Colt Python 2020 vs Original

Hello fellow forum members on this thread. I found this thread via the search function, for I wanted information about the fragility of the actions, old vs. new, after seeing a You Tube where Ken Hackathorn alleged that the old Pythons were fragile.

The many posts in this thread seem to indicate that old Pythons (and Official Police revolvers) were more subject to problems that Smiths from extended shooting. Your various comments raise some questions to which I request your replies:

1. How do we define fragility? Is it shooting out of time in so many rounds? How many? Is it parts breakage? Other mechanical failures that could stop the shooting?

2. Was the "fragility" of old Pythons and O.P. revolvers due to shooting too many heavy rounds? I was an LEO in the 1970s, and most officers I knew carried S&W Model 19s, which were well known to lose their timing from shooting many magnum rounds, but very durable with 38s.

3. Were the Trooper MK III revolvers more resistant to mechanical issues, given their different design?

4. If I bought a Python or O.P. in really good mechanical condition and only shot .38 standard loads, say 95% of the time and less than 1000 rounds per year, how long would they last without needing a tune up?

Sorry for the large post and questions. But, I have an affectionate spot in my heart for Colt revolvers after having carried one for 8 years on duty, and I want to satisfy a longing for one with a purchase of an reasonably durable COLT revolver for 38 Special plinking and fun shooting.

Thanks.

PzGren said:

The old Python and Colt OMM actions are very much alike and I have worked on both, resolving issues that came from decades of shooting the guns. While Pythons are harder to work on than S&W revolvers, mostly because parts are hard to find, the actions are easier to understand and repair than a Korth or MR73.

I had bought my first Python pre-owned for $400 in 1985 and shot it for approximately 15,000 rounds without an issue before I gifted it to one of my sons. By the way, that round count did not show and the gun is still looking great.

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The Korth and Manhurin are sweet..

Thewelshm

ELKTROUT,

with the current prices of ammo and reloading components the cost of ammo is more of a limiting factor than any possible repair cost but the Python should hold up for a life time of shooting with .38 Special if cared for properly. Our club owned .22 l.r. Colt OMM had a slight timing issue after around 60,000 rounds and that was easily addressed.

If you shoot only 20,000 rounds of .38 Special through a revolver and pay only $15 per box of 50, your ammo bill will far exceed the price of a pristine early Colt Python at $6,000.

I had always wanted a Python and was finally able to get one in 2017, NIB unturned and unfired nickel 6" with original factory box for $2,000. Every time I wanted to shoot it, I estimated that the first shot would cost me $500+. I finally sold it, unturned and unfired for $3,100 but miss it greatly. I'll almost certainly buy or trade for a 2020 or new gun and shoot it as soon as I get it.

Harry

Old model for me; if for nothing else, for the incomparably great Colt "Royal Blue" finish.

CapnMac said:

Well the old ones were Rolex; the new ones more Seiko

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A good analogy for sure but with the caveat that my way, way, way cheaper (than a Rolex) Seiko purchased new in 1983 is "still ticking". The watch came with an enticing lifetime battery replacement guarantee and, for those who remember the old Midas Muffler lifetime replacement warranty tv ad where the older gentleman is leaving the shop after having his muffler replaced again on his Model A Ford, with his departing words "See you later boys", my jeweler has about the same facial expression as the Midas manager had in the ad when I return for yet another "free" battery.

But then there's this: how much more resale value does the prestigious Rolex "timepiece" have after almost forty years and counting when compared to the more pedestrian Seiko watch?