Why do so many people dislike the new snake guns?

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I'm a S&W fan and have my 686 no dash I bought over the Python way back before the internet and cell phones. For me the 686 has a smoother trigger. Not knocking colt but as a lefty it is easier for me to reload the cylinder on my 686 over the Python. Both gun are accurate but in my gun the actions is smoother than the Python. I traded my brother another 686 for this Python he had bought, turned he liked the action better on the S&W than on the Python. He regrets trading it now because of the money he could sell it for where as my 686 probably has not even doubled in price and it is a no dash model. Not that I would sell it. I'm like a penguin who mates for life, once I buy a gun I don't trade or sell any of my firearms except for the one I traded with my brother one time over 35 years ago.
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mjsdwash said:
For the same reason people hate the PT Cruiser. the same reason people hat the 05+Mustang, Crosley stereo's and hipster music. If your 'going retro', you need to actually do it. Those cars are much more reliable and durable than their 50/60's counterparts, but they're not the same. Same could probably be said for the Colts. I have handled some old colts, and the watchlike lockwork really is fragile, and as little as I think of Colt, I bet their MIM/CNC setup makes much better guns. But they're not the same, they don't have the same charm, or style, so they should have really picked a different name.
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I am sorry and feel free to flame away but saying they need to come up with a new name is utter nonsense. If that were the case there would only be one generation of;
S&W model 10, 19 29... all of them? The list goes on...at one point they changed the direction the ejection rod screws in...having it unscrew on you at random inopportune times was no longer an issue...well that doesn't have the same unreliable charm as the ones of yesteryear...better not call it a model 27 any more....
Glock
Ruger 77
Honestly I dont feel like naming off the hundreds maybe thousands of fire arms that have been anything from tweaked slightly from generation to generation to almost completely redesigned...but it doesn't stop in the gun world, as you mentioned cars...
There'd be no legacy of Corvette's, Camaros, Chevy Silverado, F series truck, Dodge Rams, Mustangs, hell even Hyundai accents...no one should call these what they are??? Ridiculous.
 
Do we KNOW the new Python has MIM parts are is that just another rumor created by the haters?


Mosin77 said:
For the past decade at least, Colt quality (lack thereof), high price, and general “screw you, gun-buying public” attitude have done little to endear them to open-minded shooters who didn’t grow up worshipping at the altar of the rearing pony.
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I have been heavily critical of Colt and never drank the Kool Aid. However, anyone who thinks their quality has been spotty over the past 10-15yrs has clearly never bought one. Their 1911's have been excellent and the SAA is the best it's ever been. What they do in the AR market is irrelevant.
 
captain awesome said:
I am sorry and feel free to flame away but saying they need to come up with a new name is utter nonsense. If that were the case there would only be one generation of;
S&W model 10, 19 29... all of them? The list goes on...at one point they changed the direction the ejection rod screws in...having it unscrew on you at random inopportune times was no longer an issue...well that doesn't have the same unreliable charm as the ones of yesteryear...better not call it a model 27 any more....
Glock
Ruger 77
Honestly I dont feel like naming off the hundreds maybe thousands of fire arms that have been anything from tweaked slightly from generation to generation to almost completely redesigned...but it doesn't stop in the gun world, as you mentioned cars...
There'd be no legacy of Corvette's, Camaros, Chevy Silverado, F series truck, Dodge Rams, Mustangs, hell even Hyundai accents...no one should call these what they are??? Ridiculous.
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theres a huge difference between naming something by a number, and keeping that number as generational tweaks move it further from its origin. Its another thing altogether to take a well known, proper named model, discontinue it for decades, and when you see a market return, jump on it, dust off the old names, and rename a product that has nearly nothing to do with the original, in hopes you can trick the market into getting so excided it buys in before noticing they're not getting anything close to an original.
Most of those cars you name went through generational changes, and in enthusiast circles, the generation is commonly included when people talk about them. In shops, I don't even hear Corvettes mentioned by name, always C3.. C4... C5. Trucks too. Everyone I know does not call mine a V20, they all call it a "square body", and everyone knows what it is. I bring up the PT, and the Mustang because they were both the same kind of cheap fake retro that Colts trying to pass. As mentioned, I still think they're probably better than the originals, but they could at least name them differently, or market them as a G2.
For a more direct comparison, imagine Chrysler brought out a new front wheel drive, v6 powered captive Fiat, and marketed it as the "Viper". People would throw a fit.
 
I would personally be upset if they did rename the Python. It seems to be a great gun when functioning properly and it's a continuation of a well built legacy.

