.357 Magnum Revolver Smith and Wesson or Colt?

MuthaFunk said:
... For competition guns run only in double action, I'd agree with Jerry. It's hard to beat a S&W with a highly tuned double action. Once you smooth them out to competition levels the feel and ergonomics comes into play such as the cylinder release and ejection system. The limited number of parts in the S&W action when compared to an old Python tend to make it feel quicker.

The Colt MK III and V action is very similar to the DW's. The coil spring imparts its own feel as does the S&W flat spring or the Python V spring. They're all a subtly different stacking feel. ... The MK III /V and that new Colt Cobra just can not be set up to feel quite as nice as either a S&W or Python in double action.

I'm sorry, I may have gone a bit deep down the hole there. Not even sure if I answered your questions. LOL.
Click to expand...


Yes, you did answer my questions - and very well at that. Lots of information for the OP and for many revolver shooters too.

"They're all a subtly different stacking feel". Very interesting !

It seems that the Smith & Wesson flat spring tuned revolvers and the Colt Python V spring - also tuned - revolvers are still top dogs in Double action/Trigger cocking mode.
 
Last edited:
Snowy Owl said:
Yes, you did answer my questions - and very well at that. Lots of information for the OP and for many revolver shooters too.

"They're all a subtly different stacking feel". Very interesting !

It seems that the Smith & Wesson flat spring tuned revolvers and the Colt Python V spring - also tuned - revolvers are still top dogs in Double action/Trigger cocking mode.
Click to expand...

I'd say yes. I have had the chance to try a couple Pythons tuned by a top Colt smith in the US. Amazing trigger pulls. I've also used many tuned S&W's, and they are very smooth as well. Not quite in the same category. But for fast double action shooting in 357, it is really hard to beat a tuned N frame. Once you get that cylinder mass moving it really spins. - dan
 
dan belisle said:
I'd say yes. I have had the chance to try a couple Pythons tuned by a top Colt smith in the US. Amazing trigger pulls. I've also used many tuned S&W's, and they are very smooth as well. Not quite in the same category. But for fast double action shooting in 357, it is really hard to beat a tuned N frame. Once you get that cylinder mass moving it really spins. - dan
Click to expand...

Thank you ! Very good information.

So, between the Smith & Wesson L-Frame tuned revolvers and the I-Frame Colt Python tuned revolvers in Double action/Trigger cocking mode, the top dog is still the Python ? I know some Smith & Wesson revolver fans that would not agree but most of them have not even handled or fired a stock Colt Python.
 
Snowy Owl said:
Thank you ! Very good information.

So, between the Smith & Wesson L-Frame tuned revolvers and the I-Frame Colt Python tuned revolvers in Double action/Trigger cocking mode, the top dog is still the Python ? I know some Smith & Wesson revolver fans that would not agree but most of them have not even handled or fired a stock Colt Python.
Click to expand...

In my experience, yes. S&W's are way easier to tune though. Not many Colt revolver 'smiths left. In Canada, I don't know of any. - dan
 
Snowy Owl said:
Thank you ! Very good information.

So, between the Smith & Wesson L-Frame tuned revolvers and the I-Frame Colt Python tuned revolvers in Double action/Trigger cocking mode, the top dog is still the Python ? I know some Smith & Wesson revolver fans that would not agree but most of them have not even handled or fired a stock Colt Python.[/QUOTE]

Colt quit making the snake guns because folks were not buying many of them. They are pretty to be sure and unique to a point but the Smith was selling and the Colts were not. Today the Ruger GP-100 has evolved to the point where it has its own fan base. I shot one of the new versions of the Python and was not overly impressed. For the money you get a gun that is not nearly the gun the 686 or GP-100 is. The latter two can be had for less coin. They sure are pretty though. I have not seen a serious competitor shooting one in a match or anyone who has put a large number of rounds through them. My Smith restores antique Colts and did one for me, converting my 41LC to 38Long Colt. His work is close to art form. Not sure he would be interested in doing tuning jobs but I'll ask him.

Take Care

Bob
Click to expand...
 
Bob,

I should have written that I know some Smith & Wesson revolver fans in my area that would not agree - in my area only (Oriental PéQistan). My comment does not apply to Canada from side to side.

And just for the record, I AM a big Smith & Wesson revolver fan. I do not own any Colt revolver. Never did.
 
Canuck44 said:
Colt quit making the snake guns because folks were not buying many of them.
Click to expand...

No, they stopped making them because they went bankrupt in the 90s and had to restructure to avoid going out of business, and the tooling for the Python and other revolvers were too worn out to keep using and cost too much to replace at the time.
 
Google says the last original Python was made 2015. Colt first modern day bankruptcy occurred 1992. It filed for bankruptcy again in 2015. Most believe Colt turned its back on the retail market when they were the sole supplier to the US Army's m4/m16 rifle. By 2015 the market was turning to the polymer guns and Colt never was a player in that market.

Take Care
Bob
 
Hi Lyle1 I have been watching this thread for some time and want to add my opinion in your quest. I have about 20 wheel guns, both Colt and S&W. I can say honestly that they are all good and what ever you choose will not be a bad choice.

I like the L frame 586/686 as well as the lighter K frame 19/66. I had trouble buying the first modern S&W with all the negative written about it but my 19-9 shoots as fine as my 19-4. The Colts are nice too but the law of diminishing returns starts to set in as you do get a better trigger but is it double the money better?

I want to make a strong point based on you mentioned you would be proud to pass it down to your son some day. I want you to think hard about what I am about to say.

The guns you are looking at are registered restricted firearms that in the future could be banned and confiscated by the government. (not a tinfoil hat guy, it's happening with our AR15's)

Antique revolvers are not registered or restricted. Such firearms can only be confiscated by the govenrment if handed over as they have no registry of them.

Something to think about.

Cheer
Moe
 
Firstly, I am not giving up on our ARs. The Libs postponed the implementation by 18 months for reasons they will never admit. That OIC banning ARs was a knee jerk reaction to the rising tide of complaints after the Nova Scotia mass shooting, that the Libs were not doing anything to keep the population safe. Trudeau knew his reason for banning legally owned ARs was a lie. The guns the Nova Scotia mass shooter used were illegally obtained. None of the guns the mass shooter used was a legally acquired AR.

So can Trudeau please explain how banning legal ARs will prevent criminals from acquiring illegal ARs anyway? The ban is a political move to contain dissent among Canadians. It will not keep illegal guns off the street. As usual, people are easily fooled. And Trudeau knows that.

Secondly, I'd rather buy two - three Smith and Wessons than one Python. Aside from being prettier, Smiths have a push forward cylinder release that requires a natural move, OTOH the Python's pull back cylinder release is awkward and counter intuitive, IMHO.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom