Colt Python: why so valuable?

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The Python going out of time rhetoric is quoted over and over all the time by folks on the Internet that likely have had little actual trigger time with a Python. Can it happen? Yes. Does it happen? Yes. Does it happen often? Not in my experience. I likely have had my hands on as many Pythons as anyone on this forum and have probably fired as many rounds through them as anyone on this forum. I have never had a timing issue. I shoot my guns as often as I want and don't lose sleep over the potential timing issue. Colt still services them.
 
My Python was out of time from the factory.

And Colt is limited about how MUCH they can service the guns now.
Parts stocks of things like hammers, hands, barrels, etc are gone & they have not ordered any new ones for quite a while.
Indications are they won't.
Denis
 
The only revolvers I've owned that happened to "go out of time" were two N-frame .357 magnums. A 27-2 and a 28...big heavy cylinders with six small diameter holes.
 
Thank you ColtPythonElite. My experiance is the same. I've logged a lot of trigger time with Pythons and have never had a timing problem. I think this probably started with fans of other brands and has been repeated ad nauseum, like an urban legend
 
No, it's no urban legend.

You take a Python, a Smith 686, and a Ruger GP, fire the same 158-grain JHP full-bore Magnum loads through all three in equal volume till one goes markedly out of time, and my money says it'll be the Colt that goes first.

It IS the nature of the design.

People tend to mis-read what Cunningham wrote.
Shooting mostly .38 Specials also affects hand life markedly.

The gun is a strong one, sure; but it is the least durable of the three magnum designs, in terms of timing.

Replace that hand fairly regularly, it can go on for quite a while.
Trouble is, Colt is out of those hands & you have to either stretch your existing one (a one-time deal), or buy an aftermarket from Jack First, which will need extensive fitting.

Back when there was a ready supply of hands, and a number of smiths who could work on the old V-Springs, not a problem.
Today, a problem.
Denis
 
Python out of Time

My Python went out of time so bad it locked up. I discovered through a gunsmith friend of mine however that "cocking" the weapon with the cylinder out can cause that. I was guilty as charged. I did that several times by holding the release lever back and intentionally cocking the device in misguided attempts to "gently" clean under the lifting mechanism and to view the movement. Once it was fixed I ceased engaging in that type behavior.
 
Back when there was a ready supply of hands, and a number of smiths who could work on the old V-Springs, not a problem.
Today, a problem.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. There are far, far fewer smiths today who can work on Colt's in general or the Python in particular than 3 or 2 decades ago. Getting spare parts can also be problematic and time consuming...though not impossible. The Python owner who shoots their gun will do well to have some parts on hand.

But that isn't a weakness of the design but the result of Colt ceasing to make da revolvers.

Colt ceased making the gun in the production part of the plant and moved production into the custom shop in what 1996-97? This was due to lagging sales of all their wheelguns. Officially production ceased in 2004 or so but a few more came out now and again. 2015 saw the last engraved one, that was an anniversary model. So 20 years ago the gun left the production lines as a regular factory item. It was an expensive gun, for it's price a person could get 2 S&Ws, maybe 3 Rugers. It was and is also large and heavy.

tipoc
 
The Python is a great revolver. I own quite a few.

However, as far as comparing it to a Korth, its simply not on that level. The Korth is much more refined and much, MUCH stronger. Better materials, etc...

Not much of a comparison at all, really. Two totally different guns.
 
I have never owned a Korth, or a Python. I am an autoloader fan. But....

I have examined many Korth revolvers at shot shows. I never found one that didn't have visible machining marks in several areas. You won't see those on a python.

The Korth may indeed be the stronger and more durable of the two, but for the money you pay.....those machining marks shouldn't bee there.

Besides, Pythons are beautiful, Korth's are...... never mind:barf:
 
Not sure what you're looking at. I own multiple Korths, revolvers and autos, and never saw "machining" marks on any of them. They are a work of art in every way and some of the finest handguns in the world.

As far as build quality, refinement, and strength, there's no comparison between and Korth Combat and a Python. It's not even remotely close. Unfortunately, many people who think they know what they're talking about are a bit uneducated when it comes to this sort of thing.

The Manurhin MR73 is actually my favorite revolver. I prefer it over any others.
 
While I appreciate the precision work that goes into a Korth, the design is very German, i.e., a wee bit cold. Not what I'd call "ugly" but I'd prefer a sixgun in that price range to be much better looking.
 
If given a choice between a Python and a Colt Shooting Master both in like new condition, I would choose the Shooting Master - Without a doubt.
 
If given a choice between a Python and a Colt Shooting Master both in like new condition, I would choose the Shooting Master - Without a doubt.
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Me too!!! Especially if it's a .44Spl. ;)
 
Me too!!! Especially if it's a .44Spl.
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Ya' but you are going to have a hard time finding one. That cartridge was introduced by another company that the Colt Co. didn't particularly like, so they pushed another round called the .45 Colt. :neener:
 
While I appreciate the precision work that goes into a Korth, the design is very German, i.e., a wee bit cold. Not what I'd call "ugly" but I'd prefer a sixgun in that price range to be much better looking.
Click to expand...

I hear you. I agree that a Korth lacks the "personality" of a Python. That's because the it is very stark and cold. Its a marvel of precision, strength, and engineering. I actually like the German looks of it, since that's the only place they were ever built.

They are very expensive, but at least when you spend the money, you're getting the finest revolver in the world. With the Python, you're paying mostly for the name. Yes, the older models from the 50's and 60's are very smooth and shoot pretty well. However, once you get into the 1980's, the Python is nothing overly special. Into the 1990's, the Python wasn't a whole lot better than the junk revolvers Colt was building at the time, such as the King Cobra and Anaconda.

Having said all that, in my opinion, the finest American double action 357mag was the S&W Registered Magnums from the 1930's. I'd put the Python as one of the best American 357mags, but give me an older model.

That said, nothing built here by the major gun companies during any era compares well to a Korth Combat. I'm not even that huge a Korth fan or that big a revolver guy in general, but I do call it like I see it.
 
beautiful gun bc. I have always loved your collection and u are the reason I got a sig 210

maybe someday a korth
 
Korth's have a kind of "industrialized" look to them... more squared profile to some parts and sharper edges. Based just on profile (not fit or finish) I think even S&W guns look better than Korth's.
 
Korth's have a kind of "industrialized" look to them... more squared profile to some parts and sharper edges. Based just on profile (not fit or finish) I think even S&W guns look better than Korth's.
Click to expand...

Yes, plenty of sharp angles. Its all sleek, business-like perfection. Its not for everyone. I like their exclusivity as well. Korth Combats are the finest revolvers in the world and one of the strongest, being made from the best materials. I really don't think Willi Korth was too concerned with what Colt was trying to build across the pond when he was developing it back in the day. They have no peers.

Having said that, I wonder how many people who comment on them have ever even see one and handled in person?
 
bc1023 said:
I wonder how many people who comment on them have ever even see one and handled in person?
Click to expand...

5 pages and we've switched from discussing Pythons to Korths, so I'm gonna assume we're done here.
 
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