The best pistol is having both pistols. It is not in S&W or Ruger league or prestige but for basic day to day practicality on the street or bedside I'd put it up against anything, really. All 8 inch barrels. I have to admit though, that a 2.5" barrel is a bit silly. The password should contain at least 8 characters with at least one number or special character. I know nobody likes to mention the "t" word, but honestly, Taurus has really stepped up their game, and more importantly, their quality control over the past couple years. Minuteman. David Yardley on December 28, 2021 at 10:05 pm Shot old python, bought the new one and it's better. You probably also know it as the gun that won the West. Easy to conceal carry, highly accurate and heavy enough to handle full power loads. While there are plenty of .357 models and companies that produce them, a few gun makers immediately stand out. Featuring an 8-shot cylinder and a factory-tuned action, this revolver is hard to beat. By the way, whats wrong with the Taurus? It has a 2.125-inch underlug barrel and exposed hammer with black synthetic grips that wear well. The price of a new Colt Python .357 Magnum revolver has no bearing on the price of a collector-grade Python. S&W Model 66 Shop G10 revolver grips from popular brands including Smith & Wesson, Colt, Kimber, Ruger, and Taurus. In fact, I have grown fond of 3" barrels. This revolver is ultra-durable and is a relatively soft shooter while maintaining a reasonable level of affordability. Ruger also offers a 4.2-inch model that sports a fiber optic front sight and adjustable rear sight. Never had it not go BANG and cycle properly when shooting. Considering on getting a GP100, but I'll never intentionally part with my security 6. You left out the best .357 revolver on the market. .99 Cents for the first month!. The single action pull comes in at about three pounds while the 686 is 10 pounds in double action and the single action pull is about 2.5 pounds. Check Price . You can load enough bullseye in a 38 special case to blow just about any 357extra powder room is not needed or required. These revolvers weigh between 25 to 60 ounces empty. It's a wonderful revolver and quite reasonably priced, either new or used. Purchased this gun in 1985 and have never had a single problem with it. Colt Python Vs Smith and Wesson 686 - Larry Reidy Colt Python Vs Smith and Wesson 686 Posted on April 20, 2021 by Larry Reidy | Posted in: Uncategorized Hickok45 has an excellent video on these two great revolvers. Can you recommend me the best bullets to choose for precision. Introduced in 1955, the Python was labeled by Colt as a "premium revolver." It competed directly with Smith & Wesson's Model 29. The Kimber feels beefier, it is finished better than any gun for the money. Hand-Picked Daily GUN DEALS, and Exclusive Coupons Codes >>>. Theyre basically Troopers but less expensive with fixed sights and not quite as gussied up. Series. We bought the one in my safe for my wife from the original run back in the early '90s. if you want more, get a set of Karl Nill grips for the gun and send it to Frank Glenn or the gunsmith of your choice for an action job. It was first introduced in 1934 and serves as the foundation of the Magnum Era.. I would love to put a python in your hand for a spin at the range you wound need a roll of paper towels after making a mess in your trousers. With heavy loads the low center of fire keeps you on target if you want a revolver with ease try one, Well you left out one of the sweetest 357mags, the new rino 3' 357mags. Over the years I've bought a number of firearms that I also do love, but the Dan Wesson I would never part with. There is a lot of steel these old guns, which adds to the expense and the weight. M&P 9 Shield Plus . A target load of a 148-grain wadcutter at 700 fps offers excellent accuracy. A full power 158gr. They have a snub nosed (2in) and full sized (6in) revolvers. and has been a faithful sidearm with no complaints. Next to no muzzle flip at all. Powerful. I first examined one of these odd-looking wheelguns as a candidate for PPC (Police Pistol. These loads make the four-inch barrel Python a top-flight small-game revolver. I've owned more than one; one that I got 2nd hand I had to replace the ejector rod, but this was cheap, and would not have given me any trouble in a defensive situation where I needed more than six shots and there are very few situations that I hope I might ever run into that require more than one (well, hopefully zero!) For general target practice, shoot .38 Special ammo. Only because they're no longer in production, and they were all "hand crafted" so-to-speak in that all the parts were put together by hand. For small frame revolvers, I dont recommend always shooting heavy-loaded, Its possible to wear out or break important parts of the revolver under these loads. The latter is an ideal range gun, but it can't compete accuracy-wise with the S&W 686 (which is far more accurate and which isn't even on the list), and when it left the range, it wasn't very useful except as a drawer gun and a paperweight. Be sure to read all about the K6s in our review! Its possible to wear out or break important parts of the revolver under these loads. Check Sturm, Ruger & Co.'s website for GP100 serial number dates that indicate S/N 170-00001 (1st Issue) was first "shipped" in 1986. I own S&w revolver, model 586-3 and i Shoot on competitions. But, with a small amount of money and time, the Ruger and Smith turn into absolute dreams. I still regularly take it to the range and it is very accurate and can handle a heavy load with no problem. Offered in four sizes for medium (K) and medium large (L) frame . It is a stainless-steel handgun and is in the "S&W", L-Frame One area where the Ruger GP100 and the S&W 686 absolutely smoke the Colt Python is availability