If you look at the internals, it's almost identical in layout and function. They added a S&W like cylinder stop. That's literally the only mechanical difference. The rest is just new machined versions of old forged parts. Honestly the new parts look to fit into place much more securely and seem much more reliable. Obviously there was that issue with the hand. It simply had a chink in the structural integrity and they solved that.

You can't compare the two versions and say that the old one looks better built in any way. Of course it looks more labor intensive...but definitely not better built.

There just aren't enough differences to warrant a name change. There are markings and slight, yet obvious cosmetic indicators to differentiate the generations. That's plenty in my opinion. They've done absolutely nothing deceitful here. All they did was reintroduce a classic firearm with modern updates.
 
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Also, they're going out of their way to get the actions on all their revolvers as unanimously close to perfect as they possibly can. Not just on their ultra special wheel guns like the SAA and Python, but even the more affordable everyday options like the Cobra and King Cobra. That leaves a very fine line between ultra reliable and ultra soft shooting. Too rugged of an action and it starts to feel more mechanical. Too smooth of an action and it starts to become less reliable with certain ammunition, and possibly hurts long term durability.

Obviously people bring up Korth and Manurhin. Yes those guns are revered for being both extremely soft shooting and extremely durable. They're also revered for being extremely over built, which makes them extremely expensive to produce, and extremely expensive for us to buy.

It’s easy to be upset with Colt over the release issues, and over the long RMA period. On the opposite side of the spectrum though, they're clearly trying to make it right. It's easy for me to show them some forgiveness when I shoot my Cobra next to something of similar retail value. I've put around 800 rounds through it without a single issue. It's at the range for many hours every week and it's ran absolutely flawless. All of this while getting what I feel is easily the best trigger pull out there for a revolver of its size.
 
One suspects that most of the hate on the new Colts comes from those who've decided, for whatever reason, that they will never buy one, and those who have not shot or purchased one. The much over-blown "issues" with the new Python have seemingly been resolved and there are thousands of quite satisfied owners out there. The vociferous voices of the haters -- in the internet world -- will always out-shout, and appear to out-number, the quiet and proud owners of these guns who see no need to buy into internet drama.

Those of us who've parted with our hard-earned coin for a new Snake are typically very, very happy with ours. The superb triggers of my Cobras and King Cobra alone make them eminently worthy revolvers, but the fit and finish, the accuracy, reliability and ergonomics are a most pleasant bonus.
 
Old Dog said:
The vociferous voices of the haters -- in the internet world -- will always out-shout, and appear to out-number, the quiet and proud owners of these guns who see no need to buy into internet drama.
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That applies to many, many things.
 
KarateHottie93 said:
Also, they're going out of their way to get the actions on all their revolvers as unanimously close to perfect as they possibly can. Not just on their ultra special wheel guns like the SAA and Python, but even the more affordable everyday options like the Cobra and King Cobra. That leaves a very fine line between ultra reliable and ultra soft shooting. Too rugged of an action and it starts to feel more mechanical. Too smooth of an action and it starts to become less reliable with certain ammunition, and possibly hurts long term durability.

Obviously people bring up Korth and Manurhin. Yes those guns are revered for being both extremely soft shooting and extremely durable. They're also revered for being extremely over built, which makes them extremely expensive to produce, and extremely expensive for us to buy.

It’s easy to be upset with Colt over the release issues, and over the long RMA period. On the opposite side of the spectrum though, they're clearly trying to make it right. It's easy for me to show them some forgiveness when I shoot my Cobra next to something of similar retail value. I've put around 800 rounds through it without a single issue. It's at the range for many hours every week and it's ran absolutely flawless. All of this while getting what I feel is easily the best trigger pull out there for a revolver of its size.
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AMEN brother
 
ms6852 said:
I'm a S&W fan and have my 686 no dash I bought over the Python way back before the internet and cell phones. For me the 686 has a smoother trigger. Not knocking colt but as a lefty it is easier for me to reload the cylinder on my 686 over the Python. Both gun are accurate but in my gun the actions is smoother than the Python. I traded my brother another 686 for this Python he had bought it but liked the action better on the S&W than on the Python. He regrets trading it now because of the money he could sell it for where as my 686 probably has not even doubled in price and it is a no dash model. Not that I would sell it. I'm like a penguin once I buy a gun I don't trade or sell any of my firearms except for the one I traded with my brother one time over 35 years ago.
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Missed this post earlier. That's an absolutely beautiful 686. I'm jealous because I recently tried to buy a no dash 686 in that same length, with the same grips, and of course no lock. It was off this dad from a family that took me in years ago when I was younger, homeless, and headed down a bad path. They're essentially my family now. My point being that we're very close.

I offered the man $1,000 on the spot. He didn't even know what he had in terms of value or collectability. To him it's simply a reliable gun that he bought decades ago and enjoys shooting. Just has absolutely no interest in selling it though. Can't say I blame him but I definitely want the next one I can find in similar condition.
 
