Colt "Snakes" Vs S&W Pistols

Just my experience..Colts "New in the box" pistols have the slickest actions/trigger pulls available. S&W pistols get better with time and wear in to deliver really smooth trigger pulls/actions.
Point is, I believe that Colts are overpriced and deteriorate with age while the Smiths improve with shooting/age.

All the revolvers I've owned or own can't hold a candle to my old Python.

Love my King Cobra, just need to find a matching Python and Anaconda now.

Yep...the Colt pistols are slick...but they don't stay in time...

I've had no problems with my Python or Diamondback staying in time, and I've had them a long time. The only problem I have is that they have become so valuable that I'm almost afraid to shoot them. I need a Smith 686 just for a plinker. I wouldn't care much if it broke.

I've got two Pythons and several pinned and recessed Smith's. The Smith seems to be more accurate than the Python's when shot single action, for double action the Snakes blow them away. I don't shoot my Python's and rarely shoot my Smith's other than a 6 inch K-22 and a 4 inch Model 19 or an 8 3/8ths Model 48.

My impression is that Smiths are tougher, but Colts are note finely made---at least they were when Colt was in its heyday.

I have quite a few, probably 8 or 10, short guns but rarely shoot them. I'm not a real good shot with any kind of pistol. However, I think I could [censored] my Python, toss it on the ground, and it would hit the 10 ring.

Gosh, Dave. I'm not sure what kind of treatment your talking about but it sounds like you're thinking something awful.

I believe that Colt has about 30+ hand fitting operations that make them smooth operators out of the box. I do not believe that their internal parts are hardened, so they wear (get rougher) with use.
Smith and Wesson internals are case hardened so the improve with use.
I am not a pistolsmith, this is from observation.

RR, not sure what I said that got censored but it must have been bad.

OK, I figured it out. Maybe I should have said pull back the hammer until I hear an audible click Or maybe just say rooster it.

Not sure who comes up with the list of forbidden words but don't figure it was JP.

I have a Detective Special and a Cobra. Don't know why but have always liked Colt's better than S&W's.

I have to agree with you. I have owned many Pythons over the years and shot thousands of rounds through one since 1981. It was one of the most accurate pistols I owned when it worked. I repeat when it worked. Don't dare drop a Colt, they aren't as durable as a Smith. This comes from over 20 years as a LEO and PPC shooting. Back in the day we would take a Python barrel and put it on a Smith K frame. One heck of a shooter, best of both worlds. Along came the L frame and you have the Python beat. Try finding a smith that can actually tune a Python. Last one I knew of in Texas was Reeves Jundkin in Austin. Sold all my Pythons (4) and have all Smiths. Wish I had that NIB 6" SS back though. Can't believe how high they have gotten.

Bought my 38 Special 4" barreled Diamondback in 1975 and it has the smoothest action I have every seen. Have several other brands of revolvers and there's no comparison.

The executives at Colt wonder why they are going bankrupt - after dropping all of the models that they had exclusive rights to, only producing the models that the patents had expired on, so they wind up competing with everybody and his dog who is manufacturing 1911's and AR15's.

Duh!

They are now in the process of discovering that the revolvers that made their reputation were too expensive to not produce.

Ditto - best I ever owned. Bought it new for $160 - what is it worth today??

Not to argue, but the Colts will not only hold their value better but will increase in value more than S&W.

An interesting take on this subject:

http://www.grantcunningham.com/2006/05/is-the-colt-python-revolver-delicate/