[10-Ring]

Does the Colt Python have any inherent personality quirks that a buyer may want to know before investing in one?

[355sigfan]

Limit your DA shooting and the amount of magnum level loads you shoot and you will be fine. It was made in 357 mag as an after thought originally it was meant to be a single action target 38.
Pat

[Ala Dan]

Good advice from my friend, 355 sigfan!:D As Colt
Pythons are known for timing problems.

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

[Pappy John]

If you're accustomed to a S&W double action trigger pull, you'll notice that the Python's pull, in comparison, "stacks".....increases in stiffness the closer you get to the trigger's break point. I guess if you shoot it enough you can get used to it. I never did. I think they're beautiful to look at though.

[10-Ring]

I didn't know that "stacking" was a typical Colt revo quirk. I really noticed it on a Cobra I fired. I did notice it on the Python, but wasn't as bad as the Cobra...for whatever reason, I over looked it.
I may have just gotten used to the smoothness of the triggers on my S&W revolvers...maybe it's time to reconsider, esp @ $1000 for the Python.

[Randy63]

I agree about the "stacking" characteristics of the Python's trigger. I was raised on S&W revolvers and much prefer their DA trigger pull. That's not to say that the Python doesn't have a nice smooth action. It does. It's just different. I guess it depends on what you you're used to shooting.

I agree with Pappy John, they sure are nice to look at.

Here's my 1959 vintage Python. I've only shot it one. I think this ones gonna be a safe queen.
http://www.hunt101.com/img/048044.JPG
http://www.hunt101.com/img/048046.JPG

K22

[Poohgyrr]

K-22, nice 6"er there. I like Smiths, but Pythons and Detective Specials are nice.

10-Ring, If you're interested, I'd bet you could find a good used Python for less than a grand. Also, depending on if you want black sights or the "new" red & white outline sights that Colt started putting on the Python in the 1980's ( I think that's the date).

[355sigfan]

SaxonPig


Its not crap just the truth. I found out the hard way. I shot my first Python often in gun matches using mag loads and the double action feature exclusively. 500 rounds later the gun needed re timed. Its not a myth its the truth.
Pat

[Majic]

Most of the quirks of a Python seems to originate in the firing control system operating the trigger.
:cuss: :banghead: :banghead: :fire:
It's been a fine revolver for almost 50 years now.

[355sigfan]

Most of the quirks of a Python seems to originate in the firing control system operating the trigger.
END

That makes sence. The shooter on a DA revolver loading it with factory ammo can somehow cause the gun to fail. Come one your being stupid. The simple well known fact is that Pythons actions are not as durable as more modern guns. Hence they go out of time sooner. Its an established fact. I have no problem with someone firing 15000 rounds through a python either so long as it was mostly single action firing and with 38 level loads. I am sure he is correct. The fact that you have owned 4 means you probably never shot any one of them enough with mags in double action to intelligently comment on this thread. As far as Mossbergs go they are trash. I owned a 500 and a 590 both had serious issues. Glad you brought that up. Pythons on the other hand are great guns I own an 8 inch blued one now that I love. I find no reason to hide my head in the same about the guns weakness however.
Pat

[bountyhunter]

The gunsmith manual I read explained why Pythons are more prone to timing problems. They do not have the "floating hand" that the smith-wessons do, so a lot of recoil energy is directed into the hand by the cylinder with each firing. Obviously, some pythons have taken it without breaking. But, as a design practice, I think SW improved the ruggedness by allowing the hand to float rearward as required to get away from being hammered to death.

[Standing Wolf]

In my experience, the two most peculiar things about Pythons are the price tags and the fact that they spoil you. I'd like my Smith & Wesson model 27-2 a lot better if I'd never bought a Python.

[JPM70535]

I would hesitate to label the Python as being a weak design. I bought my 4" Nickle Python in the mid 70s. it was used as my duty weapon for years until I succumbed to the practicality of SS finishes. It digested many thousands of 357 125 gr JHP loads, along with LSW handloads and never went out of time. I admit that the lockwork on Pythons is more delicate than that of S&Ws, and definitely more complicated to detail strip, but weaker, No. The only problem I could forsee was the possibility that with continued use of hot magnum loads, the flame-cutting on the top strap might become a concern. Sadly, I retired the Python to its position as Safe Queen.

[Pappy John]

Thats a very nice stable, Standing Wolf....They're all beauties, but I especially like the 2"....I don't recall ever seeing one before. Thanks for the picture. Very COOL!

[Poohgyrr]

I was looking at that snub of Standing Wolf's too. And the 4"er. And the 8"er. The 6"er isn't bad either ;).......

[HankB]

I've heard the main reason the Python gets so much hand fitting at the factory is worn-out tooling . . . the interchangeable parts . . . don't.

I think the Python is a pretty gun, and they do have a reputation for good accuracy. Early ones were finished quite nicely. But there's that "stacking" problem with the DA trigger . . .

Ultimately, IMHO, you can judge the worth of the Python by the numbers of PPC and other revolver shooters using Pythons either in stock form, or as the basis of a tricked out competition gun. Cost is not a major consideration for the top tier of competitors, and yet Pythons are almost never seen in their hands on the firing line. Must be a reason.

[bountyhunter]

On a Python and let me say this about that:

1) They put the side plate on the left side which means you have to disassemble the entire gun to get to the hammer.

2) It is at least 10X more complicated than a SW revolver, you could not pay me enough to work on it.

3) The hand is different: it has a "C" shaped cut in the front edge about .050" down from the top, as opposed to the smith hand which is flat all the way up. I know that a smith action works as follows: the top of the hand starts out under the star lug raising it (rotating the cylinder). When the cylinder locks into stop position the hand slips past the lug and slides past it on the right side as the trigger is pulled to fire the hammer DA.

The shape of the Python hand looks like maybe it lifts from the top edge but then the center "gap" on the hand engages the star tooth to continue rotating it and hold it tight in lockup (sort of like the teeth on two gears mesh). The good news is, it would give a tighter lockup. The bad news is, if the hand is engaged to the star during recoil, it gets whacked with recoil force. This may be the reason some Pythons get timing problems.