How bad is this? Please help...

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ChazHollywood

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I purchased a Colt Python and didn't notice this problem until I got home with it. I have to say I probably would have still bought it even if I did see the problem ahead of time since everything else is so nice and the price was decent.

The barrel isn't screwed on straight. :(

Photos are below. I would really appreciate your thoughts on how bad this is and what I can do to correct it. Really hoping for some good news...


ZTtSB.jpg

D4lWM.jpg

d5rkk.jpg
 
The barrel being turned makes me wonder how and what damage might be to the frame?

From your pictures the crain seems to be OK. I'm sorry I cannot give you the place to send it unless it"s Colt or Cylinder& Slide.
btw it looks straight just not screwed in complete.

Good luck ts
 
If they didn't do it right in the first place, they'll fix it on their dime. Call Colt's customer service department.
 
Old Fuff said:
If they didn't do it right in the first place, they'll fix it on their dime. Call Colt's customer service department.
Click to expand...
It was a consignment item at a local shop. The revolver is very clean, shows little signs of use. There is some light powder residue around the forcing cone, and I have to assume it was fired by the previous owner. When I bought it the factory plastic plug was in place and the action was zip-tied with a red tie.

Other than two very tiny, light scratches there isn't barely a mark on it. It's super clean. Even the walnut grips are perfect without the slightest nick or scratch. So I can't imagine it was abused in any way to cause this. Think it could have come from the factory this way?
 
That sucks. I think it is outrageous the seller did not indicate this issue to you first hand, even though you'd have probably still bought it.

What Old Fluff said ......Call Colt.
 
It probably did come that way. Somebody should have caught it, but didn't.

But that's the reason they'll fix it on their dime, and likely pay shipping going both ways.

And while they are at it, they'll look for any other problems, and if there any they'll fix them too.
 
RDCL said:
That sucks. I think it is outrageous the seller did not indicate this issue to you first hand, even though you'd have probably still bought it.

What Old Fluff said ......Call Colt.
Click to expand...
I mean, honestly, who knows if anyone ever noticed? I gave it a good look over at the shop and didn't see the problem. I even looked down the sights and it didn't catch my eye. Although, that is how I noticed it at home, by looking down the sights at a white wall in my den. I think the contrast was better and I could tell something wasn't straight.

Any way to tell what you would look for in a revolver that has only been fired by the factory? I'm new to revolvers and can't tell the difference between 6 firings and 100.
 
There is very little doubt in my mind it came that way. It was common on Colt's DA's in the last few years. I have one I bought new in 1990. It was my first revolver. The barrel is crooked just like that. I never knew for years that it shouldn't be. It doesn't affect how it shoots......I would guess Colt would fix it on their dime unless they could prove the gun has been worked on by an outside source. Personally, I don't find the fix worth is since shipping would likely set you back nearly 100 bucks.

Walnut grips? It appears to be a stainless gun. I would have came with rubber grips.
 
Go to:THR > Tools and Technologies > Handguns: Revolvers.

At or near the top you will find a checklist that works well for Colt revolvers, such as the Python.
 
ColtPythonElite said:
There is very little doubt in my mind it came that way. It was common on Colt's DA's in the last few years. I have one I bought new in 1990. It was my first revolver. The barrel is crooked just like that. I never knew for years that it shouldn't be. It doesn't affect how it shoots......I would guess Colt would fix it on their dime unless they could prove the gun has been worked on by an outside source. Personally, I don't find the fix worth is since shipping would likely set you back nearly 100 bucks.

Walnut grips? It appears to be a stainless gun. I would have came with rubber grips.
Click to expand...
Interesting. Fortunately I do love the walnut. Do you think that since the Elite's were from the custom shop that the vendor could have requested walnut? It would be a shame if Colt didn't offer anything other than rubber on such a nice revolver.
 
If ya gonna shoot it see if it shoots to POA , it probably does`nt but if it does don`t worry `bout it .

If it does`nt then call colt as there the only people with a few parts left for the Python.

Bet it shoots left though .
 
