Stay in the know. My understanding is the Colt has a 1 in 14 twist, the Smith a 1 in 16, and the Ruger a 1 in 18. all three guns shoot pretty good. If they’d had the same finish and grips attached, I doubt many of us could pick them apart at any distance. They have an exposed hammer and can be fired in single or double action. While S&W eventually got Dirty Harry behind their gun, Colt had well-respected firearms writers behind it claiming that the Python was ‘the finest production revolver ever made.’ Not for the faint of heart, Pythons were intended to be big, solid and accurate handguns. Put handguns head to head to compare size, weight, capacity, and more, Original Colt firearm and Leupold M8 - 2x scopeOriginal case with foam cutouts and materialsManufactured in 1980, FAMILY: GP100 Series  MODEL: GP100  TYPE: Revolver  ACTION: Double / Single Action  FINISH: Matte Hawkeye Stainless Steel  STOCK/FRAME: Steel Frame  STOCK/GRIPS: Rubber  CALIBER/GAUGE: 44 Special  CAPACITY: 5  BARREL: 3"  SIGHTS: Adjustable Rear  ADDL INFO: Full Shroud  ADDL INFO: Non-Fluted Cylinder  GUN CASE: Plastic. While the Smith & Wesson Model 610 and Ruger GP100 Match Champion are similar, they’re quite different 10mm revolvers. The DAO™ can be worn strong side or crossdraw at the user’s discretion. They had an excellent reputation with both shooters and law enforcement. Here’s a list of what we think are some of the hottest revolvers available today. We spent six months and turned the corner of the recommend break-in round count on the striking Kimber Rapide Black Ice in 10mm Auto and have some things to report. Today’s Model 66 Combat Magnums come in two barrel lengths. Paid Subscribers don't see ads! The Ruger GP100 has been around since 1985. Capable of holding five rounds of either .45 Long Colt or .410 shotshell, it is a very potent self/home defense weapon. Fits the following guns: COLT KING COBRA 4" PYTHON 4", TROOPER 4" DAN WESSON .357 4" RUGER GP100 4" SECURITY SIX 4" SERVICE SIX 4" SPEED SIX 4" S&W K FRAME 10 4" K FRAME 19 4" K FRAME 66 4" L FRAME 586 4" L FRAME 686 4" TAURUS 425 TRACKER 4" 627 TRACKER 4" 66 4" The barrel is 2-inches long and the gun weighs 1.43-pounds empty. They hold six rounds with a fairly robust design. The Colt’s 1:14" rifling twist stabilized bullets better than the 1:18.75" twist of rival S&Ws and later, Rugers. The 4.25-inch model weighs 2.63-pounds. With .357 Magnum loads, it’s snappy. It was the first revolver I ever fired. All return items must be in original packing (If applicable) . Despite this, Colt discontinued the Python in 2005, perhaps due to a lack of interest at the time in revolvers amid the polymer pistol revolution. They are hand fitted and tuned, as well as being finished to the highest standard. The exposed hammer can be worked in either double or single action. The GP100 was the successor to Ruger’s Security Six … I do sometimes wish the Ruger had a full grip frame though. The Ruger AR556, like its more expensive cousin the SR556, is packed with features that fans of the... 2020 © www.guncritic.com All rights reserved. Variations. Ruger SP101, Ruger GP100, GP100 357 , Ruger . Both come with walnut grips that bear the Colt medallion. Sights are not adjustable but feature a high vis fiber optic front sight. The 686 is mostly a refinement of the S&W’s iconic revolver pedigree, established with their K/L frame revolvers. The GLOCK 20 Gen4, in 10mm, provides nothing short of massive firepower. As is, they’re visually distinct. It’s a rugged, proven design known for its dependability and accuracy. It seems at times like mighty revolvers have lost their thunder to polymer and steel semi-autos, but they possess a capability and quality that endures. According to Colt, the new Python is built out of stronger stainless steel compared to the originals and is available in a 4.25- or 6 inch-barrel model with wood grips. Eliminating the side plate qualifies as brilliant design in my book. The Ruger GP100 may be one of the smoothest shooting revolvers on this list. How the New Python Compares. Ever since 1955, the Python was a deluxe revolver in every way intended to win competitions, take game, and serve for personal defense with no need for further modifications. Despite this, Colt discontinued the Python in 2005, perhaps due to a lack of interest at the time in revolvers amid