Official Colt historian RL Wilson described the Colt Python as "the [[Rolls-Royce (car)|Rolls-Royce]] of Colt revolvers",<ref name="Wilson1"/> and firearms historian [[Ian V. Hogg]] referred to it as the "best revolver in the world".<ref name = "Hogg94"/> However, the revolver is not without its detractors. The downside to the precision of the Colt Python's precision is its tendency to go "out of time" with continued heavy shooting.<ref name="Grassi">[{{cite news|url=http://www.cylinder-slide.com/python.shtml |title=C&S Python .357MAG] By|author= Rich Grassi, Originally Published in |work=Combat Handguns|date= May 2005, accessed at Cylinder and|accessdate= Slide April 27, 2009}}</ref> This is a condition in which the cylinder does not turn in exact alignment with the forcing cone, so a shooter may be sprayed with burning propellant when the gun is fired, or the gun may not fire when used as a double-action.<ref name="Grassi"/> When this happens, the lockwork needs to be re-timed.<ref name="Grassi"/>
Author Martin Dougherty notes the weight of the Python as a drawback, as it is quite heavy for a handgun of its caliber, ranging from 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) to 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg), whichmaking isit between 6 and 9 ounces lighter than [[Smith & Wesson]]'s model [[S&W Model 29|M29]] .44 Magnum, which weighs 3.0 lbs in 6½-inch barrel configuration (1.36 kg).<ref name="Dougherty, Martin 2005, page 48"/>