One reason is that it's simply not the " same " one that they have become accustom too. It's more out of sentimental opinion than actually factual opinion; " it's not the python I got from grandpa " or " this Cobra was my first pistol ". The same applies to Smith too it seems.
 
I think that the reason many people are disliking the new colts is simply a qc issue. I've read numerous times and personally know 3 guys in my range that have had to send them back because the cylinders lock . If these are brand new firearms the qc department is not doing their job.
 
ms6852 said:
If these are brand new firearms the qc department is not doing their job.
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This may be the problem with Colts. I know this is the problem with Smith & Wesson. Right now I am really ticked off at them for a revolver I have sent them 3 times now, but that is not for this thread.

Perhaps we all need to ping these gun companies hard on QC issues when we find them and not just complain to each other. I know I am. And guess what I am going to tell S&W’s CEO office when I contact them tomorrow. “If you don’t make this right I am switching to Colt.” At least they appear to be trying to remedy their issues.
 
Why i avoid Colt Handguns.-

The company has filed for bankruptcy many times. Poor management.

To many new owners. Investors that just care about making a buck. (Cannae Holdings Inc.)

Colt stops making models and then reissued on a whim. You try to buy a gun and its no longer made.

Colt 1970's revolvers had very soft metal. Hammer and sear were surface hardened. Parts wore out quickly. Soft metal is easy to work. Less machine time. Its good most are safe queens.

My first Colt Trooper 357 mag failed. Cracked forcing cone. Had to be returned a 2nd time for repairs. Came back worse. Sold it. 400px-Colt357Trooper.jpg
Bought a new S&W M28-2 .

My Colt military spec M16A1 carbine worked well. My 2 - 1911 Gold Cup 45 acp, vintage 70 series were very accurate. GC's never seen a full pressure load.
The Series 80 trigger was junk & accuracy not good, even after a trip back to factory.

Python - Shot a 70's 357 a guy had me look at. Leaded so bad, could no keep all shots on target at 50 feet.
Groove diameter was .354" & caused the 38 special 148 gr wc target loads to lead & coat the bore.
Later, to make matters worse, he installs a Wolff spring kit. Caused misfires.

So, in my 75 years of existence, i would buy a used colt to resell, if the price was right.

1970 Prices. - 20200702_081553.jpg 20200702_081515.jpg
 
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Nothing is like it was 50yrs ago. The model 29 of 1956 bears little resemblance to the current model 29. Is the current gun an affront to the 29's legacy? Maybe. Will it keep anyone from buying one? I seriously doubt it. Doesn't matter what they call it, those that would buy one will. Those that won't, never would've in the first place. So it doesn't really matter what they call it.


Kleanbore said:
That applies to many, many things.
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Amen!
 
Some one, earlier in this thread, mentioned that Colt made a terrible error in discontinuing the original Python. The Python ran officially from 1955 to 1996 as a production gun. Following that it became a Colt custom shop item for several years till about 2010. Up till about 2005, as I recall, you could get a new Python in the $900-$1,000 dollar range, some variations higher. The older Python's were of course collectible and more valued.

The issue for Colt was that the Python was no longer selling. People did not want to buy a new Python at close to twice the price of a good Ruger or S&W wheelgun. No one was spending that much on a new revolver in those days. A semi, yes, but revolvers no.

This was during the rise of polymer framed guns, the 90's, and the popularity of CCW was rising. The Python had distinct disadvantages as a carry gun for defensive purposes compared to other revolvers.
 
People fussin' about a company's business problems as why they don't like its products. Geez. Who cares? There's probably nothing left to buy except toilet paper if we don't like products because companies go through so many owners, bankruptcies, incarnations and have problems figuring out which of their products to keep marketing ...

In the immortal words of the legendary Ricky Nelson: "You see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself"

Huntolive said:
I love my new model king cobra 3" and agree it has the best double action trigger in the game.
Beautiful little gun!
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Exactly what I feel, and my two Cobras are right up there as well ...
 
Howdy

I thought I would finally chime in on this one.

I don't dislike the new snake guns because quite frankly I have never been interested in a Python.

An old one or one of the new ones.

Just never appealed to me. Dunno why, just not interested.

So I have no opinion on the new snake guns.

By the way, in addition to the Python I have never been interested in 41 Magnum or 40 S&W. Dunno why, just not interested.
 
I haven’t really read much if anything about them on discussion boards such as this. The reviews I’ve read seem good. I like the new Cobra and will eventually get one to go with my original Cobra and Detective Special. The only revolvers that interest me are Colt snubbies.
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