I don’t understand why some people hate on their python so much. Either they jealous because they can’t afford it themselves or something else. But I love the python

The colt is better to look at, but as far as firing/reliability the s/w is the pick, especially for the money

As a State Trooper who carried a 686 4" for almost a decade before we switched over to 4006s, my opinion here - hands down the winner the S&W. It was designed as a work gun and I carried it almost every day. It shot well, reliably and never gave a problem. It was accurate, had a decent trigger. Personally, I preferred our previous issued guns, M66s or M19s, but the L frame made any issues with steady diets of 357 Magnum loads a moot point although I never experienced any problems with K frames & magnums myself. The Colt. always was a looker but a work gun stay holstered most of the time or in your hand at the range or pointed at suspects so there is no time to gawk at rounded edges. Colts were always finished better but overall S&Ws were always chosen over them both as department issued weapons or personal purchases and cost was a big factor. But not at the price of a lower quality product. Personally, I'd take a nice condition M28 4" over any Python for work, that is unless I had back my M27 3.5" off duty back which I traded once and always regrated. I will say the S&W 586 (blued) handled smoother than the stainless version and looked as nice as a Python in Royal Blue. I always wished my outfit opted for those blued guns instead of stainless steel.

I have a '69 Python blue and a '73 Python nickel plated both 4 in. The nickel Python is my fovorite gun in my collection. That nickel just feels nice in the hand. Crazy money for the two. The new Pythons are nice but they don't have the swagger of the vintage Pythons.

The Python is like a Ferrari Enzo, and the S&W is like a heavily modified Subaru WRX. It might keep up with the Enzo, but it will never command that feeling of awe and wonder by simply looking at it. It’s like that Omni man quote “Look what they need to mimic a fraction of our power!!”

After looking at the differences between both of the newest iterations of these guns, I chose the 686 plus. I see it as a "working man's tool" rather than a museum piece. The python is without doubt a beautiful weapon but the smith, for the money, can be made to function as nicely as the python for less than the cost of a python. I agree with you on the colt as far as looks and iconic status. Personally, I don't like the cylinder release on the python. I have a beautiful 67' diamondback but the cylinder release isn't ergonomic for me. Additionally, the 686 is a 7-round cylinder which is nice for carrying. I was initially going to buy the python and I'm glad now that I didn't and did a little bit more research. The fit and finish of the colt is without doubt amazing but small differences steered me toward the 686. Your anaolgy regarding the Honda Civic is a little off...it's an S&W, not a Taurus for goodness sake.. The python today isn't the hand-finished and fitted python you have here so the contemporary iterations compare closer together than they were I think. Just my opinion.

Call smith & Wesson customer service. Took my seconds for them to tell me my S&W 66 no dash was a ‘74. I used ‘Mothers Mag & Aluminum’ polish, on mine and the end result was a mirror finish. Absolutely stunning.

I’ve been looking at the S&W 686 and the Python in 3 inch barrels primarily for a woods gun in a shoulder holster. Are the Pythons as reliable?

You have two very beautiful revolvers👍🏼

In the 1980s a friends dad let me shoot a model 29 and a python. The 29 was cool but that python was the smoothest revolver I’ve ever shot. I’d like to get one of the new ones but I’m holding out for that 4” Anaconda as I’m all set to reload.44

Bought my 4 inch python when I worked at Colts in the late 60's, half price, one gun a year. Bought my 4 inch 686in the mid 80's when I got into competition shooting. A hundred dollar bill got me an extremely nice action job. I still use it today to teach women how to shoot a revolver. I wouldn't use my python in competition because it 's not quite there for that purpose.

I just got a 686+ PC and I don't have the knowledge about revolvers to tell if something is nicer than it is. For my budget and skill level, it's more than I can really appreciate I think. Definitely the nicest gun I own, that said, I still want a Colt SAA.

Have either of those handguns ever been fired? Do you have the boxes???

Good info, thanks

Welcome they are both great WHELLERS 👍🏿

I bought a python and shot it once and sold it, besides some quality issues, there is one I consider fatal flaw (my opinion), that is the trigger rebound is WEAK, for revolvers you need to fully return the trigger before the next pull, the python is VERY weak in rebound force. I assume that is difficult to change. Otherwise I think it is a big step up over SW in build quality. But due to the weak trigger rebound SW seems much better when shooting double action. Inside SW has a very strong dedicated rebound spring!

I have a S&W 586 and my buddy has a Python. We don't feel one is significantly better than the other. There are some minor differences in the feel of the trigger pull, both d/a and s/a. I have wolf springs in mine and it has 4,000+ rounds through it so it does feel smoother than a new, stock one.

Trying to decide between a 4 and a 6 inch python. Got a s&w mod 29 a few weeks beautiful gun,always had a man crush on clint eastwood, lol.

