2020 Python or What?

[Huntolive]

Thanks for your diverse and informed views.
I own a Dan Wesson 715 and used to have two I sold one recently at a tidy profit.
So I still have a Dan Wesson 715 that is scoped.
I have a 7-in 686 Talo edition that is a fantastic shooter. Also have a colts king cobra 3 in.
A 5-in 8 shot performance center Smith & Wesson (637?) and a nice 6-in lightweight Smith & Wesson (vandium?) Hunting revolver that maybe the most accurate 357 I've ever shot including four Dan wessons that I owned.

By the way that Dan Wesson pictured above is a true thing of beauty. how did you accomplish that?
It may be that I am simply doomed to buy the python.
I also have a nice old nickel-plated Smith & Wesson that might already hold the roll I'm reserving for the python.
Maybe I should just go play with it a little bit and get over the Colt lust.

 

[Huntolive]

Royal Phoenix?
Do tell?
Tell me more about the model 27s please and where that fits in on the line of original Smith & Wesson 357s and about their actual durability and accuracy.
Where do they fit in compared to a Smith & Wesson model 1
If I'm correct there is only one 357 prior to that. This is my model 27-2 in a hog hunters stag handled set.
It's one of the few revolvers I have with an actual Hammer spur instead of a transfer bar.
Looking at it again I don't really see how a python exceeds this.

 

[Huntolive]

Hold the press:
Where in the world are you that you're seeing new Colt pythons going for 1500?
I'll give a reward to anyone who can find me one for $1,500 or less
Or put this way I would already have pulled the trigger on one at that price

 

[Viper1357]

X2...DAN WESSON for sure for both function and grandeur... not to mention accuracy...my custom 715 is a incredible piece to shoot

X3... On the Dan Wesson... I too wanted the 2020 Python until it became over priced unobtainium (again). While I was waiting this summer I ran across a Dan Wesson 715 which at the time I didn't even know existed. Glad I did because it's a beauty of a gun with a trigger pull in DA that is really smooth and short. If I ever get an opportunity and have the cash I'd not mind adding the Colt, but if not that's fine because I'm really happy with the DW.


Stock 6" w/factory rubber grip...



Or dressed up with an 8" and vintage wood grips...

 

[Viper1357]

A S&W 686 (or 686 Plus in my case) is no slouch either and is half the cost give or take. Another revolver I like a lot and wouldn't trade away or sell to get the Python.

 

[Obturation]

I'd grab a new Python if they are available for under MSRP

Is that supposed to surprise us? Look at your user name...

- I'm just poking fun a little.


OP-I want a python too. Not too, two. Yeah, I want two.
Really can't go wrong, just don't over pay and if you can enjoy what you have and not buy something new, spend more time on THR and you'll change your mind .

 

[Rock185]

The force is strong with the Colt and Python names. I'm not sure much short of a S&W Registered Magnum could equal or exceed that kind of gravitas.

BTW, I've always been a S&W guy, shot Pythons, beautiful guns but was never interested in owning one myself. I have a 27-2 I bought new 40+ years ago. Good gun, but worth about what, 1/3, 1/4, 1/10 of what a clean Python goes for now days? It's that gravitas thing

 

[DukeConnor]

Buy the Python. You will buy it eventually.

 

[Kleanbore]

A S&W 686 (or 686 Plus in my case) is no slouch either and is half the cost give or take. Another revolver I like a lot and wouldn't trade away or sell to get the Python.

I think I have come to the same conclusion.

 

[mxl]

I own a 686 Plus Pro [5 inch slabside barrel] and a New Python 4 1/4 inch which I bought a couple weeks ago. Everything considered, the 686 is the way to go. I say this because of several things. Both are good looking in different ways. As far as fit and finish, it's nearly a tie. I don't think the side plate fit on the Python is as good as the 686. The fit at lower rear of the plate is a couple thousandth inch below the frame--not a biggie, but noticable and not as precise as the 686. The rear sight on the Python fits the frame loosely. The pin holding it seems slightly undersized, but so far as I can tell, it stays in the same place shot to shot, so accuracy remains. Accuracy in both is good, but I'm not that good of a shooter, so hard to tell which is better. My biggest complaint with the Python is the trigger pull. Both are smooth with a very, very slight edge to the Python in double action. Pull weight is the problem to me. Python single action is 5 lbs. 6 oz. and around 9 lbs. 6 oz. double action. I don't recall what the 686 was originally, but not that much, and the 686 is very easy to work on. I've polished parts, changed springs, etc and now have single action at 2 lbs. 8 oz. and double action 7lbs. 8 oz. I don't use either for self defense, shoot golf balls and targets for the fun of it, and reload my own ammo. The Python is almost impossible to work on and no parts available, so can't experiment with reduced power springs and judging from what I read, polishing internal parts on a Colt can easily create reliability problems. As it is, the pull weight is too much for my liking. Hopefully someone will come out with aftermarket upgrades. Price of the 686 is less than half of the Python. If I could only keep one it would be the 686.

 

[Old Dog]

I have plenty of Smiths in .357. What I don't own is a Python.

I want one. And if the one I buy is near as good as my new model Cobras and King Cobra, it shall be a worthy revolver indeed.

But, I guess I understand that some consider price to be the major factor in their firearms acquisition model. It's great to have the kids through college and no debt to speak of; the wife and I are ready to indulge in travel and splurging on a few things after working so hard all our adult lives.

The Python is almost impossible to work on and no parts available,

Pray tell, a little documentation would seem to be in order here.

