Colt Python: why so valuable?

[DPris]

Colt couldn't keep the price low enough to recoup start-up costs on a Python re-intro, much less sell in sufficient sustained volume to make the Python profitable.

Colt still sells the Peacemaker.
Colt is selling their ARs quite well.
And the Custom Shop is actually expanding, with new bodies hired.
Very far from "all but shuttered".
Denis

 

[yugorpk]

Colt hasnt sold a 3rd or 4th gen SAA in a few years. They catalog them but havent shipped any in a long time.

 

[DPris]

Yugo,
I don't know where you're getting your mis-information, but Colt certainly is shipping Peacemakers.
You're dead wrong.
And there is no 4th Gen Model P.
Denis

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Every Python thread needs at least one picture.

 

[GBExpat]

Some of the Pythons (or, at least the One) can invisibly eject spent cases upon firing that, when they land in the grass/dirt, make a sound like they landed on concrete.

Saw it on Walking Dead so it must be true ...

I only managed to get thru one full season before Walking Away from that moronic show.

---------------------

Sentimental or collector value?

Of what you listed, I think that that is the primary driver. That and the aesthetics ... they just look so good, so classically beautiful.

 

[yugorpk]

Yugo,
I don't know where you're getting your mis-information, but Colt certainly is shipping Peacemakers.
You're dead wrong.
And there is no 4th Gen Model P.
Denis

That would be Colt. I and my dealer have called several times in the last year to the custom shop. At one point they had laid off all but one guy doing repairs in the shop on SAA's. They hadnt produced any new SAA's since late 2014 .


The late 3rd gen SAA's are often referred to as 4th Gen. Not an official designation but neither is 3rd gen to Colt.

 

[OilyPablo]

Every Python thread needs at least one picture.

Gorgeous. Very nice. See that is the reason. It's why I can't really afford one now. So I clean up Colt Trooper Mk III's, put a light trigger spring in. See my latest in the Colt walnut stock thread, it even has a Mk V ventilated ribbed barrel for the imitation snake look.

 

[340PD]

Listening to the famous author of a very popular gun value reference book who said on a recent GunTalk radio interview,
The lovers of early Colt SA and early S&W revolvers has morphed into a new group of collectors that watch The Walking Dead and discovered a different "treasure" to seek.

Hence, the value of SA guns have dropped over 30% while Python values have gone sky high.

Collect carefully, values change dramatically without reason.

 

[entropy]

Some of the Pythons (or, at least the One) can invisibly eject spent cases upon firing that, when they land in the grass/dirt, make a sound like they landed on concrete.

Saw it on Walking Dead so it must be true ...

Just like Carol 'cocking' the Glock in last week's episode...

 

[OilyPablo]

Every AK (andAR) found post apocalypse is full auto. And never need a mag change. Revolvers auto ejecting spent cases are just the tip of the iceberg. But I do watch the show for the human interactions.

 

[natman]

Smooth action.

Fantastic finish.

Iconic company.

No longer made.

The Walking Dead came out in 2010. Pythons were bringing collector's prices long before then. The hero in TWD uses a Python because it's iconic, not the other way around.

 

[GBExpat]

... The Walking Dead came out in 2010. Pythons were bringing collector's prices long before then. The hero in TWD uses a Python because it's iconic, not the other way around.

While several of the posts in this Thread have suggested that its appearance in that show sparked increased/renewed interest (and, therefore, increased market value) in the Python, no one has suggested that the Python is "iconic" because of its appearance in the TWD.

 

[627PCFan]

Heres a painful story for you Colt lovers. My grandpa who wasn't a gun guy died in 86. I was 6 and left me a matching set, Diamondback, Python and Anaconda, papers and all. My parents gave the set away to a friend because "if they kept it I would have killed myself" as a kid getting into things ect..So today the burn runs deep but its ok I found myself some Smiths to keep my company.

 

[Zeke/PA]

I had a close friend who possessed a Python and I was able to shoot it on occasion.
A hunting camp buddy, somehow came up with a Python three years ago that I can shoot on occasion.
Superp in every respect and for the most part, neither of these pistols were abused in any way.
I hope that I'll be able to shoot a Python during the camp work weekend in May!

 

[CraigC]

That would be Colt. I and my dealer have called several times in the last year to the custom shop. At one point they had laid off all but one guy doing repairs in the shop on SAA's. They hadnt produced any new SAA's since late 2014.

Your information is incorrect. Colt is shipping 200 SAA's a month. The backlog is about a year on standard models, so they don't have any guns available for purchase but they are shipping orders.

 

[DPris]

Yugo,
Again, incorrect.

