[ak-kev]

Hey guys, I found a beat up 1974 nickel Detective Special and 4in stainless Python today. The serial number on the Python starts with a V8. So Im not sure when it was made. Proofhouse stops its serial numbers at 1978 with a V0, so I asume its 79 or later. The python is VERY near perfect, I coundnt find anything wrong with it. He wants 1059.00 for the both of them, plus tax and background check. My question to you all is, is this a decent buy? Ill go back tomorrow and get them if you all think its OK. The DS could be used for carry, it has the original grips but the nickel is rough. I polished my nickel Cobra, and it came out BEAUTIFUL!! But I dont think this one will turn out as good. ANyway, opinions?? Thank you, Kevin.

[GUNKWAZY]

Are you positive that the Python is Stainless and not royal coltguard ?
The serial number would indicate being made in 1980.
Colt was still making nickel guns at that time.

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

[rcmodel]

Any good 4" blue Python is selling for more then that around here, if you can even find one. I haven't even seen a 4" for probably a year now. Still a few 6" around.

I'd get them for that price in a heartbeat, and kiss the guy when you get done!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[Texas Colt]

Sounds like a super deal... I just looked at a pristine 6 inch nickel Python yesterday for $1095 and thought that was a good price.

[rcmodel]

Right!

And the 4" Pythons are bringing several bills more then the 6" ones around here.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[ak-kev]

Jeff, Im 99% sure. I dont know what coltguard is, but this looks just like my stainless King Cobra and Magnum Carry. Most of my guns are stainless, so Im pretty sure this Python is SS. IS 1980 OK??

[GUNKWAZY]

IS 1980 OK??

You need to judge the gun on it's own merrits, not on a build date.
As far as being Stainless and being made in 1980, that's wrong. They (Colt) didn't start producing stainless pythons till around 1983.
Royal Colt guard finish is a matt nickel finish and is not that common, but is confused with stainless all the time when found.

Good luck, Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

[ak-kev]

I thought I read the quality of Colt revolvers went down in the 80's because of the strike??? This gun is not nickel. I just got my first nickel colt (cobra) and its not even similar. Maybe I read the frist 2 digits of the serial number wrong?

[Gator]

That is an excellent deal, no matter when the Python was made! And don't worry about the quality, Colt made sure the Pythons were always top drawer, no matter what was happening.

[ak-kev]

Thanks guys!!

[Old Fuff]

You need to judge the gun on it's own merrits, not on a build date.

Is the best advised you'll get. Judge it on its own merits. Some quality did go down during the 80's, but not everything was bad. It all depends on the skill and experience of the man who built it.

At the quoted price if the Python is good you're getting the Detective Special for free. I never found one that shot any better because it had a pristine finish. I prefer to carry one with some mileage on it so long as the mechanics are O.K.

[ak-kev]

Thank you sir, I was hoping you would chime in!:) I'll go back tomorrow and pick them up. Then Ill start cleaning and in the case of the DS, Ill start polishing:D

[gopacers2000]

I am not sure it is always true, but SS Pythons usually have an S inside the recess in the underlug where the ejector seats (I think there is also one on the cylinder and under the grips). That is one way to determine if it is stainless. If it is a 1980 gun it is probably a Colt guard finish, which looks almost grey and cloudy. I haven't seen a lot of Colt guard guns out there. Either way, I don't think you will get hurt purchasing them both for the quoted price.

Good Luck.

[22-rimfire]

If you want a python, this is a good price. Like Old Fuff said, judge the gun on its on merit. Pythons are great revolvers and likely to appreciate over time. The DS is just a sweetener on the deal.

[ak-kev]

gopacers.........I checked my Magnum Carry and it has the 's' where you noted. BUT, I checked my King Cobra, and it doesnt. So I dont know if that is true all the time. Like I said, I know the difference between stainless and nickel. I know its not nickel. But this Coltguard, Im not familiar with. The Python doesnt look anything like my nickel Cobra.



http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p266/james807/100_3323.jpg

[GUNKWAZY]

Does the finish look like this ?

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=81089268

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

[welldoya]

For the two guns , that's a very good price.
Now, I'm just going to comment on my own experience here.
Everytime a Python comes up for sale, there are always a bunch of comments about how they are worth a fortune and how they sure wished they could find one , etc.
I had a friend who had a saying "Money talks and B.S. walks".
I was selling a Python a few months ago. It was a 4" blued 1981 model. I had it on here for $800. No takers. It was on the Colt forum. No takers. And a couple of other forums. No takers. This gun was in very good shape. The only place I found was some blueing worn off right at the end of the barrel. So, condition was not an issue. Finally sold it at a gun show. I had many people there ask to see it and they too said what a great deal it was. "Well, do you want to buy it ?" "Uh, no".
So, my advice to Python buyers and sellers is don't get too excited about all the hype. Money talks and B.S. walks.

[ak-kev]

I am hanging my head in shame. I thought I knew finishes better than this:uhoh:. It is a nickel 4 inch Python. Made in 1980. Jeff, you were right, I was wrong. Thank you. Anyway, it is perfect!! I will post pictures soon. Thanks for all the advice!! Kevin.

[GUNKWAZY]

It is a nickel 4 inch Python. Made in 1980. Jeff, you were right, I was wrong. Thank you.

You learned something new. That's a good thing.
That's what this board is for.

