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The Colt Grizzly and Colt Python are two of Colt’s most unique and sought-after .357 Magnum revolvers, each delivering a distinct balance of performance, craftsmanship, and collectability. While both share stainless steel construction, a DA/SA trigger system, and a six-round capacity, their differences in barrel length, handling, and intended use set them apart. The Colt Grizzly, featuring a 4.25-inch barrel and ported design, was produced in limited numbers, making it a rare collector’s revolver with an emphasis on compact power and recoil management. In contrast, the Colt Python, with its iconic 6-inch barrel, is known for its smooth trigger and precision-focused engineering, making it a top choice for competition, target shooting, and self-defense.
In this head-to-head comparison, we’ll break down the key differences in size, trigger pull, grip design, performance, holster options, and potential drawbacks. Whether you're looking for a rare, collectible revolver like the Grizzly or a time-tested legend like the Python, this guide will help you determine which Colt .357 Magnum revolver best fits your needs.
Colt Grizzly: The Rare .357 Magnum Powerhouse
The Colt Grizzly is a limited-production, double-action revolver chambered in .357 Magnum, designed for performance, durability, and collectability. Manufactured in 1994, this revolver was part of Colt’s “Grizzly” series, built on the Colt King Cobra frame but with refinements that enhance both aesthetics and functionality. With only 500 units ever produced, the Colt Grizzly stands as one of the rarest factory-released Colt revolvers, making it a sought-after piece for enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Equipped with a 4.25-inch barrel, the Colt Grizzly offers a balance between concealability, maneuverability, and ballistic efficiency. Its stainless-steel construction provides excellent durability, while the ported barrel design helps reduce muzzle flip and recoil, ensuring greater shot-to-shot accuracy. Weighing approximately 45 ounces unloaded, it offers a steady grip without excessive bulk, making it well-suited for both defensive carry and range shooting.
A defining feature of the Colt Grizzly is its smooth double-action trigger and six-round cylinder, providing reliable firepower for .357 Magnum loads. Its fully adjustable rear sight and red-ramp front sight contribute to precise aiming, enhancing its capabilities for target shooting and self-defense scenarios. With its rare production numbers, premium build quality, and well-balanced design, the Colt Grizzly remains an elite option for revolver aficionados looking for a high-performance, collectible firearm.
Colt Python: The Benchmark of .357 Magnum Revolvers
The Colt Python is a double-action .357 Magnum revolver, widely regarded as one of the finest revolvers ever produced. Introduced in 1955, the Python was designed as Colt’s premium-grade revolver, built with superior craftsmanship, smooth action, and precision engineering. Over the decades, it has earned a legendary reputation among collectors, law enforcement officers, and competitive shooters, becoming one of the most sought-after revolvers in firearms history.
With a 6-inch barrel, the Colt Python delivers exceptional accuracy, reduced muzzle flip, and increased velocity compared to shorter-barreled revolvers. Its overall length of 11.5 inches and weight of approximately 46 ounces (unloaded) contribute to a stable shooting experience, making it ideal for target shooting, hunting, and self-defense. The full-length underlug not only enhances balance but also gives the Python its distinctive, sleek profile.
What sets the Colt Python apart is its exceptionally smooth double-action trigger, with a pull weight averaging 7-9 lbs in double-action and 3-4 lbs in single-action. This, combined with its fully adjustable rear sight and ramp front sight, allows for pinpoint precision at various distances. With its six-round cylinder, refined mechanics, and unmatched aesthetics, the Python continues to dominate the revolver market, standing as a gold standard in .357 Magnum wheel guns.
Colt Grizzly vs Python Size Comparison
The Colt Grizzly and Colt Python are both double-action .357 Magnum revolvers, but their size differences impact handling and shooting applications. While both revolvers share similar stainless-steel construction and six-round capacity, the Grizzly’s shorter barrel makes it quicker to draw and handle, whereas the Python’s extended barrel offers greater stability and accuracy at distance.
| Specification | Colt Grizzly | Colt Python |
|---|---|---|
| Caliber | .357 Magnum | .357 Magnum |
| Weight | 45 ounces (unloaded) | 46 ounces (unloaded) |
| Height | 5.5 inches | 5.5 inches |
| Width | 1.55 inches | 1.55 inches |
| Overall Length | 9.5 inches | 11.5 inches |
| Barrel Length | 4.25 inches | 6 inches |
| Cylinder Capacity | 6 rounds | 6 rounds |
| Front Sight | Red Ramp | Interchangeable Ramp |
| Rear Sight | Fully Adjustable | Fully Adjustable |
| Frame Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Frame Size | Medium | Large |
| Frame Type | King Cobra Frame | I-Frame |
| Action Type | Double-Action/Single-Action | Double-Action/Single-Action |
| MSRP | Discontinued (Collector's Price Varies) | ~$1,500 (Current Production) |
Colt Grizzly vs Python: Enhancements, Accessories & Range Performance
The Colt Grizzly and Colt Python both support adjustable rear sights and ramp front sights, allowing for precise target acquisition, but their design differences affect customization and shooting performance. The Python, with its I-frame and full-length underlug, offers better stability and reduced muzzle rise, making it a strong contender for target shooting and competition. The Grizzly, built on the King Cobra frame, features a shorter barrel and porting, which helps mitigate recoil but limits long-range precision enhancements.