 

[mxl]

The "documentation" I can supply is this: Much research on Google about the old and new Pythons and about the inner workings and learned polishing/stoning, etc. is best left alone on pretty much all Colt revolvers. Specific to the New Python: The only parts available are grips and front sights. The 2 places Colt sources parts to for retail are Brownells and Midway. Neither have ANY internal parts and don't know when/if they will get any. Colt refuses to sell any direct to the public. A search for any aftermarket parts came up zero.

 

[CraigC]

I wouldn't expect to find any spare parts for a brand new gun just yet.

Colt SAA mechanics are a dime a dozen.

 

[Old Dog]

So, you made a thesis statement, "The Python is almost impossible to work on" and your support for this statement is to tell us to "Google it."

The "documentation" I can supply is this: Much research on Google about the old and new Pythons and about the inner workings and learned polishing/stoning, etc. is best left alone on pretty much all Colt revolvers.

Now, I was under the impression this thread was concerned with the "New Python," which, by most accounts I've seen, doesn't/shouldn't require any work to get it up to the expected standard. While it's disappointing that you got a specimen that you feel doesn't measure up to your 686, it rather looks as though you're comparing apples to oranges. It's not surprising that there are few left out there that know how to work on a revolver that's been out of production for thirty years; however, the fact remains that the new version is considerably simpler mechanically, with significantly fewer number of parts, so one might expect more to see more information on working on these guns, as well as more gunsmiths willing to take on this work.

I have a 686. I will buy the new Python. Oh, and about the ugly pimple on the left sideplate of the S&W's ...

 

[Huntolive]

Don't get me wrong I love Dan Wessons but a new 7:15 costs as much as a new python.
The particular Dan Wesson pictured above that is undergone significant modifications and upgrades is an outstanding looking highly customized old monson, mass much like the one I have.
Yes I agree I may be doomed by the Force to get a Python, but YES money matters and retirement in the future ain't what it used to be. I imagine I'll wait a while until a good deal gets close enough to my fingertips.
But seriously guys I'm not hearing back from anybody yet who can actually point me towards a $1,500 python...

Also I saw a very interesting 27-2 for sale that comes with four different barrel lengths kind of like you might see a Dan Wesson pistol pack set.
But how in the heck do you change out the barrels on a Smith & Wesson 27-2?

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I have a few Colts, but for some reason I have never been interested in owning a Python.

Instead, I have..................

A S&W Model 27






Model 29-2







Model 1955 Target






Model 19-3






38-44 Outdoorsaman






38-44 Heavy Duty






K-32






Triple Lock Target






44 Hand Ejector 2nd Model






44 Hand Ejector 4th Model






Just never saw the need for a Python. I suppose if I wanted another Colt I would get a few more Single Action Armies.

 

[Old Dog]

C'mon now, Driftwood Johnson, we know you have a superb collection of old Smiths (and we're all huge fans) and Colt Peacemakers, but this is about the new Python. I've got old (pre-MIM, pre-lock) 686s and new (full'o'MIM, complete with left-side pimple) Smiths. But -- there's no reason under the sun one can't long to experience the remake of arguably one of the most iconic revolvers ever made.

Celebrate diversity! (at least that's what my government employer keeps telling me)

 

[P5 Guy]

Save your money and next year you'll be able to buy a really nice 357MAG revolver like a KORTH or MANHURIN.
My money would go to the MR73.
S&W and Colts are so pedestrian.

 

[kidneyboy]

You want the Colt and they’ve been making this one long enough now so the kinks are worked out. A less expensive 2020 Colt, Gunbroker

View attachment 961009

My LGS has one of these (for $1000). Beautiful firearm and one of the smoothest factory triggers I have ever experienced. But I could not get the cylinder to open, no matter how hard I pushed the cylinder release ........
50+ years of pushing can't seem to be turned into a pull.

 

[Master Blaster]

Here is what I settled for instead, these two classic Colts from the time when they were hammer forged by Thor himself.
Less expensive for both than for a new python....They will be making more new pythons, and given that they only hold six rounds they are unlikely to be banned for now.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

But -- there's no reason under the sun one can't long to experience the remake of arguably one of the most iconic revolvers ever made.

Howdy Again

Like I said before, I don't know why, the bug to own a Python has just never bit me. I do have a few interesting old Colts other than my SAAs, but just am not interested in owning a Python.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Let me ask you guys this question.

How many of you who are interested in owning a Python first saw one on TV in that stupid zombie series?

How many of you would not be interested, would not even know the Python existed, if you had not seen that stupid TV zombie series?

Be honest now.

 

[Old Dog]

How many of you who are interested in owning a Python first saw one on TV in that stupid zombie series?

Not me.

I became aware when hired on to my first real job in the SO when a couple of the old hands packed Pythons. 1979. Us new guys got S&W Model 19s.

Nice Colts, by the way, D.J.

 

[CraigC]

For some reason I want a new Python but not an old one.

I first became aware of Pythons when I was a kid shooting rats in the barn with a Crosman CO2 pistol styled like it. Don't care anything about zombie shows.

 

[Kleanbore]

Back in the day, the Python didn't appeal to me.

The ventilated rib resembled a modified Roman aqueduct.

$125 was too rich for my blood.

I did not like the appearance of the full length underlug. It resembled the fake, non-functional ejector rod housing on a 1951 Nichols Stallion .38, a toy cap gun I once had.

I didn't like the lug on the 586, wither. But of course it has its function.

I have a 686+ with a tapered lug.

I like the new Python, but the 686+ serves my needs.

I am not ruling out a King Cobra.

I do not like zombie anything.