Colt Python stainless 4" model ... a 27 year old tale that's not over yet.

On July 22nd of this year I ordered the following front and rear sights from Kensight (Kengs Firearm Specialties).

https://stores.kensight.com/elliaso...itium-insert-night-sights-with-rounded-blade/
https://stores.kensight.com/kensigh...t-for-colt-single-pin-snake-guns-lumi-orange/

They arrived two days ago and I was disappointed to see that they shipped the wrong front sight which wasn't surprising given the lack of any kind of part number on the part or packaging. I ordered the lumi-orange version but they shipped the lumi-green one. I called Kengs and they promptly sent out the correct part along with a return label for the lumi-green version. The replacement part arrived this afternoon. The rear sight was an easy install but the front sight hole is slightly too low such that the sight is able to rock back and forth with the roll pin installed. I removed the pin and bedded the front sight very carefully using Devcon and tomorrow will use the correct sized drill bit to open up the hole [in the sight] so that the pin will go in without driving the sight upwards (I hope that makes sense). The hole is very slightly off but with the Devcon bedding I'm hoping that I can carefully get the hole in the sight properly aligned with the holes in the barrel rib. I'm very pleased with the sights despite the front sight fitment issue. I'll get them zeroed tomorrow afternoon but here are some photos to show them off.

And here's how the sights look in near total darkness.

@horsemen61 , thanks! It's awesome to have the Python back and even better than it ever was. I was able to secure the revolver in a padded vice this morning so that the front sight couldn't move upwards and run an appropriately sized bit through the hole in the rib. There wasn't much in the way of shavings but any that there was appeared to be Devcon. I was able to press the pin in place and the sight is flat against the barrel rib with no light showing beneath it. All in all I'm very pleased with how this has all turned out. I'll zero the sights today and this should be the end of this project unless I decide to have the whole thing refinished which at the time of writing seems unlikely. I really like where it's at. Here are some more photos taken this morning after I completed the front sight installation.

Just got the sights zeroed at a little over 10 yards using Remington .38 Spl 125gr BJHP ammunition. First single action group was high but decent in windage. I made some adjustments and ended up shooting the last two groups double action. The first group aiming center of mass and the final group at the head. Good enough for now and this should be it for updates. I've thought about working up a hard cast load for the Python for hiking/camping/hunting, but since I have a Ruger GP100 and SP101 it might be better to beat those revolvers to death rather than the Colt.

PzGren said:

Willi Korth was using a roller on the D/A sear since the 24 series in 1969, that may have inspired Sherman a couple of decades later to modify the design for Pythons and other revolvers.

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@PzGren, thanks for the information and photo. I've been to the SHOT show many times and never thought to visit the Korth booth. If the SHOT show goes ahead this coming January and I get to go I'll be sure to stop by the Korth booth. Do you know if the design is basically the same today?

I consider the Colt Python to be the most visibly stunning revolver ever made and arguably it's the most iconic revolver ever made. Does anyone know who came up with the design such as the vented rib and full barrel underlug? Was there one individual who was responsible for the aesthetics?

PzGren said:

The vented rib and full underlug that give the Python that distictive look is usually associated with the Colt Python. Korth had started using a full lug with the 30 series and was quickly considered to make his revolvers look like the Python, he changed the barrel contour by flattening the sides because of that.

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You have some amazing revolvers there. So did Colt offer the vented rib and full barrel underlug before Korth or after Korth ... I'm a bit confused?