357 Magnum Revolvers do not have "Proven Stopping Power". I own 2 S&W Mod. You feature the Manurhin as a high-end revolver and omit the Korth/Night Hawk in your discussion-review of .357's. double-action pull than the Python. By and large, I believe Smith & Wesson's double-action revolvers are superior to those made by Colt, and have been for quite. The trigger is good from the factory, but can be tuned to a very nice pull. We chose the Colt King Cobra, the Smith & Wesson Model 686-5, the Ruger GP100 and the Taurus Model 689VR (vent rib). I paid 350-400 dollars for the king cobras and only 300 for the python. I also owned a 3" SP101. My daughter liked it and now she is downright deadly with it. David Yardley on December 28, 2021 at 10:05 pm Shot old python, bought the new one and it's better. Currently they sell for 3-5k USD. Only because they're no longer in production, and they were all "hand crafted" so-to-speak in that all the parts were put together by hand. When it was stolen out of my car I replaced it with a Smith and Wesson and I've been a Smith and Wesson guy ever since. A Python will weigh a couple of ounces less than a 6 shot 686. I have 2 Colt king cobras and one python. Hey Jeremy, thanks for the reca Rhino is on my list of revolvers to try! At that time I looked at Ruger's Security Six, Colt's King Cobra, and Smith's 686. But having said that, it's way more accurate than I am, and it never has any issues with anything. I won! I shoot .38 special in mine most of the time just to minimize stress on my hand and wrist, but it's still fun to load up some .357 and shred targets with it. However, I did recently find the Taurus Tracker 692. Uh, couple more you left out, Charter Arms, Chiappa, Wesson Arms, etc. It's my all time favorite gun. The best pistol is having both pistols. Model 686 PLUS 3" Colt . its all subjective and opinions we all have them just like a holes. Nothing else came close. sportsmans.com . I believe that the 2.25 barrel. I have heard from my local gun dealer that they can easily pull $3,000. I can smack pop cans at 100 yards all day long. This is a great gun. My favorite is the 686! You'll now receive newsletters of our best articles on techniques, It will list just about every 357 magnum, new and used for you to look at. The Python also has a ventilated top rib and a full underlug to protect the ejection rod. The Colt has an eight-pound double-action pull. The MR73 is the most exacting and high-end production revolver ever made. The recoil is very mild. This gun is also quite stylish with an 8-round fluted cylinder and choice of black synthetic or wood grips. They are in similar These 6-shot, hexagonal-cylinder Rhino revolvers are available in 2-inch, 3-inch, 4-inch, 5-inch and 6-inch barrel lengths and in black anodized, nickel-plated, and "gold" finish, with prices . I tested the DA and SA in their stock form and the Colt, with zero modifications, is the clear winner. and (Speed Six in Stainless). People may well see I have a gun. umm your going to deep with all that. Next to no muzzle flip at all. In cooler carry my Windy in what you might call "semi-open" OWB carry, under a jacket or vest. It also comes with a second cylinder that is for 9mm giving you access to the most popular revolver and semi auto cartridges in one firearm. Personalize your experience. It's also great looking gun. The 2.25-inch and 3-inch models offer synthetic black grips, front ramp sight, and fixed rear sight. And when this article was written S&W were producing their new K frames that have been reinforced through the forcing cone area. Who writes these articles. Perfect for concealed carry. Colt Python Vs Smith and Wesson 686 - Larry Reidy Colt Python Vs Smith and Wesson 686 Posted on April 20, 2021 by Larry Reidy | Posted in: Uncategorized Hickok45 has an excellent video on these two great revolvers. I own 3 of them(One happens to be an "Ashland"). We all have our favorites and that's ok. Minuteman. The Python has only two types of speedloaders, and most holsters that work for it also work for Ruger GP100s and S&W 686s. My 4, pre-lock 686-3. no just the 627 almost the same gun so he used that one, and i agree with that choice. One also must consider whether today's .357 Magnum revolvers are as good as or worse than the giants upon whose shoulders they stand. My favorite is a Colt Trooper Mk III - 6" that I've had since 1968. Im still partial to a S&W 13-3 I have and it has a lot of miles on it. The KC is what Colt called a MK V action and they made a few Troopers featuring this action before they came out with the King. The 158-grain semi-jacketed soft point bullet permits the quicker transfer of energy, which enables the bullet to do more damage. A very special Model 19. *to be pedantic, Americans people often pronounce "Windicator" as intuitively spelled for us "WIN"-dicator; but being a German gun, it's pronounced "VIN-dicator", same as the English word "vindicate." Glock . The L-Frame was designed to correct the weaknesses of the smaller, lighter