BEST 357 EVER?

[teamnelson]

Tonk, you keep using the word "facts" ... I do not think it means what you think it means. 

[jcn59]

I agree with Tonk:  the Python is way overpriced.

I gave mine to one of my children to play with.   Mostly now I perform my usual miraculous feats of marksmanship with plain jane guns like real men buy.   Model ten Smiths and such. 

[S.B.]

Tonk, you've evidently never fired or handled a registered magnun(the original .357 magnum) S&W have you? Took Colt how many years to bring out the Python after this?HEHEHE
Steve

[Bigeasy]

OK, since I am bored---

Define "best"?

If you mean fit and finish, then an early #27 or Python would be pretty close.  The ultimate gun, not listed here, was the "Korth" revolver, which I believe was made in France.  I examined one in the early 80's, and its fit and finish was the best I have ever seen on a revolver.  It sold for $1500.00 back when a Python was like $250.00

If you mean accuracy, then that would be the Dan Wesson.  When long range shooting at little steel pigs and chickens, and such was really popular, DW was the gun to have.  I guess it had something to do with a quality barrel, along with user adjustable barrel tension and cylinder gap.

Durability?  That would be Ruger.  Rugers tend to be built like AK-47's - A little rougher then some, but strong.  I did a lot of double action revolver shooting when I was younger, I mean a real lot, and I never seen a Ruger fail.  Smiths were pretty good, DW's would wear hands and tend to get a little sloppy with a lot of DA use, and Pythons tended to break a lot.  The Python action, as smooth as it was, was an old design, with lots of flat springs and less then durable parts.  If I were offered any revolver, and my life depended on shooting 10,000 rounds, fault free, it would be a Ruger

Handling / feel in your hand?  This is the most subjective one, but I have always liked the way the Smith L frame feels.  Good combination of balance,  size, and pointability.  Combine that with a durable and easy to work on action, a double action pull that smooths right up with a little use, a great S/A pull, very good accuracy, and usualy high S&W quality, and you have a winner - A gun that is best,  at most, in one catagory, but very good in all others for the over all win. 

Larry   

[rawhidekid]

Bigeasy; as usual well said.  I personnely liked the Ruger Speed Six and never understood why they pulled it from the market just as concealed carry was just takin off.  A three inch speed six was strong, light weight, and easy to conceal.JMHO

[Drilling Man]

  One thing i'm sure of, there's no average Ruger more reliable than the average M-27.  As for Korth.. (German i believe)   I "almost" bought one, BUT they have a reputation of locking up when they get the least amount of dirt/dust in them.  Even when you fire them double action they heat up and lock up!  Lucky for me, i was told this "before" i took possession of it, (it was $1,200.00) then i read a couple magazine "road test" on them, that the authors reported the same thing, and i lost interest -----> FAST.

   All the Pythons are gone!  All the DW are gone!  I'm sure glad i kept my old S&W "N" frames!!

  DM

[rawhidekid]

The Pythons aren't gone just cost $800 you see them at gun shows all the time.  I once owned what I called a Couger, Ruger SS security six with a nickle Python 6" barrel.  Had it for 15 years till someone wanted it more, it was kind of muzzle heavy anyway.

[Bigeasy]

Drilling Man

I stand corrected on the Korth revolver, they are German, not French.  They are still made, and go for close to $5,000.00  Yep, five grand!  Never shot one, but from what I remember of the one I looked at, I could see a revolver being so tightly fit that it could bind up when really hot.

Larry

[45-70.gov]

TeamNelson, the workmanship of the Colt Python is something the Smith & Wesson's could never compete with understand, just so we get the facts straight. Now to mention a second rate handgun like the Taurus is like comparing a model T-Ford to a 76 Buick......there is no comparison and it has taken Taurus 10 years just to figure out how to get their pistols to shoot without problems. They don't even rate mentioning in the same sentence as Colt or Smith & Wessson, you just showed me your knowledge on the subject matter.

If you go back and check the records, the Colt Python was selling for a good deal of money compared to the Smith & Wessons long before they ever ceased production of the Python. It just so happens that this Redneck does know the true facts and COLT PYTHON is and will always (until something is made better) be the #.1 revolver in the world.  

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=150455762

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=150306542


korth

a  quote  from  page 5
check  the prise  of this  one
i  looks like it has  no extracter

[Drilling Man]

The Pythons aren't gone just cost $800 you see them at gun shows all the time.  I once owned what I called a Couger, Ruger SS security six with a nickle Python 6" barrel.  Had it for 15 years till someone wanted it more, it was kind of muzzle heavy anyway.

