[ejohne]

This is a Colt Python with a 3" barrel, serial number K562XX, manufactured in 1981. There is a red ramp front sight. The grips are not original. The barrel markings are the standard python markings. I believe the original grips would be identical to a 2 1/2" barrel python. I was curious if anyone owns or is familiar with a 3" python. I have seen posts about the California Combat python by Lew Horton. Should I send for a letter from Colt?

http://www.msnusers.com/ejohne/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=61

http://www.msnusers.com/ejohne/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=62

[CZ-75]

Save the $50 for a while.

Somebody out there knows something. It may even be worthwhile to check Lew Horton's for info.

[Albert Shear]

All the Pythons use the same grips. Colt wood grips then rubber regardless of barrel length.
The 3" version is a little rare. Standard catalogued barrel lengths were 2 1/2", 4", 6" (and a few runs of longer ones). The 3" are very hard to find. Provided it was not a gunsmith cut down you do have something all of us wheelies love to carry!
Al

[Lone_Gunman]

I haven't owned a 3 inch Python, but I have seen one, and considered buying it, but decided the asking price (i think it was $950) was more than i wanted to spend for it. This was about 2 yrs ago.

It was stamped "combat python" on the barrell. I did some research at the time, and believe these were ordered from the factory by Lew Horton.

As long as the barrel is marked "combat python" I think you can be pretty sure it was not cut down by a gunsmith. However, I have seen 3" "combat python" barrels for sale too from time to time, so it is conceivable that a smith could get one of those and install it on a regular python.

I have called Colt before and asked them on the phone about a specific gun by serial number, and they have told me the date it was made, and the gun's original configuration. You might want to just call them and ask. They didnt charge me for the info.

[DeltaElite]

Forget about Colt.
Send it to me. I will give it a good home. :D

Congrats on the beautiful gun.

[mikey357]

...the three-inch-barreled Pythons are probably the "Rarest" of the "Snakes"...with guns from the earlier production run commanding quite a premium these days...don't know about the later, "Lew Horton" version...FWIW....mikey357

[Poohgyrr]

I saw one about seven years ago !!! I even fondled it !!!

I didn't buy it :banghead:

[dfariswheel]

From what I can see in your pictures, the 3" Python is NOT a cut down. The barrel is an original 3". You can tell by both the roll marks, and the vent cut.

Second, the grips are not original. The grips on the gun are Colt's 'second" type target grips that weren't being made during the time this gun was made.

Colt made 3" Pythons for Lew Horton, and as a short-time factory version, in both blue and stainless steel.

Your gun COULD have been rebarreled, only Colt can tell you.

There is a famous gun instructor and early ISPC shooting master who stated that the 3" Python was the perfect revolver.
I can't remember his name, but he still runs a shooting school in Columbia Missouri.

[mikey357]

...sounds like dfariswheel is referring to Ray Chapman...early IPSC "Master", AND the first IPSC "World Champion", IIRC....mikey357

[ejohne]

The gun was wearing black Pachmayr Grips with the colt logo when I purchased it. I think I remember seeing a 3" python on auction arms two or three years ago, and it had the Pachmayr grips. I have a 2 1/2 inch python that has much smaller wood grips,and I think I read in the newsgroups that the Lew Horton also had the smaller wood grips like the 2 1/2"

[dfariswheel]

mikey357:

Thanks, it was Ray Chapman.

He apparently REALLY LIKED his 3" Python.

[Blueduck]

Couple of years back saw 3" Colt Python bbl's going for under $40 from CTD or Dillion can't recall which. Almost bought one just in case I ever found a cheap python.

[Standing Wolf]

Personally, I'd like a five-inch Python. The six-inch is getting a little heavy for what's left of my wrist, and the four-inch doesn't give me the sight radius I'd like.

[Kahr carrier]

That 3 inch looks sweet.Use to see the 2 inch versions alot but never ran into a 3 inch.

[stans]

I have seen only one 3 inch Python up close and personal, well it was behind glass and that is as far as I got. I think the price tag was right around $1000, those 3 inch Pythons are rare!

