the pythons are no doubt the cream of the crop I've had two and the blueing and fit are exceptional. As far as Quality of function it is hard to best the dan wessons when you find one as new in the box. plus most other revolvers don't provide the caliber selection that DW's do. Try to find and look over some DW's and you'll see for your self. The main problem is finding one as new because they are no longer made. good luck with your decision but it would be nice to own a python no mater what, or even a diamondback!

daytonaboard

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If you can afford to latch on to a Python do it, IMO they are by far the best revolver EVER (blasphemy, I know, on the DWF) I own a nickel 8″ and a model .357 with a python target barrel on it (my shooter Python). I haven't had the nickel long enough to have a good comparison of the two. The shooter or the Clot as I call it is the most accurate gun I own (although my Norwich 741 shows signs that it'll give it a run for it's money). out of all my .357s, 3 715s (2 8″ers and a 6″), a 686 8 3/8, the ruger gp100 and the 40 and 740 thrown in for good measure, the Clot runs circles around them, I swear sometimes I can hear it laughing at them (I will say that the 715 VH8 does make a valiant attempt though).  The Clot also serves as my test dummy for any new loads I decide to try, for example my goal over the summer was to see how fast a 357 mag can push a 180gr. bullet I gave up when I hit 1,486 fps, no that's not a mistype, that's nippin on the heals of a Maximum. My "python" seems to not care what it gets fed for ammo it shoots everything good from the hot stuff to .38 wadcutter.  Colt used the absolute best steel available to make their guns so there is no issue with strength there and they have plenty of extra mass in areas where it 's needed to shoot heavy loads (they're definitely built heavier than a Smith) I replaced my hand when I first got the Clot (that's the reason I got it cheap) and have had no issues with the gun since, that was roughly 2-3 thousand rounds ago with mostly hot loads and some near insanity loads. They are a gun that does require the owner to give it some attention once in a while but by no means are they weak, but don't just take this gunsmiths word for it, take it from one that is more well known and more eloquent in his delivery.

Python delicate?

heres my "shooter" Python

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You will never regret buying a Python, they are awesome. BLASPHEMY, AGAIN ok buy a Dan

Wait  how about a Colt with Dan interchangeable barrels  hhmmmmm may have to think about that one

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The Python was my first center fire handgun too.  Back when I bout it, people were calling them "the Cadillac" of revolvers, however this is when the quality of GM cars was not too good.   I understood the gist of the phrase and bought the Python.  It was an excellent gun, very accurate, smooth trigger and very pleasing to look at.  Unfortunately it was stolen when my home was broken into back in 1992.  I would love to replace it with another but the prices are too high.  To me, a Freedom Arms revolver has more value for the money.  There have been a few Pythons advertised locally for under $1k that have been tempting.  Trying to save $$$ though   

-Wayne

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Howdy, don't let anyone sway you on the purchase of a Python.  I have owned, shot and studied Python's since the mid 1970's. The Python was such an advanced revolver in its day that only in the past twenty or so years has the other companies started adopting its design features. The only weak spots on the Python, if you can call them weak is the forcing cone and its double advancing hands. But you would have to fire thousands of rounds to just effect its lockwork. The gun these days is an investment.

But if you had to choose only one gun. Well you can not do any better in the revolver catagory. I presently own a Colt custom shop ultimate stainless 6 inch version. It is the crown jewel of my revolvers. In the past I have owned and shot. Not abused with High pressure loads, every configuration of Python made in .357 caliber. Except for the rare 3 inch Combat Python. It is stronger than any K frame S&W. Thats one reason Smith came out with its L-frame line in the early 80's, to compete with the Python. I carried a 4 inch nickle Python for four years as a police officer. She had thousands of rounds of full house

remington 158 grn magnums fired through her in my career. She has been with me in the rain, snow, mud, and fights. And she never failed me. Plus I won department matches with it for 4 straight years. I only retired it when we were issued Model 66 Smiths and could no longer carry our own. But my life depended on that Colt and she never let me down.

If you want a strong .357, buy a Ruger Black Hawk. They are as tough as hammers and stout as telephone poles. I love my Dan Wesson model 15 Pistol Pak. Its a great shooter and fun to tinker with and I keep it in pristine condition. But its lockwork is made of sintered steel and in the stainless models its sintered steel coated in nickle. The bluing on Dan Wessons start to turn a strange purple color and can contrast with the rest of the gun. But that has something to do with the bluing salts at the time of manufacture.

Don't get me wrong. The Dan Wesson is accurate beyond believe, reliable as day break,

beautiful to behold and nothing comes close to its versatility. I have guns I shoot and compete with and some that are my fair weather babies. Its like owning a mint 57 Chevy convertable. It would not be your daily driver, thats why God made Toyotas.

You only bring your baby out on special occasions and under the right conditions.

Thats how I treat my DW and my Python.

So don't listen to a bunch of 30 and under "Master Gun Experts", or a bunch of Gun Shop Commando's.

For the Colt Python is not just a revolver. Its a work of pure gun manufacturing art.

I'm in my mid 50's. So if your turning 50 and have never owned or shot one. You deserve a Python.

You have waited long enough

Keep your powder dry

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Bought my first .357 in 1993: it was a Python.  Brand new, polished stainless- $585.  Had wanted once since I was a kid. Took it to the range & really liked it. About six months later I was at a gun show & bought a used DW (LNIB) $260.  Took them both to the range for a "shoot-off".  The DW shot circles around the Python.  Hmmm, maybe it was the ammo?  Took them both again, and then a final time: .38's .357's, handloaded, factory, 125gr, 158gr, jacketed, lead... didn't matter.  All the group sizes were significantly larger- as much as 1.5" larger at 25yds for the Colt.  That #@**%! Dan Wesson out shot my beautiful Colt.  Half as much money, twice as much accuracy...grrrrrr.  The Colt was sold by months end.

I have learned since then, it probably just had undersized chamber throats, opening them up may have made a huge difference.  Also, the Colt double action pull stacked up funny towards the rear of the travel - never really cared for it.  The Dan Wesson had an even worse double action pull, and was cosmetically challenged by comparison.  But at the time, all I was concerned with was placing bullets where I aimed them in single action mode.  The DW was far superior in this aspect.

I think you should buy the Python so you can compare & contrast the revo's.

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Thanks guys.

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

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