The Better Gun: Colt Python or S&W 686?

Status
Not open for further replies.
S&W revolvers are never an automatic yes-or-no for me. Some Bangor Punta era S&W revolvers were, simply, just assembled, rather than fitted. I know, because that is when I started buying revolvers, and after my poorly-done Models 60 and 686, acquired in 1983 and 1984, I learned to carefully inspect and select. The Stainless Python I bought in the early Nineties was probably not one of Colt’s best efforts, in fit or finish. That 686 and Python are now gone, while the Ruger GP100, visible in my avatar photo at the left of this post, is still with me, and I would not sell it for ten thousand dollars. (Well, sentimental value IS priceless, and this GP100 reminds me of adventurous times.)

To be clear, I do treasure individual S&W products. Very much. It is a matter of finding good individual samples. Even some Bangor Punta S&W revolvers can be found, that were produced by individuals who still cared.

If selecting from current-production revolvers, I am really liking that I am seeing, in the 2020 version of the Python, and not impressed with hole-y S&W products.

So, among the older revolvers, the choice is going to be based upon the individual samples, from which to choose. Among today’s production, I would probably opt for the 2020 Python.
 
Last edited:
Something else just occurred to me.
The "Colt" Python - really is no more.
It's really the CZ Python (or will be shortly)

Who knows what direction CZ is going to take the Colt line going forward?
 
I doubt that CZ will change anything regarding marketing and trade marks. If I remembered correctly, former managements and unions had a lot of confrontations, plus some not so good business decisions that brought Colt on its knees.

Hopefully, things will turn for better for all.
 
Last edited:
I’ve had double-digit Pythons over the years and still have five, so I do love them, despite their particular shortcomings. That said, the fabled "bank vault lockup" of the old Colts was always massively overrated (pointless, really) and nothing close to being worth the sacrifices necessary to obtain it. Korths and Manurhin MR73s are better revolvers than any Colt, and their actions operate on the more durable S&W principle that doesn't involve stressing the hand at the moment of ignition.

Agreed that feature's appeal is mostly in my head, but there's no accounting for taste, right? Yes, Korth's also have the cylinder line you see on S&Ws, and it is not a functional liability.
 
I like Colt's. I have a python, 1979 model IIRC. Never shot a 686. I do have a 14-4 that is very close in smoothness to the Colt. The S&W PC JRC500 is probably the smoothest action I have.

The Shooting Master is Colt's real masterpiece. Hand crafted by the best of the best to be the best. Mine is worn out, but is still smooth as glass.
 
I have the poor man's Python......

Depends on what you want to do with it. The Pythons were considered a bit more accurate, the Smiths had better DA triggers.
The Pythons are laser bored sighted. To find out which is more accurate, you'd have to put them in Ransom rests and test them. Sadly, no one does that anymore. And most testers only put five shots in the test guns, which is stupid. Each chamber of a revolver has to be tested because each has a throat, and I've seen Taurus revolvers (Model 66) where the chambers were just holes. Couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. Some competition guns years ago had the least accurate chambers marked to give the shooters an edge in competitive events. I'd love to see some accuracy tests between S&W 686s and Pyhons.

I'm not a s&w hater but I've had a terrible ride with their revolvers , scared me off of them probably forever.
Sounds like there's a few stories there. Care to share?

If I could hand pick the gun, checking for QC slip ups, I'd take a modern 4" 5/686 over both a new amd vintage python. The money saved would buy me a first class action job, grips and a few other custom touches from a gunsmith. The Colts are beautiful, but the Smith L frames are work horses. Multiple tests have shown the new S&Ws to be mechanically superior to the old ones, despite the cosmetic challenges.
I think the S&Ws are beautiful, myself. But when one removes the factors of cost and investment, and everything else. Just the gun you'll live and die with, and be buried with. Kind of like, if you survive as asteroid strike that wipes out most human life on Earth. You're in a cave wish 4,000 rounds of .357 ammo and your choice of a Python or a 686. Which would you choose? Many would pick Rugers, so we have to eliminate them from the equation. It's an either/or choice. Python or 686. Factory action only.

I’m fortunate to have both. My 6” Python was tuned by the late Reeves Jungkind and I can barely describe the feel of pulling the trigger ... in DA or SA. My 4” royal blue Python is stock from Colt. I wish I had had Reeves work that one as well.

