Zombie Research Society
We’re big fans of AMC’s hit show The Walking Dead, and so when our friends at Lucky Gunner Labs did an extensive breakdown of the advantages and drawbacks of Rick Grimes’ fabled .357 Colt Python we jumped at the chance to share it with you.
Below is an infographic for a quick summary of the Colt Python’s background and capabilities, or if you want to read Lucky Gunner’s full analysis click HERE.
From the looks of what Rick uses on the show, it looks like a S&W model 686. The model 686 is a lot more reliable than the Python and overall, a better made gun.
I guess it is a Python. Sure looked like a 686. Well, I’ve been wrong before….
The bullets shown in this illustration are for a semi-automatic.
I know what you’re saying, based on the end of the rounds, in reality those don’t appear to match any real rounds. The cases aren’t rimmed, those rounds pictured in fact do not exist as drawn.
First .38 Special and .357 Magnum are not two different calibers, they use the same reloading dies. Its like saying .44 Special and .44 Magnum are two different calibers. A .38 Special +P round has about the same power as a .357 Magnum. I was trained to carry a revolver (wheel gun) as a duty pistol when I first went into law enforcement, who ever set up the characters in the show is an IDIOT! You carry two to four speed loaders plus belt loops for a dozen rounds and a couple of loading strips for an emergency. The actor who uses the Colt really needs to learn how to shoot because he looks like a Dweeb on screen. I know rent-a cops (security guards) who know the basics a whole lot better. A standard load for a wheel gun should be four speed loaders (24 rounds), belt loops (12 rounds) and two loading strips (12 rounds), plus 6 loaded for 54 rounds total. I am disability retired now but my tactical load was six extra magazines, 12 rounds each, .45 ACP, with 12 in the semi-auto gave me 84 rounds. If you are not Combat Handgun trained stick with Double Action Only handguns it will prevent run-on fire. This is when a shooter with a single action semi-auto under the stress of a combat engagement fires off most or all of the magazine without realizing it.
.38 +P is closer to a 9mm than .357 mag really – but I get what you’re saying. I would imagine that if we were going to get down to the fine details of an end of the world situation, he’s probably carrying a bunch of speed strips. I think speed loaders would be too bulky for the ammo he’d need to carry.
The ability to fire both .38 and .357 ammo improves likelihood of finding ammunition during the apocalypse. Also it should be noted that though both calibers are common in sporting goods stores, few people actually use them. 9mm and .40 will be scarce, but .38/.357 should be in abundance.