The latest Colt Python is identical to its 3", 4.25" and 6" stablemates other than its 5" barrel. The difference and the magic is in that "in between" barrel length.

Once a neglected collecting category, Colt’s Python remains one of the hottest tickets today. Here is the half-century history of the “King of the Seven Serpents.” ...

But, the Python has generally been considered exceptional by shooters, collectors, etc. for at least a generation. Introduced in 1955, it was intended from the start to be a premium revolver ...