Zendude
Member
I admit that I didn’t know what a Python was until the tv show. But when I saw it...well that large frame shiny stainless 357 with a vent rib spoke for itself. Sort of like a 69 Dodge Charger.
2020 Python or What?
- Thread starter Huntolive
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CajunBass
Member
Come on. Give us SOME credit.
I first became aware of the Python back in the day when guys like Skeeter Skelton and Bill Jordan were writing books and magazine articles that got printed on actual paper. I wanted a Python back before I could legally buy one. That was a LONG time ago.When I went to buy my first handgun some years later, I knew I wanted either a S&W Model 19 or a Python. I had read and dog eared every magazine article, Shooters Bible and Gun Digest and anything else I could find. Everything I read convinced me, one of those two. Then I found out the Python cost almost twice as much as a Model 19. I became a BIG Smith and Wesson fan right then and there.
But I still wanted a Python. It just took longer to get one..or two...
By the way. The 2020 Python at $1499.00 is still about twice the price of a NIB Model 19. Or about twice the price I paid for a LNIB Model 19-4 a few week ago. Not quite twice, but close.
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CajunBass
Member
Well that’s what I paid for each of mine, but it was some months ago.
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CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Right now I can't even find a Ruger American Ranch 6.5Grendel for MSRP. A Python?
UncleEd
Member
Regarding the Python 2020 prices, I think
they have something to do with Colt's
practices with distributors and dealers.
More than once I've had dealers tell me
they dislike to handle Colts because of the
small profit margins they are often forced into.
I've been told Colt sets its charges close to
its MSRP, thus neither the distributor nor the
local gun dealer can do much else but charge
the MSRP or above it to make a decent profit.
This apparently inflates the value of a Colt
such as a Python.
Contrary to this practice, S&W and Ruger
apparently set a selling price to the distributors
well below their MSRP and then the LGSs
also have a cost well below MSRP. That's why
for instance a Smith is often listed for sale
a hundred or more dollars below that MSRP.
In my experience the Python is certainly no better
than the Smiths it has competed against. But some
people are willing to pay for that Colt image of
"exclusivity." and Colt seems satisfied with that smaller
part of the market. With modern manufacturing
methods, I truly believe the Python could actually
sell at Smith & Wesson prices.
they have something to do with Colt's
practices with distributors and dealers.
More than once I've had dealers tell me
they dislike to handle Colts because of the
small profit margins they are often forced into.
I've been told Colt sets its charges close to
its MSRP, thus neither the distributor nor the
local gun dealer can do much else but charge
the MSRP or above it to make a decent profit.
This apparently inflates the value of a Colt
such as a Python.
Contrary to this practice, S&W and Ruger
apparently set a selling price to the distributors
well below their MSRP and then the LGSs
also have a cost well below MSRP. That's why
for instance a Smith is often listed for sale
a hundred or more dollars below that MSRP.
In my experience the Python is certainly no better
than the Smiths it has competed against. But some
people are willing to pay for that Colt image of
"exclusivity." and Colt seems satisfied with that smaller
part of the market. With modern manufacturing
methods, I truly believe the Python could actually
sell at Smith & Wesson prices.
v8stang289
Member
I know locally they are much closer to 2k, IF you can find one.
One local dealer had 17 of the 4.25" Pythons on the shelf. Marked at $1999.99 + tax each, and he was not willing to budge on the price. He also had them listed on Gunbroker at the same price. I guess he figures they'll move sooner or later.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
The current Python appears to be a much better made sixgun than the current S&W offerings. S&W has taken too many cost-cutting measures over the last +20yrs.
IMHO, the new Python's price reflects the gun itself. Colt mystique, along with low supply and the possibility of Colt going under, is responsible for them selling over MSRP.
Zaydok Allen
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 13,274
Some day I will die. Life is about doing what you need to get by, and doing what you can to enjoy it. Personally, I don't have a problem saving my money and getting what I want anymore even if it's expensive. Money isn't even a tangible thing anymore. It's numbers on a screen or goods in hand. If your numbers on the screen is 600 less in the long run, is it going to matter? I'm guessing you won't give it a second thought once you are holding your Python, unless of course you can't pay your bills as a result.
