Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Happy New Year, Python is now official

As a factory trained armorer for both S&W and Colt, I'll stick with my own assessment.

Since you weren't rude, I'll answer your post.

The most common issues with the 27 are timing...yes, timing. The weight of the 27's cylinder caused it to skip past the locking bolts when the revolver gets worn. Its not an uncommon problem at all. I have corrected timing on a lot of S&W 27's and 28's. The other common "issue" (for some) that still remains is the .38 special length cylinder. Not much fun if you want to push heavy bullets out of a .357 case.


More info I should have added. N frame .357's and .38's are commonly found with peen'd cylinder bolts. Damaged and rounded cylinder bolts. Sometimes even peened frames at the cylinder bolt window. "Fixing" N frame timing sometimes file work and a complete reblue.

Ethan, no need to be rude; can't we keep it civil JUST ONCE????

Still cant run the 358429 through a Python.

I've seen a 28 out of time; the bolt notches had considerable battering. Smiths also have some lateral cylinder slack (fore and aft) that develops to a greater degree as the gun wears. Colts generally stay tight here.

Elgin Gates rated the Python higher for durability over the Smith 27, but I personally I havent had any issues shooting any 28, 27, Python or original Troopers. I dont think any have service life issues unless they are shot a ton.

Happy New Year.

Now that I didn't know; thanks. The only gun I have ever used a 358429 in was a .38/44 Heavy Duty; because lighter bullets just wouldn't shoot to point of aim.

IMHO back in the old days the Python got its reputation because they had decent triggers and shot well ( and were easy to shoot well).
This pre internet where everybody sends everything off to a 'smith for custom work.

Back then, for many, what you bought, was all you got.

Pops sent his first one to the Custom Shop for a trigger job.
It is a light DA and SA is scary.

Have shot factory new Pythons and while nice, some I found merely tolerable.
They all weren't wonderful, or even good.

His 8" stainless I think "meh" but he runs it in SA for IHMSA.
Actually, after a few yrs he retired it and runs a 686 pre lock 8 3/8 w Millet rear sight swap.

Yeah, Pythons look good.
Life is too short to shoot ugly guns.

While I shoot the 8" well, I like a 6" better, and prefer blued. Never cared for the 4" or shorter Pythons.
Hated Trooper MKIII

I don't target shoot anymore, or even plink. I'll burn a few and it's time to go hunting.
A stainless 6" for $1500 sounds like a doable deer killer.

Definitely change the grips, the new Python's factory wood contour I did not like.
Don't know if the old Hogue rubber Python grips will fit on the new Python.

BTW, was watching TGS on Roku last night.
The shotgun kid was at some Euro version of SHOT.

Found a .410 revolver shotgun and what does he (or his buddy) do?
Spin the cylinder and while turning, flick to close.

How many did that to old Smith and Colt revolvers?

The timing issues/lockup, from normal use or accelerated wear from being silly?

That's the gun the bullet was designed for.

Rugers, the 19, 86s and probably the New Service will handle it in 357.

HEY ALL...if ya wanna shoot the 358429 in a Python or any other short cylinder .357 (M27 M28 etc..) just trim the 357 cases to 1.25"...also I drop any max load by 1/2 grain....
wonderfully accurate that way....
pete

Is the python as short cylindered as the king cobra? I have 158gr lswc loads that run out of all sorts of .357’s, including a smith m760 that won’t work in the colt.

Same cylinder length.

I dont know of any 158/160 design crimped in the uppermost groove that seats out past the cylinder face.

38 cases work fine for 358429 bullets in shorter cylinder 357 guns.

Really? I thought it was the Remington load with the Phil Sharpe 158. I thought the 158429 was conceived in the early ‘30’s.

I’ll trust your memory over mine.

The 358429 was designed for the 38/44, I think in 1927.

The H&G 51 was designed for the 357.

Edited; Keith designed the 358429 in 1929, but didn't send it to Lyman for several years later, according to Sixguns.

It was introduced before the 357 Magnum in 1935.

LOL told you people last month about this. Nobody listens. Some real funny posts here. Have had my 6in 2020 python for almost a month now and it is nice. Trigger pull is better than my old pythons both in SA and DA. Have to try it to understand.

Been watching some YouTubes on it. Looks like a winner. Likely a lot better than the current crop of S&W revolvers.

And no lock!

HEY ALL...Its not that rosy a picture for the new Pythons....over at the colt forum there is a thread re the new colt python problems...
seems there are more than a few that left the factory with improperly cut rough counter bored muzzle crowns.....inexcusable at that price point.... and their turnaround times are horrendous.....
Pete

Yep, and no barrel sleeves.

Might have to give them a few months to get their act 100% straight on them.