Colt Python Elite

[montgomery381]

When I was 16 my dad bought me a Colt Python instead of a car. This was definitely to my liking. I am not a gear head. It is a six inch barrelled stainless gun. It is stamped Python Elite. Just beneath that is 357 magnum with stars at both ends. My father has 70's python and it is simply stamped python or Colt Python. I was just curious if there was anything different about mine other than it being newer, made in the mid 90's? Any info is appreciated.

 

[Guillermo]

after Colt quit making Pythons they decided to have the Custom Department build a few more...they called them the Python Elite.

More rare for sure.

 

[Standing Wolf]

There are fewer Python Elites, but they're in no way superior to ordinary Pythons, and some I've seen are visibly finished to lower standards. They were the last of the Pythons.

 

[357 Terms]

Standing Wolf

There are fewer Python Elites, but they're in no way superior to ordinary Pythons

This is the same opinion a few of my friends have, I haven't had a lot of experience with the "Elite" Pythons so I can't say.
I still would love to have an example

 

[aryfrosty]

Pythons

My blued 4" Python has the stars and .357 mag on the barrel. In my lowly opinion you'd have to go a long way to beat a nice Python. Don't care what values others put on them....the money can't be imagined that it would take to buy mine.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

If the Elite was made at the same time they were cranking out regular Pythons, you would expect it to be "special" at least in fit and finish. However, I often wonder if the Custom Shop workers didn't get lazy since the guns were basically end run products and not put the care into a few...Who knows?...One thing that I do know is right now the "market" feels like Elites are special. They certainly command a big price.

I do know that the one I have is slick in both fit and finish. While it is unfired, everybody has taken a turn dry firing it over the past 15 years. It sure is smooth.

 

[montgomery381]

Mine is a bit more utilitarian than that one. Mine has hogue grips on it and not the those nice wood grips. Just out of couriosity, I just checked gunbroker.com for a Python Elite and there is a used one, buy it now for $3200. Do you all think this is an appropriate price? Whatever the answer I am in agreement with aryfrosty. My Colt will, hopefully, be a family heirlum.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

If you want a set of stock grips, they are still available from Colt for less than 100 bucks. If I had a PE missing the stock grips, I would certainly buy them now while they are available. I would be afraid if I didn't they would become unavailable and the price would shoot to the moon...Much like it has for wood stock grips for the run of the mill Python.

Personally, I think 3200 bucks is way out of line for a used PE....If a guy ever shows up at my house with 3200 bucks in hand, he can walk away with a brand new one...LOL.

 

[oldfool]

any mint condition Python is pretty doggone elite, for all the right sort of reasons
but marketing people just gotta' do their thing to show that they must (?) be worth the money they get paid

 

[montgomery381]

You know, if a guy showed up at my door with $3200 dollars I may have to give it a bit of think. I mean my little boy wouldn't care, he just wants something with a scope on it.

 

[Guillermo]

I would sell it for a hell of a lot less than 3200.

At that price you could buy a pristine Python and two shooter grade (a 4 inch and a 6 inch)