the polymer pistol revolution. Sturm Ruger’s answer to the Smith & Wesson 686, the Ruger GP100 was introduced in the early 1990s. Or a little of both. Original condition without sign of use / wear & tear. A 4-inch medium frame revolver is certainly still concealable, and loaded with +P 38 Special rounds a valid choice for personal defense. The robust stainless steel construction adds a little heft. Known for its reliability, the M1 Garand Semi Auto Rifles are great for hunting and target shooting.... Winchester Model 70 .30-.06 Bolt Action Rifle 22" Barrel.STK#0712098. It has a five-round capacity and with exposed hammer, can fire in either single or double action. The Ruger GP100 has been around since 1985. Sure, revolvers don’t pack the capacity or technology of their semi-automatic competition, but they still stir something in the soul. I like the elegance of the 686, but the GP100 is just so damn brutal looking and over built. Original Colt firearm and Leupold M8 - 2x scopeOriginal case with foam cutouts and materialsManufactured in 1980. This is the equivalent of the Glock 17, in compact version. Since more of the bullet’s mass is outside the cartridge, there is more ro… It measures only 1.39-inches in diameter. Gun Review: Going the Distance with the Kimber Rapide Black Ice 10mm. The heavier underlugged barrel and .41-size frame of the Python held the gun steadier on target than the .38-size K-Frame S&W. Ruger SP101, Ruger GP100, GP100 357 , Ruger . At this point a Ruger GP100 MC is 90% the new Python but half the price and unquestionably reliable and durable. How a 80's Colt King Cobra Changed My Mind on Revolvers. Get Guns.com offers and news, Need Help?service@guns.comCall (866)582-4867, PO Box 1131 13800 Nicollet Blvd Burnsville, MN 55337 ©2019 Guns.com. Okay, I'm not a gun guy so highly technical arguements will be over my head. The Verdict. A patented transfer-bar mechanism aids in preventing accidental discharges and the triple-locking cylinder provides positive alignment. In my mind, the S&W K-frame with wood finger-groove grips is one of the sexiest looking wheel guns available. Proper heat treating makes a world of difference in cast steel. First launched in 1970, the K-Frame Model 66, chambered in .357 Magnum/.38 Special, gained a lot of respect from shooting enthusiasts and law enforcement agencies; however, in the early 2000s, S&W stopped making the 66. Mar 29, 2008 #1. longbeachguy. Colt Python. Otherwise, they both feature 6″ barrels and full-sized frames. As is obvious to those of us with a functional sense of sight, the two guns we’re comparing are almost identical. I recently had the good fortune to receive a new ammunition line from CCI called Clean-22. I didn't get it (only because no local stores had it, so I got my second choice) and when it came time to get a revolver, I had a nice vintage GP100 literally drop into my lap. Kimber K6s DASA. It feels and handles like a smaller revolver. In January of 2020, however, Colt re-introduced the Python to much fanfare at SHOT Show in Las Vegas. $500 on the used market. 2,533. A 3-inch barreled GP100 weighs 2.3-pounds empty. I’ve always heard great things about old Colt revolvers, and let’s just say this gun made me think twice about my stance on revolvers. Tactically- or in the field- it wont do anything a Ruger GP100 wont do— But it is the finest Colt revolver made. Customer demand ultimately caused it to be reintroduced in 2014. The already legendary G43 is a GLOCK Single stack, 9 mm Luger caliber pistol. HOLSTER IS BRAND NEW AND THE LEATHER IS STIFF, NEEDS SOME BREAKING IN. It was first designed with a 158-grain semi-jacketed soft point( flat) bullet. Introduced in 1955, the Python was deemed by Colt as a ‘premium revolver’. We were able to shoot the new Python and it shoots and feels really good. Ruger GP100. Available in a variety of calibers, the GP100 can hold six or seven rounds depending on the caliber. The N-frame is a bit larger (and was the original frame for the .357 magnum, which debuted as the Model 27 if I recall correctly). In this instance, the L frame of the 686 denotes a medium-large frame, and is typical of modern, fullsize .357 Magnum offerings from Smith & Wesson. Ruger GP100. CCI Clean Offers a Mess Free Solution in .22 LR. The new Colt Python is offered with a high-polish stainless steel finish and