Python vs. Model 27

M

makarov

New member
OK,

We all like hypotheticals here. After all, how often have we seen threads like this. Here are the contenders for the almighty dollar.

6" Blued Python. Holster wear. Definately a shooter, not a "safe queen" - locks up tight - greaaaaat trigger.

8 3/4" Model 27 - Minty condition - I think it has the box etc.. Only a drag mark on the cylinder.

I like both. The 27 actually seems to balance well with the long barrel, I am not going to carry either one. This will strictly be a range gun. Probably .38's mostly.

Price on both guns is close enough that they are even in that respect.

Which one would be best for my needs, which would appreciate more in value. Keeping in mind that it will be well cared for, but will be shot.

- Makarov
 
OK - I wanted to keep it strictly between these two based on their qualites. But, the Python's tag is $399 and the 27 is priced at $435 (but it has been for sale for a long time and would probably sell for under $400) the 27 is on consignment.

The Python is probably the better "deal" , but the 27 is near mint. There is a difference in condition which makes the question harder.
 
Python for $399?

Not a bad price, even with the holster wear.

For some stupid reason there seems to be a desire to overinflate these things very badly.

Quite frankly, if it were me getting it, I'd be inclined to get the Python simply because of the price, and I don't have one.

But that's me.
 
That is a good price for a Python. It is a little high even if it is a 27-2. I will always pick a S&W revolver over a Colt and I own a 27-2 with the 8 3/8" barrel. With .38 Spec. loads there is very little recoil. Now I shoot .38's in my 6" 686 and only shoot factory .357's in the 27. It is fun shooting offhand at 100 yards and hitting a Coke can.
 
Both are the top of the line for their respective manufacturers. I love and own several of both. If I had to choose one, for your stated purpose, I would go with the Colt. The Colts have a tighter bore than the S&Ws and tend to be a tad more accurate. But bear in mind the .38 Special does not perform at its best from a .357 chamber. I have found that velocity (not important for paper-punching) and accuracy (this is important) suffer a little. I have found that .38 Special revolvers shoot .38s better than do the Magnums.
 
If you are going to shoot mostly 38s out of the gun, I would get the Python. Why? Price, accuracy, looks, sex appeal, I don't have a Colt in my collection unfortunately, accuracy, looks, sex appeal. Whoops I'm repeating myself ...

The 27 in 8-/38 is another winner. I would be forced to buy both. Seriously.

justinr1
 
GOD, how I love my Python! And to think that I almost sold it a short while back; I can thank my wife for bringing to my senses.

Go for the Python. If you don't like it you can always sell it and get your money back out of it. Remember, whether it deserves it or not (I think it does), the Python has a GREAT reputation with most of the shooting public, and that's like money in the bank.
DAL

P.S. You'll be well-pleased with the Python; the trigger is exquisite, and the accuracy ain't bad either.

P.P.S. To be fair, I know nothing about the Model 27.
 
I've owned both. I sold my stainless Python and bought a 27-2 which is a far better revolver in my opinion. I know the Smith will out shoot the Python I had. regards, birdman
 
Why not buy both? Excellent wheelgun's are getting a
little hard to come by. My preference would be the S&W;
but that is just my personal opinion, cuz I feel the lock
work is better.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
I got bored with revolvers and sold them all. My 686 would shoot at least as well as my Python. For some silly reason I wish I still had that Python. I may buy another sometime if the price is good. They just have some magical appeal. I can't help it. Watch-Six
 
When I bought my Smith & Wesson model 27-2 with 8.375-inch barrel in the late 1970s, it proved a serious disappointment. It was reasonably accurate with full house .357 magnum loads, but decidedly less than accurate with light loads in .357 magnum cases.

A Colt Python with a 6-inch barrel I owned briefly--I couldn't afford to keep it--was significantly more accurate with both full house and light loads. A gunsmith said the difference was in the rate of twist in the rifling: the Python's was much tighter, and imparted a faster spin on bullets. True? Not true?

I'm not sure about the physics involved, but can tell you this: I had the model 27 rebarreled by Clark several years ago with a twist even tighter than the Python's, and it's proved wonderfully accurate with every load I've put through it; unfortunately, it's a slab-sided bull barrel that's decidedly less than easy to shoot, since I'm contending with both arthritis and computer wrist.

