Colt Python vs GP100 vs S&W 686 = the best revolver? 

The single Action option is NOT pointless! It's helpful with those long accurate shots. Now You might "Perfer" not use this function & that's fine. But Single Action is not pointless. Jus saying. Nice video though 👌🏻

Im told the Ruger GP100 is the preferred revolver of renowned firearms expert Paul Harrell.

A friend of mine who was a deputy during the late 1950's and 60's told me that there was a reason why most law enforcement carried Smith and Wesson, smoother double action, you push cylinder release instead of pull,also he said that the internals were better and more reliable on the Smith.

This reminds me of Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge. It's all personal preference and all perform well. Great review! Python is sooooo badass looking. I bought the SW 686 plus 5" with unfluted cylinder. Love it.

Great video! Glad I watched it. I'm a S&W K-frame guy, owning a '76 6" Model 19 and mid-80s 2.5" Model 66. I was going to buy a new 4" 686 L-frame but instead bought the 4.25" Python last week. It was so awesome I just couldn't walk away. Dry firing, I prefer the S&W triggers but they've had decades to wear into silky smooth pull. I'm glad to hear your Python improved after 2k rounds. The old revolvers are still in excellent shape because ~95% of the ammo fired was 38 Special but the Python will get more 357 than they did. Now that two years have passed I expect the Python has picked up a point or two in your ratings because aftermarket holsters and sights (Wilson Combat) are now available. It's nice that Colt is back again thanks to CZ.

What an excellent review of the top three! I’ve got a GP100 that was purchased before the 2020 Python became available. At the time I agonized between it and the 586. It seems now I don’t need the Python but I really want one😁

The best gun? The Ruger GP100, the S&W 686 or Colt Python? That's easy. It's the Ruger Security-Six. All these guns are fantastic. But for just plain shooting, I like the 686. The S&W 686 has the best grips, hands down. The Python is narrow where it should be wide and wide where it should be narrow. But it's beautiful. The 686 is easy to shoot. And it's easy on the eyes. But if I'm a hunter, a camper, a hiker, I don't want an underlug barrel. Ounces mean a lot when carrying, and I'll take the Security-Six every time. When I get home and want to shoot, I'll take the Colt. Or the 686. But who wants to carry a gun where there's too much steel? And Ruger screwed the proverbial pooch on that one. --

This video is exactly what I wanted to know. Thank you very much.

In my humble nobody opinion, from many years of owning and shooting revolvers for combat ,the Smith and Wesson model 15, combat masterpiece, is the finest combat revolver I ever fired.

Love that you have the Match Champion. It deserves more attention in the gun world. I have one, also with the adjustable sights. The only mods I made are Altamont's small grips and night sights. The trigger is amazing. It's probably a bad habit but I love the way it stages - I can basically shoot it single action without ever touching the hammer. With the small grips it's easy to conceal carry, too.

Great video CG!!! It’s all in the details and you summed it up very well. 💯🔫👊🏼👍🏼

A Pre-Lock S&W 686 is a great way to go if you can.

Ruger GP 100 Accurate Tough Reliable end of really.👍

I’ve also owned all three, and the GP100 is the most reliable. Python loses on price and quality per dollar, I had a barrel clocking issue after 1k ish rounds; 686 lost my trust due to skipping cylinders, I run my revolvers pretty fast and that’s the only gun requires you to get a aftermarket oversized cylinder stop and machined a deeper ramp to resolve the issue. Ruger on other hand, is rough when I first got it, but it’s the cheapest, and I had a bad batch of ammo, some overpressued cartridges, the Ruger took those like a champ.

Great video🤙🏾

I definitely agree with your assessment. The GP is one of my very favorite pieces in the safe and all I've done is drop the hammer spring weight by like two pounds. Anyone who can turn a screw can do a spring swap on one of these with almost no chance of breaking the damn thing. Do you know of anyone who does DAO conversions? I'm a little concerned about hammer weight if I just lop the spur off, I think a little bit of a hump welded on shaped like if you chop a Colt DS hammer might be a nice safety net. Two things keep me from giving the Colt a chance: I really don't like their grip curve, and my buddy got the absolute runaround from them with his Cobra that was broken for the better part of a year through various part failures. With the new management, I may factor that a little less, but I'm still wary

My GP100 has a great trigger. NO grit. straight from the factory. I like it much better than my old Mod 19#2.

