• You are using the old Black Responsive theme. We have installed a new dark theme for you, called UI.X. This will work better with the new upgrade of our software. You can select it at the bottom of any page.

The Holy Grail

Status
Not open for further replies.
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. :)

xke-engine.jpg
 
python_2400.jpg


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.

single_action.jpg


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:


standard.jpg


RM:


standard.jpg
 
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.
 
Last edited:
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
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
The Holy Grail of S&W Revolvers
2
Replies
47
Views
9K
Brian Williams
Brian Williams
SW351C
  • Locked
Holy Grail Revolver
2 3 4 5
Replies
120
Views
8K
Boxhead
B
1
  • Locked
Do you own your holy grail?
2
Replies
35
Views
2K
hankdatank1362
H
tarosean
  • Locked
The Holy Grail.
2 3
Replies
50
Views
5K
Dr.Rob
Dr.Rob
Jonesy814
  • Locked
Holy Grail Found….
2
Replies
39
Views
2K
Mark 40
Mark 40
Back
Top