Colt Python .357 Mag
Model: PYTHON-SP4WTS
Colt Python .357 Mag
Model: PYTHON-SP4WTS
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
Colt discontinued the Python in 2005, and the revolver world spent 15 years asking for it back. The 2020 reintroduction is built on a new manufacturing process with tighter CNC tolerances than the hand-fitted originals, though the external profile is nearly identical. The ventilated rib barrel, full underlug, and semi-bright stainless finish are all present on this 4.25" model. At 42 oz unloaded, it is the heaviest .357 Mag revolver in its class.
That weight does useful work. Owners consistently report that full-power .357 loads feel tame in the Python compared to lighter revolvers like the 33 oz Chiappa Rhino 60DS or the 35.2 oz S&W TRR8. The 3.5 lb single-action trigger pull is among the lightest in any production revolver, and reviewers describe the break as clean with minimal overtravel. The walnut target grips look good but run narrow for large hands.
The Python does one thing better than any other .357 revolver on the market: it makes range days feel effortless. The combination of 42 oz, a 4.25" barrel, adjustable target sights, and that 3.5 lb SA pull produces tight groups without fatigue. If you want a carry gun, look at the King Cobra. If you want a revolver that shoots as well as it looks, this is the one.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- The 3.5 lb single-action pull is lighter than the Ruger GP100 or S&W 686, and owners describe the break as glass-rod clean with almost no overtravel
- At 42 oz, the heaviest .357 in the lineup absorbs magnum recoil better than anything else here. Extended range sessions stay comfortable where lighter revolvers start to punish.
- The semi-bright stainless finish and ventilated rib barrel give it a distinct look that no other production revolver matches
- 42 oz is impractical for any kind of carry. The Ruger GP100 does similar duty work at 40 oz, and the S&W 686 Plus adds a 7th round at 39.2 oz.
- No optic mounting option, and no Picatinny rail. The S&W TRR8 ships optic-ready with a rail if you want a red dot or a light.
Category Rankings
How the Colt Python .357 Mag ranks among full-size .357 Mag handguns.
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Chiappa Rhino 60DS .357 Mag
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Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 327 TRR8 .357 Mag
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Colt Python and the King Cobra?
The Python is a full-size target revolver: 42 oz, 4.25" barrel, adjustable target sights, walnut grips, and a 3.5 lb SA pull. The King Cobra is a mid-size carry gun: 28 oz, 3" barrel, fixed trench sights, and rubber grips. The Python is built for accuracy at the range. The King Cobra is built to ride in a holster.
Is the 2020 Python as good as the original?
Different construction, similar results. The originals were hand-fitted, which meant wide variation between specimens. The 2020 version uses CNC machining for tighter consistency. Some collectors miss the old royal blue finish, but the new stainless models hold up better to actual use. The trigger on a good 2020 specimen matches most vintage examples.
Can I dry-fire the Colt Python safely?
Yes. Colt confirms the 2020 Python is safe to dry-fire without snap caps. The transfer bar safety prevents the firing pin from contacting the frame during dry-fire. Older pre-2020 Pythons without the transfer bar should use snap caps to protect the firing pin bushing.