Why test revolvers? They will never be as popular as they once were, but total sales are far higher than when revolvers were in their heyday in the 1970s. Reliability and accuracy are hallmarks of the revolver, and there is no more proven cartridge for personal defense than the 357 Magnum. The revolvers tested are versatile, durable, accurate, and powerful. We pitted a new Colt Python against similar long-barrel competitors, the Smith & Wesson 686 Plus and Ruger GP100. Also, to see how far the wheelgun’s development has gone in the last couple of decades, we threw in a classic Colt revolver, the Peacekeeper.

Long-barrel revolvers are useful for hunting small to medium game, for competition, target shooting, protection against wild animals, and home defense. In a day when new technology is rendered obsolete quickly, revolvers rely on proven technology that has changed little in dozens of years. As far as chambering, the 357 Magnum is a versatile cartridge, and, of course, 38 Special ammunition may also be used in these wheelguns for pleasant practice and smaller game. If you handload, the 357 cartridge is economical. Fast-stepping 110- to 140-grain defense loads are well suited to stopping an attack, while 160- to 180-grain loads are useful for hunting. There is no difficulty in operating the revolver with light loads or heavy loads because the revolver is manually operated, although it may be run quickly, if needed. Revolvers are so reliable that the standard malfunction drill for them (in case of a bad round) is to simply pull the trigger again to get access to a fresh cartridge. Ammunition is presently difficult to come by in some calibers, but 38 Special and 357 loads have not been hit as hard. However, high-quality pistols are in short supply, but revolvers seem less affected. Some of the wheelguns tested, the Python in particular, may represent a kind of financial irresponsibility because they are quite pricey, but then its performance is excellent.

Because we are interested in accuracy in the combat sense as well as bench accuracy, we chose ammunition carefully. Ammunition has a tremendous influence on accuracy. SAAMI-regulated ammunition ensures compatibility, performance, and accuracy. For combat shooting, we chose the Black Hills Ammunition 158-grain lead load, a cowboy-action load at an average of 805 fps. It is loaded in the Magnum case but operates at 38 Special pressure. We also used the Federal Train and Protect 125-grain JHP at 1470 to 1520 fps and the 1280-fps Hornady 158-grain XTP. We also used a single 38 Special load, the Black Hills Ammunition 148-grain wadcutter. This 38 Special load averaged 750 fps in velocity.

Prior to testing, we checked the barrel cylinder gap of each revolver. The Python was tightest at 0.006 inch, and the Smith & Wesson was almost undetectably larger. The Ruger was 0.007 inch, and the older Colt measured 0.008 inch. We have tested revolvers with a barrel-cylinder gap as large as 0.016 inch, and usually, velocity is linear to the barrel-cylinder gap. A 125-grain load may lose 180 fps as a result of a larger gap, a 158-grain load may lose 160 fps. As it turned out, the revolvers were fairly uniform in velocity.

We liked all of the revolvers, but there was one obvious Best Buy, which we will get to presently.

Gun Tests Grade: A

$1498

The 42-ounce heavy underlugged Python is a distinctive revolver. The stainless-steel finish is good, without any flaw. The cut of the cylinder and ejector rod differs from the original in a pleasant modern fashion.

We are seeing scalper prices of near $2000 for the new Python. Retail prices are high, and many shops are obtaining handguns through secondary markets, adding another middleman to the supply chain. The new Python is similar in appearance to the earlier revolver, but the new Python incorporates several changes that are improvements. The new revolver is thicker in the frame top strap. The grip frame is slightly changed to make for a better angle. The action is simpler than the original and should prove more durable. When comparing the new Python to a 1969 model on hand, the new revolver is actually smoother. The double-action trigger press is 9 pounds, and the single action just under 4 pounds. One of the raters noted that he felt that the revolver would not reliably break hard magnum primers on demand with this light trigger action. He was wrong. The Colt Python never failed to fire.

The Python uses a new-style hammer spring designed for use in the new Python and also the Cobra revolver. Colt calls it the Linear Leaf, or LL2, design. This spring is intended to eliminate stacking. Hammer movement is more linear, according to Colt, and therefore faster. The new design is among the few innovations from Colt revolvers in many years.

The new Python grips are similar to the original. They are firmly attached with three locating pins, and they required some effort to remove. The grips worked well. The front sight is easily changeable with an Allen wrench. The muzzle crown is recessed, a nice touch. The revolver is the most expensive tested. We feel that considering the previous incarnation of the Python listed for more than $1000, the new revolver, with its improvements, and with inflation taken into account, the price of the new Colt Python seems fair to us.

On the firing line, the Colt’s combination of weight, sight radius, excellent sights, and smooth trigger action gave good results. In the combat firing stage with the 158-grain 800-fps load, this is the only revolver that put bullet holes touching at the 7- and 10-yard lines. With Magnum loads, the Python was docile. The handle geometry is pleasantly well designed for recoil control. The redesigned trigger guard is a good feature. In bench-accuracy testing, the Python exhibited the finest accuracy of any of the revolvers. One five-shot 25-yard group put three shots into 1.0 inch, and the other two opened the group to 1.5 inches. This is as accurate a handgun as we have tested recently.

A word on the action: The Python operates with a V-spring that powers the hammer and also returns the trigger to the forward position. If you do not allow the trigger to fully return and attempt to press the trigger too soon, then you will have the impression the revolver has locked up. This isn’t the case. Release the trigger and try again. Old-time Smith & Wesson revolver shooters will have to adapt. The revolver does not have a separate trigger-return spring like the Smith & Wesson does. We feel that shooters inexperienced with the Python will misunderstand the action and lock it up by accident. All that is needed is to release the handgun’s trigger.

Our Team Said: We found the new Colt Python to be a better gun than the original. It is expensive, but it was also the most accurate and smoothest revolver tested. If price were no object, this is our choice.

357 Magnum and 38 Special Range Data (25 Yards)

Value Guide: 38 Special/357 Magnum Revolver Rankings