Haha enough money a civic will go as fast as a Bugatti but still its a civic. I fell out my chair when you said that. Anyway I'd take the gunsmithed smith if the cost was the same.

Is that a 4 1/4 barrel on the python ?

Most guns with a smooth light DA are ammunition selective. Colts' are no exception. That's just the price one must pay. Smith's on the other hand can usually use a standard main spring and will shoot everything put in it. That's my experience.

Like the python. Just bought a 2023.😊

I have a 84 python 6 inch and the 3 inch 2022 python. My SW revolvers in 357 are 586 19 27 66 and the 627PC with the lock. The older python and SW 19 are about dead even in my hands.

I like the Colt Python better but I'm happy having a S&W 686 and a Ruger GP 100 both of those are more affordable than the Colt Python I suppose I could save money and get the Colt but naturally by the time I conjure the money those will sold gone or hard to get /find

I always prefer the shorter crisp trigger action of the Smith & Wesson revolvers, especially for double action shooting.

Colt has a better double action but i think smith has a better single action, a very good double action, and a good positive reset when shooting...not likely to short stroke it like you could a colt...id give the beauty department of course to the colt...as far as looks and smoothness go you cant beat a colt

I prefer the Colt clockwise cylinder rotation and the pull cylinder release but Like the firing pin on the hammer of the Smith, the looks,finish and lockup of the Colt is the best of the best.Is it worth the extra money? YES!!

Sir I see your video is not old .I'm sure you know the SMITH &WESSON 686plus now doesn't have a fireing pin . Please let your viewers know . I bought mine in December 2022 Talo edition unfluted cylinder 3INCH barrel black and silver wood grips sweet man sweet. I CC every day 👍🏿🎯👍🏿

If the Colt is the “Cadillac”, does that make the S&W like a Ford?

S&W Internal Locks are a SUPER DEAL BREAKER for consumers in the market.

Interestingly, the Python is the least recommended for IDPA. Alternatively, the top shooters usually go with Smith and Wesson or Ruger. However, it all depends on what you want out of it. Do you want a show gun or a gun to take afield. It's like a woman or a car. Sure, she looks very good, but you only take her out to show her off as a status symbol. The practical man chooses the woman who will be a life partner, and the reliable car. He doesn't need status symbols.

You missed the main part of a comparison. What about an accuracy comparison? That's what's really important

I’ve had both and they are both fine guns . The colt finishes are much finer . The python has a much smoother trigger pull . The python is a price of art compared to the S&W .

The smith and wesson ejection rod is much better than on the colt python The crane on the colt python is much better than on the smith and wesson The lock up on the colt python is better than on the smith and wesson. The sights on the smith and wesson is much better than on the colt python

Python all day!

If I were a master Smith, I’d take the Python.

Speaking of Swiss watches: nice Sub! 🍻

No sir no fireing pin on the hammer 👍🏿 I paid $800.00 December 2022 .my finesse is sweet 😊

Colt looks better but Smith shoots better❤.

7 rounds in my 686.

I wish that Colt and Smith would make a 22 LR / 22 WMR D/A convertible revolver like Taurus does. But they are too money greedy, they would rather sell you a whole new gun instead. 😠

Don't lie to these people. What you mean it don't come close. The Colt is not any better than the smith. It's just looks better. Some people prefer the smith trigger because you can stage it. They are pretty smooth. You can't really stage the Colt but it is smooth I'll give the da to Colt but in single action the smith is better. Also they are both just as accurate. The way you open the cylinder would have to go to smith as well. It's awkward to pull back on the Colt. I personally think the old smith grips are better too.

As long as it works im wanting 2 get a new blued python 4.25 inch they beefed the frame up less movin parts internally cant vouch 4 it but hear the double action is smoother i own a newer king cobra 3" and 686 plus 3" pachmayer grips and trigger job as far as the realease lever goes pull feels better on my joints 2 me in the movie Magnum Force the guy had no problem speed loading in the combat championship i like colt better its more exotic diffrent sexier more quality craftsmanship

I bought a colt python a new one i traded it to a 686-3 smith & wesson the 686 is a better gun the rear sights on the new python are junk i will take smith over colts any day

Those grips dont look original.

I own both amd I love the python; but, the the 686 for the price is better. Lighter trigger pull and just as accurate. Sorry, but you really dont know what youre talking about.

Colt 10 times better than Smith,

You obviously have a bias when it comes to the Python. But nobody is looking at how nice your gun is in a gun fight! The S&W is a superior WORK gun!

S&W 686: A beautiful Tool. Colt Python: A work of Art that doubles as a tool. Functionally they are nearly identical in fact you can argue the 686 is better from durability but you'd have to really run them both. what the Python has is only worth it to somebody who really will sit & appreciate the art that is the gun

I have a Smith &Wesson 686 357 Mag and the firing pin is not on the hammer