6" Colt Python Nickel .357 Mag. Price

[BridgeTooFar]

A friend has an 6" Colt Python in .357 Mag. that appears to be finished in nickel (or extremely shiny stainless). It has factory wood grips. It has been shot maybe 5 sessions of 50 rounds each. The thing is spotless, but he does not have the box or papers that came with it.

He's decided that he'd like to get some money out of it. I've checked Gun Broker (on which prices range anywhere from $750 to $1500), but I know that the prices there may not reflect what the current "real world" price of a gun is.

How much can he realistically expect to get out of this gun? He'll either try to sell it to a local gun shop or at an upcoming gun show.

 

[10X]

It is likely nickel with the wood grips. Many of the SS had Pac rubber grips.
Depends on your area, $900 or so would be a good FTF buying price.
$1,000 would be a good selling price.

 

[Sniper X]

I agree with 10x to a point. I have two Pythons, one is new unfired, and one is reblued by Colt, and perfect as well looks new too. I had the one up for sale (that has been refinished) for three months for a buddy before I bought it, for $1500.00 and ON ONE called. It is a six inch.

The things I have learned about Python sales is this,

like new in box six inch sell for at least 3~4 hundred dollars than the six inchers, and the royal blued ones sell for about 100 more than the comparable bright stainless or bright nickel ones do. Those that sell for the most are the 4in early royal blued ones with the factory box and grips.

In my opinion from watching many many Python sales ask $1200.00 for it and go from there. IF you are going to sell it on GB or another bid site. If you are going to sell it locally start at $1100.00.

INMO of course!

Good luck!

 

[Ala Dan]

'Bout 1K would be a good starting point, too move it quickly~!

 

[Confederate]

Pythons are beauties, but I recommend hard chroming the hand/pawl to greatly increase wear. The pawls are so tiny that they wear quickly and the gun goes out of time.

The guns have two weaknesses: 1) the pawl wears quickly, causing timg issues; ans 2) the handles seems like they were designed for gorillas, with the narrow part at the top, where it should be thicker, and the thick part at the bottom, where it should be narrow. I never could quite get used to it.

The guns are works of art. One of the most heartrending scenes I ever saw was a beautiful Colt nickeled Python being destroyed after being seized from its legal owner after the South Africa gun grab years ago. They took the grips off it and tossed it into a pile of other handguns. A small plough began pushing thes guns to a place where they were consigned to the flames.

The gun had never been used in a crime, but some of the Rosie McDonnel crowd determined that citizens needed only one gun, and that any others needed to be rounded up and destroyed.

Anyway, this thread brought back that memory.

So hard chrome the hand/pawl and, if possible, the ratchet, and the gun should be perfect. If the gun needs refinishing, a highly polished hard chrome finish would be hard to beat, though a deep luxurious blue would be mighty tempting!

 

[GUNKWAZY]

First and foremost, you need to find out if it's bright stainless or bright nickel.
This will make a big difference in current market values.
The minty nickel 6 inchers with no box or manual have been selling in the $1000-$1200 range. Again, this is for mint correct 6 inch nickel guns.
Minty bright stainless Pythons have exploded in price and are selling between $1500-$2000 with NO BOX. Boxed I've seen them sell for over $2000. Some as high as $2500.
I don't like to appraise guns with-out seeing them, so we're going to stick with these numbers until more info is available.

Thanks, Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

 

[1KPerDay]

Pythons are beauties, but I recommend hard chroming the hand/pawl to greatly increase wear.

And why would I want to do that?

 

[BridgeTooFar]

I appreciate all the comments so far.

I'll try to get some pics to throw up of the gun if he'll bring it by; he says it's near new condition. Never know what that means to some people, but I'll try to get some pics to post so you guys can narrow it down if you'd like.

 

[Onmilo]

I think Pythons are a bit overpriced for what you actually get.
Yes the finish and fit are lovely but the revolvers really don't shoot any better than an off the shelf Model 19 Smith.

Most folks don't realize this because they never shoot their Pythons, they just fondle them.

Fondled with a cylinder ring or shot a bit with no box, no papers and the value of a Python drops pretty substantially.

In average used condition they are worth no more than $500 to $650 tops for really excellent condition, no box, no papers, fingered and fired.

Just having a Python does not automatically make it a $1000+ gun.

 

[GUNKWAZY]

I think Pythons are a bit overpriced for what you actually get.
Yes the finish and fit are lovely but the revolvers really don't shoot any better than an off the shelf Model 19 Smith.

Since you're living in the past, I'll have to disagree with that statement.
The fact that you have not been able to buy a "OFF THE SHELF" model 19 Smith & Wesson for years dates that fact.

Beater Pythons have been changing hands for $600 and up lately.
Mint ones are a grand and up... way up.

I guess the truth is, they are only worth what you're willing to pay.
Since you're not willing to pay current market value, you won't be buying any real soon.

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

 

[Sniper X]

Onmilo, I'll take every sub 700 Python you have in stock! In reality, I have not seen a Python sell, even in the last five YEARS for less than $800.00, and NEVER see "beater" Pythons as people just don't treat Pythons like that. Heck, mine was ALMOST a beater but had 80% of the finish left and wasn't abused and it was a cop gun till about the mid 80s since 1968! Shoot buying a Python and beating it is like buying a Rolex President and beating it up.

 

[Onmilo]

You go into just about any decent gun shop I guarantee you will find a Model 19 Smith sitting on "ON THE SHELF."
I didn't mention new in the box now did I?

I also said a Python won't shoot any better than a Model 19 S&W, don't care if you disagree with that statement, I have shot and owned both side by side, A Python isn't any more accurate, don't like that assessment, I don't care.

If you can get big money for Pythons in your area more power to you.
My area is inundated with spend thrift, pinch the nickle 'til the buffalo surrenders kind of folks and they find it laughable that people overspend on a revolver they are just going to fondle.
These folks buy guns and use them, hard.
I make pretty decent money fixing them up when they wear out too.

None of us wears a Rolex either. Damned things won't keep time.

 

[Phydeaux642]

I have not seen a Python sell, even in the last five YEARS for less than $800.00,

There is one at a shop I haunt for $749. Some muzzle wear but locks up tight. 1972 model I believe. And a 1964 Python just sold for $800 here on THR.