the Ruger.

sorry for my rambling, Colt pthon 4" , S&W 686 4" The Colt is a better gun.

 

[kmrcstintn]

since your list doesn't include my current magnum revolver, I'd have to say...

1) a 686 due to the beefiness and ability to take a pounding; I plan on getting a Ruger GP-100, but I've owned 686's in the past and neither is anything to sneeze at!

2) a 66 since it is close to what I currently have; I have a 1978 vintage S&W 19-4 that is pinned & recessed and balances nicely and has a great trigger

 

[MCgunner]

I'd take the 66, because it is a light and packable gun with tremendous history. I consider it the most versatile of those listed.

+1 ditto Don't really care about history, but it's a practical carry piece. I prefer the K frames.

 

[DogBonz]

Python...

All the way. Best trigger, best finish(especially in blue), surgically accurate, solid construction takes even the stoutest loads with ease, and is the best looking (IMHO). Also, they aren't making any more of them, and the price is rising daily, so if you have ever wanted one, there is no time like now to pick one up. I saw a nice used 4"SS with some sweet hand made grips 3 or 4 years ago for $800 ($750 cash) and thought that the guy was insane. Now I see POS, beaten Pythons selling for over a G-note. I'm just glad that I got mine while the getting was good. Trust me, get the python... your great grand kids will thank you.

 

[Brian Williams]

I would take a 686. but I would shoot my 13 and 65 a whole lot more. and I can still get a 27, 581, 586 and others. Never really liked a python or a 66

 

[antediluvianist]

Obviously, the 686/686+ is "beefy" so that it can fire .357 full-house rounds pretty much indefinitely, unlike the 66. (Yeah the Ruger can too,ARGUABLY with less strain, and if I needed a tank that would be it, but I don't need a tank, and I like the extra shot of the 686+ too.)

I'll take the "beefier" (relative to the 66) 686 frame, in the 7-shooter version.

The Colt is fine but as of 2007 is better as a showpiece than as a daily working gun.

 

[Miamitiger]

Put S&W Model 60 in the list!!!

If you want it for self defense...nothing like Model 60!!!
You can shoot 38's and .357.

 

[Rangegod]

P&R 66 in a heartbeat. Simply the best of the many great S&W's ever made.

 

[jlundy46]

As previously stated, it depends on what you plan to do with the gun. I love my Python and shoot it from time to time. The Python will also increase in value much more than the others, but if you want a shooter, then go with the 686. I had one and it was a great shooter and I still shoot my 586 regularly. Just my humble opinion....


John

 

[461]

GP-100

 

[ArchAngelCD]

4" S&W M619 or M620
Why: Because I own a M619 and it's great!!

 

[19-3Ben]

P&R is damn sexy. As others have said, you will be able to get the 686 in the future. P&R has come and gone, and won't be seen again.
I wouldn't want the Python, not because of anything against it. I just like to shoot my guns, and wouldn't want a safe queen. At least not yet. My collection is not yet big enough for me to start collecting guns that won't be shot. Your's may be a different case.

 

[Confederate]

Also, they aren't making any more of them, and the price is rising daily, so if you have ever wanted one, there is no time like now to pick one up.

This is why I said you couldn't sell it and you couldn't own either of the two revolvers. I didn't want price to be an issue, nor did I want supply and demand to be an issue.

I purposely left the 686 off the list as well as the Rugers, as I wanted it to be just these two competing. And the 66 would have to have counterbored chambers and the barrel pinned in NEW condition.

So if cost isn't an issue and since you would be deprived of later picking up the other magnum, the choice would be based on the revolver alone. If you picked the 66, you could NEVER get a Colt Python and vice versa.

Thus, what would it be, kind sirs? Oh, and please explain WHY.

Thanks bunch.

 

[lawboy]

The 686 IS ON YOUR LIST.
I've shot them all, as well as other 357 medium frame revolvers (Dan Wesson, Ruger (GP100, Security Six), S&W M19, Rossi, Taurus.
I've owned some of those too.
I'd take the Python. I'd shoot the snot out of it too.
In the four-inch category, none of these guns are worth a crap for CCW so they are strictly range, IDPA and hunting guns. Might as well have the showboat piece.
Now, if you made made the barrel length 2.5 inches, I'd take a 66-1 or 66-2 over any other mid-frame revolver. That is a CCW gun, the best of breed (along with the M19), hands down, bar none, thank you very much. My daily carry is a M19-3 with nickel finish and 2.5-inch barrel and I know whereof I speak. What these guns are capable of doing in the right hands is a pure joy to behold and be aware of. Those old boys who designed, manufactured and used these guns for what they were made for -- shooting people -- knew their grisly busines very well.