Colt python vs. S&W 627 performance center non-comp

[Guillermo]

The King Cobra is a fine gun. While the lockwork is of the same design as the Python, it is also the same as the Trooper. There is no comparison for between the Trooper or the King Cobra and the Python due to tuning and fitting.

That said, since your King Cobra has such a horrible trigger I would consider buying it from you.

PM me.

 

[Logan5]

The King Cobra is a coil spring gun, which was more or less intended to compete with the 686. Internally the Python is a different gun. And of course some PC Smiths are better than others.

 

[788Ham]

Win1892,
I'm a lot like you sir, I take a look at my Python in the safe, take it out and am going to go shoot it, then the phone rings and I put it back, maybe I ought to go get it back out again. LOL I bought mine NIB in '86, still about 98%, spose' I better get it out and shoot it again...... might be able to pile 'em in the bull like I used too! Royal Blue Beauty!

 

[Coal Dragger]

Yeah like you 788Ham, I can't leave a nice gun alone. If it shoots well it is going to get shot. A lot if possible.

 

[earplug]

Smith Owners shoot their stuff

I have never seen a Python at our local ICORE or USPSA shoots.
We had one Python show up a year or so ago for our Bullseye league.
I have never seen one at our Steel Challenge shoots.
I'm saying this because if your a shooter instead of a safe queen pimp, get a Smith and Wesson.
When prize money, local gee whiz factor and personal shooting satisfaction is at stake people us Smith and Wesson.

 

[Mr.454]

Well I have pretty much decided on a Smith I would like something that is out of the norm. For me accuracy is very very important, and the Freedom Arms guns are really nice but I won't go single action only. I've got some time before we need to put the order in, and I have been checking out the 625PC as well as the 627 V-comp. As far as use I do plan on target shooting as well as using this gun for CC, and backpacking. At my size I can conceal just about anything other than an 8" revolver. As to the GP100 I do like them but I like the looks of the performance center guns.

 

[David Drury]

Fair enough Mr. 454!

However, GP100's are priced fairly enough that at some point I think you should pick up a GP100 in either 6" or 4", simply because the thing will outlive you. Security Sixes and GP100's are some of the finest pieces of steel at that price point any beyond, and have some serious potential for customization and greatness.

 

[MrBorland]

For me accuracy is very very important

Depending on your needs and/or ability, you might consider getting additional work done to it, even if it's a PC gun. IMHO, it's a rare factory-stock gun that can't be improved by some good action and accurizing work by a good revolversmith. Load development will work wonders, too.

Good luck - update us with pics & a rang report!

 

[Guillermo]

it's a rare factory-stock gun that can't be improved by some good action and accurizing work by a good revolversmith

quite true...which is a reason why MIM is to be avoided

 

[Bubba613]

A well tuned SMith and Wesson .357mag will run circles around the Colt. The new guns are better made with better materials. You want to shoot a bunch of 357magnum? Go right ahead with the Smith. With the COlt you are looking at an expensive re-timing operation.
I own a Colt Python and I have a Smith 686SSR in my shop. The SSR is a far superior gun.

 

[Mr.454]

Can't I also expect better durability out of the 627 due to it being an n frame? I would figure that the recoil should be different from the 686s that I have shot. I'm sure it's better than my snub, after 60 full power loads my smile starts to disappear.

 

[Lobo_79]

Can't I also expect better durability out of the 627 due to it being an n frame?...

This is a tough crowd tonight...

I've got about 3000 rounds through my PC 627. So far the durability question is a non-issue because I've just barely broken mine in. I've also shot pretty much all of Colt's Snake collection. Regrettably I don't own one right now but I agree with the poster who suggested that if Colt went back into production with these that it may help drive down the price of the used ones.

I feel qualified to recommend the Smith. It's a fine gun. On a more subjective note if I had a chance to trade it for a like new Python I'd be seriously tempted. It would sit in my gun safe next to my Ruger collection...LOL.

 

[Mr.454]

Lobo_79 that is a beautiful gun, really that picture takes the cake,

 

[Guillermo]

undeniable facts are items to be ignored to some people

 

[Lucky Derby]

Not really helpful. I really would like to hear the reasons behind such statements. Otherwise it just sounds like that old "they don't make them like they used to". I have a hard time believing that a 30 year old design is the be all end all. Don't you get a hand fitted gun from the performance center?