The model 27's frame may absorb more recoil, and I've always been partial to the look and feel of N frames, but Pythons have come to occupy a special place in my heart: I've never hefted one that didn't feel right in my hand, although Colt stocks have never made the right impression upon me, and it's a rare Smith & Wesson trigger that breaks as cleanly and lightly as a well tuned Python's. Naturally, a Python action job is considerably more expensive than one for a Smith & Wesson, and frankly, I don't understand why Colt never crowned Python barrels, but... Well, but...

Realistically speaking, maybe I need to find another model 27 to do a fairer comparison. I'd say that's a good reason for buying one, wouldn't you? By the way, I looked at a model 27-5 in a Silicon Valley (People's Republic of California) gun shop yesterday with a $500 price tag. It had a 5-inch barrel and a reasonably good finish, but the star and cylinder chambers were flat rather than counter-bored, and the ramped front sight was too wide for the rear sight. I'd have paid $300 for it, maybe even $350, but it's not the equal of my old one.
 
Being a S&W geek I must say that the M27s of pre 1968 or so are they only ones I'd buy. The fit and finish on guns after that are marginal. I'd buy the Colt in this case as the cheapest I've seen lately are 500+. Good Luck ! dewey
 
Watch-Six, I know what you mean, except that I have become EXCEEDINGLY bored with semi-auto handguns. (Of course, it might be the contrarian in me--semi-autos seem to get at least 80% more press than revolvers, rightly or wrongly, and I don't think they necessarily deserve it.)

The semis in my collection can collect dust for all I care, but, to each his own. An accurate, well-tuned revolver must be one of the best things in life. I'm just sorry I overlooked them for so long.
DAL
 
Like Watch-Six, I sold all my revolvers a while back. But I went a step further and sold almost all my handguns including NIB Colt Series 70's, Commanders, and Walthers. What a mistake! Mint Python, Diamondbacks, Troopers, various model Smiths, Glocks, Rugers, and so on. Now, I only have a Kimber UC and a nice new snubbie. Enough to fill the need, but I'd love to have a few of those old guns back---especially the Python and 1911's. I guess there's a good chance that hobbies we enjoyed 20 years ago, will cycle back around today. Mine sure did. Lesson learned. Ouch!
 
Thanks for all the replies. How would I have guessed that a few TFL'ers would suggest getting BOTH!.. Anyway, I still haven't made up my mind. I really shouldn't get either, but I have the itch to buy another gun. Then there is the fact that I have been wanting a CZ-75 and so on.... It is so tough. So many choices. Also wanted to get a cheap motorcycle to play on this summer. I guess I want too many toys. I'm going to go back and look at the Python again. What kind of cylinder gap should the Python have? It didn't *look* especially tight, I will take my feeler gauges with me. They also had a Norinco 1911 - almost new for $350... Too bad I don't have more $$$$

- Makarov
 
IMO, the Model 27 is a lot more gun than the Python. If I was only going to own one .357 and the choice was between those two, I would take the Model 27 and never look back.
However, in this case I would do the opposite. #1 The price on the model 27 is more than I would pay while the price on the Python is excellent. If you choose not to buy it, please give me the details privately so I can try to buy it. #3 I own a half dozen S&W .357s including a 6" Model 27 and have always wanted a Python.
 
Get the Model 27 due to it being far more durable than the Python, which will go out of time PDQ if you run hot 125 JHP through it on a regular basis. Since it's gonna be a range gun must mean that it' going to be shot a lot, get the Smith.


7th
 
Model 27 with 8 3/4" barrel - not 8 3/8"? These were made - but only prior to WWII - so it should be a "pre-27" with the extra screw on the top of the sideplate. Makes the value of both guns equal - and a very good price for either. More "collectiblility" on the Model 27 due to it's better condition, but more demand for the Python. If the model 27 is just a regular 8 3/8" it's probably over-priced some. As shooters both are most probably great - excellent accuracy and triggers - but either could be a lemon and you won't know til you shoot it. The Python will require regular care every few thousand rounds, while the Model 27 probably won't need to be touched for 10,000 rounds or more.
 
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