[abdrdude]

I have heard that Colt is making the Python again. Their website shows it. Anyone else hear anything about this ? How about the price ?

[Ala Dan]

Hello-

Not for sure about the price; but grant it, it will be
out of sight!:( :rolleyes: :uhoh:

FootNote- Colt has always thought more of their
revolvers, than I ever have. The Python is NO
EXCEPTION! Cuz, the internals are just too darn
delicate; causing this excellent revolver to jump
time fairly easy.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[popeye]

They were listing for $1200 for U.B. Stainless last year.

[Majic]

Colt never stopped making the Pythons. They just became custom shop models and were ordered from Colt's custom shop.

[Majic]

I wonder how many people making the statement about Pythons being delicate have actually owned one? I have never had any problems with the 3 I have owned over the years.

[J Miller]

Lets see; I owned a Python. I shot it out of time in less than 3000 rounds of standard magnum ammo.

AND I say the innards are delicate and prone to wear.


How bout that???

[4v50 Gary]

The internal parts of the Python use to be made of 4140 steel. Don't think they've changed it (haven't looked inside a modern Python) but 4140 steel is more durable than MIM or heat treated parts. What makes the Python tricky is that it requires a higher degree of craftsmanship to get it to work right. Once a Python is properly tuned, it'll stay tuned longer than the S&W.

[Grant C.]

This nonsense about delicate mechanisms on Colts is nonsense. It had to be said twice.
You needed to add this::banghead:

The Colt impinging hand lockwork is no more "delicate" than any other mechanism. It does, however, have one particular DESIGN FUNCTION that leads to a higher maintenance interval than folks are used to. The impinging hand butts up hard against the ratchet ("star" in S&W-speak) to lock the cylinder at ignition. Without that specific hand design, Colts would not have the rock-solid, "bank vault" lockup for which they are justly famous.

This hand will, in fact, wear - it's part and parcel of the design. How quickly it wears is dependent on a number of factors, but the fact remains that it is a *maintenance item*. It is the price one pays for the performance. When the hand's maintenance interval is exceeded, bad things happen to the rest of the mechanism - and the individual responsible for the improper maintenance extends the fallacy that they are "delicate."

I explain it this way: take a look at the maintenance intervals and requirements for a Lamborghini. They are far more involved, and expensive, than a Corvette. They're both fine autos, but if you want that little extra performance - along with everything else - you have to accept the maintenance requirements. The same is true with the Python (and its brethern and cousins.)

To buy a Lamborghini, and expect to be able to treat it like a Camry, is silly. Buying a Python, and expecting it to be maintenance-free like your average pedestrian S&W, is just as silly. Given proper maintenance, a Python - or any related Colt - will digest tens of thousands of rounds without complaint. Mistreat it, and you too will be shouting that Colts are "delicate." :rolleyes:

[Bob41081]

I have been told by the guys in the gunshop I frequent that the new Python Elites are not as good as the older guns. I trust those guys.

Bob

[Standing Wolf]

I've looked at three current production stainless steel Colt Pythons within the past few months. All were priced just under $1,100. All three had @#$%^&! triggers. All three were unevenly finished, and two looked no better than Rugers did twenty years ago.

I've been a Python fancier three decades and longer, but left all three in the display case without a backward glance.

[Ala Dan]

Majic

For the record sir, I've owned the following Colt Pythons:

Early blue 2.5" model s/n 29xxx

Blue 4" model s/n E11xxx

Nickel 4" model s/n E25xxx

and a

Blue 6" model s/n E48xxx

*FootNote- all were purchased NIB except the 2.5"
barrel, which was bought directly from a retired
doctor here locally!:D :) :neener:

In all honesty, the only one that ever "timed out" on
me was the older, 2.5 " model; but I happened to
know an excellent 'smith that put it back in operation
pretty quick. And I used the 6" Python extensively,
as it was the only .357 magnum I owned for quite
a while; or at least until I could afford to add an
Astra! (Laughing Loudly)


Best Wishes,
ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[abdrdude]

Great answers.Thanks for your valuable insight.Scott

[YodaVader]

Once owned a used 4" Python of 1970's production - was a beautiful revolver , no doubt about it! But I could not get the revolver to shoot to the accuracy level of the 686 I owned at the time so I ended up trading it. Really should have hung on to it - did not realize back then that the value would increase as much as it has.

