Funny as I've shot a few different pythons and yes they're sure nice, but I didn't notice a clearly discernible difference between that and a SW. Perhaps the differences are subtle and nuanced, like a fine bottle of wine or a high end audiophile sound system, but I'd hardly say they're pervasive and in your face, at least not to me....it's not like there's a night & day difference between the two and I could never understand the excessive hype.
The Pietta Python?
- Thread starter sailor723
- Start date
I shot a Python for about 20 minutes or so, really focusing on the feel, etc. And I was thinking the same. Then immediately after, I picked up my Performance Center S&W, which is the cream of my crop, and I immediately could tell how much nicer the Python was in SA. Had I shot them at seperate times, I likely would not have come to the same conclusions. So I guess the key for me is, never shoot them back to back, and the S&W will be just fine. Unfortunately, the genie is now out of the bottle and I'm on my second Python. Still love the Smiths though, better DA and faster trigger return IMO.
Murray does very good work for sure. I have a K38 that I'm pretty sure he did (prior to me getting it) and it is sublime, almost as good as my stock Pythons. BUT, my Python that came through the Colt Custom shop, with Elliason rear and Patridge front sight, and a further tune on the trigger....nothing is close to it. I am the third owner, have box and papers and the whole history on it. Was ordered for shooting bullseye, and it is the Python that I shoot. Seriously nothing close to it in my Smith line up, and I love my Smiths too, I've got about 20 of those in old K frames and N frames, and a couple 686s and 629s...The Python hype is based on a real difference. Shoot them side by side and you know. Having said that, I shoot my Smiths more.
Looks to me like we have a while new generation of shooters who will learn to love/hate the Colt action in DA/SA revolvers. The snake guns were discontinued because they were not selling well against the S&W's. Now we have Ruger in the mix with their excellent GP-100 along with the Smiths in a very small segment of the handgun market.
I suspect the line up will be quite short.
Take care
Bob
I suspect the line up will be quite short.
Take care
Bob
I've owned 3 Pythons, but would not consider paying today's market price for one. If Pietta can do a decent job on this and keep the price comparable with a Ruger or S&W I would be interested, simply because I like the Python's style/silhouette. The double action trigger of a stock Python was nothing to rave about anyway. There was a time when showing up at a serious PPC match with a Python would have resulted in a lot of good natured abuse (speaking from experience here) 
...showing up at a serious PPC match with a Python would have resulted in a lot of good natured abuse (speaking from experience here)
That is not their best use, that is for sure. However if you managed to walk away with a prize or two, that would have stopped some of the chatter
That is not their best use, that is for sure. However if you managed to walk away with a prize or two, that would have stopped some of the chatter
What he was saying was the Python's read Colt's DA/SA trigger was noting to write home about. In short the Smith's back in the day were better and still are. I can;t tell the difference between my Smith 686 and Ruger GP-100 pull no so I would have to say the Ruger GP-100 has a better trigger than the Python's had. It is the shooter that wins prizrs not the gun.
Take Care
Bob
Well...I can see a good shooter with a crappy gun beating out a poor shooter with a great gun, so in that regard your statement has merit.
However, if you are comparing apples to apples, in reality it is a team (shooter & gun) effort. Put two great shooters on the line, one with a great gun and one with a crappy gun and it is pretty good odds, the person with the great gun comes out on top.
I'll have to see and feel one before passing judgement. Not prepared to pay $700 for a snake profile.
Can honestly say I don't perceive any real difference between my Colt Officer Model Match and my S&W 17 or 617?
I can't fathom how a Snake could improve upon my tuned S&W 19?
I consider Ruger's GP series a strong competitor to Smith (throw in a spring kit and look out Smith). Well worth looking at.
Just observations.
M
Can honestly say I don't perceive any real difference between my Colt Officer Model Match and my S&W 17 or 617?
I can't fathom how a Snake could improve upon my tuned S&W 19?
I consider Ruger's GP series a strong competitor to Smith (throw in a spring kit and look out Smith). Well worth looking at.
Just observations.
M
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Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I own a well tuned Smith and a lone Python. Not sure where this poor trigger stuff started but the Colt breaks like glass, my Smiths are and have been good but none have ever matched the Python's trigger feel. I do believe the whole bit that they're the Ferrari of revolvers (well maybe a Korth is, the Corvette anyhow). This said, for the same reason I've decided to sell mine as I need work guns for ATC use not beauties. I don't get enough range days to make too many toys in the safe viable. But if looking for a premium range revolver, yes Colt wins- I woudn't bet on this Pietta being in the same league, even if it follows the design.
Even when available, the Python was twice the cost of a Smith, so yes, out of the box, or with CCS work they are better than, respectively a stock Smith and a worked Smith. I wonder what happened to all the Pythons the Kuwaiti Police ordered after Gulf 1, the were replaced very shortly after they were delivered.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Indeed, we need to remember the price point the Python sold at, and even more so that it sells at today. With that in mind my well tuned Smith is extremely good value. However, a well tuned Smith still doesn't get to stock Python level in my opinion- they really are that good it's not just a cult status. This all said, the Pietta won't actually be a Python. With enough smithing work to buy a real one, maybe it'll be closer- but out of the box expect Pietta through and through. This is an Italian budget copy of one of the absolute greats of the revolver world, great for a range toy you can afford to shoot the heck out of. But not actually a Python, and if you're not expecting a Colt equal, you'll be happy Pietta stuff is decent.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I have a Colt Model 3-5-7, despite outward appearances, the internals mimic the more pricey Python. I have many Smiths and most of them are fine revolvers and certainly their DA pull is different and much better to deal with then the stacking DA pull of the Colt. But nothing compares to the SA trigger pull of this Colt. IIRC, the most medalled revolver in American history was a .38 calibre Colt sixgun from the first two decades of the 20th century. It's in the NRA museum now.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
If you come across a restricted Python for 700 please let me know ASAP.
That's the exact price I paid for my different Colt Model 3-5-7 several years ago gnmontey.