either a 4.25-inch or 6-inch barrel. The Ruger revolvers listed above are all very strong, durable, well made and well designed. These updated versions of the Colt Python have a few changes to differentiate them from the old snake guns but they maintain the classic looks and operation of the originals. Fits Models Colt Python, King Cobra, Trooper MK III, Smith & Wesson 10 19 66, Taurus Tracker 357mag, RUGER GP100 Leather Field Holster with up to a 4.25" Barrel. Any questions you may have email me and i'll do my best to answer them. I own a Colt's Official Police in 38 Special, a Smith and Wesson 686 in 357,and a Ruger GP100 In 38 Special. Whether you want to carry a revolver, keep it in a drawer for home defense, or target shoot, there are a variety of fantastic revolvers from a variety of manufacturers that can fit your needs. The frame, cylinder release, sideplate, and crane arrangement are unmistakably S&W. I have been carrying a Kimber M1911 concealed for about 25 years. I own the first Colt double action .357 Magnum, a New Service with 7.5 inch barrel, several Official Police revolvers, an original Python, the new Python, and I often carry a 1956 Colt Cobra. With the newer model, S&W was able to reduce costs and possibly make it more accurate by utilizing new machining and assembly methods. The GP100 was the successor to Ruger’s Security Six … When Kimber launched the K6S in 2016, they claimed to have ‘evolved the revolver’. As far as casting vs. forging, the S&W 686 and Ruger GP100 weigh exactly the same but it’s the Ruger that’s got the reputation as a tank. With the Ruger’s smaller frame, those rounds felt pretty dang stout! Colt is one of the most storied revolver manufacturers in history, and Samuel Colt’s name is widely famous throughout the entire world of firearms. The exposed hammer can be worked in either double or single action. But with .38 Specials, it’s very controllable. As always, the Buffalo Bore rounds were extremely consistent and accurate, allowing me to shoot a 2.25-inch five-shot group off-hand at 20 yards. The Ruger GP100 .44 Special dropped one round in capacity in return for a big-bore cartridge, but Ruger was also working on increasing the capacity of the Ruger GP100 .357 Magnum. Sights are fixed or adjustable. Fits the following guns: COLT KING COBRA 6" PYTHON 6", TROOPER 6" DAN WESSON .357 6" RUGER GP100 6" SECURITY SIX 6" SERVICE SIX 6" SPEED SIX 6" S&W K FRAME 10 6" K FRAME 19 6" K FRAME 66 6" L FRAME 586 6" L FRAME 686 6" TAURUS 425 TRACKER 6" 627 TRACKER 6" 66 6" The later L-Frame S&Ws and Ruger GP100 were copies of the Python … The .357 Magnum cartridge is a revolver round with a .357 inch bullet diameter. It was first introduced in 1934 and serves as the foundation of the “Magnum Era.” Then, as now, everyone wanted more powerful ammo. Medium framed guns like the Colt Python, Ruger GP100, or S&W L-frames offer a rock solid platform for delivering heavy magnums, and come as close to being a “do everything” gun as you can get. Customer demand ultimately caused it to be, While S&W eventually got Dirty Harry behind their gun, Colt had well-respected firearms writers behind it claiming that the Python was ‘the finest production revolver ever made.’. It is equally suited for outdoor carry, home and self-defense, and target shooting. Made in the USA. A patented transfer-bar mechanism aids in preventing accidental discharges and the triple-locking cylinder provides positive alignment. However, it is illegal in California due to that states more stringent gun laws. Colt Cobra, Colt King Cobra , Colt Detective Special , Colt Python & Python J Frame revolver pistols & more . First launched in 1970, the K-Frame Model 66, chambered in .357 Magnum/.38 Special, gained a lot of respect from shooting enthusiasts and law enforcement agencies; however, in the early 2000s, S&W stopped making the 66. It is considered one of the best semi-automatic pistols today, due to its robustness, reliability and ease of implementation. The 686 first debuted in the 1980’s alongside the Model 581, 586 and 681.Since then, th… Last but certainly not least, the Taurus Judge is named after the Miami judges that carry it as their preferred self-defense weapon. Both wheel guns were chambered in .357 Magnum/.38 Special. Shallow rifling of the barrel means the Judge is not a short barrel shotgun under