By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
When the Colt Python was introduced in 1955, with its ventilated rib above the barrel, full underlug below, adjustable sights, target grips, .357 Magnum chambering and deep Royal Blue finish, perhaps only a handful of forward-thinking handgunners imagined it would become not only a classic, but would influence revolver design for decades to come.
Here was a sixgun with an incredibly smooth double- and single-action, built on a frame capable of handling the .357 Magnum cartridge with slightly less bulk than the Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum—the precursor to the iconic N-frame—and remarkable balance. I acquired a Python decades later, in the early 1980s, and wouldn’t part with it for any amount of money.
What set the Python apart from all the others was that barrel design. The underlug gave it forward weight to help tame recoil and steady it for offhand aiming. It gave the Python style, which has been transmitted to millions of people courtesy of the silver screen and television.
When Colt beefed up the Detective Special’s “D” frame to produce the .38 Special Diamondback, it also wore a vent-rib, full underlug barrel, and nobody denied this was done to capitalize on the Python profile. I own both “Snake guns,” and they are delightful to both carry and shoot, and I’ve developed handloads for each sixgun.
But surprise of surprises. The underlug barrel has influenced other handgun designs, and I don’t hear anybody denying that the Python was at least partly responsible for it.
Look around. When Smith & Wesson introduced its “L-frame” Model 586 and 686 back in 1980-81, the very first impression of many people, including me, was that the full underlug barrel was this company’s response to the Python’s popularity for a more affordable price tag. Missing, of course, was the vent rib, but the S&W was chambered for .357 Magnums, it had a decent action, held six rounds and had similar dimensions; close enough that both guns fit the same holsters.
Ruger came along with a full underlug barrel on the GP100. My brother owns one with a 4-inch barrel, and he swears by it.
When Colt reintroduced the King Cobra, it also wore the heavy barrel. The one I field tested proved itself in every way possible.
As explained above, this weight-forward barrel design steadies the handgun, helps tame recoil, adds strength and heft, and the design improvements integrated into the newer Colt wheelguns have gotten good reviews from many folks. No disrespect to the new guns, but I’m sticking with the classics.
Colt hasn’t introduced an updated Diamondback, and one might presume the updated King Cobra has precluded this.
Having owned the Python for some 40 years, and the Diamondback for more than 15 years, I’ve had plenty of time to put a lot of lead downrange. The Python works well with both 125- and 158-grain JHPs propelled by H110 and ignited with small pistol magnum primers. Lately I’ve opted for the heavier bullets. The Diamondback has digested both 110-grain and 125-grain JHPs, launched ahead of HP-38 or CFE Pistol, with small pistol standard primers.
I’ve also done some experimenting with HS-6 and other propellants in the .38 Special loads, and 2400—when it was available—in the Magnums, all with satisfactory results.
One thing Python owners will confirm is that when the trigger is pressed and the hammer drops, the cylinder locks up tight during the stroke, with the alignment as close to perfect with the forcing cone as I presume is humanly possible. With that revolver I have hit a target at 200 yards in front of witnesses, using a sandbag rest. My longtime pal David Gross was with me at the range that day.
While the underlug barrel contributes to accuracy, it is equally important to practice without abusing your sixgun, and cleaning it after every range visit. To wit, I have never exceeded maximum recommended powder charges—some fools do, frequently to their sorrow over a damaged gun—and am better off for it.
So are my wheelguns!
One thing which can never be disputed is that the Colt Python and Diamondback have been called iconic, classic and even “sexy.” I didn’t buy them for the accolades, but because they work, and because that weight forward underlug barrel does what it is supposed to, and that’s all I could ever ask or expect.
