Colt Python

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Ghostrider_23

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Is the Colt Python all that it's cracked up to be???

I have always wanted one but the price of them are very very high.

I have a Ruger GP 100 SS 4" 357, btu I have been thinking about selling it and buying a Python.

How are the Pythons as far as accuracy goes??
Do they break often????

I guess my main question is would you save up the money to get a Python or just keep the GP 100???
 
I wish I knew someone who has one. I would love to try one, but don't want to spend 1K just to try one out. I guess it would hold its value, but that's a lot of cash. :(

I have a GP-100 as well. It is a great shooting gun. I doubt the Python shoots twice as good, but you never know. Plus, well heck, it's a Python.

I am interested in the answers myself.
 
Pythons have a reputation for very good accuracy.

I've never been particularly impressed with their trigger pulls.

Note that very few revolver competitors use Pythons . . . no matter how much $$$ they sink into their PPC or other competition guns, their choice for the base gun is almost invariably an S&W.

The GP100 is a sturdy gun, nothing wrong with it, but if I had a GP100 and wanted to upgrade, I'd look for an S&W 686 . . . specifically, a gently-used one in good shape without the lock, MIM internals, or frame-mounted firing pin that S&W is currently manufacturing. A trip to a good revolversmith or some polishing of the internals myself would follow. (Jerry Miculek's DVD called Trigger Job is a great "how to" guide.)
 
I bought one of the 'new Pythons' in 2001.

The stainless was very well done, far above average for a US made revolver. The trigger was sublime, just as crisp and light as you would want. Accuracy was better than I could test even with a red dot mounted with a B-Square mount.

Pythons use a tapered bore, gradually squeezing the bullet tighter as it passes down the bore. Twist is 1 in 14 inches which favors the heaviest bullets and the .38 spl. target HBWC loads.

The rap on Pythons is that the accuracy and timing degrade over time because the hand pushes on the cylinder star during firing. That is great for accuracy, but over time the hand gets peened a little and stops pushing on the star. Accuracy and timing fall off, and the gun needs a 'smith who knows how to tune Pythons, and there are few of them around anymore.
 
They Python is a very good firearm and great to shoot. IMO it is superior to the GP100. If you just want a Python to have one, I doubt you will be disappointed. If you are just looking for a great shooting revolver then I agree with Hank, check out the 686.
 
Python

:D
Colt PYTHON .357
This one has never been fired, but I did fired many rounds from one just like it found it to be very accurate and solid.



Note : the one I fired had Hogue grips. Also, I really don't care for the way revolvers fit my hand.
Full size Glock pistols fit my hands much better, but shooting the PYTHON with Hogue grips was a pleasure.​
 
I have also heard about how fragile the Pythons are, and I completely disagree. I bought my 1st Python in 1976 - had to get my father to buy it as I was not old enough. That pistol has more than 20,000 rounds through it over the last 30 years. Probably 1/4 of that was 357 rounds and the rest were 38 special loads. The pistol is still as accurate and as tight when I bought it. I've never had a problem with it.
 
I bought a 6" satin stainless in the early 80's for about $600. Sold it a few years ago. This is the only handgun I regret selling. It shot & looked as good as it could get. I fired 14 gr of 2400 powder reloads. I'd buy another one if I had the $$$. Have you seen the prices of GOOD condition Pythons. OUCH.
Hey...buy it if you can. The only problem you will have is putting it away and not using it.
 
Does it have to be "One or the other"?
I'd keep the GP and save a little longer for the Python.

I have one of each and would hate to get rid of either.
 
i got a gp100 6" stainless and im picking up my first python on thursday. my gp's not going anywhere. the python has a 6" barrel as well so when ppl ask me why im keeping both (being that i would now have 2 da .357's with 6" barrels), i simply tell them "it depends on whether im having a nickel plated day or a stainless steel kind of day."
 
"You mean it wasn't even test fired by Colt?"

