[45R]

I have an opportunity for a Private Party Transfer on a Colt Python. The guys wants close to 1K for it. My sister says its in great condition. What the going rate for a 6" version?

TIA

45R

[dvnv]

Try looking at Pythons on www.gunsamerica.com They should have enough to give you a good idea of price. 1K sounds a little high to me. Something in the $850 range sounds better. dvnv

[Zeus]

My friend just bought a 6" nickel python in EXCELLENT condition for $300 cash from a guy that we work with. I know that he got a great deal but 1k still sounds high to me. I've seen others in the $600-$800 range. GS

[Prof]

Zeus: Your friend STOLE it at that price!! And I'm jealous!! :D Great deal! As for the price on the one you are considering, 45R, there are two prices: the first is what is "normal" for the current market; the second is what you are willing to pay. Check out the auction sites and you will see people paying prices for firearms that are way out of line with the market. However, if it's something that you really want and have the cash for, go for it!

[9mmepiphany]

i bought my last one from a security guard for <$400, but it had alot of holster wear. wait until you see how much wear is on the one i bring out on sunday.

i think someone asking $1K for a used python has been listening to too much hype about new ones coming out of the custom shop for >$1K.
i love my big snakes but that price is pretty steep.

[Monkeyleg]

Even if it was new in box from the 1970's or 1980's, $1000 would be too much.

A vintage model in good shape and blued can be had for $600+ or so on gunbroker.com. Nickel costs a bit more (I know there's folks here on THR who would argue that, but I watch gunbroker.com every day). Royal blue also commands a premium over the regular blue finish, and the Python Elites command the most (why, I don't know).

Of course, you live in PRK where the Python can't be brought in from out of state. Maybe that's why the price is higher.

[9mmepiphany]

did i miss another variation of the pythons...i thought all blued pythons had the "royal blue" finish. i would think a "regular" blue would be like that on a diamondback.

[Standing Wolf]

$1,000 for an unengraved Python would be high in most parts of the country, but might not be completely out of line in the People's Republic of California. For that much money—anywhere—I'd want it to be in literally like new in box condition and manufactured no later than 1965, complete with original paper work.

[The Mayor]

OK you've got my curiosity,

the difference between Royal Blue and Blue.

Now I dont know what I have, anyone got pictures or some kind of identification.

My 1973 Python is beautiful, I doubt I could do it justice with a photo.

[bmwguy]

I don't recall Pythons having 2 blue finishes.

AFAIK, Royal blue is all Colt offered for the Python. Maybe a fancier name.

Here's a photo of my Royal blue 6 incher.

http://home.att.net/~john.t.hsu/pythonew.jpg

[Monkeyleg]

OK, can some Python expert chime in here? I was led to believe that the Pythons were available in blue, Royal blue, nickel, electroless nickel, stainless, polished stainless, and some weird finish called ColtGuard or somesuch.

Enlighten me, please.

[MiniZ]

1k is too much around the rest of the country, but as stated earlier, with the restrictions you have in the PRK, that might be the going rate. I check closed auctions on Gunbroker and Auction Arms to get an idea of what things have actually gone for(look for the auctions that actually had bids, and reserve(if applicable) was met.
I bought a well used nickle version for $400.00 last year. Not the prettiest, but very tight mechanically.

[45R]

My sister forwarded his email. 800 for the 6" Blued garden variety version and 350 for a Bersa .32.

:scrutiny: :scrutiny: :scrutiny:


His prices are a tad high esp for the .32 lol!
I'll stick to the GP161

[dfariswheel]

The Python was only available in the Python Blue finish, which is what it's still called around the factory.

The Royal Blue finish was a non-production "super finish" only available from the Custom Gun Shop, and was usually used on the really fancy engraved Colt Single Actions.

Pythons also were available in nickel, satin electroless nickel, Coltguard, (not too sure if this was electroless nickel or hard chrome) bright stainless, and satin stainless.

[Kahr carrier]

800.00 is about right for a Python in the Prk.:rolleyes: Damn DOJ list.:banghead:

[dvnv]

FYI...I believe the 6" stainless Python has passed the drop test and is on the approved list in PRK. You can buy that model from out of state...after checking some of the auction sites, you can do quite a bit better than $850. dvnv

[9mmepiphany]

i finish applied to blued pythons was comparable to smith's "bright blue"... i've only heard it refered to as royal blue, "python blue" is new to me.

the finish is producted through hand polishing through progressively finer grades of polishing compound (the last had the consistency of flour) to produce a very "deep" and highly reflective blue. the nickled pythons received the same polish before being nickeled...the finish would have to be finer on the nickeled pythons because the plating would show any flaws. the "ultimate" finish is the same polishing applied to stainless steel.