I have a few articles where Ransom Rest tests were performed with various 357 magnums as well as scoped benchrest tests and the Python was not significantly better than most of the revolvers tested. In fact , the 686 was the overall accuracy winner in a couple of the Shooting Times articles that I have on hand. Though, in off hand shooting the best loads for each revolver would provide more than enough accuracy for most 357 Mag uses.

Myself , if I had $1200 to spend on a single 357 revolver, I would probably try out one of the Freedom Arms revolvers.

[Majic]

I see some have actual hands on experience with the Python and I can fully value their insights. On the other hand there are others who are only quoting something they have heard somewhere and I wanted to see just who was who in that respect. Any particular mechanical device can break as we all know that every manufactors repair shop is not lacking any work.


(side note)
Not to draw flames, but the Python is usually compared against Smith's 686s. Since the Python came out in 1955, the Smith counterpart was the model 19 (1954). Smith saw fit to upgrade the 19 to the 586/686 to address it's problems.

How does the King Cobra hold up compared to the Smith 686 since they are the upgrade models?

[YodaVader]

Actually was going to go with the King Cobra as my first handgun , was also considering the 686 and the GP100 as well. My friend had the 6" 686 and liked it quite a bit. His dad , the dealer who I would eventually by my gun from recommended the Smith simply because that was his preference. So , I ended up with a 6" 686 as my first handgun. Doubt I would have been disappointed if I had picked the KC as my first handgun - although in the one test article I have on hand the KC was not in the same accuracy level as the 686 , Python and Dan Wesson. Probably not typical for majority of KCs.

Also the S&W 19 was not upgraded to the 586/686 - the 19 continued n production when the 586/686 were introduced on the new L-Frame. And when the Python was introduced Smith had the 27 in production for some time which is suppose to be a strong 357 revolver.

[Majic]

YodaVader,
Colt also had the New Service, but that and the Smith 27/28 were large frame revolvers. The Python and the Smith 19 were brought out for a smaller, lighter model.
Smith did reconize the problems shooters were having with the 19s and beefed up the revolver to make the L-frame.
The Python was also still in production along with the King Cobra. Neither company dropped their respective models even though newer stronger models were derived from them.

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's Again All-

Just as a side note here, I noticed extremely good
accuracy with MY Colt Python's*, as I never had any
type of a problem in that regard. I just wish I had
tried a set of Pachmayr's on at least the 6" barrel
Python before I traded it off! And the nickel 4" model
was certainly a thing of beauty.

FootNote- I just took control of a friends 1973 model
Colt Python, in order to give it a through cleaning. He
received the gun from his late father-in-laws estate;
complete with the bill of sale, for a mere $125.00 +
7.50 in sales tax. Ain't that a'shame- out the door
for $132.50! And my friend that owns the gun now,
could give a HOOT less about it; as he has more
money than sense.:( :rolleyes: The 4"-N Python
has been under his bed enclosed in a pistol rug
for quite a few years.

*FootNote- See my previous post

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Boats]

I had a 6" Python pass through my hands as an inheritance from a favored uncle. I only think of the Python as delicate because it came down to me out of time, seriously spitting at the forcing cone. Unfair evaluation? Perhaps. However, I have seen many Accords (S&W 686), Preludes (S&W 686p) and Camrys (GP-100) that have put way more .357 rounds downrange without problems and decent enough accuracy than my late uncle had logged in on his Colt's handbook that he maintained with the gun.

I didn't have the money or the desire to repair it when I was in the service, so I gave it to my brother in swap for one of the firearms he inherited, a remmy 870. Bad trade. I am getting 4" Python someday. I am getting a Ruger or two first.

[355sigfan]

I shot a python out of time in about 1000 rounds of ammo. But I still love this gun. I sold the 6 inch Stainless and now I have a 8 inch blued gun. I love the action and the accuracy. But I limit myself to 38 level loads now and mostly single action fire.
PAT

[DAL]

I have had my 6" Python since 1987, when I purchased it new. The gun is, quite simply, beautiful. It's smooth-as-silk action and deep bluing make it a gorgeous example of workmanship. It's nice to shoot, too. I bought it for, IIRC, around $475, including tax. As nice as it is, though, I seriously doubt I would buy one today for $1200. For a gun to cost more than 2.5 times what it did 16 years ago is, for ME, nuts (unless they aren't being made anymore, or they are arbitrarily forbidden by some idiotic feel-good law).

