Colt python cant compare they are not reliable the barrel freezes up when you go back and forth 357 to38 special their is a problem and that's just me saying that many of my friends have the same problem with pythons the smith686 is by far the better gun.thats the one to buy for sure. The watcher.
I have the 2.5 for carry. And the recoil does put a little hurting after 30 rounds, but in a carry situation you’ll never get to that. Love that gun. Nothing against the smith, it’s a great gun, but I just like the look of a python. Damn sexy revolver
I’ve had a couple of new Pythons, and own a couple of 686+ revolvers. I sold the Pythons after a Colt rep told me they don’t sell parts, not even a sideplate screw(?!?). It’s probably just me, but I’m much more accurate with my 2.5”/4” 686+ revolvers.
Thanks for sharing with us. Every Colt I was ever around eventually developed timing/jamming issues but those were older ones , I have no experience with these new Colts…. I’ve always had good luck with S&W
@@professorpewpuew Yeah so I heard.. the one advantage the Colt had was the light , smooth double and single action , but if they had to give some of that up for increased durability/reliability then so be it , seems a good trade off. Edit: still has the weird grip angle and inferior cylinder release imho
@@professorpewpuew I actually heard that the SA sucks because Colt/CZ wanted to make sure they could pass the California drop test so the Pythons could make the California DOJ approved roster. Proper polishing of the SA sear eliminates this problem, but there are few qualified gunsmiths to do this. I prefer to do my own work, but the lack of availability of parts means that a botched job means you're sending your firearm back to Colt. I've messed up a few extractor stars on Smiths, but you can buy a new one at Midway for like $30. Not an option for Colts
Very Nice, I also have both of these excellent revolvers in 2.5" barrels only my 686 is not the plus only six rounds. These are both good choices either will serve well.
I had owned both but always prefer the 586 plus. I have een partial to S&W revolvers for I think they have shorter trigger travel in double action which is ideal for repeat shots. Good presentation.
Unlike the Colt, the Smith rebound spring can be changed to the shooter's preference because it is it's own spring. The Colt spring, however, controls both the hammer drop AND the reset. This would be fine if Colts didn't have a trigger reset that can cause binding unless the shooter adapts to the trigger. I love Smith triggers and don't want to adapt to an inferior system. Pythons ARE beautiful! I'll give them that.
Great review, thanks! I'm gonna buy my first revolver for the range shooting. Is 3" enough for 15-25 yards or you would recommend 4" revolver? Thanks in advance.
Congratulations on both those beautiful guns, I own 2 686+ in 4”& 2.5” barrels no regrets love them both. For home defense I have gp100 4” & sp101 2.25”.
I have both and hate the round butt on my 686 plus. The cylinder release bites my thumb with heavy loads. I wish the Pythons cylinder was slightly longer. It limits bullet selection. You can now get an Elliason rear sight from Kensight for the new Pythons.
I also like the newer colt viper with its gutter sights but just feel like I would always wish I had a python if I got it. Feels just as nice as the python in person.
There is a tiny allen screw you loosen when you adjust the windage then re-tighten to keep the sight from moving. The geniuses who complain about the rear sight have yet to figure this out.....
In my view it's the 2.5" or 3" 686+ all day. The Colt is pretty and is probably more likely to have a smoother trigger out of the box but the overall still good quality, still usually excellent trigger, capacity, cost, more intuitive/easy for me cylinder release and wide range of grips available makes this an easy choice for me. My only real complaint with the Smith design is for some reason Smith won't update all their revolvers to be better crane ball detent lock up instead of antiquated locking up off the front of the ejector. If Colt ever decides to get into this century and make 7 and 8 shot revolvers then that might change my opinion some.
I would go with the Smith much more tactical and practical. Push forward cylinder release, adjustable sight, 7 rounds. The Colt is very pretty but I wouldn't be afraid to use the Smith and put it through its paces. I would see about a trigger job though.
Let's see. The Colt is $1500 msrp. The Smith is $1000 msrp. The Colt has 6 shots, the Smith has 7 shots. And the Smith is no wider than the Colt even with that 7th shot. The Colt has a serrated trigger, the Smith has a smooth face trigger (which I prefer). The Smith is also about 2 oz lighter. The Colt is better looking. But the Smith is, overall, the better revolver for the money. For the extra $500 for the Colt you don't really get anything much better than the Smith. Except one less round.
Yea you dont own one do you lol. Colt is better. That gun is so accurate and the da trigger is amazing!!!! It looks good too. I love smith too but i want both and have both.
I might be the outlier here, but I absolutely hated the trigger on the Python that I owned. The gun was beautiful and the lockup was impeccable, but the SA was awful compared to my Smiths. The DA was smooth but not better than older Smiths or newer ones with some very easy trigger work (in my opinion and based on a sample size of 1). I did have new King Cobra that had a much better trigger, but the reset left a lot to be desired, which is common with Colts. I miss the Python, but the Smiths I've worked on and tuned are things that I hope to never need to sell. The new Anaconda has my eye, though. Also, as another poster commented, the availability of parts or even qualified gunsmiths make the Smith a better choice.
