Colt v. Colt

S

SaxonPig

New member
No, not a lawsuit. A comparison of two models. A variation on the usual Colt v. S&W theme.

Went to the range yesterday with a c. 1968 4" Colt Trooper 357. Also took along a c. 1980 4" Python. Shot them side by side at 15 yards for fun. Used two types of ammo. Both were 38 Special loadings. One was standard velocity stuff with lead bullets and the other was a +P 125 JHP load. In my experience 38s fired from a 357 lose a tad of accuracy (and velocity) but both guns were under the same handicap so should be a fair comparison.

All groups were 6 shot strings. The Trooper shaded the Python a bit with the lead bullet load. Trooper cut a 2 & 1/8" group while the Python opened up a tiny bit to 2 & 1/4". Pretty much the same.

No so with the JHP load. The Trooper did very poorly. Not sure if my fault or the gun but the Trooper shot a 4" group with the HV ammo. The Python on the other hand liked this load... a lot. Like a 1 & 3/8" group (see photo #3).

The Trooper:

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The Python:

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The best group:

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Nice grips on that Python. They look original to the gun. Mine got separated so I had to put later versions on mine and I always note the fully checkered grips on the Pythons.
 
That style was used only until around 1961. But I like them and have them on all my Colts, even the later ones. Used to be able buy them fairly cheaply but lately they have become like all things Colt: hideously expensive.


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You always get some ammo a specific gun just doesn't "like".
Get another Python and another Trooper and do it on another day and your results might be reversed.
 
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