Congrats, Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

[ak-kev]

Well, here they are. I would like for you to critique my find. The Python ended up being nickel. He had it listed as stainless. I guess it was the lighting that made me think stainless. I didnt even realize it was nickel until after I started cleaning it. I dont really care for the rubber grips, but other than that, Im pretty happy. The DS however is pretty ratty. I checked it over real good so I think its just the finish thats flawed, not the action. The gap is real tight, it has the 'weld' lock-up, bore is clean, and end play is not there. SO, Ill have to decide if I keep it like this and carry it (which is what I wanted to begin with) or take it to Ford's for a re-finish. He is only about an hour away so its no big deal (except that its 250.00 to refinish it). The total price was 1059.00 plus tax and background check. SO....thoughts?? and thanks so much for all the advice!!:) Kevin.


http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p266/james807/100_3351.jpg


http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p266/james807/100_3345.jpg


http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p266/james807/100_3352.jpg


http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p266/james807/100_3348.jpg


http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p266/james807/100_3347.jpg


http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p266/james807/100_3343.jpg


http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p266/james807/100_3342.jpg


http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p266/james807/100_3350.jpg


http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p266/james807/100_3344.jpg

[jameslovesjammie]

I think you did good! Just the Python would sell for that around here!

[Texas Colt]

Kevin, you did very, very well!! Like others have said, the Python alone is worth the price you paid. You got the DS for free!

If you decide to refinish the DS (and you'll get lots of varying opinions on that subject) you might want to think about hard chrome rather than nickel. Hard chrome is much more durable.

I am shopping for a beater DS myself with the intention of building a custom gun - tritium front sight insert, bobbed hammer, action job, hard chrome finish...

Whatever you decide to do, have fun and enjoy your new toys :D

[ak-kev]

Well thanks guys!! I appreciate the kind words. Actually, I just walked in from doing some serious polishing on the DS. My normal sock/flitz didnt work to well, the nickel seemed too bad for that. So I started with the flitz and the dremel!!! It is looking MUCH better now. It was able to take alot of the spots out. Its still no where near as nice as the Cobra, but it pretty good now. I may leave it alone now, and just carry it.


Tex, good luck on your project gun. Who will do the work for you? or will you do it yourself?

[ak-kev]

Here are a few shots of the DS after the dremel job. The cylinder was so bad I actually polished through the nickel. You can spot it on the last pic. Otherwise, it turned out pretty well considering the hideous state I found it in.

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p266/james807/100_3354.jpg


http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p266/james807/100_3355.jpg


http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p266/james807/100_3356.jpg


http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p266/james807/100_3357.jpg


http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p266/james807/100_3358.jpg

[Texas Colt]

Wow, that looks much better!!!

When I find that DS project, I'll probably send it to Fords.

I had to do a similar clean up job last year on a Colt Lawman Mk III that I bought. It was in about the same shape as your DS. Here's what it looks like now. BTW the grips are Badgers.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/redcolt/Guns/Colt%20Revolvers/Lawman1.jpg

[Old Fuff]

Now that you have cleaned it up you can protect the remaining nickel finish by giving the gun a coat or two of Johnson's paste wax (found at most supermarkets), or use one of the better automobile paste waxes, such as Mothers. Be sure the formula includes carnauba as a component, and avoid anything with abrasives in it.

Why wax? Because it feels dry to the touch, has no solvents that might attack the plating, and gives better protection then oils or greases. It's also great on the black anodized Cobra. Won't hurt wood either. You do need a soft toothbrush to get the wax residue out of tight places, screw slots, checkering, etc. ;)

[ak-kev]

Tex, that Lawman is absolutly amazing!!! I dont know why it hit me like this, but its just gorgeous!! That will be my next one!! Although, I've never seen one for sale in person. That is one beautiful gun.

BTW it looks like its in MUCH better shape than my DS.

[ak-kev]

Thanks for the tip Fuff!! I'll do it now! Kevin.

[Texas Colt]

Thanks Kevin. Glad you like the Lawman. Being a 357 mag, it's a ton of fun to shoot. Since it's on the same frame as the Trooper, it has enough weight to tame the recoil, but with hot loads it'll throw quite a fireball. You gotta get you one :D

[ak-kev]

Yea Tex, if you were in cantral Florida, we'd be going shooting this afternoon, and you'd be bringing the Lawman!!:D:D If I had to buy one right now, it would definately be a Lawman just like yours. But the problem is, you never know what you going to find. I never thought of having a Python until Thursday afternoon. when I went to look at the DS. Only then did I realize this was my chance to have one at a decent price. So really, I cant say the Lawman will be my next Colt, when the next one I see might be an Agent. So anyway, when I see one, Ill get it. I want it to be the 2.25 barrel version, and I guess it could be either blued or nickel. What year is yours? Kevin.

[Texas Colt]

My Lawman was made in 1975.

The Colt Agent is on my list too. I already have a Cobra, and the Detective Special is next. Maybe one of the late production parkerized Agents will come after that.

[ak-kev]

According to proofhouse, Colt didnt make the Lawman very long. It may prove to be a hard find:(

[Old Fuff]

Always remember that the only difference between a Cobra and Agent is the stocks, provided the Cobra has the short-butt frame where the wood wraps around the bottom. If you have one revolver, two sets of stocks, and a screwdriver, you have in effect both guns. This is a good solution until the right Agent comes along. :cool:

[Texas Colt]

Kevin, check Gunbroker.com. There are several Lawman snubs listed there.