Neither revolver includes an optics-ready rail, but aftermarket mounts allow for red dot installation, particularly on the Python. The Python’s legendary smooth trigger pull (7-9 lbs in double-action, 3-4 lbs in single-action) enhances rapid-fire capability, while the Grizzly’s ported barrel design aids in recoil control.
At the range, the Python’s 6-inch barrel provides greater accuracy and improved bullet velocity, making it better suited for precision shooting and competitive use. The Grizzly’s 4.25-inch barrel enhances maneuverability, making it ideal for quick target acquisition and defensive shooting. While both revolvers deliver reliable performance with .357 Magnum rounds, the Python’s longer barrel and superior weight distribution make it a more refined shooter for extended range sessions.
Colt Grizzly vs Python: Trigger Pull Differences
The Colt Grizzly and Colt Python both utilize a double-action/single-action (DA/SA) trigger system, but their trigger pull characteristics vary due to differences in frame design and intended use.
The Colt Python is renowned for its exceptionally smooth and refined trigger, often regarded as one of the best factory revolver triggers ever made. In double-action mode, the Python’s trigger pull weight averages 7-9 pounds, providing a consistent, fluid pull with minimal stacking. In single-action mode, the pull drops to 3-4 pounds, ensuring a crisp and precise break, ideal for target shooting and competition use.
The Colt Grizzly, built on the King Cobra frame, has a slightly heavier trigger pull due to its design and ported barrel. In double-action mode, it requires approximately 9-10 pounds of force, offering a deliberate, controlled break suited for defensive or duty use. In single-action, the pull weight is around 4-5 pounds, maintaining accuracy but with a slightly firmer break compared to the Python.
While both revolvers deliver reliable and smooth trigger performance, the Python’s lighter, more polished trigger excels in rapid, precision shooting, whereas the Grizzly’s firmer pull provides enhanced control for defensive and close-range engagements.
Colt Grizzly vs Python: Grips
The Colt Grizzly and Colt Python feature ergonomic grips designed for control and stability, but their materials and shape affect handling in distinct ways.
The Colt Grizzly, built on the King Cobra frame, comes with a Hogue-style rubber grip that provides enhanced recoil absorption and a secure hold. The finger-grooved design ensures a comfortable and steady grip, making it well-suited for defensive use and rapid follow-up shots. The rubber texture also reduces hand fatigue, improving control during extended range sessions.
The Colt Python, designed as a premium-grade revolver, features classic walnut grips with Colt’s signature checkering and gold medallion inlays. These grips offer a more traditional aesthetic and a slimmer profile, making the Python feel more balanced and agile in hand. However, the wood construction lacks the recoil absorption of rubber, making the Python slightly more prone to muzzle flip under heavy .357 Magnum loads.
While both revolvers provide a secure and ergonomic grip, the Grizzly’s rubber grips excel in recoil management, making it more practical for defensive and high-volume shooting, while the Python’s wood grips prioritize elegance and precision handling, catering to collectors and target shooters.
Colt Grizzly vs Python: Hammer
The Colt Grizzly and Colt Python both feature external hammers for double-action/single-action (DA/SA) operation, but their size and design impact handling and shooting speed.
The Colt Grizzly, built on the King Cobra frame, features a slightly heavier hammer, designed for consistent and deliberate cocking. The increased mass of the hammer provides a strong, reliable strike on primers, ensuring dependable ignition even under high-stress defensive use. The hammer spur is serrated, allowing for a secure grip when manually cocking for single-action precision shots.
The Colt Python, known for its refined action and smooth trigger pull, features a lighter, more responsive hammer, designed for quicker cycling and reduced cocking force. This allows for faster follow-up shots and effortless single-action breaks, making the Python ideal for precision shooting and competitive scenarios. Its serrated hammer spur provides a secure, controlled grip, ensuring smooth operation with minimal effort.
While both revolvers maintain Colt’s high-quality hammer design, the Grizzly’s heavier hammer enhances reliability and durability under defensive use, whereas the Python’s refined hammer enables smoother, faster operation for precision shooting.
Colt Grizzly vs Python: Carry & Holsters
The Colt Grizzly and Colt Python are both full-sized .357 Magnum revolvers, making them impractical for concealed carry but well-suited for open carry, range use, and field applications. Their size, barrel length, and weight impact holster selection, ensuring proper retention, comfort, and accessibility.
