[Fatelvis]

After what date did Colt`s Python`s quality start to waiver? Or did it waiver at all? Thanks-

[GUNKWAZY]

Ohhh boy, this will wake up the Colt Haters union.

They had Good Colt's & Bad Colts' during the Good years and Good Colt's & Bad Colt's during the so called bad years.

You opened a can of worms and I'm sure that you will be getting some BEAUTIFUL words of wisdom posted up shortly. :D

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

[Majic]

If you try every Python made this month you could probably find at least one that is excellent and at least one that is sub par. That has always been true.
Like Gunkwazy mentioned above there most likely will be quite a few colorful statements made by the time this thread dies.

[Krag]

I had two - both were dogs. Traded them in on S&W 686s and have never been sorry.

[dfariswheel]

Guns are not vintages of wine: There are no "good years" or "bad years".
You have to judge each gun on it's own merits.

I've seen Colt's built during the 1930's, when quality was supposed to be sky high, that should never have left the factory.

I've seen Colt's built during the black days of the strike, when quality was supposed to stink, that were some of the best quality guns I ever saw.

Listen to people who tell you to buy, or don't buy, a gun because of the year made, and you'll either buy a dog, or miss a treasure.

LOOK AT THE GUN. If it looks good, buy it. If you see problems, pass.

[Ky Larry]

There are so many varibles in building revolvers that it would be impossible to lump production quality into years. dfariswheel pretty much said it all.

[Standing Wolf]

If you try every Python made this month you could probably find at least one that is excellent and at least one that is sub par.

Colt isn't making them this month. Hasn't made them in awhile. Says it will again.

Might. Might not.

[Moonclip]

I was just waiting for Krag to come in and say how Colts were sub par :D Anyways I have always been under the impression that Pythons up until sometime in the 1960's were somewhat better in finish or quality somehow and prices in the real word and in the blue book seem to reflect this. I personally would have no problems with taking a 1980's vintage Python as if previously mentioned the individual gun was good as pretty much every Python I have seen has been that was not abused.

[BigG]

I would not trust the judgment of somebody who bought not one but TWO bad guns of the same model. :scrutiny:

The Colts and S&Ws are both nice weapons with the Colt's always costing much more for a similar model. The S&W seems to me to be the best bang for the buck but the Colts are nice, that's for sure. When you go out to buy something like this, do some study and learn how to evaluate before you plunk your hard earned money down. Otherwise you will have some bitter experiences, like Krag seems to have had. :uhoh:

[Majic]

Well I guess I should have said any month instead of this month. :o

You would think according to all the stories that there should be very few working Pythons in the world today. How did it manage to stay on the market for 50 years unchanged? It's amazing at the prices they bring today for such a troublesome revolver. Maybe those of us who do have working models that have given us no troubles should count our lucky stars. :D

[Krag]

BigG - OK, I have owned two Colt pistols (1911 & Combat Commander), two Pythons (blue & stainless), a Detective Special, a Mk. III something (it's too painful to recollect exactly) and two Colt ARs. ALL of them malfunctioned and were returned to the factory numerous times for warranty (boy is that an oxymoron when discussing Colt products) repairs. ALL malfunctioned after being returned to me. ALL are now history - traded off for firearms that, while they might not have the aura (or price tag) of the Colt, at least function as expected. I will freely admit to be being a victim of Colt's (undeserved) reputation and - possibly? - a slow learner. But I like to think that Momma Krag didn't raise any fools.

I have never had similar experiences with Ruger, Remington, Winchester, Glock, Beretta, H&R, Savage, etc. Hell, I had a AMT Hardballer that worked better than either of my Colt 1911s!

Now tell me, why should I cut a company who produces such cr...garbage...any slack?

[Vern Humphrey]

I've owned a pot full of Colts. One of them, an SAA in .357 had to go back to the factory when the cylinder stop failed. Another, a Colt Huntsman, was a dog. All the rest have given yoeman service, including:

A Colt M357 that I carried and used in Viet Nam

A Colt Cobra that I carried in Viet Nam

A Colt M1911 that I carried in Viet Nam.

A Colt Officer's Model Target .22

A Colt New Service in .45 Colt

A Colt Official Police

A Colt Detective Special

[Standing Wolf]

How did it manage to stay on the market for 50 years unchanged?

In exactly two words: Colt innovation.

In all seriousness: Colt could have improved the Python's sights and factory stocks, as well as offered a five-inch model; on the whole, however, the company had sense enough to leave well enough alone.

[4v50 Gary]

The early '70s were better than the late '70s. We noticed that Colt stopped polishing the face of the cylinder by then.