  What i ment in my post was, they ARE gone from HERE!

  DM

[jcn59]

I believe my Python was an early 90s vintage.  Like new.  Not the best finish polish in the world.  Still a very nice revolver.   It had some kind of double action issue that caused it to go to a gunsmith.   A friend bought one that was out of time & by the time he had Colt fix it, he had around $550. in it.   


If you are curious what a Python is really worth, check auctions from the last 60 days.   Looks to me like a Python is worth between $600. & $1000.
 
That's what they seem to be selling for.  I suppose that means that's what they are worth, for now, huh?

[375supermag]

I thought I might chime in here...
My favorite .357 is the S&W 686. I have a really nice Silhouette model with an 8-3/8" barrel that is the most accurate revolver I have ever shot. It has thousands and thousands of all manner of handloads and factory rounds through it and it has never failed to function perfectly.
I also own several Ruger .357 Blackhawks in various barrel lengths and while I like them and shoot them a lot, they just aren't the same as my Smith. I had a Taurus .357 that was terribly inaccurate and it left pretty quickly in a trade for another gun. I had a Security Six for quite a few years and it was very accurate, but it always felt like a misshapen chunk of steel in my hand. I have shot several GP-100s that I liked, but I have never felt the need to own one.
I recently purchased a Colt Trooper Mk III that I haven't had an opportunity to shoot yet. If it shoots as good as it feels in my hand, it may move into second place behind the 686.

[crash corrigan]

I have had three 357's.  I bought a Smith 586 6" bbl from a Cop in Albquerque NM in '90.  It was worn but in good shape.  Very accurate and smooth and a joy to shoot.  I had it reblued last year and it looks brand new and I still shoot it a lot.  I had a race tuned 586 that had a cylinder gap so small that after 30 rounds it started to bind up.  This was a super accurate gun and gave up groups from a ransom rest that nobody believes.  It was stolen. 

However my fun gun is a Ruger BH Flattop from the 60's.  It has the 4 5/8" bbl and the 9 MM extra cylinder and it will digest anything I put into it.  It just feels so good in my hand and it also is an excellent shooter.  This is a gun that I can carry all day long and it never bothers me.  The smith is just too heavy and long.

For an all around 357 to pack and shoot the Ruger is my favorite.  For target shooting at 50 + yds then the 6" smith gets the nod. 

[BIGDAVE54]

The first .357 magnum I owned was the S&Wmodel 28 Highway Patrolman. I bought it new in 1976 in Alamagordo ,NM the last year I was in the USAF and stationed at Holloman,AFB. I was working part time for a guy that was a mastersergent and about to retire from the USAF and open a full time gunsmith shop. I took the magnum apart to polish the action and lost a small spring . I could not believe the guy had put shag carpet in his shop. I found a spring that worked ,but it always bothered me. It was on the little piece that locks the cylinder when it moves from rd. to rd. I could see me in a shootout and the revolver shaving bullets at the worst time so I eventually sold it. It was a 4 in. model and very...very heavy. I reinvested the funds into a new Browning Hi Power which I kept for about twenty years.I shot the Hi Power until the slide got sloppy on it. I estimate well over 10,000 rds. I reinvested in a FNP .45 ACP and I also have a small 5 shot Charter Arms in 38 spl. for a bug. Lately I have been eyeing the S&W model 327. It is an 8 shot .357.

[SHOOTALL]

Ruger leading 

[teamnelson]

Ruger leading 

Yeah, that's pretty cool, and I'm a S&W guy mainly. I think Ruger has done a good job making a bank vault strong action that's affordable and reliable.

[SHOOTALL]

I think what alot of folks say about the better traits of S&W are true . They have had some bad years but mostly ok. Ruger seems to have decided to not try and build another S&W but a different gun for a different appeal . They seem to have got it right . I like their guns alot . I do hope ruger follows one trait of S&W and brings back some older models like the Security Six for a short run maybe with 5.5 bbls 

[v-man]

I'm kind of curious why so many seem to miss the Security Six. I had 2 of them and though I am sorry I didn't keep at least one I highly prefer my GP-100 over them. I seem to be in a minority and would like to hear some reasons (other than nostalgia) why anyone would choose the Security Six over the GP.