I also have a 6” 686-4. It’s got a fine action out of the box, but it’s no Python. It’s different. Rumor is that it’s more “robust” than the Colt. I don’t know, and I’m not sure it matters at day's end. If you have to “lean” on your 357, get a Ruger GP100. (Got 2 of those too, and they are the ones I lean on).
Yeah...I'd opt for a Security-Six, myself, but I get the idea. Still, if you could only choose between a S&W 686 and a Python, no Rugers, which would it be?

Quality wise, I’d give the nod to the Python. Accuracy wise, I’d have to give the nod again to the Python, if by a slim margin.
Both are fine revolvers. Both are easily capable of accuracy beyond my skills.
So Python it is...if it's a doomsday pistol?

Durability wise, I’d probably give the nod to the Smith, as it’s a more “modern” design having come into the scene well after the Python had been established. More folks know how to work on the Smith. Now as for the new Python, I have no real idea with respect to the “newer” lock work wether it’s “better” than the 586/686.
So it's a 586/686 is it? Accuracy or durability? One .357 revolver for the rest of your life. My brother says he'd use a 586 to knock over a gun store so he could get a Ruger.

Colt has had a tough go of it since the early 2000’s by losing government contracts, financial restructuring and low demand of it’s products. Something had to be done to renew interest and the re-invent of the Cobra, King Cobra and now Python is an effort to regain a place in the handgun market. Engineering, machinery and material is expensive and Colt has a reputation to live up to with the success of past products. A Python should be equal to a S&W PC gun and they are trying to prove that with their price point. S&W has lost the craftsmen, exhibited poor QC and the dreaded lock has cost them an unknown amount of customers. Revolvers are no longer accepted by law enforcement as the handgun market leans toward plastic autos. It is a tough business when you sell products one at a time instead of purchase orders for many. It is much more involved then a 686 verses a Python. Hopefully, the 2020 Python will live up to it’s name.
The Python is said to have a small hand/pawl, which wears quickly and causes the gun to go out of time. Don't know if the 2020 model has that problem. Anyone shot it enough to tell? I hear they begin to head south at about 2,000 or so rounds.
 
Sounds like there's a few stories there. Care to share?
I don't like bashing any brand, it's no good for anyone and folks have totally different experiences with the exact same products. I'll keep it short.

A 686 with an offset crooked barrel that was allegedly fixed but was the same after repair (some kind of frame anomaly that set the barrel out of place) , best I could tell they retimed it but it was terrible.

A 629 that was nice and I liked it a lot but it loosened up and was out of time after a couple thousand rounds (100% factory ammo, no reloads) . wasn't mad, sent it in and it came back fixed. Started loosening up again and I was just done with it.

Truth is , I didnt lose much money when I sold either. I know older ones are different, everything's that way. I'm not willing to pay a premium for vintage when it's a firearm that is likely to see real use. So for me I stay away from them, not to mention the fact that you can buy a used freedom arms (during normal times & pprobably still true anyway) for the price of a new s&w, If you're not in a hurry. No one would argue the difference in quality. But they are different types of revolvers.
 
Colt has changed hands lots of times over the years. It will still be Colt. Just as Marlin will still be Marlin.
Maybe so - but - like I mentioned above - it won't be a Colt Python.
It will be a CZ Python.
CZ may decide to treat it the way they do the Dan Wesson 715.
 
But the laser embossed QR code on the Colt doesn’t seem to bother you. Interesting.

Yep that in itself is more obnoxious than the lock on the 686/586. I bought a new 686 and a 586 in the last year and I am very pleased with them. The triggers and accuracy out of the box were very good. Better than my Rugers. That lock does not bother me and if I decide to do away with it the option is there. I always wanted a Python but refuse to pay a premium or over msrp for something that I am going to shoot and shoot a lot. I'm a shooter not a collector...
 
Maybe so - but - like I mentioned above - it won't be a Colt Python.
It will be a CZ Python.
CZ may decide to treat it the way they do the Dan Wesson 715.
Repeating it doesn't make it so. It will still be a Colt. Is a Uberti really a Beretta? No. Is a Winchester or Browning really an FN? No. Colt firearms will continue to be made in the US by Colt, not CZ.
 
When was the last time you was a Colt place at USPSA or IDPA match?