Colt did not lay off all but one CS employee.

The head of that Custom Shop has told me over the past couple years he's been able to hire two new bodies, with approval to eventually expand to 10, and a couple months ago Colt was looking to fill another position under him.

I don't know who you talked to, but Colt IS shipping Peacemakers.
Denis

 

[handloader357]

They certainly don't make them like they used to. I love my smiths and rugers. Hell, I even love my taurus wheelies, but none of them balance and feel quite like this early hollow lug 6" snake.

 

[Jim K]

Underneath the hand-tuned action and the over-polished finish, the Python is a 1909 design that dates to $2 a day wages and near slave labor in factories. Colt tried to update its design but, like everything else they did, they never got it right. So those last guns of the old design were the end of an era. If Colt ever does bring back their DA revolver line, the guns will be of the new design or possibly something entirely new.

Jim

 

[DPris]

Yugo,
Let's settle the CS & Peacemaker part.

Head of the Colt Custom Shop says 20 minutes ago that Colt has one production floor worker who builds the Model P everyday.
The Custom Shop has 6 current gunsmiths with openings for 2 more.
The CS currently is doing Peacemakers everyday.
Denis

 

[FL-NC]

A gun (or anything else) is worth however much you can get for it. I don't really have much if any use for revolvers, except the ones in my "collection", which are rarely if ever shot. I had a nice 4" blued python years ago (mid 90's). I bought it for $350, only because "I never had one before". At the time everyone wanted all of the various wonder-nines, like HK USP, SIGs, things like that. After the "newness" of my python wore off, I decided to get rid of it. It took 3 gun shows in Nashville before I could get it sold for the original $350 to break even, to buy something else which I have since forgot what that thing was- I'm sure it was something stupid. At the time I was a poor SGT in the army, so I couldn't afford to buy a new gun unless I dumped something from my inventory. looking back, I really wish I hadn't let that python go.

 

[Savage99]

I got one of the early Python 357's and it was a disappointment.

Mine had the 6" barrel.

It was barrel heavy and out of balance. I ordered special grips for it and they did not help.

The forcing cone cracked and Colt put on a new barrel for me free.

I sold the gun and am glad it's gone.

I am a Colt fan otherwise and really like their Woodsman pistols.

 

[jmorris]

Same reason why a '63 corvette is so valuable, they don't make them any more and collectors are willing to pay that for a "classic".

They are fine revolvers and I am glad I bought one when they were cheap but don't think I would buy one for what they go for these days. At least I kept it, sould have kept all of my 1st gen camaro's a little longer though...

 

[yugorpk]

Yugo,
Let's settle the CS & Peacemaker part.

Head of the Colt Custom Shop says 20 minutes ago that Colt has one production floor worker who builds the Model P everyday.
The Custom Shop has 6 current gunsmiths with openings for 2 more.
The CS currently is doing Peacemakers everyday.
Denis

Just spent a fruitless hour calling and emailing Colt distributors looking for a new production Model 1840 SAA in 45 Colt 4 3/4" . No one has one or has received one in a long time. Lots of listings on gunbroker for $2000+ for Gen 3's but nothing new production. Last time I tried to buy one I talked to Colt 4-5 months ago and they had one guy in the custom shop "doing repairs" with no idea when or if they were going to start production again.

 

[DPris]

The fact that you can't find one in no way means Colt hasn't produced any since 2014, as you initially stated.

Colt has not stopped production of the Peacemaker at any point in recent years, there's no "going to start production again".

As I said- dunno who you talked to, but my info was straight from the head of the Custom Shop today & I've dealt with him direct for several years.

The guns are hard to find since Colt makes only about 3000 a year, but Colt IS making them & hasn't stopped.
Denis

Edited to add: There are several mentions in a thread on a Colt forum concerning the Custom Shop of people getting their custom Peacemakers in the last year or so & what the current wait time on custom orders is.

 

[OldBrownDog]

Just spent a fruitless hour calling and emailing Colt distributors looking for a new production Model 1840 SAA in 45 Colt 4 3/4" . No one has one or has received one in a long time. Lots of listings on gunbroker for $2000+ for Gen 3's but nothing new production. Last time I tried to buy one I talked to Colt 4-5 months ago and they had one guy in the custom shop "doing repairs" with no idea when or if they were going to start production again.

Call Colt and place an order for exactly what you want. You'll have to wait a year, but you'll get it.

http://www.colt.com/Customer-Services/Colt-Custom/Design-Your-Own
The Customer Service number is 1 (800) 962-2658.

I'll be doing the same at some point later this year.