Colt Python save it or shoot it.

Unless it was absolutly pristine, in the box, with all papers. I'd shoot it. I might not shoot it a lot, but I'd shoot it.

What he said. If it's already been fired, a little more use isn't going to change the value.

I think you should shoot it and do a nice write-up comparison of the two guns.

If S&W had stopped making DA revolvers and Colt didn't, I bet your S&W 686 from those days would be the more valuable gun.

Pythons tend to take less of a beating to go out of time than S&Ws do. So if you're worried about it, maybe either shoot lightly hand loaded 357s or just .38 Specials out of it. I'd bet money that you will have to grudgingly admit that the Python is the superior gun after you shoot it for a while. [at least as far as the action is concerned]

I'd shoot it, but not a lot of Magnums.

It's a gun. It was built to shoot stuff. Shoot it. Love it. Enjoy it.

Shoot that thing! I shoot this one some and carry it concealed some...like yesterday.

Cocked & Locked said:

Shoot that thing! I shoot this one some and carry it concealed some...like yesterday.

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Absolutely!

If are going to defend yourself, do it with some class.

(like Dr. Brown in Back To The Future and the Delorean Time Machine...)

They sure are purty revolvers!! I agree with most of the guys,I would shoot it. But I would shoot only .38's. From what I understand finding a competent Smith to work on them is getting more difficult as are parts. I would find an equally purty holster and have me the finest barbecue gun most folks ever laid eyes on.

Oh and I would throw the first barbecue for my brother! He's got you on the hook now bud....LOL

There's plenty enough Pythons tucked away in safes. Mine gets shot and carried. These are far too enjoyable to shoot to let them sit in a dark safe.

I have 2 Pythons, one 4" and one 6". Both are shooters. I am the original owner of the 6" bought in 1979. It was my duty weapon as an armed security officer many years ago. The 4" Python is one of my concealed carry guns when I carry off duty (99% of the time). It is your Python and only you can make the final decision but I would shoot it. Remember it is a 357 Magnum but considering that competant gunsmiths who really know the Python are few and far between I would limit the magnum ammo and shoot mostly 38 Special +P.

I got this Python, if memory serves me correctly, around 1979. Very few .357 rounds have been fired in it but it does get lots .38 WC rounds to digest. The revolver below it is my pet S&W M15.

I would shoot it and then some. They were made to be shot. I just turned down a offer. A gent I know wanted to sell me his rarely shot 6" .44mag. Looks like new and shoots out good. I don't think it shoots better than anything else I've shot over all. And I hate there stupid cylinder release. I offered him $600 for it. He lost the box and papers. He seemed offended. I suggested he take it to the Tulsa Gun Show this weekend.

I'd shoot it. I know a number of folks with very large handgun collections, and not a single one of them got rich by buying and selling firearms. Where's the joy in just having it sit around?

Leave the safe queens to the queens. Shoot the barrel off it...

If S&W had stopped making DA revolvers and Colt didn't, I bet your S&W 686 from those days would be the more valuable gun

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uh...no

Model 27...yes

savit, that snow pic is fantastic! makes me want one!

PS, what are those grips made of, cocked?

PS, what are those grips made of, cocked?

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elk antler

Unless it is unfired or at least appears unfired, there is no reason to to use it. I love my shooters. One of them has just the "right amount of wear". It's blue is worn off on the high spots to make it look like an old gun, which I guess at a 1974 it kind of is. The other one had a great amount of wear, but not pits, gouges or dings...just lots of blue rubbed off. She's a 1963. Both still shoot nice tight groups.

That's nuthin'. I like my Pythons so much I'm taking them to heaven when the time comes.

You own it, I would do what you want to with it. If it were mine and as-new, I would park it. But that is me and I have other 357's to shoot if I feel like it.

I am the proud owner of a few snakes, (cobra, diamondbacks) including a like-new Python.

I shoot it. In the winter I carry it. Often I carry it on the trail.

If I had one of the a few remaining pristine Pythons I would feel obliged to preserve it. But since there is probably no other "modern" weapon that is more often a "safe queen" I prefer to enjoy it.

Some people think that I am a bit off because my daily carry is a Colt Diamondback 2.5 inch. My theory is "who deserves it more?"

YMMV