The Holy Grail

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When the Jaguar XKE first came out I went up to Palotti & Poole in Hartford, CT to see it. At that time I drove a 1956 Corvette.

Keep in mind that I was just out of school and getting started so I did not have much money and certainly not the price of a new Jaguar.

So there it was in the showroom. Looking it over sour grapes took over and as I looked into the 'cockpit' I noticed that it did not have a radio. I commented "$5000 and no radio"

The salesman was nearby and he retorted "In an XKE a radio is superfluous"!

I thought I knew what it meant but I looked it up when I got home. :)

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Yes the python is nice and can handle some decent loads. Here is 50 shots at 15 yrds offhand. But nothing is like the Registered Magnum.

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50 shots, 15yrds, offhand, same load of 2400 as above. The Registered is the Holy Grail, the Python is a decent shooter.
 
As always, individual results will vary, but I think in most cases the Colts will shoot a little better than the Smiths. Been my experience, anyway. Even with the legendary Registered Magnum.

Python group:


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RM:


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To Lightningman,

That truly is a holy grail! Mine would be the Colt Open-Top in 44 rim-fire.

Respectfully,

DarkSoldier
 
I can see why you consider the python a great find. When it comes to looks the 4" model definely gives every other revolver including the mode 27 a run for its money. I think the ultimate holey grail of handguns would be one each. Python royal blue 4" barrel, S&W 520 NYSP model, and S&W 29 with 4" barrel. All with walnut or other fancey stocks! Any pictures out there to complete this tri-fector?
 
Nice Python, Mine is a S&W model 19 from June of 1956. I saw one that lettered to the 14th, My birthday is the 9th.

Or a S&W 10-5 that was sold commercially as a overrun from a foreign order that has a 3" intermediate barrel and a round butt.
 
Saxon,

You are in general correct in your statement. My experience has been that my colt's tend to shoot better then my Smith's. Hence the reason I collect Smith's and shoot my Colt's.

I just happen to have a very good shooting Registered and a really accurate 38/44 OD. Those are my favorite Smith shooters.
 
A 6 inch blued Python is on my grail list.I almost got one except instead I went for a CMP collectors grade Garand,a holy grail itself.

I like S&W,I like Colt.Colt action always seem so smooth though out of the box.

Another holy grail of mine is a 1950's S&W K-22 magnum.I have a K22 .22lr passed down from dad and its a excellent shooter.But the magnum one is rather rare.

I just got a Colt 1909 .45 so that was one I wanted for a while also.
 
ok,I didn't know about the registered magnum.I see there are a limited production on new ones 8 shot cylinder.

I don't know the history on them,I'll have see how old they go back.I guess from the 40's?

Gawd why did I have to learn about these S&W's?...now I want one of them and a Python.:uhoh:
 
I'm without a handgun grail at the moment - it's rather like the hole that's left when a tooth is extracted.

A specific year Python as per the OP seems like a nice grail. I had one with regard to a 1976 870TB but the '78 model I scored took some of the urgency off and it's not a handgun anyway.

I've got a Python and a 27 but not a specific year Python or a PRE-27. Neither does there appear to be much in the way of urgency in getting one or the other.

For some reason, quite beyond my ability to discern why... lies a late production safety hammerless. Don't know why - just does. ANIB lemon squeezer just might be it.

In non-handgun stuff, there's always Beretta's Diana set but I think you have to buy the company to get it - kind of like the crown jewels.
 
This is to inform you all that you cannot refer to a firearm as the Holy Grail. I have already trademarked that name.

The Holy Grail is my 1938 Colt Woodsman with Micro sights -- and there isn't room on this planet for another Holy Grail.:neener:
 
Peter- I am not implying that Smiths don't shoot well, just that in general a similar quality Colt TENDS to shoot a tad better.

lionking- The Registered Magnum dates to 1935 and was the revolver that introduced of the new .357 Magnum cartridge. Of course, S&W referred to the gun simply as "The 357 Magnum" and the RM name was coined by collectors at a later date.

The RMS were a totally custom job and top of the line in deluxe features but were popular with police because of the power of the new Magnum round.
 
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Ah honey, where have you been all my life.

Took out the Colt's today for a little shooting. The 70-series GC NM, a 1970 LWC, the l-series New Frontier and the Python.

I've never shot a revolver so good, especially one that made my Gold Cup seem "rough". I could never shoot a 19/10/66/686/36/637 or even my old King Cobra this well. DA or SA every time I pulled the trigger was 2 surprises. 1 that it went off so easy, and 2 that it was making the same little hole slightly bigger every time.

:D :D :D :D :D :D
 
DarkSoldier, I agree a .44 opentop would be one of my holy grails too! I just can't find one I can afford yet. The closest one I came to buying was $5,000 and that was a few years ago. Wished I'd had bought it now! LM
 
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