of aftermarket parts. And the S&W 686? I shoot .38 +P ammo for practice. I love mine! the smith is twice the shooter the python ever dreamed of being, and for about a third the price. And when this article was written S&W were producing their new K frames that have been reinforced through the forcing cone area. My 4, pre-lock 686-3. Looking for a good holster - recommendations appreciated. Thanks for the rec, Colin! sticking with the old .38/.357 combo. The hammer arc and lock time on the Smith are considerably less than the Colt. Lets talk a little about the various frame sizes you can expect to see when shopping. In the past 6 months I purchased a 1972 Smith and Wesson 27-2, a 1968 Colt Trooper (Python style action), and a 1965 Colt Python. As I said before I find it very, very accurate despite having fixed and rather primitive sights. I was told by the late Joe Wallace, a Colt armourer who built the Official Police, Officer's Model and Python, that Colt had engineering students at the University of Connecticutt conduct yaw card and spark shadowgraph studies of the .38 Special revolver firing 158-gr. i love my Trooper MK3..love my ugly ole glock 31/.357sig too.. The recoil is very mild. If you have a S&W for example, you can look up on their website to see what frame you have and select that particular frame. You want J frame size 6 shots get a Kimber K6S they are excellent out of the box, You didnt even mention the model 19? ALWAYS will be. Smoothest DA and a super clean trigger break in SA. Allmost every round through them have been full house 357 Mag. The utility of the .357 Magnum round makes it just as pleasing for experienced shooters. Blued, 6 chambers, 6" barrel. I regret selling my S&W 586. This longer case makes it impossible to load a .357 Magnum round in .38 Special revolvers. While heavier than the standard Colt Cobra, the extra weight helps tame the recoil of the .357 Magnum cartridge and increases service life. I believe the Ruger GP 100 would be a little too heavy for regular carry. I love that gun! The Model 60 is a5-shot DA/SA stainless steel J frame revolver. The older smiths are exceptional and the new ones tend to be pretty good as well. I still enjoy my Ruger GP100 after a decade of use, and shooting my newest addition, the Colt Cobra (even though it isn't a magnum). This revolver is built on a large frame similar to the Smith and Wesson model 29. The Python has only two types of speedloaders, and most holsters that work for it also work for Ruger GP100s and S&W 686s. These revolvers usually weigh between 20 and 40 ounces unloaded. These are two very fine guns and either one will make a fine choice. The smiths at Colt had a lot of man hours in the finish work on their double-action revolvers. And I speak as an owner of both models (as well as Pythonsoriginals, not the remake). anything extra and your You have the date incorrect on the release of the Ruger GP100. The DA trigger pull was silky smooth. The King Cobra is a three-inch barreled, medium-frame .357 with a weight of 28 ounces and a brushed stainless steel construction. Peter, How do I get a catalog with the 357 handguns. are many fine cartridges out there but, I'm still But you know what they say, Close is only good in Hand grenades and Horse shoes. Great combo with a short lever rifle for the truck. I love the large frame guns I own 2 44 Magnum Smith & Wesson revolvers with 8 and 3/8 inch barrels and I only shoot iron sights. In 1957, Smith & Wesson began using its famous model numbering system. Only recently replaced with a Security 9. It also shoots 38 and 9mm with another cylinder. Case in point, the Ruger GP-100, an outstanding range gun. All three were great, just prefer the 44 mag for police work. S&W Model 19 w/ 4" barrel, Pachmayr grips, and a sweet trigger job. These revolvers are easy to conceal in a holster, purse, or fanny pack. Hey Jeremy, thanks for the reca Rhino is on my list of revolvers to try! "Back in the day," target loads using Bullseye powder were known to detonate in the case, instead of burning progressively. I just still don't understand why they are suddenly worth so much money. We normally include at least one high-end option, partly for perspective and partly because they are nice to look at. It is a stainless steel N large-frame revolver with a 4-inch custom underlug barrel. Not much else to say. That's it. Currently, the 2020 Python is available in either 3-, 4.25-, or 6-inch configurations. (nickel 686) The '69 Python has a trigger designed to "stage" for target shooting. Indeed. If you are referring to police work they all are obsolete. The Colt Python cost 50-100% more than a comparable Smith and Wesson revolver, and was arguably more fragile. Kinber revolvers from now on for me. Not even Close! Both are chambered in .357 Magnum with four-inch barrels. All the Revolvers you listed are excellent but you left out one of the best 357 Mag. Great article. Weve built dozens of ARs and well cover all the best AR-15 upgrades such as handguards, triggers, BCGs, gas blocks, and more. for a front blade sight and fixed rear sight. Colt and Smith doesnt stand a chance. You missed the Ruger LCRx, with 3" barrel is 1/4# lighter than the K6. For these guns, I still recommend using .38 Special ammunition for practice lead round nose or FMJ. Hey Marty, there's almost no kydex options so you'll probably have to go with leather. Yes, 2 outa the 3 are "Safe Queens". towards your level. 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For experienced shooters so much money and medium large ( L ) frame is an old when. Old guns, i still regularly take it to the expense and the Colt S & were... 6In ) revolvers soft shooter while maintaining a reasonable level of affordability so you probably... ( 6in ) revolvers them have been reinforced through the forcing cone area a GP100, i.