The Ruger really will hold up the best in the long run. Out of the box Ruger sucks compared to the other two. Once broken in the Ruger is simply a superior revolver due to it's lock-up and ability to stay timed. Also coil mainsprings are not prone to breakage. And, Ruger's one piece frame without any screws is a no brainer. Kinda like me! However I've killed two Smiths and a Taurus! My GP100'S, Redhawks and super Blackhawks can take it. Year after year! This ain't no Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge thing. Rugers really are a hell of a lot tougher!

My GP100 has outlasted 2 S+W revolvers. It still locks up tight and eats anything. For the money you cant beat it.

Thank you sir! Great advice

Great video, answered all my questions, thanks

Frequently Smith and Wesson have timing problems,rugers never do

Listening to you comment on " working" on the revolvers brought back memories of a law enforcement shooting match at Nellis AFB 1975-76 Las Vegas. Most shooters were using heavily modified Smiths. We called them " space guns". Had a Yosemite Park shooting team shoot their S&W model 10, no sights, six inch barrels.

Whatever I have near at hand when needed is my favorite. Thanks.

Excellent video. You mention you have an aftermarket hammer and trigger on the S&W. Can you share details and where to find this parts. Thanks!

I've used all three. The Ruger is probably the sturdiest. For a long time, I was not impressed with the groups from the GP-100, though I love Rugers, BUT, when I was handed a box of heavier, 158-grain rounds, instead of the 125's and 140-grain hand-loads, that I'd usually run, SHAZAM! Instant group-improvement, so you might want to give THAT a try, on your Ruger. I had to "stand-corrected," about the GP-100, once I started feeding it the kind of ammo that it "liked." I like the Python, overall, the best, but the 686 would hold-up, better, I suspect, and it has a lighter trigger-pull, but the Python's trigger is perfectly-capable of running smoothly, double-action. By far, MOST of the thousands of rounds I've run through a Python WERE double action. That said, I watched a brand-new 686 in the hands of someone who'd never used it, before, with a 4" barrel, exhibiting almost supernaturally-ridiculous accuracy. Once a New Mexico State Police Armorer worked it-over, it just got even-better. Off of the subject, of L-Frame-sized Smith's, I got to run a Lipsey's special short-barreled Model 29, which MUST have been slicked-up, right-FROM the factory, making it RIDICULOUSLY-slick, so I'm not surprised that people get good results from sending their revolvers to S&W's Custom Shop, though a competent gunsmith could probably optimize the smoothness. DO NOT lighten the springs, since A.) it's not needed, for-smoothness, and B.) you don't want light primer-strikes, which turn a revolver into a paperweight, or a doorstop. Not-okay. The OTHER thing is, just like any other form of "weight-training," even a LITTLE BIT of extra hand-exercise, for people who have a problem running their handguns will pay-off remarkably-soon, and I do NOT mean some arduous, super-heavy "workout," but just a little extra EFFORT. On the NEW Python, you may want to swap-out the stock rear sight (which LOOKS great), but has a problem due-to drifting zero, which I NEVER experienced, with the original Pythons' Elliason rear sights. Wilson Combat makes multiple kinds of aftermarket rear sights, for the NEW Python (or usable in their new Anaconda .44 Magnum, too) which ARE good, but Wilson Combat was OUT of them, in early July of '23, but Optics Planet had SOME in inventory. I suspect that Wilson does little batches of these sights, and just needs to do another run of them. Optics Planet was NOT "gouging" on their pricing of these hard-to-find sights, so THAT'S good. Wilson has a idiot-proof "How-to" RU-vid video, on how to-do the installation. The sights are made of Chromoly Steel with a black oxide finish, and I think that the slot makes it easier to acquire a sight picture, but your mileage may vary. Who ever heard of not knowing that you need to CLEAN a revolver? People who do high round-counts need to be pausing to scrub-out the cylinder. A .35 Caliber rifle brush screwed-into a green handle, though NOT usable on the barrel works GREAT, for scouring-out chambers, and a GI cleaning brush should ride-along with you, in your range bag, or your ruck. People you talk about how much more "reliable" revolvers are, compared to semi autos, must not have fired enough of EITHER. I've run-across hiccups in BOTH kinds of handguns. The only hopelessly pathetic example other things like a revolver with a broken pawl, the little gizmo that advances the cylinder, were the 1911's from Thompson. I'd literally grown-UP running various 1911's, and I've never seen so much trouble, with a 1911. The ONLY upside was you could certainly train someone in immediate action drills, to clear each jam, so that they could move right-on, to their very-NEXT jam! Appalling. Talk-about a DOORSTOP!

Another great video brother. It is now 2022 I am hoping the aftermarket is building for the colt. I’m really leaning toward buying one as I just can’t buy another S&W with a Hilary Hole. In switching to colt and Ruger for that reason.

