Colt python blue and colt nickel

[M2three]

I am lost at trying to open a new thread.

My father passed away on dec 23. He was a police officer and owned a gun that he used on the job. It was built between 1978 and 1980 because the serial number starts with V.
It is a four inch barrel.


The gun has a wood grips and is in good shape but not excellent. I have 4 other brothers and sisters so we are buying the more expensive items and then splitting the money.
This gun I wish to purchase.
I have seen different prices and I would like an opinion on what the gun is worth.

My father also has a nickel python 357 in excellent shape serial L but I have not looked this gun for the year. My brother would like to buy this one.This one is also a 4 in.


FYI I am learning about guns by research and being a woman I feel I should take a class to learn how to properly shot and clean the gun.

Any feedback is appreciated

 

[Al Thompson]

M2three, welcome to The High Road.

Sorry for your loss.

I thought your post may do better as a thread in Revolvers.

For the revolver you are planning to purchase, we need to know the brand and model number, if applicable.

Cheers!

 

[Black Knight]

PM sent.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I am sorry for your loss.

I have a V serial number Python in 6" barrel. I bought it originally for around $300 put a $200 odd dollar trigger job on it from a named smith and it is a work of art now. Looking at similar 6" Pythons, even in used but good shape, you should be thinking $2000 for the gun.

The Nickeled one is probably more since it is in excellent shape, figure in the $3000 range down here in Texas.

Having owned both nickeled and blued Python's and other Colts I prefer the blued steel and I think your choice of the 4" is a wise one. I started out learning to shoot a 38 Diamondback revolver now over 3 decades ago and I still shoot and love that gun. A 4" 357 Python would make a lifelong shooter. My advice would be to get an instructor who works with Women or a Women instructor. Start with very mild 38 special cowboy loads in that 4" Python and learn to clean it well. It will serve you the rest of your life with some care and protection. There is a moderator here by the name of PAX and she has a web site called CorneredCat or something very similar and offers a lot of advice on it. Please chase it up.

I hope you can work it out with the family. Fortunately for me, all of the firearms were settled already in my family so we won't have the same issues to work over.

Good luck and I really feel for your loss.

 

[Reloadron]

Here is what I suggest. Take a look at some of the auction sites and see what the guns in similar condition are selling for. Since this is an issue within family the only thing that is important is that you all agree within the family. That being just my opinion as to how to work it out among siblings. Currently you each own 1/5th of whatever there is.

I went through this a few years ago with my mothers estate, there are 4 of us total. Long as we all agreed things went along just fine.

Sorry for your loss but as you know your father will live on in your heart forever.

Ron

 

[Steve C]

put a $200 odd dollar trigger job on it from a named smith

Really??? You must have got the worst Python that ever came out of Colts custom shop to need a trigger job on a Python.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

A 4" blue Python with factory grips that was used as a duty weapon and shows it is from wear about a $1000 gun to me.

A 4" nickel in excellent condition with original grips is about a $2000 gun.

My prices are based on my rock turning over picking of them and not Gunbroker or internet shopping. Gunbroker prices are gonna be higher. Register on Gunbroker and look at closed auctions to see what they have sold for if you want to jack up the value for the family split.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

My (first) python was the worst. I looked it up and I paid $349.41 (with tax and a case) in 2002 for it because the dealer wanted to move it. It was used and it stunk in terms of the trigger. Gritty, rough, slow. Ick. He warned me no returns on this one as I was buying it buyer aware and they pointed out the issue. They even recommended the smith to do the work. They just did not want to mess with it and I was a reliable customer who understood the risk. I figured at worst case I would do it myself and little lost if I had issues.

4 months later I spent $120 (less than the $200 from memory) for the trigger job by TJ here in greater Houston and it is a work of art. Perfect trigger and perfect timing and action. It would have made any of the smiths from Colt proud if they had chosen to produce it. Due to his backlog it took 2 months to do the trigger job.

As of today that gun has fired 5048 rounds. Nice and fun to shoot!

 

[Jim Watson]

Geez, Pete, you could have MY Pythons at those prices.

Yes, Steve, a trigger job on a Python. Both mine have been worked over, the 6" at Colt while Don Tedford was in charge, the 4" by Reeves Jungkind in semi-retirement. But they didn't come out of the Colt Custom Shop, they were made back when the Python was a regular production model and you went in a store and bought one, not the search for the brazen idol of the internet that they have become.

A class would be good, M2three. You might have to check around to find one with the right emphasis. Most are directed towards CCW permit requirments or otherwise to the very general very basics. Getting somebody to teach you the specifics of Colt upkeep and DA revolver shooting is more specialized.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I always judge prices by Collector's here in Houston. It is the only place I know where I can go in and buy a Python today no questions asked and have choices.

http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/colt-post-war-da-revolvers/

I have to say I have my eye on that 38 special Python Target for $3,250. That looks like a nice gun and I hate the nickeled ones for target work.

Look at the page, The low is $2595 for a 6" v series in excellent condition to a high with a 6" 1963 at $3850. I will ignore the matched set and 2.5" as those are anomalies.

While I did not get my Python from Collector's they are a good base for the price of a quality piece. Expensive yes, but where else can you get a pre-war broomhandle, a Registered Magnum, a nice pre-war 38 Super or even a Super National Match and a Python on the same day?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Yep, overpriced...