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  vman, while I have mostly Smiths now, I too liked my GP100 over the Security sixs I owned years ago...sold the GP to my shooting buddy, and now he won't part with it...

[teamnelson]

I only recently learned one of the valuable features of a GP100 is no sideplate, and it can be broken down into 3 groups with minimal tools for cleaning and maintenance. For a gun you're going to abuse, that's a great feature. If it carries and shoots well, that sounds like an everyman's .357.

[jcn59]

My security six doesn't have one of those useless full underlugs to haul around.  When I go woods walkin' with the dog, I usually carry a traditional style revolver, preferably one with a pencil barrel, and you can bet it doesn't have a "keyhole" on it.

[rawhidekid]

V-man:  In my comment I was wondering why just as the concealed carry took off they stopped the security six in favor of the GP-100.  The Security six was thinner, lighter, easier for all day carry and strong as a horse.  Perfect for concealment.   I had a three inch GP-100 for a time but just too much weight for all day carry.

[SHOOTALL]

The SS is lighter , smaller and just a nice size . The grip is different . I have shot both and both are nice guns but the SS just carries and shoots nice . If I had never shot the SS then the GP would be the best. I thinh the lock work , spring arrangement may be different also . I know factory trigger is better on the SS's I have shot.

[v-man]

Good comments. I really like them both and even though I ran thousands of very hot loads through the SS with no problems I still get the feeling that thm GP is even stronger. Since mine were for back up in the woods and not for concealed carry the weight never mattered to me. My carry guns are mostly Semi-autos except for a 3" SP-101. Thanks for the feedback.

[gcrank1]

Ive had a good run of revolvers, but got tired (literally) of carrying a horse pistol on my person. Im 6'1" with a good sized hand, yet prefer the Colt's OP/early 357 or S&W K frames size for a balance of size, performance,and weight. I kept coming back to Colt's, so have left it there, no comparison to make brand to brand for me so I'm used to the pull. I like the metalurgy and the cylinder rotation into lockup, the barrel specs/accuracy, and durability has been fine for me (keep gun parts lubricated, they last better, like all other mechanical devises). Would I buy a Python at todays prices? Glad I dont have to decide...mine cost me $350 a long time ago. If I account for inflation since then it cost me more than a replacement would today at $800 (but now I have to pay lots for health care and Rx's).
 

[hardluk1]

 My 36 or 37 year old DW 357. I shot 3' 100yards groups new and still will today, scoped ofcourse. I have a hard time holding up may part now.

[v-man]

I hope you mean 3". I had the DW 30 years ago and it was by far the most accurate reveover I've ever had. My only complaint was it could not hold up to my excessively hot loads. (remember I was young and dumb 30 yrs ago) My Rugers have never shown any problems even after thousands of full power loads but after about 2000 rounds my DW was a like handling a box of loose bolts. I just couldn't take it. If I had another one I would stay with mid-range loads and use it exclusively for range work.

[jcn59]

While I'm not fond of the full underlug on the GP-100, Is sure is a darn fine revolver, and it shoots well too.  If I could have only one, it probably would be either the GP or a DW.  The Smiths are nice, too but they seem delicate compared to most Rugers, and If I could have only one, "delicate" would probably not be the best choice.

The problem is more me, than the gun, because the sights have developed a fur-like quality in the last 10 years which makes it hard to shoot well.  Plus I'm not a good shot.  I'm starting to wonder if I have Parkinsons.


Shot this with my Ruger Super Blackhawk , .357 Maximum, over bags, at a measured 100 yards, with factory iron sights.  I amazed myself.  Even a blind can pig find an acorn sometimes, huh?

[Drilling Man]

While I'm not fond of the full underlug on the GP-100, Is sure is a darn fine revolver, and it shoots well too.  If I could have only one, it probably would be either the GP or a DW.  The Smiths are nice, too but they seem delicate compared to most Rugers, and If I could have only one, "delicate" would probably not be the best choice..

  You consider a S&W M-27 delicate???    Have you ever ----------> OWNED one???

  DM

[jcn59]

Yes, and a model 28, 57, 29, & 629, Plus a bunch of K frames.  They never broke. 

What I said was "they seem delicate compared to most Rugers."   Imagine a 27 sitting along side of a Ruger Redhawk in .357.  That would be Ruger's largest DA .357 and Smith's largest .357.  The Smith is delicate in comparison.   The operative word here is "compare".