What is up with Colt? SAA revolvers for $1400, Pythons for $1200? How does this company stay in business? Are they living off of their past reputation, or are their guns really worth their sky-high asking price? Has the Python gotten THAT much better. Somehow, I think not.
DAL

[dfariswheel]

The Python and Single Action Army haven't gotten that much better, but the price of the extensive hand labor needed to build them sure has.

These guns are 100 year old-Plus designs, that were first made when the hand labor of skilled craftsmen was relatively cheap.

Today, human labor is the major expense in any manufacturing process, and it doesn't come cheap, especially Union labor.

Colt recognized the need to reduce hand labor when they introduced the "J" frame Trooper Mark III guns. They were the worlds first "machine fit" handguns. You can't fit a Python by machine, and that's why it's the last of the old Colt's.

The Python does have a reputation, (true or not) for having a "delicate" action.
Some people talk about the Python being a "weak" gun, that won't stand heavy shooting.

This is funny considering that the Python "I" frame and cylinder are much more massive than the S&W "K" frame it always competed against. The S&W 686 was specifically designed to match the Python's strength, but their cylinder still isn't quite up to the Python's, due to the S&W cylinder locking notches being directly over the weakest part of the chamber.

The Python may be a "finicky" gun, but then so are expensive thoroughbreds of all types. Owning a Python is like owning a Rolex, a Purdy shotgun, or a Rolls Royce: It's the best.

[4v50 Gary]

Well said dfariswheel.

[Blueduck]

The Python seems to have this reputation for incredible accuracy, yet I've never run into a single old bullseye shooter who ever used one:confused:

All the older guys I know who used to shoot competitivly back in the revolver peak of the sport all used S/W 14's or 15's depending on specific competition. Any reasons for this???

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

Hey, BlueDuck -

I've seen a few guy's with the old Colt Officers Model
Match out-shoot guy's with S&W PPC model 10's, 14's,
and Python's; as they were known for their accuracy.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[capnrik]

The Python seems to have this reputation for incredible accuracy, yet I've never run into a single old bullseye shooter who ever used one

Well, you have now;)

[Blueduck]

Ok thats one, but I'd really have to meet you in person to see if you have the official "big belly/stubby tree trunk arms" body structure that every real bullseye guy I know has ;)

Seriously, not a S/W versus Colt thing- Might just be local deal but I've always associated the glory days of Bullseye shooting when revolvers ruled the roost with S/W models 14 and 15. Seems the heavier barrled Python which was available at the time would have been the choice if it could have kept up.

Is my perception just wrong and the Python used and won more than I think???

[Standing Wolf]

The Python seems to have this reputation for incredible accuracy, yet I've never run into a single old bullseye shooter who ever used one.

I used to compete with a High Standard Trophy, a Colt Python, and a (completely unreliable) Colt government model.

[stans]

The S&W may have been more popular with NRA Bullseye shooters because it was around before the Python was introduced, was less expensive and the trigger is easier to tune.

[dfariswheel]

The old time NRA "Stand on your hind legs" target shooters favored the Colt Officer's Model series revolvers, at least in the pre-war days.

The Colt Python was INTENDED to be a "Super" target gun in .38 Special.
Colt's then top salesman, convinced Colt that they needed to make such a gun, and a prototype was made from an Officer's Model.

Before production started, the management decided that the market was moving to the .357 Magnum, and the target shooter's were moving toward automatic pistols. Colt felt that .38 Special ammo could be shot well in the Magnum, so it was brought out in 357.

By the time the Python hit the market, NRA Bullseye was starting to decline, and the move to the automatic target pistol was in full swing, so the Python was never used much in Bullseye.

It was an entirely different story in the then fast growing Practical Police Course matches. In the early days of PPC, the Python was King.

The Python remained the choice of top PPC shooters until the rules got trashed out and the heavily modified "Space guns" were allowed to take over from "real" police revolvers.

[PzGren]

I learned bullseye shooting in a gun club on a club-owned .22 Officers match, if I remember well.

In 1985 I bought a six inch Python and a S&W M14. I could always do much better with the M14 and a friend borrowed the M14 from me to win several bullseye state championships with it.

Both guns are great guns.

I just personnally prefer Smith and Wesson revolvers, just as I prefer a Glock over a S&W automatic.