Smith and Wesson Model 19 or Colt Python
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I based my answer on having owned either 4 or 5 pythons, I honestly can't remember for sure. At the time I also owned model 19's, 27's, 28's, 29's ect... I was HEAVY into competitive long range pistol shooting, and there's no question my "N" frame S&W 27's and 29's were more accurate than any of the Pythons I owned.
As for the 19's, they were faster to reload, smoother actions, and easier to keep clean along with being equally accurate to the Python. So, one by one the Pythons were sent down the road as I tested and eliminated them.
As for carrying, I rather like this M-19 44spl.,
It's been a great revolver...
DM
As for the 19's, they were faster to reload, smoother actions, and easier to keep clean along with being equally accurate to the Python. So, one by one the Pythons were sent down the road as I tested and eliminated them.
As for carrying, I rather like this M-19 44spl.,
It's been a great revolver...
DM
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Styx
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That was then, and this us now. The newer Colt Pythons are better than the 19s and hold value better. There is a reason why people are paying over MSRP and they are such in demand.
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rs525
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I think I've made a mistake posting this thread.
Ford Vs Chevy
John Joseph
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Whichever one is heaviest if you'll only be shooting 357 Mags.
Bill Jordan intended for the M19 to be carried a lot and shot with 357 Mag Ammo sparingly.
Bill Jordan intended for the M19 to be carried a lot and shot with 357 Mag Ammo sparingly.
Historically, law enforcement chose Colt a LOT, especially the Official Police, Trooper, etc.
Not Pythons.
Plus I’m sure 5 to every 1 of em a Smith and Wesson compared to the Colt.
However, Yes- There certainly were some Departments that went with a Colt.
Yup, a lot of Python bashing IMHO is from people who can't afford one. Yes, the Python can cost more to maintain, but the same is true of German luxury cars. I have both, and the 19 isn't a Python like an Audi isn't a Ford and a Seiko isn't a Rolex. Can a Ford outlast an Audi and be cheaper to work on? For sure, but it doesn't make it an Audi. It can be harder to find someone to work on a Python, but they are out there. I have a good gunsmith locally who works on Pythons, but even if I didn't I wouldn't let the cost of shipping stop me from owning one. Anything mechanical needs maintenance, I know, I just got my 19 back from my local gunsmith for repair.
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I afforded a Python- a Diamondback and Anaconda.
Had 3 BMWs at one time and now only 1-
Smiths better value and shot more accurate.
I’ve stated my case- to each there own.
Had 3 BMWs at one time and now only 1-
Smiths better value and shot more accurate.
I’ve stated my case- to each there own.
I seriously doubt that 5 to 1 ratio is accurate. From Wikipedia on the Official Police alone:
"It became one of the best selling police firearms of all time, eventually in the 1950s coming to exemplify typical law enforcement officer weaponry.[2] The Official Police was also used by various U.S. and allied military forces during World War II."
"By 1927 the overwhelming sales of two popular models, the Army Special and Colt Police Positive, had assured Colt's dominance of the law enforcement firearms market."
"In 1930, Colt scored a marketing coup when they publicized that their Official Police model could easily handle the firing of heavily loaded .38 rounds intended for competitor Smith & Wesson's new large N-frame revolver, the .38-44, none of the comparable S&W revolvers could manage this feat.[2][3] By 1933 the Colt sales catalog listed many law enforcement agencies as having adopted the OP as a sidearm, including the New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Kansas City, Compton and Signal Hill Police Departments and other police departments. In addition many state police organizations and even the Federal Bureau of Investigation chose the OP as their issue revolver.[2] The U.S. Army also bought some of the revolvers, issuing them to military police and to federal agencies in need of a revolver for their armed agents, such as the Treasury Department, Coast Guard, and the Postal Inspection Service."
"With a total production of over 400,000 pistols, the Official Police ranks as one of the most successful handguns ever made.[2]"
It wasn't until the 1960s that S&W took over the lead.
The Trooper was also used by many law enforcement agencies, it was seen as lighter and handier than the S&W 28. If I were a cop I wouldn't want to drag that brick around all day.
Unlike the Python, I wouldn't call the Diamondback or Anaconda superior to the 19.
Nonsense, the recent release of the Sig P210 hasn't impacted the price of the originals at all. You don't get that beautiful bluing on the new Pythons.
The recessed cylinders may be cool, but they have no practical value, it's just an area to collect gunk in.
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I'm sure lots of Taurus, Ruger, and Rossi owners would swear their guns do the same.
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rs525
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Don't 158 grain bullets have more felt recoil than 125 grain?
I cast, powder coat and Reload- So I can alter the Ammo to my choice. Yet factory ammo related…..
The 125s have a Snap with flash and bang that can assist a Novice or experienced shooter to flinch. Concussion from shot and Overall less than enjoyable experience produces Fun only for a cylinder or two.
The 158s have more of a Push or shove. Ditto to the same for the 180s. A Mid level 158gr at around 1000 fps provides a excellent shooting time and isn’t painful to say the least.
Fixed sites are Usually set for 158 projectiles in the K frames.
These are just my Experiences and opinions.
DM~
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I bought my first 19 new in 1971, and I've never had a recessed cylinder "fill with junk", but I did have a Python get LOT'S of junk under the rib, and even start to rust there.
I HATED those ribs, as I sometimes stayed for weeks in the bush, and I always had to check for junk and rust there...
DM
wcwhitey
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I should have known better to respond to this thread. I am a lover of all things revolver and have been so for quite a long time. My opinions are formed by me based on that. But they are “my opinions” and not yours obviously. However, none are nonsense and I would never address another member here in that manner, this is the Highroad after all. Comparing the Python market to that of the Sig 410 is not an apples to apples comparison. Secondly, pinned and recessed add value to all things Smith and Wesson, just a fact, I made no mention in my post of their function. Have a great day.
Styx
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They are actually priced around the same as S&Ws. The Cobra and King Cobras are around $700-$850 which is on par or cheaper than S&W J and K frames. The Pythons are are more expensive, but priced about the same as a pre lock S&W. All of the Colts have a better out the box trigger than S&W revolvers, and they do not have a lock. The Python will hold value better or go up in value more so than a current locked S&W.
I own a S&W Model 60, 640 Pro, 686+ 2.5", and a 686+ 3". My Colt King Cobra was cheaper, has a better trigger, and does not have a lock. If I seen a Model 19 and a Colt Python on the table and I had the money to afford either, I am picking the Python each and every time. I'd pick the Python even over an older pre lock S&W 19 being that they command a simular price, the forcing cones can crack under heavy 357 loads, parts availablity is less, and the warrenty is non existent, they aren't as drop safe.
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BLACKHAWKNJ
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The version I have heard is an S&W M-19 is a 38 that can fire 357s while the Python, being on a slightly larger frame, is more of a true 357. IIRC the S&W L frame was designed to compete directly with the Colt Python and Trooper.
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