colt python problems *accuracy*

[trickyasafox]

so lately my father and i have been trying to shoot his colt python a bit more. its circa 1979-81, im not sure specifically and its a 2 in blued model. we however, can not get the thing to put six rounds on a paper plate at 20 yards. we're both competent shooters, and this cant be performed by us or anyone we really have had try, from a bench, with bags.

were there colt lemon years? is it something small we may be able to fix? were the barrels cut differently then? forcing cone problem? the headspace checked out fine, and we tried a few different loads, but still cant get the damned thing to work.

any suggestions?

 

[dfariswheel]

Even a 2 1/2" Python should shoot great groups.

My suggests are to try different ammo, and try to find an experienced "snubby" shooter to test fire it.

Not to be questioning your shooting skills, but I've had a fair number of cases where otherwise great shots, just couldn't get snubby revolvers to shoot, but when fired by a regular snubby shooter, they turned in excellent groups.

If you suspect something is actually wrong with it, send it in to the Colt factory, or Pittsburgh Handgun Headquarters for a checkup.

A Python, even a snubby version should shoot, and the year made will have no effect on that. Lemons were made occassionally from the get-go, and treasures were made during the worst of times.

Guns are not bottles of wine. There are NO "vintages" of "good" years, or "bad" years.

 

[9mmepiphany]

to ""check" the python for accuracy might i suggest the following, if you haven't already done so...

1. put on a set full size grips...so you can get the best hold possible.
2. load up and shoot a few boxes of factory mid-range target wadcutters...feed it the best to see what it will really do.
3. you might even have to resort to shooting SA
4. you might even have to move in from 25 yards until you establish a POI/POA

every python i've owned or shot, including a few snubbies, has been very accurate.

 

[trickyasafox]

sorry i should have stated. all groups were single action, from bags. ill look around for a different shooter, we tried me and my pops but it very well could be us. i have a sneaking inkling that the bore is realllllly tight. i might try to convince the pop to let me box her up and send her off.

 

[Standing Wolf]

...put on a set full size grips...so you can get the best hold possible.

Colt stocks are impossible to hang onto. Just about any stocks are an improvement.

i might try to convince the pop to let me box her up and send her off.

For what? Where? Colt did, indeed, have years when unusually high percentages of firearms were of second-best quality, but it's unlikely much could be wrong with the bore, since those were never hand-finished. If the gun is dirty or the bore is rusty, all bets are off, of course; otherwise, it should be a fine shooter.

Find some light .38 special loads, ideally .38 special wadcutters. Rest your wrists on the sand bags rather than the gun. Shoot single action only. Shoot s l o o o o o o w l y and gently. Start at about ten feet and work your way back a few feet at a time. Now, try the same thing with full house .357 magnum ammunition. The factory stocks will smack your hand, but you'll notice a peculiar phenomenon: the Python is equally accurate with heavy and light loads.

If you want truly superb accuracy, you'll have to work up hand loads for that individual gun.

 

[jdomin]

i'll swap you my 6 inch python

for your 2.5 inch,no kidding