Interesting. Fortunately I do love the walnut. Do you think that since the Elite's were from the custom shop that the vendor could have requested walnut? It would be a shame if Colt didn't offer anything other than rubber on such a nice revolver.
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I didn't realize your gun was an Elite. If so, it should have wooden grips. If it is an Elite, it is kinda of sad that a gun with a crooked barrel would ever leave their "custom" shop.
 
Take out the cylinder, pad the barrel, put it in a vise, put a 3/4" dowel rod thru the frame window and geennnnntly unscrew the barrel the 1/32nd of a turn to line it up.

I once tightened a Colt Diamondback barrel exactly that way. Worked great and took less than 5 minutes beginning to end.

I know you won't do that and everyone is going to say not to, so decide if you can live with it as is, or send it back to Colt, so THEY can do the dowel rod thing.
 
David E, sounds like a good way for him to mess up his gun in a way that Colt won't fix it for free. Just send it back to Colt. They'll take care of it. It definitely was factory because the finish is still pristine.
 
ChazHollywood said:
I purchased a Colt Python and didn't notice this problem until I got home with it. I have to say I probably would have still bought it even if I did see the problem ahead of time since everything else is so nice and the price was decent.

The barrel isn't screwed on straight. :(

Photos are below. I would really appreciate your thoughts on how bad this is and what I can do to correct it. Really hoping for some good news...


ZTtSB.jpg

D4lWM.jpg

d5rkk.jpg
Click to expand...
If you paid by Credit Card, file a complaint, get gunsmith to write letterhead note confirming the problem, send in copy of bill of sale, any paper-work etc. You should get your $$ back
 
If you paid by Credit Card, file a complaint, get gunsmith to write letterhead note confirming the problem, send in copy of bill of sale, any paper-work etc. You should get your $$ back
Click to expand...

I don't see that....It sounds as if he bought the gun in person and had a chance to inspect it. If that is the case, IMO, the seller is free and clear on this deal. It's not like there was hidden damage.
 
ColtPythonElite said:
I don't see that....It sounds as if he bought the gun in person and had a chance to inspect it. If that is the case, IMO, the seller is free and clear on this deal. It's not like there was hidden damage.
Click to expand...
This, plus even if I had seen the problem I would have bought it anyway. I now see that this is a factory issue rather than an abuse issue, which makes me way more comfortable about the whole thing.
 
David E said:
Take out the cylinder, pad the barrel, put it in a vise, put a 3/4" dowel rod thru the frame window and geennnnntly unscrew the barrel the 1/32nd of a turn to line it up.

I once tightened a Colt Diamondback barrel exactly that way. Worked great and took less than 5 minutes beginning to end.

I know you won't do that and everyone is going to say not to, so decide if you can live with it as is, or send it back to Colt, so THEY can do the dowel rod thing.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I always appreciate the DIY type answers because that's usually the way I handle things. But in this case there is no chance I'm going to try this myself. The only ones who I would let work on this gun is Colt.

Quick question though. The way I read your post it sounds backwards to me. Do gun barrels thread in backwards? Never considered that.
 
take out the cylinder, pad the barrel, put it in a vise, put a 3/4" dowel rod thru the frame window and geennnnntly unscrew the barrel the 1/32nd of a turn to line it up.

I once tightened a colt diamondback barrel exactly that way. Worked great and took less than 5 minutes beginning to end.

I know you won't do that and everyone is going to say not to, so decide if you can live with it as is, or send it back to colt, so they can do the dowel rod thing.
Click to expand...

Do not do this!!! Without the proper tools, this will more than likely ruin the frame and/or barrel. Do the smart thing and send it to colt to fix.
 
I had a friend that had a similar problem with a large frame Colt ( not a Python) that he purchased new. Considering the cost and time involved to send it back to Colt, he took it to an old local gunsmith who fixed in in 5 minutes and charged him ten dollars. To this day he is still shooting that revolver w/o a problem. The problem is an easy fix for a good 'smith. I woudn't try it myself for fear of springing the framr. Good luck.
 
Back in the early 80's I bought a new 8" Python. It shot very well for about 12 years. One day while at the range my groups started "shifting". I looked at the barrel - frame alignment and found that the barrel was unscrewing itself as I shot. Sent to the factory and had it back in no time and without any charge to me.
 
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