I will never buy a pistol with that ugly hole in it. I still buy Smith classics and old Smiths and love them. But, most new revolver purchases are Colts. They are excellent. But, for 357 magnum snubs, I mainly use a Rhino. It’s fantastic. Thanks for the video.
Neither... Both have become far overpriced with absolutely atrocious QC issues... I recently bought a Taurus Executive Grade for less than half the price that puts both to shame in build quality, attention to detail, and trigger feel, not to mention accuracy...
I stopped watching as soon as I saw you start to shoot without safety glasses.....cardinal sin. I can't watch a reviewer who is breaking a major safety rule, and also gave numbers on the DA/SA Pull without a measuring device to prove the "claimed" numbers.
I recommend the 3" S&W 686+ because it has a full length ejector rod.
I agree. I have one. Love it!😊
So does the Colt 3”.
With the new locking system of the k frame 19/66 the 2.5 also could have a full lenght ejector.
Colt python cant compare they are not reliable the barrel freezes up when you go back and forth 357 to38 special their is a problem and that's just me saying that many of my friends have the same problem with pythons the smith686 is by far the better gun.thats the one to buy for sure.
The watcher.
Colt don’t have the keylock
8:11 I've been sending my Smiths to TK Custom for full replacement of the MIM parts and they have came back with an action that is so smooth!
Me, too! Great shop! I even had them laser their logo onto my gun!
What does that cost? Do you save any money over just buying the Python?
The extra round in the 686+ gives it the edge in my opinion. If a vented rib was all that important, a guy can get that with a Taurus.
You dummy.
I edc CCW my 3" Python and couldn't be happier with it.
Can you shoot a lot of 357 in it no problem? Or does the recoil hurt after a bit?
I have the 2.5 for carry. And the recoil does put a little hurting after 30 rounds, but in a carry situation you’ll never get to that. Love that gun. Nothing against the smith, it’s a great gun, but I just like the look of a python. Damn sexy revolver
Excellent comparison! The Hillary hole is the deal breaker for me. Colt Python if I could afford one.
Locking mechanism can easily be removed!!!
686 is thee best combat revolver.
I’ve had a couple of new Pythons, and own a couple of 686+ revolvers. I sold the Pythons after a Colt rep told me they don’t sell parts, not even a sideplate screw(?!?). It’s probably just me, but I’m much more accurate with my 2.5”/4” 686+ revolvers.
Thanks for sharing with us. Every Colt I was ever around eventually developed timing/jamming issues but those were older ones , I have no experience with these new Colts…. I’ve always had good luck with S&W
They redesigned the cylinder pawl so there won't be as much strain on the hand. The disadvantage is that the single action pull is heavier.
@@professorpewpuew Yeah so I heard.. the one advantage the Colt had was the light , smooth double and single action , but if they had to give some of that up for increased durability/reliability then so be it , seems a good trade off. Edit: still has the weird grip angle and inferior cylinder release imho
@@professorpewpuew I actually heard that the SA sucks because Colt/CZ wanted to make sure they could pass the California drop test so the Pythons could make the California DOJ approved roster. Proper polishing of the SA sear eliminates this problem, but there are few qualified gunsmiths to do this. I prefer to do my own work, but the lack of availability of parts means that a botched job means you're sending your firearm back to Colt. I've messed up a few extractor stars on Smiths, but you can buy a new one at Midway for like $30. Not an option for Colts
Both beautiful revolvers. I just never cared for the grip angle on the Colts. Uncomfortable to me.
Very Nice, I also have both of these excellent revolvers in 2.5" barrels only my 686 is not the plus only six rounds. These are both good choices either will serve well.
I'd like to get a six shot 686 before long. So many loader options.
Good job. I can't help myself, I'm just a .38 revolver kinda guy.
I want a blued 2.5” Colt Python. Now that is a beautiful carry gun!
Really nice revolvers! 💯💯💯💯💯 Good video! You are very good in double action!
I had owned both but always prefer the 586 plus. I have een partial to S&W revolvers for I think they have shorter trigger travel in double action which is ideal for repeat shots. Good presentation.
Unlike the Colt, the Smith rebound spring can be changed to the shooter's preference because it is it's own spring. The Colt spring, however, controls both the hammer drop AND the reset. This would be fine if Colts didn't have a trigger reset that can cause binding unless the shooter adapts to the trigger. I love Smith triggers and don't want to adapt to an inferior system. Pythons ARE beautiful! I'll give them that.
Great review, thanks! I'm gonna buy my first revolver for the range shooting. Is 3" enough for 15-25 yards or you would recommend 4" revolver? Thanks in advance.
Congratulations on both those beautiful guns, I own 2 686+ in 4”& 2.5” barrels no regrets love them both. For home defense I have gp100 4” & sp101 2.25”.
I have both and hate the round butt on my 686 plus. The cylinder release bites my thumb with heavy loads. I wish the Pythons cylinder was slightly longer. It limits bullet selection. You can now get an Elliason rear sight from Kensight for the new Pythons.