Irrelevant to the vast majority of Colt or S&W owners. What percentage compete in the above groups? I read once the average handgun owner shoots their handgun 500 rounds. Look at the owners here, many have dozens of handguns, they aren't shooting them all 30K rounds, which makes the supposed delicate Colt action a moot point for most.
 
Irrelevant to the vast majority of Colt or S&W owners. What percentage compete in the above groups? I read once the average handgun owner shoots their handgun 500 rounds. Look at the owners here, many have dozens of handguns, they aren't shooting them all 30K rounds, which makes the supposed delicate Colt action a moot point for most.
It's relevant to me and I suspect a few other members here that compete or are thinking about competing. No doubt for the majority it is not relevant but I rarely am worried about the majority, it has a way of taking care of itself.
 
Last edited:
Not so much the guns themselves but if you must know, the customer service was horrid. In the end one was never fixed but deemed good enough, the one that was fixed was loose and out of time again after a couple thousand rds. To me, unacceptable. If you like that sort of thing, more for you.


I had a SW Bodyguard auto that was screwed up new, they fixed it and had it back in 2 weeks.


I had a problem with a Ruger American Ranch Rifle and they did the same thing.
 
Bear in mind that the Anaconda announcement came after the CZ deal was finalized.

They didn't whip a whole new model out in the two weeks since CZ bought them up; it had to have been in the works for a while, probably as soon as they saw the New Python selling well.

To find out which is more accurate, you'd have to put them in Ransom rests and test them. Sadly, no one does that anymore.

Back when the Police Marksman's Association ran PPC, they put a Python and a K38 in the Ransom Rest and shot wadcutters. The Smith was a bit more accurate. But that was two guns and a few loads and 40 years ago.
More recently, but still not very recent, a friend bought a Taurus M66. We put it in the Ransom Rest and were amazed by 1.5" groups at 50 yards with WWB 110 gr .357s. No other load, factory or reload was anywhere close. Some Rainier copper plated full wadcutters would not even stay on the 2.5x3 foot target backer.
 
Irrelevant to the vast majority of Colt or S&W owners. What percentage compete in the above groups? I read once the average handgun owner shoots their handgun 500 rounds. Look at the owners here, many have dozens of handguns, they aren't shooting them all 30K rounds, which makes the supposed delicate Colt action a moot point for most.
I agree and would wager that nobody is going to buy a new Python for competition. The S&W dominates because of its quicker trigger return. Otherwise, there is no magic. A great many of us have no interest whatsoever in competition, revolver or otherwise. I know some folks like doing it but I would honestly rather tie my wiener in a knot than compete in anything appropriate for a DA revolver and moon clips.


They didn't whip a whole new model out in the two weeks since CZ bought them up; it had to have been in the works for a while, probably as soon as they saw the New Python selling well.
Obviously but my comment was in response to this:
Who knows what direction CZ is going to take the Colt line going forward?
 
Interesting to speculate. CZ says they are not going to relocate production and they are not going to replace the managers. Which leaves mucking about with the product lineup to balance out revenue from Colt, CZ, and DW.
 
Repeating it doesn't make it so. It will still be a Colt
You just don't quite grasp the concept that once something like a company has been sold, the new owners do what they want with it do you?
 
  • Like
Reactions: mcb
Years ago, the Colt workers joined the UAW (United Auto Workers) to represent them. One off color magazine, in reporting it, wrote, "Now the same people who screw up your cars can now screw up your guns!" The company actually put the UAW label on the gun boxes. This was years ago when the Colt Python wasn't in the same relic status as the Holy Grail, the Shroud of Turin and splinters from the Cross. People actually criticized Pythons back then, when they were worth only two Rugers, not three or more.

For those of you with older Pythons, and the boxes they came in, see if they have the UAW label. I'd be interested in knowing. But it's not that UAW brought in new people, it's that the people who were already there joined the UAW, and that's a big difference.

..
 
Just like S&Ws used to be Bangor Punta ones, right?

Paul,
the Czechs have a little bit of a different mentality than Bangor Punta, or other profit minded U.S. companies ´and it goes beyond guns, beyond Dan Wesson and Colt.
VW / Porsche started a cooperation with Skoda a few decades ago and the Skodas that are being built nowadays in the Czech Republic on VW platforms have a better reliability rating than VW. They are better than the licensed VWs made in Shanghai, Mexico, Brazil, or by Seat, Spain.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top