Henry Rifle Forums

For anyone interested in classic wheelguns. This new article was just published in AR, July 2018 edition.
It's a 50-year history of Colt's Python revolver. There are also some very nice photos of the different revolver models.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articl ... on-primer/

Thanks for that article. I have always loved and admired the Python and it was cool to read about it's history.

interesting history about a revolver I wouldn't want if I had to keep it .. .. as a Ruger/Smith fan, I engaged in many hours of Chevy vs Ford type discussions with friends who like Pythons .... I mean really, the rifling and cylinders both spin in the wrong direction ..

JEBar wrote: .... I mean really, the rifling and cylinders both spin in the wrong direction ..

I think the rifling in the opposite direction was to counter the spinning earth's Coriolis force, making the gun more accurate.

Mags wrote:I think the rifling in the opposite direction was to counter the spinning earth's Coriolis force, making the gun more accurate.

cylinders and rifling turn clockwise in Smiths and Rugers .... the bullet's clockwise rotation promotes deeper penetration as it screws into the target .... the counterclockwise unscrewing rotation of a bullet out of a python fights penetration ..

JEBar wrote:

Mags wrote:I think the rifling in the opposite direction was to counter the spinning earth's Coriolis force, making the gun more accurate.

cylinders and rifling turn clockwise in Smiths and Rugers .... the bullet's clockwise rotation promotes deeper penetration as it screws into the target .... the counterclockwise unscrewing rotation of a bullet out of a python fights penetration ..

You just need left handed bullets.

cylinders and rifling turn clockwise in Smiths

Rifling yes, cylinder no - can't speak for Ruger ain't got one - but I have my Mod 66 Smith in hand!

Jdl447 wrote:

JEBar wrote:

Mags wrote:I think the rifling in the opposite direction was to counter the spinning earth's Coriolis force, making the gun more accurate.

cylinders and rifling turn clockwise in Smiths and Rugers .... the bullet's clockwise rotation promotes deeper penetration as it screws into the target .... the counterclockwise unscrewing rotation of a bullet out of a python fights penetration ..

You just need left handed bullets.

I got left handed bullets I could sell you.

Read that in my copy of the magazine. I would hope that anyone who wants to preserve their gun rights would have their own copy that goes with membership.

I used my Dad's 6 inch Python to quallify when I was in the police academy. Smoothest handgun I ever shot.

When I got my first job, I couldn't afford the 450.00 for a new 4 inch stainless Python. If I only knew what they would cost now....

If I only knew what they would cost now....

Yea I passed on one when it was 'Only' $750.00 - and that wasn't necessarily that 'long' ago.
I would however change the word 'cost' to 'asking' - I see a lot of snakes in the LGSs and gun shows and most are gathering dust under the glass or returning to the next show - unsold.

I was curious about what people were 'asking'. Several .357 listings on GunBroker. Lowest was 1000. Quite a few between 2500 and 8000. Less than a handful from there up to 20,000. Most of them zero bids. Suggests to me that folks want too much for them and/or there isn't that much interest. Very beautiful fire arm. Wouldn't mind having one for about 500. Don't see that happening.

You will never see one for $500 - heck you won’t find a ‘key’ S & W for that amount but I believe the ridiculous four figure prices are softening up some - I have seen some in the $1500 - to $1800 range but they still don’t seem to sell. There is no doubt the pythons are excellent guns but they have certain design features that potentially limit them as regular shooters due to the lack of replacement parts and ‘Smith’s to repair them.
By contrast many ‘vintage’ Smith & Wesson’s are regularly carried and shot without much concern as the parts availability for Smiths is dramatically better than Colt and the ‘factory’ still has a fair supply of certain parts going back to 70s era guns. Also there is no denying the S & W internals are vastly superior to Colt and can be worked on by someone with basic mechanical gun knowledge whereas the Colt has some processes that require special tools and a nearly Colt ‘smith to perform.
Also some ‘key’ S & Ws (such as the Mod 27s) are highly deseriable but are still in the sub $1000 range. Recently I passed on a LNIB mod 27 5” for $ 920 - and missed it by being the proverbial ‘day late’. Unfortunately it was a few hours from me and while trying to work the trip into a possible job requirement taking me that direction it got sold!