Today's Investigation

[RainDodger]

Carried a 2.5" 66 as a Special Agent for years. It's bulky compared to the King Cobra I carry now. I've found this new Colt to be exceptional. Very tight, very good double-action and single action is crisp and light. No rear sight to mess with and a whole lot cheaper than its big brother.

 

[westernrover]

I shouldn't have to replace the factory sight on a *$1500* supposedly top-shelf revolver

I agree, but if that is all it is, it is an easy fix if only about a hundred bucks more.

I am giving serious consideration to replacing a Performance Center 586 L-Comp with a 3" Python for EDC. Right now, the L-Comps are selling for almost $1400, so not so much less than the Python. The L-comp has 7 chambers instead of six, is cut for moonclips (which I have and use), has chamfered chambers mouths, has a trigger over-travel stop (mostly for single-action that I don't use), has a port (mixed feelings about that) and has a nice trigger. Unfortunately, it has a dead tritium night sight (so I might spend $100 on a sight anyway). The main fault with it is that I can't get it to stop misfiring. I won't get into the details here. It's been a long story.

The drawbacks of the Python, besides the high cost (including the rear sight) are:

• no chamfered chamber mouths (could be fixed by TK Custom for more $)
• no moon-clips (also could be fixed by TK Custom for more $)
• no port (could be magnaported for more $, but personally, I would rather go without)
• far less choice of grips
• only 6 chambers instead of 7
• weak trigger reset (I'm supposing this could be increased at the cost of trigger pull weight, but I'd rather not)

 

[UncleEd]

Westernrover, have you considered Ruger's 7-shot 2.5-inch
offerings with adjustable rears and fiber optic fronts? It's same frame size as
the L Comp. Some also feature 3-inch barrels.

 

[westernrover]

I have. They're not very available right now. None at Scheels, Cabelas, Sportsmans, any LGS, and there hasn't even been any on Gunbroker. Well, I was looking for blued, but I just checked now and there is one stainless 2.5" (for $859 plus shipping and transfer fee), and one 3". 2.5" is too short. I like 3". This is the only one I've seen: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/960121929

It could be good. I don't know. Someone could be selling it to get rid of their problems. I do have Ruger single actions that I like. I've always considered their double-actions the lesser of Colt and S&W's top models. They were, traditionally half the price, but are more costly now without apparent justification.

 

[Mosin77]

Revolvers make a lot of sense in any thinking man’s arsenal. The problem, of course, is that they’re not favored for SD or service, so, not being made in any quantity, they’re not terribly affordable when new compared to semi-auto guns.

I prefer older, used guns myself, but if I were shopping in the new market the Colts would probably get the nod. Buy once, cry once, and all that.

In reality though, you can find a lot of blued smiths, and nice Ruger single sixes for comparatively small money, so I think this is the best route at the present time.

 

[crestoncowboy]

far less choice of grips

Every old python grips fits the new one. Id think there would be several. Maybe not smith numbers but there are many. On my smiths I like Xframe grips. They make the normal 629/29 44 shoot like a 38. And make the 329 pd feel like a 500....thats a win.

I've always considered their double-actions the lesser of Colt and S&W's top models. They were, traditionally half the price, but are more costly now without apparent justification.

I have several of all 3. Ruger DA guns have never been the lesser gun as far as shooting or lasting. Fit finish/ trigger more so. But there is just as much difference in that arena between smith and colt as there is Ruger and Smith.

I'm far from a hater of smith.



Or ruger or Colt.

I agree completly that Ruger is inexplicably priced considering all the corners cut in manufacturing. Less than 100 bucks between the redhawk and Anaconda.

I guess they are worth what people will pay though

 

[JERRY]

The Smith and Wesson 642 is still a reasonably priced revolver. It can be had without the lock and when loaded with lightweight ammo such as the hornady critical defense it is acceptable even for novice shooters. Especially with a set of laser grips.

 

[UncleEd]

Looking at Gunbroker listings for GP100s ,it's obvious that Ruger recently made a slew
of SS and blue GP100s in 4.2 and 6-inch barrel, quite a few holding 7 rounds.

However, about a year ago, the 2.5 and 3-inch 7 shot models were in abundance.
Again, it just reflects Ruger making/issuing batches of different models.

And their disappearances from the marketplace possibly reflects healthy sales.

Since 1985, Ruger has produced more than 700,00 GP100s in various calibers
but mostly .357.