My vote is save a little longer and get the one you really want. We aren't talking about that big of a difference.
Life is short. Buy the guns you want.
My vote is save a little longer and get the one you really want. We aren't talking about that big of a difference.
Life is short. Buy the guns you want.
Zaydok Allen
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 13,274
Agree. I'm likely going to sell a PC S&W to fund a Python in the next year or so.
UncleEd
Member
So-called cost cutting measures do not
reflect a lack of quality or durability. Smith's
updated internal revolver parts have been proven
through tens of thousands of rounds in the
last 20 years.
Right now, the 2020 Python has no track record.
Comparatively few are out there in the hands of
shooters to tell how well they will perform
or what maintenances they will require.
Anyone on this forum own say a recently
manufactured Smith Model 66 or 686
AND a 2020 Python? And have you shot
thousands of rounds through BOTH
products? I particularly like to know how
well the 2020 Python's double action is
working compared to a stock 66 or 686.
The Python and the Smith 686 L-frame
would be the best comparison as the 66
is a smaller framed .357.
UncleEd
Member
What Performance Center Smith do you have;
is it comparable in size, caliber to the 2020 Python.
Zaydok Allen
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 13,274
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
So you can make something cheaper and better??? Fascinating. Here I thought that milled steel and hammer forged one-piece barrels were better than injection molded innards and two piece barrels. S&W has cut costs, significantly and it has affected quality. Enough so that the fit & finish advantage over Ruger has disappeared.
One shouldn't need to put 20,000rds through a gun to know it has better machining, materials, fit, finish and polish than the competition.
How many rounds did YOU put through a new Python before you condemned it???
CajunBass
Member
I've got a Smith and Wesson Model 19-9 that was manufactured about 2017? 18? Somewhere in there. I've got two 2020 Pythons. I've fired the 19 and one of the Pythons about the same 800 rounds. Not thousands, but circumstances have gotten in the way lately.
I'm not the guy to ask about trigger weights and such. All I can tell you is both work quite well. The Model 19-9 has a little heavier trigger, but it's quite smooth, right out of the box. I had a little trouble with one of the Pythons when the sideplate screws worked loose after about 600 rounds. I caught it before it caused a problem, tightened them up and haven't had any further trouble.
My Pythons have two different triggers. The 6" one, is from the earlier batch, and has had some light strikes with my reloads, using CCI primers. With factory ammo, there have been no trouble. The 4" gun is from a latter batch and has a heavier D/A trigger. Supposedly Colt changed the springs after the first batch to help with the light strike problem and created a slightly heavier D/A pull. Not bad really, but closer to the 19-9. The 6" gun is actually rather light. I probably should send it back, but since it's just a range toy, and I'm basically lazy, I can live with it. I did switch to what I'm told are softer primers, but haven't tried them yet.
UncleEd
Member
CajunBass,
Thank you for your report.
I suspect the slightly heavier Model 19 trigger
is Smith's typical setting meant for total
reliability with every type of primer and
also an attempt to avoid short stroking during
stress.
Usually the Smith trigger snaps back
to reset without any necessity to ease off
pressure on the trigger after firing.
I had read Colt increased the weight of its
"V" spring after some ignition failures and
comments about a "mushy" return to reset
position.
Thank you for your report.
I suspect the slightly heavier Model 19 trigger
is Smith's typical setting meant for total
reliability with every type of primer and
also an attempt to avoid short stroking during
stress.
Usually the Smith trigger snaps back
to reset without any necessity to ease off
pressure on the trigger after firing.
I had read Colt increased the weight of its
"V" spring after some ignition failures and
comments about a "mushy" return to reset
position.
CajunBass
Member
I'd say based on my sample of two, those reports are accurate. My 4" model does "snap back" with a more positive feel than the earlier mfged 6" gun. The 6" is lighter, but doesn't feel as positive I guess would be the word.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Bears repeating.
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