Pythons In A Role Besides Safe Queen

It’s not mine, but a friend of mine has one that gets used a lot. He carries it hunting, camping, fishing... but that’s what it was bought for. He inherited it and kept using it the way his grandpa used it because that what grandpa bought it for. It’s been to the gunsmith a couple times, but it still serves its original role frequently.

I take mine out from time to time. It goes woids bumming and plinking with me. They are fantastic shooters, seriously.
I aaaaaalmost took it as a primary piece for deer season this past weekend, but i already had my slug gun in the jeep and ready to go.
I also carry it for my security role in our church on occasion.

I used my Pythons regularly and shot at least one of them MANY times.

I also knew several cops who carried them as duty guns.

My 6" was my PPC, some IPSC gun.
My 4" was bought for IDPA.

I never owned a Python, but I do have it's little brother... a .22 Diamondback. I've owned it since I was a kid, bought it around '83-85. Originally a 6", but I had a 4" installed on it and the whole thing hard chromed. I swap barrels from time to time. It probably has been shot and carried the most out of my non-duty weapons.

My first GP100 got to visit the Firearms Examiner for a few weeks, in 1993, after a line-of-duty defensive shooting. During the time my GP100 was at the Firearms Examiner, I toted a spare revolver, on duty, which fit the same Safariland 070 duty holster, a Colt Stainless Python. If I recall correctly, I carried that Python concealed, during personal time, too. Believe it, or not, I did not regard that Python as being all that special, as I shot the GP100 better. Somewhere along the way, before it became collectible, I traded that Python, and today, have several GP100 revolvers, in addition to that first one.

Yes, in hindsight, I do wish I had kept the Python, as a fun gun.

When I first became a peace officer in the mid - 90's I carried one for right at 4 years. Wen't thru the police academy and out shot all of the young wipper snappers with their wonder 9's. Oh and did I mention I was in my 50's

I carried my 2.5"; that one and the 4" were my Dad's duty guns before that. He sold them to me when his PD went to the Glock.

I shoot mine quite a bit.

My new model Python was not purchased to be a "safe queen", but I have a number of 357 magnum revolvers from J-frame size through Python and N-frame size.

None of them are left in the safe to "save their condition" but on the other hand, it depends on what I have a hankering to shoot on which day.

My Python was missing the sight lock screw when purchased, which Colt immediately replaced. I'll be shooting the Python more now that it is complete.

Rexster said:

During the time my GP100 was at the Firearms Examiner, I toted a spare revolver, on duty, which fit the same Safariland 070 duty holster, a Colt Stainless Python. If I recall correctly, I carried that Python concealed, during personal time, too. Believe it, or not, I did not regard that Python as being all that special, as I shot the GP100 better. Somewhere along the way, before it became collectible, I traded that Python, and today, have several GP100 revolvers, in addition to that first one.

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I can believe it. Pythons were pretty crudely made by the time the stainless version was introduced.

I bought my Python pre-owned but barely fired in 1985 when I worked in Chicago and have shot it a lot when I first got it. A friend also borrowed ether the Python or my S&W 14-2 frequently to shoot in matches, since he owned only shorter barreled revolvers. I can only guesstimate round count to be in between 15 to 20k. I finally gave it to my son as a graduation present since I have other revolvers that I prefer to shoot. The Python still looks like it had spent its life in the back of the safe.

Nobody mentioned Zombies!!
They're made specifically for Zombie termination.

Lets use the right people!!!

AFS

AustinTX said:

I can believe it. Pythons were pretty crudely made by the time the stainless version was introduced.

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I remember telling people that my Stainless Python was a “Monday gun,” not Colt’s best effort. Even so, I wish that I had kept it, had someone like Herrett’s make a set of custom stocks, and had someone like Reeves Jungkind smooth its internals. Today, I appreciate visually-appealing guns that don’t perform actual jobs; back then, a handgun had to earn its keep.

I had an older vintage Python that I put about 6,000 rounds through before trading it off. I had been shooting some heavy bulleted loads in my Blackhawk and had a pet load built around a 173 gr. cast SWC. One day I decided to take the Python out. Getting out of the truck and getting belted up, I started to load my Python. Now it has always been my practice to load an empty chamber under the hammer, regardless of the make or model of the gun.

After loading, it looked funny, and I noticed my bullets protruding from the face of the cylinder. Attempting to cock the hammer, the gun locked up. My son-in-law had a spare S&W Model 19 that I had to borrow that day. Soon traded it for a S&W Model 586, and never missed the Python since.

Bob Wright

Incidentally, and for whatever its worth, the same holds true for the vaunted Model 27 Smith & Wesson. Short cylinder. Only the K- and L- Framed Smiths, and my Ruger, could digest my handloads.

The first post on this is 100% why I will never have one, new or old. I won't buy a gun that I won't beat on, and I could never get myself to beat on a Python.

I have one made in 76, i cant seem to sell it. I want something i can use and not sit in the safe.

Robbins290 said:

I have one made in 76, i cant seem to sell it. I want something i can use and not sit in the safe.

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That is exactly the same thing hat would happen to me. Won't sell it, won't shoot it...Mexican standoff.

My good friend inherited a beautiful S&W 3" registered magnum, the thing is in near flawless condition. He'll obviously never sell it...and he's too afraid to shoot it. It will live it's life in his safe.

I have been trying to sell it tho, i should have worded it better,. I "can't" sell it because no one is interested around here.

Had mine out on Tuesday. Need to find some non- cheese-grater grips though.

Mr. Mosin said:

New Python, or old Python ?

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It was made around 1980.

Two small spots where the nickel is wearing off on the crane, 2 cylinders before top dead center. Otherwise, it is in fabulous shape.

Sold mine because it was a safe queen. I didn't want to shoot it a lot and break / wear something. Glad I sold it. Glad someone else gets to enjoy it....even if it only sits in their safe.