K-Frame with a thicker top strap and heavier forcing cone, while keeping the grip the same size. For target practice, I still recommend using .38 Special ammo to save money. Drew Gull on December 28, 2021 at 10:06 pm I think the GP 100 is a better all-around gun. The smallest group was 1.95 inches. The problem with reviews of the BEST .357 Magnum revolvers is that the reviewers tend to be in the pockets of the advertisers. Easy to conceal carry, highly accurate and heavy enough to handle full power loads. Billed as the lightest 6-shot revolver, the K6s weighs in at around 23 ounces. Some private citizens still use K Frames for self-defense, target shooting, and hunting, but theyre pretty obsolete. S&W Model 27 Then you are obligated to consider all the magnum revolvers in and out of production. And stay in touch with newsletters of our best articles on techniques, guns, & gear. I like mine a lot. While these guns are powerful, their large size and heavy weight make them harder to conceal. The password should contain at least 8 characters with at least one number or special character. Check Price . All were made of stainless steel and had 6-inch barrels. Case volume was not an issue. A '69 Python and an '82 586. I have the 3" barrel and the DASA model. A lot of the discussion here deals with trying to fit a CCW profile with the 357 even though the caliber has many first tier uses. I have found the weight of the Python ideal for stabilizing the recoil of the .357 Magnum. Python amazing gun ! I really enjoy my Model 27-1 Smith and Wesson with a 6-1/2 Barrel. While there are plenty of .357 models and companies that produce them, a few gun makers immediately stand out. I keep mine because I know it, use it, and have speed loaders that work. Printing is a challenge. Bought a GP100 Match Champion. Rabbit and squirrel are easily taken with this loading. Hey all. My carry gun is SP101. I have sold my others over the years,, many of which I would love to have kept so Ive decided to get ones I want and I dont want to sell. I sure tames the recoil, but I didn't care for the trigger. Back in the day, it was, by far, the absolute best out-of-the-box revolver on the marketPERIOD!! I have never heard anyone in my life refer to a gp100 as anything more than sufficient. One issue the Python was known for was relatively delicate lockwork. weight of the Python ideal for stabilizing the recoil of the .357 Magnum. I agree with the Manurhin. I have owed both, so here is my two cents on them. I believe dan wesson should be on the list as well they had an innovative design of being able to swap barrels. Another fine revolver that should have been mentioned is the Dan Wesson.357 Magnum. no gun is a must as its all in the opinion of the person who makes the liks. Indeed! Also comes with holster and 2 speed loaders Great gun in great condition. You left out the best .357 revolver on the market. it is indeed a great lil gun for the money. I am experienced shooter. Colt .357 Magnums: the original Python, the 2020 Python and Colt's first .357 Magnum, a 7- inch barrel New Service. See Also: Shoot-out: Colt Python vs. Smith & Wesson 686. GP100 Wiley . Best .357 ever!!! Colt Python. See how this works? Revolvers. Strong and very accurate. My service arm was a Ruger Security 6. Aside from being much more powerful, the .357 Magnum round also needed a 1/8-inch longer case to hold more gunpowder. 60. I just still don't understand why they are suddenly worth so much money. It is lighter than a Python and just as accurate. Might need to get rid of it because of hand issues. Read the article again, the Taurus didn't make the list, just an honorable mention, and rightly so. Its possible to wear out or break important parts of the revolver under these loads. That's it. anything extra and your It has a 2.125-inch underlug barrel and exposed hammer with black synthetic grips that wear well. I love them both like a bigamist with two supermodel wives. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Despite the fact that some people dont like Taurus guns, I still like my Taurus 617Ti. Dialing In (Photo by Jordan Bell) Next, I shot three 5-shot groups from the new Pythonin SA mode and using a sandbag rest for supportwith each of my .357 Magnum test loads at 25 yards. For small frame revolvers, I dont recommend always shooting heavy-loaded, Its possible to wear out or break important parts of the revolver under these loads. If youre looking for a high-quality concealed-carry revolverthis is it. palmettostatearmory.com . Keep 'em coming. They have a snub nosed (2in) and full sized (6in) revolvers. Nope, y'all missed this one.The S&W 66-2 is the Finest .357 Revolver. In similar enough meaning it definitely is a WIN though. .357 mag. It is available in blued and stainless steel finishes and a variety of barrel lengths with the 4.2-inch and 6-inch offerings being the most popular. I love mine! It shoots both .38. The extra powder space in the .357 comes from seating the bullet farther out in the case with a