Help with value of Python, 8" Royal Blue, Custom Shop?

[JNewell]

I could use a little help from you all. I am looking at selling a 1980 Python, 8" Royal Blue and can't figure out what a reasonable price would be. Serial # is LA36xx. This one has the Eliason rear sight and a Custom Shop action job, with a sticker from the Custom Shop over the label on the box (which also has the instruction book and other papers). Condition is ~98%, showing only a small bright spot on the barrel underlug and slight rotation marks on the cylinder...pretty close to like new with the box and papers. I've looked at the usual on-line sources and can't get any real feeling for what the market price would be. Any help would be appreciated.

J.

 

[Standing Wolf]

It depends partly on where you are. If you're in the People's Republic of California, for example, it's worth more than the identical gun made on the same day if you're in Nebraska or Idaho or South Carolina.

I paid $800 for an eight-inch Python two years ago, and considered it reasonably priced, although it turned out to need an action job. If Pythons are common where you are, you might have to wait awhile, but ought to be able to get at least $750 for it. The six-inch models are the most common, followed by the four-inchers. I'm not sure whether there's more demand for eight-inch models or the 2.5-incher snub-nosed model, but do know the latter two are hard to find. Eight-inch Pythons are generally in pretty good condition, since they were favored by target shooters and people who take hunting very seriously; the shorties, by contrast, have usually been carried in holsters and pockets, and show more wear.

If I were selling your Python in Colorado, I'd ask $1,200, and let a serious buyer haggle me down to $1,000, but only if he promised to give it a good home and treat it with T.L.C. If I were considering buying it, I'd offer $700 or $750, and let myself be haggled up to $850 for a really minty Python with a superior action. If you're in a state where such guns can't be so-called "imported," add $100 to $250 to the price.

All that saidâ„¢, I'll be the first to admit Pythons are ludicrously overpriced.

 

[AR-10]

$750.00 to $850.00 around here.

If I was buying, I'd offer $700.00. If I was selling, I'd want $900.00.

 

[FPrice]

JNewell...

Were you at the Big E Gunshow in West Springfield today? I saw a man walking around with a sign for an 8" Python with Custom Shop features. Tried to talk to him but he was busy looking at a gun. While I was waiting for him to finish I began talking to a GOAL member at the GOAL booth, and when I turned around, he was gone. Tall, about 6'2", slender, with what looked like a young teen-ager with him.

If that was you I am sorry that we missed the chance to talk.

 

[JNewell]

:banghead: Yep, that was me! I'm sorry not to have had the chance to say hello in person!

Had a great time with my older son, but we left with what we came with and nothing new followed us home. There didn't seem to be a whole lot of business going on there, actually. Must have seen half a dozen very nice M24s. Will probably try putting the Python on the web to see what interest there is.

Best,
John

 

[Grayrock]

I ran across an 8" blued Python today in a pawn shop. Glanced at it. Was not really interested at the moment. When I got home I remembered how much I drooled over them when I was younger and before the plethora of sling-o-matics hit the market. I was really shopping for a compact .45ACP for CCW, but the asking price on that snake was $675. Worth a second look? Will this be the one I'll be talking about years from now with regret at letting it get away?

 

[Standing Wolf]

...the asking price on that snake was $675. Worth a second look? Will this be the one I'll be talking about years from now with regret at letting it get away?

I'd buy it on the assumption that if it didn't prove to be a worthy addition to my small Python family, I could sell it for what I paid for it in reasonably good order, and perhaps even turn a modest profit. I'd look it over extremely carefully carefully before buying, and haggle hard and long, of course.

 

[Grayrock]

The gun I was looking at is serial #K22476. Any idea when that was made? Bluing is pretty good. A light line is visible around the cylinder where the cylinder stop rides. It locks up tight. The front sight shows some shiny spots where the bluing is worn and there are a couple of spots along the sides of the barrels that are pretty small. All the screws look pristine. Action feels nice. Price is higher than I thought- it was $695. How can you tell the difference between plain blue and "Royal Blue"? It is in a blue plastic case with paperwork for an Anaconda revolver(??). So what do you think?