I have all three, I like my Match Champion the best. All three are great. It's just a matter of personal preference. The Colt does have the better trigger and all 3 are beautiful examples of USA precision craftsmanship but for some reason I shoot the Match the best by a slight margin. No wrong choice here fellows! Happy fun and range time to all..!!!!

So I've completely taken apart and worked on a fair amount of smith and wesson revolvers (specifically older Pinned and recessed K-Frames) and I never once had to use a special tool for the rebound slide/rebound spring, I just used a polymer flat punch and my first ever time was with a Phillips head screw driver. It's a little bit annoying to get it back in place under spring tension and lined up with the trigger, but not all that hard. Did they change something with newer Smiths so that you need to use in some fashion now?

Thank you for this great comparison. I totally agree - but you missed one category: looks. 😉 In this category the python gets a solid 10/10.

Sticking with my python😊😊

Very good rating categories as closer to real world use and maintenance for those that at least like to "tinker." Liked the sequence and flow of the conversation around each firearm and as compared to one another. Found this video as sometimes I wonder if in buying my S&W Performance Center 2.5" 686, I should have bought a GP 100 instead. The L frame just seems to demand a 4" barrel and maybe should have gone that way as have had some familiarity with the old 581. An L frame snubbie like the PC 686 handles magnums great, however just seems fairly large for carry (7 shot) and not as balanced as the 4" versions. Maybe I need to examine the new Colts as bought a fourth series 90s Colt DS after all the S&Ws and even Rugers and really like it. Even been looking at pre MKIII original Colt .357 Trooper. Something about the size and feel. Nice video. Thanks, sir.

You can get the Accro and Ellison sights for the Colt Python from Kensight.

Oh, man! Is the Colt VS Smith & Wesson debate reborn? I must find a way to try out that new Colt! I know you're not a fan of single action shooting but which would be best for bullseye?

Thankfully, Colt Python aftermarket accessories are starting to pop up. I just picked up a nice holster, speedloader, and Wilson sights.

Good comprehensive review. I use a new model Colt Python as my EDC. The aftermarket support situation has improved since this video was made. My Python has Wilson Combat sights (the front sight is a fiber optic). I currently have six holsters for it. I use HKS speedloaders. I don’t anticipate needing anything else from the aftermarket for it.

Good video. I love SA/DA revolvers and the Ruger SA revolvers like the Bearcats and Single Sixes.

Single action is not pointless, it gives you an excellent pull for accuracy.

What sort of spring kit do you have on your revolver? Looking at doing a simple spring upgrade to mine but not sure which way to go..

Great video. I was wondering if you still feel the same about the Python 2 years later? Also, if one were considering a revolver for casual competition shooting, do you think the Python with speed loaders is a viable option? I know it will never be as fast as a 686 or GP100 with moon clips, but nobody does moon clips for the Colts.

I have the Ruger and the Smith. They're both great, but the Smith is my favorite. The 686 is a little nicer to shoot. The trigger is just better.

I did some minor upgrades to my Ruger model 1715 (3 inch) Put on the original compact grips, hammer shims, hammer dog shims, slicked up and stoned a few parts, left the springs alone. It’s my favorite firearm. I love how I can stage the DA trigger pull. I HATE the Hogue monogrip Ruger decided to put on it.......looks horrible and that huge blackstrap bump simply makes the gun shoot crappy....for me. Old school compact grips for the 3 inch GP. Got some new Chig inserts coming too!

WWHHOOOO HHOOO, for the what I collect, the first years of Ruger double action wheel guns through the 3 calibers offered in the Alaskan. nice , fair video young man

Nice review, I plan to get a Python once my pistol license is finalized...

I've owned and carried all 3. You really cant go wrong with any of them. For me the Python is probably the most difficult to master the trigger after living with S&W and Ruger triggers. I prefer the GP100 for combat use. The S&W and Colt are up to that task as well but they feel more range princess than warrior. The GP manufacturing is a little crude compared to Smith and Colt but once the action has been smoothed up it's an absolute beast.

I had a sp101 and tbh I didn't really care for and just traded it for a 686 plus. The smith's just seems to be much more smoother to me. I haven't had much experience with colts.

Love the video, I love the fact you checked the cylinder each time you picked up the weapon. Great weapons handling. Great job and I have each of these in six inch. All great wheel guns.

I own all three but can't compare apples to apples because the first two are stock and my Python has been heavily modified. It had received a bull barrel, bobbed hammer, and trigger job already when I bought it in the eighties. I would guess the exquisite trigger is about 4 lbs and it is the most accurate revolver I have ever touched. I handloaded my own ammo to make it even better. I shot USPSA with it for 2 years and outshot many Smiths even with the minor scoring (38spl vs 45 acp) and slower reloads. (I used Safariland speedloaders, Smiths use full moon clips). Of the other two I like the trigger on the Ruger Match Champion better.