I'm biased towards the S&W 686+. Nothing wrong with the colt
I also like the newer colt viper with its gutter sights but just feel like I would always wish I had a python if I got it. Feels just as nice as the python in person.
Very interested in the 2.5 python with it’s smaller grips then the rest of the pythons… what do you think of it for ccw?
It appears all the trigger pulls went bang.
Did you have any problems with the Python’s rear sight? Others report the sight loses zero with use.
There is a tiny allen screw you loosen when you adjust the windage then re-tighten to keep the sight from moving.
The geniuses who complain about the rear sight have yet to figure this out.....
In my view it's the 2.5" or 3" 686+ all day. The Colt is pretty and is probably more likely to have a smoother trigger out of the box but the overall still good quality, still usually excellent trigger, capacity, cost, more intuitive/easy for me cylinder release and wide range of grips available makes this an easy choice for me. My only real complaint with the Smith design is for some reason Smith won't update all their revolvers to be better crane ball detent lock up instead of antiquated locking up off the front of the ejector.
If Colt ever decides to get into this century and make 7 and 8 shot revolvers then that might change my opinion some.
My only issue with the Python, I own one, but the cylinder release prevents reloads with a speed loader.
I would go with the Smith much more tactical and practical. Push forward cylinder release, adjustable sight, 7 rounds. The Colt is very pretty but I wouldn't be afraid to use the Smith and put it through its paces. I would see about a trigger job though.
Between the 2.5 python and the S&W 327. Any insight?
686+
Wonder why the 2.5" Python trigger guard is different than the 4".
Let's see. The Colt is $1500 msrp. The Smith is $1000 msrp. The Colt has 6 shots, the Smith has 7 shots. And the Smith is no wider than the Colt even with that 7th shot. The Colt has a serrated trigger, the Smith has a smooth face trigger (which I prefer). The Smith is also about 2 oz lighter. The Colt is better looking. But the Smith is, overall, the better revolver for the money. For the extra $500 for the Colt you don't really get anything much better than the Smith. Except one less round.
And more of a jewel… The fit/finish on the Pythons is far superior to any Smith I’ve handled
@manderson7173 that's about the only thing, if true, that would even remotely justify the 50% increase in price.
Yea you dont own one do you lol. Colt is better. That gun is so accurate and the da trigger is amazing!!!! It looks good too. I love smith too but i want both and have both.
@@justusbryant7366 can't afford one. Thought I had explained that already in the review...
@@LA_Commander i mean you got the 3 inch with that stupid grip. No wonder you think the smith is better
I might be the outlier here, but I absolutely hated the trigger on the Python that I owned. The gun was beautiful and the lockup was impeccable, but the SA was awful compared to my Smiths. The DA was smooth but not better than older Smiths or newer ones with some very easy trigger work (in my opinion and based on a sample size of 1). I did have new King Cobra that had a much better trigger, but the reset left a lot to be desired, which is common with Colts. I miss the Python, but the Smiths I've worked on and tuned are things that I hope to never need to sell. The new Anaconda has my eye, though. Also, as another poster commented, the availability of parts or even qualified gunsmiths make the Smith a better choice.
They're both good, get both.
I just bought me a brand new King Cobra carry 2in love it
If you want to look at it, the Python. If you actually want to use it, the Smith.
Smith❤
The choice is easy, they are both beautiful guns, get both.
smith all the way❤
I will never buy a pistol with that ugly hole in it. I still buy Smith classics and old Smiths and love them. But, most new revolver purchases are Colts. They are excellent. But, for 357 magnum snubs, I mainly use a Rhino. It’s fantastic. Thanks for the video.
The +1 round make the decision easy!
Another round is what you want? How about one more? I found 8 rounds of .357 magnum to be even one better, with my S&W 627 😉
Smith and Wesson all day long
The correct answer is to get both! 😁
My wallet 😢
@@professorpewpuew Yes indeed. But you can rest assured they will retain their value.
The correct answer is to get a 686+ and a 7-shot GP100...
I chose the Python. I chose poorly.
Check out 5 Star Firearms Speed Loaders... The Best
Carry both at the same time
Kimber k6s
good 357
Neither... Both have become far overpriced with absolutely atrocious QC issues... I recently bought a Taurus Executive Grade for less than half the price that puts both to shame in build quality, attention to detail, and trigger feel, not to mention accuracy...
I own both, don't EVEN TRY TO COMPARE any revolver to the Colt.
686 every day of the week and twice on Sunday,
SW for me...
It doesn’t have fixed sights…
PS AT THE END YOU DID PUT YOUR GLASSES 😊
I stopped watching as soon as I saw you start to shoot without safety glasses.....cardinal sin. I can't watch a reviewer who is breaking a major safety rule, and also gave numbers on the DA/SA Pull without a measuring device to prove the "claimed" numbers.
So do you not like his shirt or haircut to
New python are junk
How so?
😢 shame no eye protection. Please don't make new shooters think it's OKAY!!😮💨
Are you happy he put his glasses on