Sorry if this has been discussed before.

Can anyone summarize any pros or cons of the new versus older model Pythons?

Full disclosure….dad has the old one. 1977 model (not sure if he’s ever fired it, and will continue to live in safe). With recent buzz about the new model, was just curious.

All I’ve got is an old one. I can compare it to a new 686, but that’s it.

The old ones and the new ones shoot the same or at least they do in my hands. I suspect the new ones are a better gun because they strengthened the frame. The older ones were notorious for getting knocked out of time from high volume shooting with full powered loads.

Well the new ones dont come in a nice wood box thats for sure. Id rather have an older blued model just like Id prefer an older Wingmaster over a new production 870.

The older ones, while strikingly beautiful, were fragile. Paying a premium for a fragile 357 magnum escapes my logic. The new ones have had a lot of teething problems and people had to pay big premiums for Pythons that never should have made it out of the Colt QC shop. What the heck was Colt thinking? If you want a dependable gun then get a Ruger GP-100. If you want a dependable, beautiful gun with a fantastic trigger, get a Smith 686. The Python, aside from its beauty and the love people give it, is not in the same league as the 686.

Just my 2 cents

new

Having shot and collected Pythons since the mid 70s with specimens ranging from 1950s no letter serial # guns up through the current "new" model I feel I can speak with some authority on this subject. In my opinion there is no comparison in terms of fit and finish, the no letter serial # guns up through most of the E suffix guns were simply some of the finest revolvers ever built. These were built from 1955 - 1977 and are by far the best and most desirable ones. Colt doesn't have the skilled pistolsmiths now to ever build a gun of this quality again.

Old
Pro:
Unmatched fit and finish through most of their production life.
Great single action trigger pulls, normally crisp 2.5#
VERY accurate 1-14 twist barrels
Good investment if kept unfired
Available in royal blue, bright nickel, satin nickel and stainless
2.5", 3", 4", 6" and 8" barrel lengths available
Custom shop guns are OUTSTANDING!!!

Con:
Double action pull stacks
Will get out of time if a lot of fast DA shooting is done without first installing a overtravel stop in the trigger
Factory grips are marginal

New
Pro:
DA pull is better than the older guns
Overall fit and finish is pretty good for a 2021-2022 produced factory gun
Grips are better than the old ones, but still need improvement
Front sight is easy to change
Cost less than the old original

Con:
Rear sight is TERRIBLE and basically unusable, this is why we make good ones for this gun.
SA pulls are normally heavy, 4-5#
Trigger face is too square and uncomfortable for DA shooting
Only available in stainless
Only 3", 4.2" and 6" barrel lengths available

Appreciate the feedback!

I’ve got a 1987 and 2021 Python and like them both. I found a guy that makes reproduction wood grips and got a set for the new one and they look and feel great. Everyone should have a Python in their collection at some point in their life. I have a pair of early S&W 686s and they are sweet shooters and cost less than the new Python.

Plan on trying the Wilson Combat rear sight in the near future. Picked up a western style holster which is a cool option for these.

This thread is really making me want one. There’s just something about the Python that does it for me where as the S&W and Ruger revolvers are just plain and boring.

What about size? If you have to go with 1 size should it be the 4” or 6”? Something about the 6” that makes my pants dance.

A bought one MANY years at the Fort Worth Gun Show. I still have it and believe I’ve shot it a couple of times. I guess it’s ok. Heck, I can’t hit anything with a hand gun.