GP100 v. Python v. SW686

Python's a nice wheelgun but way overpriced...

The S&W Model 27 is a beauty...

The S&W 686 is also a beauty in it's own right...

The Ruger GP100 kinda looks clunky to me but it's well built & rugged nevertheless...
 
In a nutshell?
I own all three. I like all three. I like the Python the least... just don't like the feel. Blindfold most people and stick a GP100 and 686 standard in front of them and they could not tell the difference. We have TWO 686's; one from the S&W Custom Works... and it is a sweetheart of a gun. Outstanding. The other 686 and GP100 have not been touched internally. All three are great shooters, the custom 686 has had the hammer bobbed into DA only and has had a trigger job and it is as smooth as a baby's behind. It has also had the iron sights replaced with a decent red dot 'scope' and I can put 38 HBWC rounds in the same hole at 25 and 50M all day long. At least until my arm gives out from the weight. The 'basic' 686 and the GP100 are about the same in terms of feel and accuracy, to me anyway. I am not that discriminating unless there is a SIGNIFICANT difference in performance. I was the same with stereo gear when I went out and bought my Studer Revox system and loved it while all my stereo audiophile friends were spending bazillions of dollars and claiming that their $25K amps were far superior to my Studer (which was NOT inexpensive in its own right). Point is, sometimes we can read something into the feel of a stereo OR into the performance of a trigger or whatever that is more in the mind or eye of the beholder than in real life.

The performance and feel of the custom shop 686 is vastly superior to the standard trigger and feel thereof... it is palpable. My opinion.

If I were buying? I would go for either a 686 or a GP100 in stainless steel (especially if the range is outdoors and you aren't apt to clean the gun immediately on returning home from a shooting session.. besides they look cooler). The 686 is, of course, stainless by nature.

If I had an opportunity to find or buy a 686 from the custom shop with a crisp trigger and a red dot scope installed well..... well, let's just say that it is an experience in itself to actually place ten rounds through the same hole at 25M with HBWC loads. It is an amazing experience.

There are plenty of other firearms on the market to be looked at as well, but since we are confining ourselves only to the above mentioned, let me just add one thing. If you are into target league shooting, you may want to look at the S&W K22 rimfire pistol to match your 686. Same grip and feel which will improve your performance on the line target shooting. Always look to get pairs in the same configuration to mazimize your performance. We also have a pair of FAS pistols the CF603 in .32SWLong HBWC and the 602 in .22 rimfire. Same weight, same grip, same workings. And it will show in the ultimate results. The only other thing that I might like to try is a Kimber Target II in some light centre fire load along with a Kimber .22... for same weight and feel. To see how the performance is, as we have not had a chance to try this pair out yet.

Best of luck to you. You will be happy with whichever you buy I am sure, especially if they are stainless. God, I love stainless steel in the morning.
 
I also have owned all three; but I still have the Python. Comparing the Python to the S&W and Ruger is like comparing a Rolls Royce to a Kia. The fit, finish, and overall quality, plus an amazing trigger tells you it's a high quality piece, and for what you get, I don't think it's overpriced. To pay to tune a Ruger or S&W to the Python's standard would cost you enough to pay for a Python. I won a fair number of matches with that gun, and everyone who tried it would have liked to own one.

As they don't make the Python anymore,and the high cost may be a turn-off, my other recommendation would be the Ruger. It's a big solid gun that can take a lot of use with magnum ammo, and won't take a big dent out of your wallet.
 
highlander said:
I also have owned all three; but I still have the Python. Comparing the Python to the S&W and Ruger is like comparing a Rolls Royce to a Kia. The fit, finish, and overall quality, plus an amazing trigger tells you it's a high quality piece, and for what you get, I don't think it's overpriced. To pay to tune a Ruger or S&W to the Python's standard would cost you enough to pay for a Python. I won a fair number of matches with that gun, and everyone who tried it would have liked to own one.

As they don't make the Python anymore,and the high cost may be a turn-off, my other recommendation would be the Ruger. It's a big solid gun that can take a lot of use with magnum ammo, and won't take a big dent out of your wallet.
Click to expand...

I would agree that the Python is built like a brick outhouse, no question. But for our shooting it is still a tossup between the Ruger GP100 Stainless Steel and the SW 686. We also have a great fondness for the custom shop 686 we have with the red dot scope on it. Man is that gun ever deadly accurate. We thought we were missing the target at 25M... we were in fact putting rounds (HBWC) thru the same hole repeatedly from a rest. The telltale was the hole was getting bigger. Gotta love a good red dot scope. Unfortunatley, the prior owner lost the iron sights and they were adjustable rear AND adjustable FRONT sights... I need to find a set of those ADJUSTABLE FRONT sights that are dovetailed into the barrel as opposed to a ramp sight. Anyone?
 
The Colt products have disadvantages that I have not seen posted yet. First, the ejector rods are too short to dump the brass clear of the cylinder. Secondly the cylinders are shorter than either Smith or Ruger guns, limiting the choice of bullets to a degree, or having to resort to trimming the cases shorter.

At one time or another I've owned .357's from all 3 makers, and I consider my S&W M-27, the best gun available in that caliber.
 
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Well, in factory form it would be a toss up between an old 27 and a Python. Both have pluses and minuses, better trigger (once you get used to Colt stacking) on the Python, larger frame, therefore slightly stronger on the 27. I've never had an issue with cylinder or ejector rod length on the Colt, but I don't believe I've used any heavier bullet in it then a 158 gr, so maybe that's why. I find the Python fits my hand better then the N frame, but not by a lot. As I have three N frame 357s (2 27s and a 28) compared to one Python, I guess I must like them at least a bit, LOL. The 686 was built to look like a Python (and last like one with full power 357 Mag loads, which the model 19 could not do) and compete for less money, and it shows. As for the one out of the custom shop, well, any resemblance between it and a stock 686 is strictly coincidental, as they say. You can get 27s and Pythons out of thier respective custom shops as well, just bring money. For the everyday shooter, the toss up is pretty much between the 686 and the GP100, with the strength nod going to the Ruger and the better trigger and looks going to the S&W. FWIW - dan
 
Buy a good used 686 for about $700 as they come up on the EE from time to time. The Ruger is ok but not very good for resale value. The Python is premium priced and gorgeous but you are looking at bang for buck, right? I have a 686 and Pyhton and I recommend starting with the S&W and then saving for a Python. They have quite different feels and both are great shooters.
Mike

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