[BigG]

Krag - you sound very much like somebody else who used to dog Colts at every opportunity. If I gave it some thought - which I won't, probably, I could guess who you are. Nice to hear from you again, even though you've changed your name. :uhoh: :neener:

[BigG]

Wow - I was wondering if anybody would ever correct hayday. :eek:

[Moonclip]

It is too bad Krag received so many bad Colt products but of course it is entirely possible but strange that not even one of the mentoned guns was a decent performer. Has anyone here not had a bad S&W or other quality manufacturer product for example?

It has been in my experience that Colt, S&W and even Taurus and Llama can produce wonderful products but when you go with one of the lesser manufactures the instances of this happening and poor qc being evident are much higher.

I have never had a bad Colt product and few bad S&W's but admittidly I've owned a lot more S&W's. And the bad S&W's were either stuff like a Sigma or Bangor Punta era guns with a minor problem. Also keep in mind that the early S&W 686's had a recall while the Python never has as far as I can remember.

[paul45]

Just to be fair......Krag has NEVER had a decent Colt. Conversely, I have NEVER had a Colt that was anything but a consistent performer. I have had Colts on and off since I was 17 ( 49 now). From a 1943 USGI to my 2005 Gold Cup, they have all been fantastic. Any manufacturer can and will let some lemons out of the factory. I contend to you Krag, with all due respect, that you might need to increase your gun inspecting / buying skills. If I ever purchase 8 POS's, I will be seeking the advice and wisdom of men who actually know what to look for when inspecting a firearm with the intent to purchase.....

[larry starling]

Just to be fair......Krag has NEVER had a decent Colt. Conversely, I have NEVER had a Colt that was anything but a consistent performer. I have had Colts on and off since I was 17 ( 49 now). From a 1943 USGI to my 2005 Gold Cup, they have all been fantastic. Any manufacturer can and will let some lemons out of the factory. I contend to you Krag, with all due respect, that you might need to increase your gun inspecting / buying skills. If I ever purchase 8 POS's, I will be seeking the advice and wisdom of men who actually know what to look for when inspecting a firearm with the intent to purchase Well said Paul45....I second what you said :what:

[Krag]

Paul - being I have been around a bit longer that you I began my shooting career when their wasn't a whole lot of choice. If you wanted an American made centerfire pistol you had a choice of a 1911 or S&W M39. Plus dealers in my area then did not stock much and so it was often a matter of buying what was available. Same with revolvers. Local dealers tended to stock S&W Model 10s and Pythons. I wanted one with heavy barrel and adj. sights so there wasn't much choice. Remember when if you wanted an AR you bought a Colt or...you didn't buy anything.

All of the Colts I owned were NIB guns, being they were from America's premier (?) handgun maker you would assume that they would have been quality products. After all Colt had THE reputation. Perhaps I had a most unusual run of bad luck or perhaps my opinion of Hartford products is justified? I can only base my opinion on past experience and thusly I would be a fool to give Colt an 8th chance to prove themselves to me.

As to knowing what to look for when I buy a firearm, today I happen to be in the business of testing and evaluating firearms. Believe me I know what to look for and I don't see it emanating from Hartford!

[Krag]

Big - don't know who you mean? I've used my "Krag" handle on every firearms forum I've been on since I got internet access.

Peace.

[Majic]

Mr Krag,
If you don't mind exactly what was wrong with all your Colts?
Your dealer had stainless Pythons, but not the Model 66 S&W or the Ruger Security Six or was your comment on purchasing the Python based on the blued model that you must have purchased earlier? What did the LEOs in your locale carry in their holsters during that time period?

[Ky Larry]

There is a strong odor of bovine excrement emminating from this thread. :scrutiny:

[larry starling]

As to knowing what to look for when I buy a firearm, today I happen to be in the business of testing and evaluating firearms. Believe me I know what to look for and I don't see it emanating from Hartford! Really? What are some of your recomendations? I own two Colt revolvers and they have been perfect in every reguard. The other 27 colts I own are 1911's and they function with no problems either. :cool:

[paul45]

As to knowing what to look for when I buy a firearm, today I happen to be in the business of testing and evaluating firearms. Believe me I know what to look for and I don't see it emanating from Hartford!............thats really odd you should say that....I have purchased 3 new Colts in the last year and have a 180 degree opinion. Fit and finish on my 3 are just fantastic. They are a NRM 1991 in blue, a SS commander 1991, and a SS Gold Cup. I also in my travels have examined maybe 25 or Colts NIB at various stores and have only found 1 blue Gold Cup that had 4 little spots the size of a pencil lead where the blue didnt take , all clustered together. Fit of that model was still outstanding to me. My shootin partner has purchased far more NIB Colts than I and I will speak for him and say he feels the same as I. I'm sorry your experience with Colt is so negative, but I completely disagree with your statement that "I dont see it emanating form Hartford!". Damn fine pistols coming from Hartford is what I see.

[buford1]

I'm very pleased with this pair. They shoot better than they look. :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v377/buford/000_0017.jpg