I went to a local gunstore a few weeks ago to check out their revolvers. Among the used models, I found a 1972 Colt Python with 6" barrel in excellent condition. The gun looks like it has barely been fired. There was a Ruger GP-100 in a similarly good condition, but after I checked out the Python, I was sold on it. It has one of the smoothest actions I've ever felt, and I could swear it has half the trigger pull weight of the Ruger.
The store owner was so nice as to lend me the gun for a month so I can try it out and decide whether I buy it. I took it to the range and found out that it shoots as well as it looks. He wants 490 Euros ($635) for the gun and sells it with a one year warranty. I'll definitely take it. Here's a pic:
Here comes my question:
I am a reservist in the German military, and we have a shooting discipline specifically for duty revolvers that I would like to participate in with this gun.
The only problem: I have to prove that the Colt Python, preferably the exact version I'll be using, was officially adopted by any army, police department or government agency on Earth at any point of time.
I'm pretty sure that the Python was issued to a few American police units. According to Wikipedia's article on the Colt Python, "[t]he Colorado State Patrol issued 4-inch blue Pythons until their switch to the S&W .40 caliber autoloader.[12] Georgia State Patrol and Florida Highway Patrol issued Pythons to their officers.[12]"
The source listed by Wikipedia is:
Ayoob, Massad (2003). "The Colt Python", The Accurate Rifle Magazine, November 2003.
Is there anyone who has access to this article and can check whether the GSP and FHP issued 6" Pythons to their officers, or does anyone know of some other police force or government agency that did so?
I suppose it needs to be the version with the 6 inch barrel, but I don't know if it has to be the same finish as my gun (Royal Blue).
I've read in other forums about Texan police departments and even Kuwaiti police supposedly using the Python. I'm sure some of you guys know more, and I would really appreciate if you could help me out.
If I knew for certain that a certain unit issued 6" Pythons, I would try to contact them and get some sort of confirmation via e-mail. A scanned-in page from an article or book might qualify as "proof", as well.
The store owner was so nice as to lend me the gun for a month so I can try it out and decide whether I buy it. I took it to the range and found out that it shoots as well as it looks. He wants 490 Euros ($635) for the gun and sells it with a one year warranty. I'll definitely take it. Here's a pic:
Here comes my question:
I am a reservist in the German military, and we have a shooting discipline specifically for duty revolvers that I would like to participate in with this gun.
The only problem: I have to prove that the Colt Python, preferably the exact version I'll be using, was officially adopted by any army, police department or government agency on Earth at any point of time.
I'm pretty sure that the Python was issued to a few American police units. According to Wikipedia's article on the Colt Python, "[t]he Colorado State Patrol issued 4-inch blue Pythons until their switch to the S&W .40 caliber autoloader.[12] Georgia State Patrol and Florida Highway Patrol issued Pythons to their officers.[12]"
The source listed by Wikipedia is:
Ayoob, Massad (2003). "The Colt Python", The Accurate Rifle Magazine, November 2003.
Is there anyone who has access to this article and can check whether the GSP and FHP issued 6" Pythons to their officers, or does anyone know of some other police force or government agency that did so?
I suppose it needs to be the version with the 6 inch barrel, but I don't know if it has to be the same finish as my gun (Royal Blue).
I've read in other forums about Texan police departments and even Kuwaiti police supposedly using the Python. I'm sure some of you guys know more, and I would really appreciate if you could help me out.
If I knew for certain that a certain unit issued 6" Pythons, I would try to contact them and get some sort of confirmation via e-mail. A scanned-in page from an article or book might qualify as "proof", as well.
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