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Colt Python .357 Mag
.357 Mag • Colt

Colt Python .357 Mag

Model: PYTHON-SP4WTS

6
CAPACITY
4.25"
BARREL
2.6
LBS
DA/SA
ACTION
.357 Mag
CALIBER
$1,699
MSRP

Full Specifications

Action Type DA/SA
Trigger DA/SA
Trigger Pull 3.5 lbs
Safety Transfer Bar
Optic Ready No
Overall Length 9.75"
Barrel Length 4.25"
Height 5.5"
Width 1.55"
Weight 42.0 oz (2.63 lbs)
Frame Material Stainless Steel
Frame Finish Semi-Bright Stainless
Barrel Material Stainless Steel
Barrel Finish Stainless Steel
Twist Rate 1:14" LH
Grip Type Walnut Target Grips
Country of Origin USA

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

GOOD
Range / Target Shooting
The 42 oz weight soaks up recoil, and the 3.5 lb SA trigger pull rewards careful shooting. Adjustable target sights and a 4.25" barrel give enough sight radius for precise work at 25 yards and beyond. Reviewers regularly report sub-2" groups at that distance.
GOOD
Home Defense
Six rounds of .357 Mag from a 4.25" barrel delivers full velocity. The weight keeps the muzzle steady under stress, and the DA/SA trigger lets you cock the hammer for a deliberate first shot or run double-action in a hurry.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths
  • 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
Limitations
  • 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.

Capacity
#3 of 6
Top 50%
6 rds
Weight
#6 of 6
Top 100%
2.6 lbs
Barrel
#3 of 6
Top 50%
4.25"
MSRP
#6 of 6
Top 100%
$1699
Overall Length
#4 of 6
Top 67%
9.75"

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Where to Buy

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Alternatives to Consider

Similar full-size .357 Mag handguns ranked by similarity.

NAME BEST PRICE
Smith & Wesson Model 686 .357 Mag
Smith & Wesson
Ruger GP100 .357 Mag
Ruger
Smith & Wesson Model 686 Plus .357 Mag
Smith & Wesson
Chiappa Rhino 60DS .357 Mag
Chiappa
Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 327 TRR8 .357 Mag
Smith & Wesson

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.