cannelure, not from the extra length, which adds little in the way of volume. All in all, apart from the inherently higher quality that you get with S&W and Ruger, the Windy is pretty much equal to any gun on this list when it comes down to all practical purposes and I'm quite fond of it. 1. i wouldnt even consider a python over a smith and wesson. These happen to be some of our favorites. According to Frank Barnes' "Cartridges of the World," the .357 case was made 1/8 inch longer in order to keep it from being chambered in .38 Special cylinders that were not strong enough to handle the much higher case pressure of the .357. It was popular with the public and used in the U.S. military from 1873 to 1892. And a Ruger BH ss 6 1/2 brl. Mostly it's concealed but not totally. But switched to a Model 25 45 acp to be able to use moon clips. It is not in S&W or Ruger league or prestige but for basic day to day practicality on the street or bedside I'd put it up against anything, really. All 3 were extremely accurate and reliable. I dont have anything else but I think thats enough to get it done. You left out the very best .357 Magnum revolver: the Smith and Wesson 686 plus. I have zero complaints about the Windicator. Python 3" vs. Smith & Wesson . You can swap cylinders between .357 and 9mm, and recoil is pretty gentle thanks to the design. The average group size for the 1975 Python was 2.52 inches, while the 2020 Python's was 2.17 inches. Small frame revolvers usually weigh between 12 ounces and 2 pounds when empty. Best .357 Revolvers: Top Picks for Gun Enthusiasts and First-Time Gun Owners. Full power.357s are a handful, so shooting.38s for target practice is recommended. I loaded it myself using 180 grain bullets and Hodgkins h110 powder. The great stopping power myth is that there is a "best." I bought one in 1982; so your "1985" bez wong. In other words, sure - a Bugatti is one of the pinnacles of cars. It has been for going one 30 or 40 years. I preferred the cosmetics of the King Cobra, but ended up with the Smith due to design. and a colt would not even be on my list. These loads make the four-inch barrel Python a top-flight small-game revolver. This is using the gun in single action. Preferably the 3" Wiley Clapp version. I would love to put a python in your hand for a spin at the range you wound need a roll of paper towels after making a mess in your trousers. But it's in my safe and I carry a semi auto due to available firepower with a .357 Sig - in a 226 - can't beat the ballistics Really great article. The GP-100, Redhawk, and SP-101 would later follow. Fast forward to today and it's a 627 8 rndr with moon clips. Both triggers are comparable. Sorry, Ted, but you might "bez" mistaken. Model 5033 Ruger Redhawk .357 Magnum: Top Pick. Allmost every round through them have been full house 357 Mag. After 35 years this one is still my favorite. Overall, Colt's single actions have been surpassed by their clones for a long while now. I bought mine new in 1974 (I think it was in '74) and still haven't shot any that I like as well. Chiappa the new 357mag revolver with the 3' is easier to carry than the 4 inch but gives you better control than the 2 inch, so dont knock it till you try it. A relative newcomer in comparison to some of these models, the Kimber K6s comes in a few different models with the main two being the standard K6s (Double-action only), and the DASA (exposed hammer). It's double action trigger pull is quite heavy and less, but not poorly accurate (I always shoot single action although I practice a DA double-tap although even if I had to execute one I train doing it in SA anyway. I love them. Striker-Fired Compact Pistol Chambered in 45 ACP . Thanks for the article. TF. The machines that produced them were run by humans, and not by computers. Thanks for the informative charts on the S&W models and Ill have to check out their 8 round revolver that I didnt know existed! Colt Single Action Army Best .357 Magnum Revolvers 1. It was commissioned as a gift for Richard Grob, the Director of Security and Operations for Elvis Presley Enterprises. Featuring an 8-shot cylinder and a factory-tuned action, this revolver is hard to beat. I certainly didnt go wrong with this group of firearms. They are amazing guns. Personally, I like the stainless steel version since it handles moisture better than blued steel. I experienced that in a S&W Model 10 when teaching a new police shooter on his very first day. I do not have a 5 shot 7 shot or 8 shot yet in 357..The model 60 is on my to get list, the pro series. the slickness and fitting of a GP100 to a Python is even more fruitless than people who compare GP's to S&W 586's and 686's. The only thing they have in common are they are .357 revolvers. This revolver is built on a large frame similar to the Smith and Wesson model 29. I had heard at one point that the Python's have the most moving parts of any revolver on the market which is one reason for their feel. Are you serious a ruger is a work of are. Chiappa Rhino should be