The Colt Grizzly, with its 4.25-inch barrel and 45-ounce weight, offers a more compact frame compared to the Python, making it slightly easier to carry. The best Colt Grizzly holster options include premium leather OWB (outside-the-waistband) holsters, which provide secure retention and easy access, and duty-style belt holsters, which accommodate its defensive and range use.
The Colt Python, featuring a 6-inch barrel and 46-ounce frame, is better suited for open carry and precision shooting. Its longer barrel requires a holster that supports its weight and balances accessibility with stability. The best Colt Python holster options include high-quality leather belt holsters for classic styling and durability and pancake-style OWB holsters for secure, comfortable carry with quick draw capability.
While neither revolver is built for discreet concealed carry, choosing the right holster depends on intended use and carry position. The Grizzly benefits from compact OWB and duty holsters for defensive applications, while the Python excels in traditional leather and range-focused holsters for optimal performance.
Colt Grizzly vs Python: Why Were They Made?
The Colt Grizzly and Colt Python were developed to serve distinct market demands, each designed to cater to specific shooting applications while maintaining Colt’s reputation for premium revolvers.
The Colt Python, introduced in 1955, was Colt’s response to the growing demand for a high-end, precision-built .357 Magnum revolver. Designed as a flagship model, the Python featured hand-fitted parts, a full underlug barrel for enhanced accuracy, and a remarkably smooth trigger pull. It was aimed at law enforcement, competition shooters, and collectors, quickly earning the reputation of the “Rolls-Royce of revolvers” due to its superior craftsmanship. The Python became a top-tier choice for precision shooting and self-defense, widely adopted by police departments and firearm enthusiasts.
The Colt Grizzly, released in 1994, was a limited-production revolver built on the King Cobra frame and designed as a special edition for collectors and revolver enthusiasts. With only 500 units ever produced, it was part of Colt’s “Grizzly” series, featuring a ported barrel for recoil mitigation and a factory-enhanced trigger. Unlike the Python, which was a mass-production success, the Grizzly was a collector’s item from the start, appealing to shooters who wanted a compact, high-performance .357 Magnum revolver with unique features.
While both revolvers share Colt’s legendary double-action system and premium craftsmanship, the Python was built for precision shooting and law enforcement, while the Grizzly was a rare, limited-edition model designed for collectors and high-performance revolver enthusiasts.
Colt Grizzly vs Python: Potential Issues
The Colt Grizzly and Colt Python are both high-quality revolvers, but each has potential drawbacks that shooters should consider based on intended use and maintenance requirements.
The Colt Grizzly, built on the King Cobra frame, features a ported barrel for recoil reduction, but some shooters report that the ported design increases muzzle blast and noise, making it less ideal for indoor or close-quarters shooting. Additionally, due to its limited production of only 500 units, replacement parts and factory service are difficult to find, which can make repairs challenging. The trigger, while smooth, is slightly heavier than the Python's, affecting rapid follow-up shots in double-action mode.
The Colt Python, renowned for its smooth trigger and precision build, has been known to experience timing issues with high-round-count shooting or excessive rapid fire. Some users report that extended use can cause the cylinder to misalign, leading to light primer strikes or misfires. Additionally, while the checkered walnut grips add to the Python’s classic appeal, they offer less recoil absorption than modern rubberized grips, making sustained shooting with hot .357 Magnum loads more challenging.
While both revolvers maintain Colt’s legendary craftsmanship, the Grizzly's limited availability makes repairs difficult, whereas the Python’s intricate action requires regular maintenance to ensure long-term reliability.
Colt Grizzly vs Python: The Verdict
The Colt Grizzly and Colt Python represent two different approaches to .357 Magnum revolvers, each excelling in specific applications based on design, performance, and intended use.
The Colt Grizzly, with its 4.25-inch barrel and ported design, is a rare collector’s piece that offers compact maneuverability, reduced recoil, and a durable stainless-steel frame. Its factory-limited production of only 500 units makes it highly sought after, but replacement parts and serviceability can be challenging. The heavier trigger pull in double-action mode provides deliberate shot control, making it better suited for defensive use or range shooting rather than competitive precision shooting.
The Colt Python, featuring a 6-inch barrel and legendary smooth trigger, is widely considered one of the finest production revolvers ever made. It excels in precision shooting, competition, and law enforcement applications, offering a lighter, more refined trigger pull for faster follow-up shots and pinpoint accuracy. While some users report timing issues with extended high-round-count use, proper maintenance ensures long-term reliability.
For shooters seeking a compact, collectible revolver with unique features, the Colt Grizzly stands out as a rare, well-balanced option. For those who prioritize refined mechanics, accuracy, and a proven competition-ready platform, the Colt Python remains the gold standard in .357 Magnum revolvers. Both revolvers showcase Colt’s legendary craftsmanship, but the choice comes down to collector value vs. performance-driven practicality.