Geez. That's an old joke.

I love my Python, but I didn't sell my Ruger Police Service-Six .357.
 
Didn't realize it was a joke. Rumour is that some get through, probably an urban legend. Once heard that in the
OLD days, factory test firing was random
MM
 
The Python is a great gun. I own two of them. But for the money a S&W Model 27 is just as good, IMO.

For Python-mania your best bet is to find a revolver called the "Colt .357" They were made in the 1950's and were outstanding guns, "Python-like" in every way except the vent rib and exterior polish.

You can still find Colt .357 revolvers for $500. Early ones were equal to any Python ever made. Another good gun is the 1950's-60's Trooper (not the MKIII). It's not as polished as the Colt .357 but still a good revolver.
 
Pythons

I have a couple one bought new in 1976 and one bought new in 1963, the eariler one has a smoother double action trigger pull, the single action pull from either is crisp. The double action trigger of Smith & Wesson's I find smoother because of the springs. I like Colts and S&W's and own several of both when I started out in law enforcement in 1974 they were the only two respected games in town.
 
I have a Colt 357. 4" with target grips and hammer. It has a very smooth action and seems to shoot well. I didn't know anything about it until I found THR. I actually have cleaned it up and used it since I learned more about it here. I think I'll use it for my concealed weapons permit class training. mtmuley
 
Do a Google search.
You will find it is the best production revolver ever made. And the most liked.
Period.
 
Is the Colt Python all that it's cracked up to be???
Click to expand...

Due to the unrealistic hosanas sung in its name it's not too difficult to set yourself up for disappointment.

They're OK, perhaps a bit better than OK but angels don't sing when the trigger is pulled. They won't cause you to want to toss your 686s into the recycler. Keep the expectations realistic and all should be well.

Don't buy a "fixer-upper". It's hard to find someone to work on them.
 
They are like any other revolver, some like them some don't. I have two and love them. They are more accurate than I'll ever be. While I love them and intend on keeping them if I had to carry a revolver on the job I would probably carry my S&W 686. Nothing wrong with the Python its just that they are so expensive to repair or replace. As far as breaking I have had only two repairs since 1979 on only one of them. I buldged the barrel and replaced it then the hand wore down causing a timing problem. That was replaced and no problems since. Some of the 70's era parts were not as well hardened as they should have been. That was corrected in the early 80's. BTW I do carry my 4" Python concealed quite often now a days even though I have several others I could use. The Python was my first handgun so they hold a special place in my heart.
 
So I go to the gun shop and as a first timer in this gun shop I ask for all the typical guns that I am in automatic buy mode for with full approval from the wife.

Me: "Do you have any Colt Pythons"

Him: "Yes, but they are not for sale"

Me: "Umm what are they for if not sale? This is a gun shop right?"

Him: "The owner dosen't sell them they are just for looking at"

Me: "Looking at? Does anyone ever shoot them?"

Him: "Not anymore, they are too valuable to shoot"

Me: "uh, I shoot mine all the time"

Him: ....

Me: "Okay, weelll do you know where he got them from?"

Him: "I can ask"

Owner: *Brings out a large tray of various Pythons in different barrel lengths and finshes* "is this what you are looking for?"

Me: "Yes"

Him: "...they not for sale. I just buy them..." *Begins to show off toys* ".... I'd sell some of them but people don't bring them in as often as they used to. People just want to hold on to them..."

Me: :D

I have not been able to find one in good shape for less than $1200 in a year. Maybe on an internet gun site before shipping and transfer fees.....
 
A Python is a superior quality revolver.
A Python will appreciate in value more than almost any other revolver.

The Python accuracy standard is to be one-third more accurate than standard revolvers. That is something I read years ago.
Average Python to average S&W I would say that is about right.

That said, I find the older P&R S&Ws fit my hand better and I like an S&W action better.

I have owned several Pythons and sold them.
 
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