I'll try to help out here.
Where "the Beef" is in the Python is in a more massive frame, and a cylinder much larger and thicker than the S&W "K" frames.
The S&W "K" frame is just simply a less massive gun.
In the Colt, the bolt lock notches are off set over the thickest part of the cylinder, while the S&W design places the notches over the thinnest part.
The main "Beef" of the Python over the old .38 Colt's is in Colt's extremely high quality heat treating.
Many people often ask why they can't re-chamber their .38 Special old model Trooper to .357 Magnum, "Since they're the same gun".
Not even close.
The Magnum guns have a much higher level of heat treating to allow handling of the higher intensity Magnum round.
The stories about Colt guns being "weak" concern the ACTION, NOT the strength of the frame and cylinder.
Colt's "I" frame Magnum revolvers are famous for their strength.
When S&W began to have problems with the Magnum "K" frames, it was solely due to the smaller size of the frame and cylinder.
When S&W developed the "L" frame 686, they more or less copied the Colt cylinder size, frame thickness, and included a larger diameter rear portion of the barrel.
One reason Colt's have fewer problems with cracked forcing cones, is because their barrels were thicker in the threaded area to start with.
If you do have any problem with a Python, it's likely to be timing problems.
The only time I ever saw frame or cylinder damage or real wear was on guns shot with "blow down the barn door" massively overloaded reloads.
To check timing, do a search in this forum for my post on checking Colt timing.
For cylinder end shake, any discernible movement, back or forward, of the closed cylinder is cause of suspicion.
If your going to fool around with Colt's, as a shooter or collector, I suggest buying Jerry Kuhnhausen's book "The Colt Double Action Revolvers: A Shop Manual".
I consider this mandatory equipment for any Colt owner, and it addresses how to inspect a Colt.
Usually, the standard tell-tales of dinked up screw heads, end shake, out of time, excessive side play of the crane, and ejector impact marks in the breech face are the best indications of an abused or heavily used gun.
I've seen cop's guns with about 0% finish and wood grips worn baby-butt smooth that were in 100% condition.
I've also seen guns with 99% finish that were wrecks.
Merely shooting a Python MAY, possibly result in a need for a re-timing some day, but it WON'T wear it out any time soon.