[Prof]

I hate to rain on anybody's parade, but the California DOJ's list only approves a new, current-production stainless steel 6" barrel Python. It's very specific. So, unless you find one within state for a private party transfer, or can obtain a new one that's approved, you're out of luck. As 45R is finding out, in California both options are VERY expensive. :(

[dvnv]

Prof: Are you sure? I had heard of a sale of an older 6" stainless Python that was being held by the FFL (during the waiting period) when he was rountinely inspected by the State or Feds. All of the guns being held were inspected, including the 6" Python...nothing said of anything wrong with the Python sale. Maybe they got lucky...Do you have a link supporting your statement that I could check? Thanks, dvnv

[Prof]

dvnv: I certainly could be wrong (I've been know to make mistakes -- just ask my wife :D ). However, my understanding was that the only firearms that made the "list" were one's which passed the drop test: i.e.- new production guns. For example, if the newest S&W Model 10 is a 10-5, then you can't purchase a 10-4 or older from out of state or through a dealer. You can only buy the older model(s) in a private transfer, handled by an FFL. My source is the California DOJ website. But, again, not being a lawyer or a politician (thank God!), I may be misinterpreting the language.

[dvnv]

Prof: In your example, the S&Ws are a different model #, 10-4 and 10-5 (I think, or at least have some physical difference between the two as denoted by the -4 or -5)...I was under the impression that once one specific guns was tested, then all those guns that are physically the same were o.k. In the case of the Python, there may be no difference between the new production 6" stainless and the older ones. That was my understanding anyway...I could be wrong as well. dvnv

[Prof]

dvnv: In this case I certainly hope that you are right and I am wrong! :)

[Monkeyleg]

Now I am thoroughly confused. I looked at an old Blue Book that I have, and they reference "blue" and "Royal Blue" for the Python's.

Any way to clear this up? I'm thinking my next purchase just may be another Python, in blue.

[dfariswheel]

There's a lot of confusion about the various names for Colt's bluing.

Part of the confusion comes from writer's bandying around different terms like "Blue", "Bright Blue", and "Royal Blue"

Even the factory used different terms, sometimes calling the Python blue as "Bright Blue" Deep Blue, or "Royal Blue".
In later years Colt usually used "Royal Blue" in it''s literature.

Inside the factory, the workers still refer to it as"the Python Blue".

There were NO different blue finishes for the Python, but many people say the later guns didn't look as good as the older guns.

Suffice to say, that the Python had the finest production blue job possible from 1955 to the early 2000's, whatever it was called at the various times.

To further confuse things, Colt used the same general terms for the non-production Colt Custom Shop ultimate blue finish for the absolute top-of-the-line custom guns.

Colt also had: standard blue, Trooper blue, service blue, Official Police blue, Fire blue, heat blue, charcoal blue, and matt blue depending on the era.

I have for sale, (for a limited time) a rare Colt revolver with a Colt Royal-Mega-Ultra-Fire-Acid Blue finish.:what: :what: :what:

[Standing Wolf]

Colt also had: standard blue, Trooper blue, service blue, Official Police blue, Fire blue, heat blue, charcoal blue, and matt blue depending on the era.

Actually, Colt at least occasionally offered a second blue at considerable extra cost. Colt referred to it as "fire blue." I believe it's more commonly known as "nitre blue," and involves dropping the fine-polished firearm into crystalline salts, then heating them until they turn liquid. It produces—when done properly!—a very bright blue that's considerably lighter in hue than standard blues. I don't know whether Colt did that type of bluing in house or not. The one example I saw was pretty as pretty could be.

Curiously, I've seen nitre bluing on several Italian copies of the Single Action Army, some done better than others, to be sure.

[dfariswheel]

Heat bluing was how Colt used to blue all their guns in the pre-war era.

The parts were packed into metal drums with a secret mixture that contained charcoal, bone meal, and charred leather.
The drums were baked in temperature controlled ovens, and when they came out, they had the most beautiful blue color you ever saw.

The Colt Custom Shop still offers custom guns with heat blued screws. This blue is a very pale, tremendously shiny blue thats very fragile.

Whatever the process used, all the heat bluing processes are actually methods of color tempering the metal. Heat a piece of steel to the right temp and it turns a nice blue color.

As in all bluing, no matter what the process, the quality of polish determines the appearance of the blue job.
Thats why the Python had the best post-war factory finish. Most of the people doing the polishing had at least 10 years experience before they moved up to the Python.

[Poohgyrr]

Hey 45R,

Pythons are nice, no doubt. But for that kind of money I'd look at one of S&W's Performance Center .357's. The 5" 627 and 3" 66 from the PC shop are both approved here and can be bought for quite a bit less.

If I really had to have a blued (my preference) six shooter, then I'd look for a M27 or pre M27 N frame. These don't seem as big as they look, and somehow feel just right.

In any case, it's always fun looking........:p

[Sven]

Couldn't find any pictures/info on S&W's website for the Performance Center models - can anyone steer me in the right direction?

[Standing Wolf]

...I'd look for a M27 or pre M27 N frame. These don't seem as big as they look, and somehow feel just right.

There's certainly nothing wrong with model 27s—I own one myself, in fact—but they're not Pythons. Some are very good guns, but they're bulkier than the Colt I frame revolvers, were rarely finished to Python standards, and run the full range of quality from extremely high to one notch up from scrap iron.

That said™, they were less expensive than Pythons, as well as extremely durable.

[Poohgyrr]

Sven,

Try this:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/Products/Firearms/pc/pc_firearms.htm.

The M66 F Comp and M627.