the NFA. There’s also a key-operated Taurus Security System. The Glock 19 is a semi-automatic pistol designed and manufactured since 1988 by Glock for military and police forces. This ammo has diverse use ranging from target shooting to self-defense and hunting. Original condition without sign of use / wear & tear. This round is based on the earlier Smith & Wesson .38 Special cartridge. It competed directly with Smith & Wesson’s Model 29. It’s a rugged, proven design known for its dependability and accuracy. The 686 is stainless. The Colt is similar in size (don't know exact specs) and was designed from the ground up as a .357 magnum. Although that might be a bit of stretch, they certainly breathed some fresh life into the concealable wheel gun market. The Ruger GP100 was designed to be a .357, as a follow-on to the Speed-Six and Security Six. This is a product whose launch Colt really can't afford to screw up like this. In January of 2020, however, Colt. The DAO™ can be worn strong side or crossdraw at the user’s discretion. The old Python is blued. A Model 66 with a 2.75-inch barrel weighs 2.10-pounds empty. Belt loop is about a 2.5". Though I'm sure owners of originals that have paid an inflated premium are grinning. I was shooting .38 Specials, but I remember thinking to myself, ‘what a smooth shooting gun.’. I can buy a Ruger .357 GP100 for $600 all day long here, and it's every bit as good as that Colt. The K6S has the smallest cylinder on the market capable of holding 6 rounds of .357 Magnum/.38 Special. The G17 Gen5 features a no finger grooved, multiple backstrapped, rough textured frame with hundreds... Remington 870 Shotgun with 0 Colt .357 Magnums: the original Python, the 2020 Python and Colt’s first .357 Magnum, a 7-½ inch barrel New Service. review, with 168 When Kimber first released the stainless-steel, concealed-hammer version of the … In this video I compare the characteristic differences between the newly released 2020 Coly Python and an "original" Colt Python from 1982. All return items must be in original packing (If applicable) . New In Box. Models come with fixed and adjustable sights. They had an excellent reputation with both shooters and law enforcement. There’s nothing compact about these brutes.The grips are the other major variation. Colt Cobra, Colt King Cobra , Colt Detective Special , Colt Python & Python L & K Frame revolver pistols & more . A judge with a 3-inch barrel weighs 1.81-pounds empty. We had the pleasure of shooting the K6S at SHOT Show in 2018 and the trigger is phenomenal. The use of GLOCK hi-tech po... It’s the number one bolt-action of all time, proudly made in the U.S.A. For over 50 years, more Mode... ? It holds six rounds and has adjustable sights. Oct 11, 2005. The result is the GP100 7-shooter. Variations, 37 https://www.guns.com/news/2020/02/19/the-best-revolvers-available-today The Colt Python and Korth .357 revolvers are generally regarded as the finest revolvers ever made. Not for the faint of heart, Pythons were intended to be big, solid and accurate handguns. The Remington 870 has earned legendary status among gun aficionados. Him and others have had issues, mechanical and cosmetic. Founded in the early 1950s by Willi Korth, a railway engineer, Korth-Waffen is a luxury firearms manufacturer based in… The internal hammer, shape, and contour of the gun make it snag-free. Sturm Ruger’s answer to the Smith & Wesson 686, the Ruger GP100 was introduced in the early 1990s. All Rights Reserved. reviews, 5 The offering is another quality product from CCI, who already create some of the best .22 LR ammo around. While some people may have opinions on why the M1911 isn’t an ideal carry choice, I’m going to explain why this is the best option for me. The hammer is exposed and it can be fired in signal or double action. Colt Python vs. Ruger GP100 Discussion in 'Gadgets & Gear' started by longbeachguy, Mar 29, 2008. And target shooting wont do— but it is illegal in California due to that states stringent. W K-Frame with wood finger-groove grips is one of the hottest revolvers available today with Smith & Wesson 686 the., they claimed to have ‘ evolved the revolver ’ originals that paid... - 2x scopeOriginal case with foam cutouts and materialsManufactured in 1980 market capable of holding five of! 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