[ENC]

okay yall got me interested in mine.

I was wondering if anyone could tell when it was made.

The ser # is K89***

It is a 2.5" bbl all original. This gun hasn't even been fired. If you really want to hate me I'll tell you what I paid for it.

any takers?

[Poohgyrr]

LOL, nahh, that's OK ENC,

If you got that good of deal, I'll congratulate ya, but I prolly don't wanna know- it'll just give me heartburn or sumthin....
I dont wanna know, I dont I dont I dont...............

;)

[ejohne]

ENC,
that would be 1982. My 1980 Gun Digest lists the blue python at $422.94 and nickeled at $435.95.

[ENC]

Thanks for the info

I it is the blued model. I bought it near the end of 2001 from my last boss. he told me never to shoot it, so far I haven't but what else is it good for. I might have to buy another one so I can stave off temptation.

[ejohne]

Here is a comparison between a 2 1/2 inch and 3 inch pyton of the same vintage.

[ejohne]

and here is the 3" python with pachmayr grips from another python (electroless nickel finish)from the same vintage. I think I like the pachmayr's better on the 3" and the wood grips on the nickel python better.

[ejohne]

oops, here is the pic:

[ENC]

whoa whoa whoa

Mine is definetly the 2.5" model but in by looking at the picture you posted mine has the larger grips like the ones on the 3" model. Does this mean anything?

[ejohne]

I am quite certain the grips on the 2 1/2" are original. They are a lot like those on an older 2" Detective Special. I don't know how hard they are to find, though. If I get a factory letter from Colt and they specify the smaller grips, I may just find out.

[Standing Wolf]

ejohne:

Thank you for the comparison photograph, eh? 'Tis appreciated.

[dfariswheel]

The grips on the 2 1/2" are original to the snubby Python.
Those grips are commonly known as "Service" grips, and are the same grips Colt put on the Official Police and most of their other medium frame revolvers since the early 1900's.

The only real difference in those type grips is the Official Police usually had silver medallions, and the Python had gold.

AS FAR AS I KNOW, the 3" Pythons usually had the "Target" grips, only the 2 1/2" model had the "Service" grips.
I THINK the stainless 3" Pythons had rubber grips.

[Standing Wolf]

I believe some blued Pythons were shipped from the factory with black rubber Pachmeyer grips with gold Colt medallions. That would have been during the 1980s.

[ejohne]

Today I sent for a Colt factory letter ("letter of provenance"). Should be interesting. I will post info from the letter, but don't hold your breath!

[ejohne]

Today I received my factory letter from Colt. The revolver was shipped to a dealer in West Allis, Wisconsin on 3/15/83 with a 3 inch barrel and Royal Blue finish. The type of stocks was not listed. I am very excited!

[Monkeyleg]

West Allis, Wisconsin? The only shop that's been there for as long as I can remember is The Shooters Shop. I wonder if they still have the 4473?

[ejohne]

Dick, it was "Don Streicher Guns, Inc," 2465 South 84th Street, West Allis, WI, which is the same address as the Shooter Shop!

[Monkeyleg]

ejohne, before The Shooters Shop was The Shooters Shop, it was indeed Don Streichers Guns. Streichers moved into the police equipment supply business, a family bought them out, and the name was changed to The Shooters Shop.

Streichers moved a couple of miles away into new headquarters, and garnered a healthy share of the guns/ammo/accessories business throughout the midwest. I regularly receive catalogs from them that advertise M16A2's for $600--for police departments only, of course. :(

The Shooters Shop has since changed hands once again, with my friend now owning the place.

It would be interesting to track the ownership of your Python, if only because stranger coincidences have happend. I once bought a S&W model 629 Classic (blued stainless, with gold roll stamping) from the Shooters Shop. Without ever having fired it, I decided to trade it to the store for another handgun.

This was maybe 12 to 15 years ago.

Last year at the outdoor range I belong to, a shooter brought out the same model revolver. You don't see many of these, so I started asking questions: where did you buy it, when did you buy it, what's the serial number, etc. Turns out it was my traded S&W.

Congrats on a great revolver.