What is wrong with me?

[towtruck]

The wife and I picked up a new 4.25" Python a few weeks ago and today I had a minute to take it out and look it over some more. Incredible gun. Fit and finish, lock up, looks...all spot on. 

 

The gun has good weight to it and should make it a great shooter. But..... I have never been a fan of full underlugs on any barrel over three inches. Too much forward weight "feel" for my liking. This gun has that full underlug. Add in the vent rib and there is some weight out front to tame recoil. The grips are beautiful in style and finish. They feel good in the hand except for the back strap area where they have a squared off flat ridge on both sides. This ridge is felt in the hand and does not feel natural. Otherwise I love the grips. 

 

While in the safe I picked up my old trusty 1957 Ruger Blackhawk 357 with 6" barrel. This is a well worn, finely custom tuned piece of firearm history that just feels right in my hand. Nice balance, nice feel to the grip, not forward heavy, and just a workhorse with the best custom trigger job I own. 

 

Once I shoot the Python my preference may change but right now that old workhorse has got to be the best handgun I own, hands down. It shoots perfectly, rolls in the hand and soaks up all the recoil, and is just "right"  for me. 

I was actually looking for a SAA when I decided to get the Python as it was in stock. I really need to get my hands on a SAA and just see how they feel in my hand. I want to see if one of those feels like my old Ruger. If I could only keep one of my handguns that Blackhawk would be it, without hesitation. 

 

I need to go out and shoot the Python when the weather gets good enough to hit the range and really get to know the gun. I have loads from mild to wild I want to shoot in it to see how it compares and what it likes. I expect it to be a very accurate firearm and expect to love the way it shoots. But, can it top that old single action beast that has won my heart for so long? 

 

 

[Rampy]

I don’t compare my pre lock S&W revolvers to current ones, just like how I don’t compare my bespoke custom lightweight 1911 to my AMT Hardball 

 

They each are individually independent and unique, selected for a reason and mission/fun 

 

I only shoot 38spl in the 3” Colt King Cobra as well as in the 3” S&W Performance Center M19 carry comp. I’m more accurate and have faster accurate follow up shots 

 

I find 3” revolvers the sweet spot for concealed carry/accuracy while my 442 is great for deep concealment along with the .22 LCR with the 442 inching out the LCR only cuz I’ve had it for decades…..and thinking about getting a new no lock performance center 442 

 

I do really want one of the new 3” Pythons 

 

 

Edited March 20 by Rampy

[srjdsmith]

Python is legendary. But, for me, I think the best centerfire pistol is my Ruger Security Six. I have others I can choose- wheel guns and autos. But if I want to punch holes close together, I don’t shoot anything better than my old Ruger.

 

https://imgur.com/a/Jzk3BKt

[meh77gmc]

On 3/19/2023 at 10:34 PM, srjdsmith said:

Python is legendary. But, for me, I think the best centerfire pistol is my Ruger Security Six. I have others I can choose- wheel guns and autos. But if I want to punch holes close together, I don’t shoot anything better than my old Ruger.

 

https://imgur.com/a/Jzk3BKt

Of the hundred or so guns my dad has, there is only one that I asked he reserve for me to have when he leaves this earth.  His Security Six.

I've never shot a more accurate handgun than that, although I am no pistolero.

[BushXM15]

On 3/19/2023 at 7:58 PM, towtruck said:

The wife and I picked up a new 4.25" Python a few weeks ago and today I had a minute to take it out and look it over some more. Incredible gun. Fit and finish, lock up, looks...all spot on. 

 

The gun has good weight to it and should make it a great shooter. But..... I have never been a fan of full underlugs on any barrel over three inches. Too much forward weight "feel" for my liking. This gun has that full underlug. Add in the vent rib and there is some weight out front to tame recoil. The grips are beautiful in style and finish. They feel good in the hand except for the back strap area where they have a squared off flat ridge on both sides. This ridge is felt in the hand and does not feel natural. Otherwise I love the grips. 

 

While in the safe I picked up my old trusty 1957 Ruger Blackhawk 357 with 6" barrel. This is a well worn, finely custom tuned piece of firearm history that just feels right in my hand. Nice balance, nice feel to the grip, not forward heavy, and just a workhorse with the best custom trigger job I own. 

 

Once I shoot the Python my preference may change but right now that old workhorse has got to be the best handgun I own, hands down. It shoots perfectly, rolls in the hand and soaks up all the recoil, and is just "right"  for me. 

I was actually looking for a SAA when I decided to get the Python as it was in stock. I really need to get my hands on a SAA and just see how they feel in my hand. I want to see if one of those feels like my old Ruger. If I could only keep one of my handguns that Blackhawk would be it, without hesitation. 

 

I need to go out and shoot the Python when the weather gets good enough to hit the range and really get to know the gun. I have loads from mild to wild I want to shoot in it to see how it compares and what it likes. I expect it to be a very accurate firearm and expect to love the way it shoots. But, can it top that old single action beast that has won my heart for so long? 

 

 

 

Shooting Times May issue very interesting article on .357 Ballistics ,how the reduction in velocity came about  loads from 1935 - 2023 .

An interesting conundrum ;  Why did Lead bullets that ran 1,410 Fps out of a 8.38" barrel ,now clock the same 1,235 Fps in a 4.0" barrel as jacketed bullets that ran 140 Fps faster ( 1,550 Fps ) in the longer barrel !??.

Definitely a whole lot of number finagling with regards to the .357  over the decades . As I've got several reloading manuals 60's-70's-80's and 90's  which flop all over charge weights for .357 Mag. . Now I've never owned one but reloaded for one for decades ,so I decided to run MY loads over a Chronograph and None of them added up to published load data ,some close but NO Cigar .  TT ; check it out if You get an opportunity ,it's an interesting read on ballistics for the .357 .