What trigger kit did you put on your 686?? Seems glorious!!

Now that Beretta is importing the MR73 I think there is a new contender.

The best on of these..is the one you CAN slap

I’m wanting to get my first center fire revolver In 357 to add to my collection. Im wanting a 4-5 inch barrel. I will only be target shooting for fun. Not competition. I have a lever gun in 357 and now that I’m loading for it I want to get a revolver. What would you recommend?

We all wanted a Python back in the day (30 yrs, ret. ‘97) but most of us could not come close to affording one.

Great video liked it. My opinion differes from yours in that, the single action on these revolvers is far from useless. I have a well broken in 6" GP100 with a 2.2 pound single action trigger pull. I however shoot Buffalo Bore 180 grain hard cast and a hand load that equals that Buffalo Bore load. I also like the Grizzly 200 grain loads. All of these loads develop 800 ft lb or more muzzle energy out of my 6-in Ruger. They kick a bit more like my 44 magnums. For 357 magnums at that level of performance a good single action trigger pull is essential. The frame locking Ruger is definitely the best choice for regular use of full potential 357 magnum rounds.

I sold my 686 plus in favor of my GP100 6" blued 357. Love it!!!

Mid sized revolver... This is the way!!!

Good stuff

Is that smith a 6 or 7 shot? Also.. what grip do you have on that? Is that the 3”? Do you CCW the smith? If so, what aiwb holsters do you recommend? So for all the questions, just not too familiar with smith, always have been a ruger man, but you have me heavily intrigued!!! 😀

I have the smith and wesson 686+ and i love it

So which would you say is better - your moderately worked over GP, or an out of the box Python?

My New Colt Python has a really nice double action pull, but the single action pull is close to 6lbs. Sent it off to TJ's Custom to have a trigger job - so much for out of the box.

I highly recommend doing a trigger job on Rugers. Having worked on Redhawks, GP100, SP101, Super Redhawks, they're easy to tune. Polish, shim, lighter springs, skeletonize hammer(if you dare, the hammers are really hard and if you ruin it, it goes back to Ruger, square 1). They can be reliably, consistently be taken to 8lbs in DA. My 357, 6 shot Redhawk sits at 7.8lbs average DA and 3.25lbs SA. Federal primers only in DA, it will fire others, but not 100%. Redhawks are the most finnicky with ignition.

Very informative. Can you explain why the single action function is "pointless"? Would not it be useful to target practice? And sight adjustment? Thanks.

My mind was blow recently. I have a new Python and I found one post in a forum that with the Colt cylinder release you have to put the gun vertically and hook your thumb down into the cylinder release slot and with your first thumb knuckle pulling down it releases the cylinder in one fluid motion. It actually makes sense to pull the cylinder release since you are pulling the firearm back to be vertical when you are going to eject the cartridges anyways. Doing it this way is actually more ergonomic for me than with my Smith 29 now. I have been converted. I can't believe it having been a Smith-snob but the Colt is actually a superior design. Especially the new Pythons.

New sub here. Question please,why do you say the single action option is pointless? Is it due to time required to cock it? If so, then why have sights? Will you have time to acquire them?

The sheer number of comments white knighting the SA trigger because they clearly refuse to do better is pretty telling. De-spur! all the defensive hammer guns!

Should have mentioned how the front sight on the ruger and colt can be easily changed out. Not the case on the smith

Are there any MIM parts in the new Colt pythons?

At what point should Kimber be thrown into this mix ?

I bought my 686 in 1989. I sent it to the Smith & Wesson custom shop about five years latter. There's no better trigger.

Any recommendations for kydex or leather AIWB holsters for the Python?

I'll stick to my kimber k6 4"target..which is in the same cost category..yet out shines all 3 hands down

I have Pythons, but they are original 1960's vintage. That have the smoothest action of any wheel gun I've fired. Yes I'm one of those guys that doesn't want to shoot them anymore so I bought a GP100 target. It doesn't compare to the colts as far as a smooth trigger pull, but it is just as accurate, has 7 rounds, and built like a tank. You can shoot it all day and not miss a beat. Never had a misfire. Plus, If you run out of ammo the Ruger is just as deadly as a club.🤣

That was nicely done. My opinion is different. I have all three and the Ruger is the only one requiring a tool. The 686 doesn't need that fancy tool. I understand that it makes it easier but definitely does not need it. Unless my Ruger is just being contrary I have to have a tool to disengage the trigger assembly. Nice job on the video!