You do realize that both designs are around 100 years old.

 

[clang]

Don't know if it was mentioned earlier - but S&W PC guns use forged parts. MIM goes into the regular guns.

I own two 627s. I've also owned a 1964 Python and still own several Colts, including an early .357 Magnum. Both the S&Ws and Colts have nice triggers, but thet are very different. I sold the Python because I worried about it too much when I took it to the range. I was also concerned that there were no local gunsmiths who I trusted to work on the Python. I would recommend a S&W, either a 627PC or pre-lock 686. Shoot the crap out of it and keep an eye out for a decent Python. If you think you will have to pay $2G, you can always get yourself an original S&W Registered Magnum (yes, I have one of them too).

 

[Lucky Derby]

I don't have a Colt Python but do have a King Cobra, Trooper and a PC S&W. I've shot the python before but it was a long time ago. I doubt my frame of reference is very useful there.

The DA action on the PC is smoother than the Cobra. The Trigger breaks cleaner. More of a feeling of breaking glass vs the Colt feeling like breaking wood. Crisp but not as much. The fit and finish is better on the Colt.

I would lean towards the Colt though. Simply because there aren't anymore being made. The PC S&W will be available for the foreseeable future.

The King Cobra is a completely different action than the Python. Which Trooper are you talking about? There is the original Trooper, the Trooper .357, the Trooper MKIII and the Trooper MKV. The original Trooper and the Trooper .357 have the same action as the Python, although the original Trooper has a hammer mounted firing pin. The Trooper MKV and the King Cobra have the same action.

 

[Mr.454]

O.k. you got me the Python was released in 1955, so it's older than 30 years. I'm sure that it's action may be related to older models just like any other machine, but the Python design is not 100 years old. I say that because not every Colt is as celebrated as the Python, it was Colt's shining star. Once again pushing the "They don't make them like they used to" mentality. Hey I love old iconic weapons too I grew up shooting 1911's. And to this day there are plenty of custom gun makers that will hand fit everything for you. But will this hand fitting get you better groupings, or better reliability? Sometimes, often at the cost of reliability just like the timing issues of the python.

 

[Coal Dragger]

Out of curiosity do you plan on doing any double action shooting, or mostly just single action?

 

[Lobo_79]

Lobo_79 that is a beautiful gun, really that picture takes the cake,

Thanks. I photograph all of my guns and log them into a database I keep on a secure server.

Back to the point of this thread...I haven't seen this kind of intensity since the caliber wars began LOL. I really like my PC 627; it's built the way you'd expect it to be put together. But I'll always have a fondness for the some of the older Colts simply based on the subjective craftsmanship element.

 

[Mr.454]

At the moment my revolver use is single action first shot with rapid double action follow up. Mainly defensive training,but I'm hopeful my 627 will be better than combat accurate. If that's the case I will hopefully be using it in local target matches, and as black bear repellent. By the way we did order the 627.

 

[BrainOnSigs]

I own several versions of both....my vote would be a Model 27-2 (instead of a 627PC)

 

[22-rimfire]

No No No Mr. 454, you can't order the 627 yet, we're not done "discussing" the merits of Smiths versus Colt or where the Python action is 50 years old or 100 years old.

In the case of the Python, the basic trigger/action design is about 100 years old. The Python was introduced in 1955 as a model. It is the hand tuning and hand work that made the difference in the Python versus some of the other Colts once the Trooper 357 was dropped from production. Pythons had a reputation of shooting very well. Honestly, I prefer my 6" Colt Trooper Mark III 357 mag for shooting and once I got used to it, I sold the Pythons.

 

[788Ham]

earplug,

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I've got 2 Smiths I shoot too, not in any race gun shoots no, but because one owns a nice revolver, they're known as a pimp? Possibly you are very similar to your shooters, blowing hot gas!

 

[Vern Humphrey]

In the case of the Python, the basic trigger/action design is about 100 years old. The Python was introduced in 1955 as a model. It is the hand tuning and hand work that made the difference in the Python versus some of the other Colts once the Trooper 357 was dropped from production.

The idea that the Python is somehow weak, and gets easily out of time is false. It's just as rugged as the S&Ws. Mine is a Colt M357, the predecessor of the Python, and I've had it for over 40 years.