I well remember when wheelguns were the norm, and the endless debate over which double action was "better" - the S&W or the Colt. Colt complicated things by producing distinctly different actions on different models, where S&W pretty much used (uses) the same basic action on all models, just scaling it to fit their different frame sizes. So, it kind of came down to which Colt was being compared to the S&W's. It always seemed to come down to "other than the Python, which is better - Colt or S&W?". The Python was that far ahead of the rest, on either side.

Of course, personal preference plays a role as well. Some folks just don't like the way a Python "stacks" its DA trigger pull. Others prefer it. Neither is inherently "better".

I settled this debate for myself, for my own use, by declaring "none of the above" and developing a real preference for Colt single actions...

You WHAT? You sold them?

....and then some folks just like the way BOTH of these classic names perform. Equal mix of both works too :). I've never shot a Colt SA.....

Dang you Higgins....

I have a 2.5" stainless Python. It is sublime. I had Bill Laughridge do his super action job on it ten years ago. Made a great trigger even better.
I too have turned down big offers. My wife gave it to me. It stays in the family.
Troy

Two keepers worth hanging on too :)!

Fortunately for my wallet my hands are no longer able to manage that much power for more than 3 or 4 rounds. .38 yes, .357 big bang no. But it sure is purdy.

Every growing boy needs at least one Colt SA... ;)

Like K frame S&W's, these are really .38 Specials in which you can occasionally fire .357 magnum ammunition. They won't hold up to a steady diet of it. My favorite load is the RCBS 150 grain SWC cast from wheel weights, lubed with SPG, and seated over 5.0 grains of 231 in .357 mag brass. These do about 950 fps and are a real pleasure to shoot. Very easy on both the gun and the shooter's hand.

If you want to hear a 357 ROAR load em up and put em through a Ruger Red Hawk in 357 magnum.

I have several Interarms Virginian Dragoons, one of which is a .357 magnum. The most over-built .357 magnum ever made. The cylinder is long enough to allow seating the old Thompson bullet to its bottom crimping groove in full length .357 mag brass. This bullet was originally designed for the .38/44 Outdoorsman, to be used in .38 Special brass so it wasn't too long for the cylinder. Most .357 magnum guns still require that you use .38 Special brass with this bullet, or they come out too long for the cylinder.

The nice thing about these loads is that they simply do not fit Model 19 cylinders, nor will they fit the Python cylinder. They come very close to duplicating the old .357 Maximum loads. They worked pretty good when I was shooting silhouette with this gun, but are otherwise pretty useless. If I feel like I need that much power for hunting, I just grab a .44 or .45.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1487618201.JPG

yer' killin' me Higgins! ;)