Did you just tell us that you one of each of the big "THREE"? ...... "🖐" LOL. I now have one of each myself and can't wait to take all 🖐to the range.

How about doing a " compare" with the Kimber revolver with the Colt, Smith and Ruger

You give the S&W a better grade than for the Ruger for trigger pull out of the box, but you say that for S&W it is 15 pounds while being 14 for the ruger. So, shouldn’t the notes be the other way round?

the review would be perfect adding an MR73

Colt ...only because it what I was raised on and it was my dad's and grandaddy choice though I really like a smith when ther cones don't crack from magnum loads and yes they do crack the model 19 was the worse for it I had 2 that cracked so I know for my self ...hickok even has a video out saying that way plus all the forums for all of the die hard smith fans

Where did those amazing grips on the 686 come from?

All three will send bullets down range well enough. But retained value goes go to Colt.

Just saw this review. When I checked the prices for the three guns in 4” barrel, the Colt Python is 50% more than the S&W 686 or Ruger GP100. At this time, the Colt King Cobra is closer in price to the Ruger GP100 and S&W 686. Wouldn’t the Colt King Cobra be a better comparison? For full disclosure, I pick up my S&W 686 Plus 357 4“ barrel tomorrow!

The cold python is better looking But I would go with the Smith and Weston.

For breaking in the colt trigger should I use .357 or .38?

The S&W 686 Plus seven shot 357 Mag is the best revolver.

It would be unfair for me to bash the other ones since i don't own them and would be speaking out of ignorance...but I will say this much....I own the 686+ on both..2.5" and 4" and man o man...I can't sew anything beating them....they r perfect In my eyes.

You should see Jerry Miculek take the rebound springs on and off…………w a Bic Ink Pen! I cussed him. He laughs as he does it. He says 686. Me too, I have a PC edition. 4” rib barrel. Single action like none other, a legend. Has a stop bolt trigger. Non fluted Cyl. All hand tuned.

Older smiths all the way

what did the modified trigger on the 686 cost?

The exact reason I bought the Python.

Any word on what CZ is doing with Colt? Are they still making pythons?

I have been told by Cylinder and Slide that a Ruger GP 100 with mods will have just as nice a trigger as a modified Smith 686. I would love to have the Python but for the price, the Ruger could have as nice or a nicer trigger.

I waa hoping to get a little bit better comparison bench test here but not too bad. Couple things that just needed to be compared here that werent and things that were discounted. 1. Ya say single action doesnt matter or something to that effect. If you are a revolver lover you know that single action is where the beauty is and double is where the carry reliability is. 2. Targets need to be exactly the same and same distances with same ammo. Thats how rest are done. 3. You took modified firearms and compared them to a factory firearm so... no a true comparison. From experience id give the overall win to the ruger for frame design, reliability and single action trigger pull. I live smiths because they are classic and elegant like a woman. I dont care for colt for a number of reasons, but pwople other than myself like them For their rarity.

The Python vs GP100 vs 686 is like the never ending 9 mm vs 45 ACP argument. 40 years later and people are still comparing which one is "better." The Python, GP100 and 686 are all outstanding, but different in their own way. You cannot go wrong with either one. The New Python and GP100 are both strong as hell and you will never wear them out. It all comes down to your preferences and appearance. The New Python has a nicer, fancier finish and a smoother out of the box trigger than GP100, but that's the only major difference.

Why do you say single action shooting a double action revolver is totally pointless? Some of my most memorable shots of any gun have been from single action 6" 357 magnum revolvers in single action mode. My friend was trying to hit a padlock like the old commercial at distance with an AR-15, but kept missing. I dropped to one knee and hit it dead center with my first try from my old Colt King Cobra, single action. Another time we were shooting empty cans on cinder block, when I saw that two cans were 3" apart. I told my friend to watch this shot, aimed to nick the cinder block directly in between the cans and knocked both cans clean off with a trick shot and no visible cinder block dust up with a GP100, single action. I could not have pulled these shots off in double action mode. Why do you want to deny me memories like that?

Nice review, always respect your decision.

Who makes those blue grips from the 686?

Now you need to get a 586. :D Just as marvelous...a lot easier to clean. :D

Owned all 3 at one time. Gp100 is crude but functional, 686 is a fine revolver but isn't as refined as it could be, python is fantastic, it's fit and finish is great and is super accurate. Not a fair comparison...price in manufacturing makes this unfair. Rhe smallest price difference is 600 bucks.

Definitely the Ruger