on this list. You probably also know it as the gun that won the West. Internal construction can differ depending on the type of bullet and purpose. Black powder occupies a far greater volume than smokeless. Case volume was NOT a factor in the development of the 357 mag, at all. Smith & Wesson . The K6s is soooooo much nicer! I still enjoy my Ruger GP100 after a decade of use, and shooting my newest addition, the Colt Cobra (even though it isn't a magnum). I already own some of the recommended revolvers and I am happy with them. Considering the diverse ammunition loads available, it is easy to find one that works for you. Great combo with a short lever rifle for the truck. You missed the Ruger LCRx, with 3" barrel is 1/4# lighter than the K6. It is a bit heavy in weight but, with an excellent OWB holster, it can be carried concealed. You have to spend a ton more money to get a slightly better revolver! Be sure to read all about the K6s in our review! The S&W model 19 and SS version 66 was/is one of the best law enforcement sidearms of all time. 25 after seeing how much the value has gone up and it's not original. Go to revolvers then type .357 magnum. Sorry but the S&W 19/66 is the finest .357, period. Not much was mentioned about it in your article. HS Produkt S5 3.3 vs Smith & Wesson Model 686 PLUS 3" HS Produkt S5 3.3. So work of art for a operating gun not a collector that sits and never ever will it get packed ! The Kimber feels beefier, it is finished better than any gun for the money. It was originally developed for black powder loads. Both are. Over priced at best, "suck" not hardly. The original Colt Python revolver was issued in one single barrel length, 6. colt, dan wesson, smith and wesson, and ruger all would have . Beautiful gun and nice action but shooting heavy loads one handed makes my hand slide up the back. We bought the one in my safe for my wife from the original run back in the early '90s. The Safariland Comp II Speedloader is injection molded and its push-button operation combines maximum speed with easy reloading, making it popular for duty applications. If you are referring to police work they all are obsolete. 357 and 44mag. I've owned several Pythons dating back to the early 1980's and I've never kept one. 357 Magnum is a bit to handle but I can shoot 38 Special thru it all day long. It was the first time I ever shot a gun. The Security Six has the best reviews of all 357 Mag. Copyright 2023 Pew Pew Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Steel is a little heavier, and better controls .357 Magnums recoil. Weve got a dedicated section for the AR-15 here. 66ss , 2 1/2 brl. The Ruger GP-100 is a 6 or 7-shot .357 Magnum revolver with a DA/SA medium frame revolver. If a Python was put through heavy use, they were known to go "out of time." Great series! You want J frame size 6 shots get a Kimber K6S they are excellent out of the box, You didnt even mention the model 19? I bought a Galco D.A.O. I mean absolutely no disrespect toward your decisions,heck I'd love to own a python,but as someone advising new people about the world of revolvers you might want to revisit the K frame models. Taurus 66, 6" made the list. All of my barrels are heavy vented rib. The Colt Python cost 50-100% more than a comparable Smith and Wesson revolver, and was arguably more fragile. Additional features include black Hogue grips and an exposed hammer. Call me "Old Fashioned"(and that would be correct, as I am an old man)but I will take my Model 66, 3" Stainless over ANY of the revolvers listed. (, We noticed that you have previously logged in with your, Check what do you get by creating an account, Bookmark and compare your favorite firearms, 8 Best .357 Magnum Revolvers [Proven Stopping Power]. The single action pull comes in at about three pounds while the 686 is 10 pounds in double action and the single action pull is about 2.5 pounds. S&W Model 66 Probably have over a 1000 rounds through this pistol and still shoots straight and true. The new 4-inch barrel Colt Python has . I was told by the late Joe Wallace, a Colt armourer who built the Official Police, Officer's Model and Python, that Colt had engineering students at the University of Connecticutt conduct yaw card and spark shadowgraph studies of the .38 Special revolver firing 158-gr. S&W 627 (when 7 shots are not enough) Ruger GP100 (the stronger and beefier S&W 686 PLUS' counterpart) Ruger Redhawk (the stronger and beefier S&W 627 counterpart) Taurus 692 (can shoot .357 . The Ruger is HD, the Kimber camping and trail. The grips, barrel length, weight, and good DA/SA trigger make this revolver very balanced and pleasant to shoot without being unwieldy. Type your new password and hit button below to confirm it. Fixed that by replacing the original with a Hogue monogrip. towards your level. This came after S&W learned that extensive use of hot magnum loads through .357 Magnum chambered K frames (models 13, 19, 65, 66) dished out more battering than the smaller guns could handle.
Comments are closed.