Colt Python

[Peter M. Eick]

Well, since Saxon did it, so will I....

50 rounds, 15 yrds, Trailboss with a 158 Lasercast offhand.

50 rounds, 15 yrds, Hot load of 2400 with a 158 Lasercast offhand.

In general I would say the python is an accurate gun.

50 rounds, 15 yrds, Hot load of 2400 with a 158 Lasercast offhand in a 1939 Registered Magnum.

50 rounds, 15 yrds, Hot load of 2400 with a 158 Lasercast offhand with a 1939 Registered Magnum.

Some days I just don't shoot the Registered as well. Consistency is critical with the magna grips of the registered, while with the Python it is easier to look good.

As much as I think my Python is a good shooter, the Registered Magnum is still more accurate.

 

[10X]

Half the accuracy battle is how the gun fits in your hand, how it balances and how good the trigger is.

 

[Stevel]

If you have the money shop for a fair price and buy one. If it's as great as you think it will b then you have a great gun. If not you have answered the question (is it that great?) and you can sell it for at least as much as you paid.

Mine is ok. It shoots well (1.25" at 50 yards), but so what? My GP will shoot probably 2.5" at that distance. Good enough and I don't worry about carrying or scratching the GP.

 

[10-Ring]

I had given up my dream to own one until I ran across one last year...it's a circa 1969 blue Python that shoots sweeter than anything (and I mean anything) else out there.

 

[Confederate]

Are the stainless Pythons getting the same premiums that the blued ones are getting? I love the Python's looks and particularly its wide, oval hammer.

As an investment, guns are really pretty good in that most people can sell the things for what they paid for it, or more. All in all, if I could only have one .357 for the rest of me life, I'd have to opt for the 686. If I could only have one .357 and I'd be out in the wilderness living in primitive conditions, I'd take a Ruger.

 

[Baba Louie]

Went into The Gun Store here in Las Vegas last weekend. Place was packed with tourists lined up 2 deep at the counter, as usual. Most of them doing the rent and shoot one of TGS's automatic weapons. Saw 3 or 4 of the locals buying new M&P's, SA Croats and a Glock or two

When I could finally get up to the counter I looked at a couple of long guns, then spotted what looked to be a 6" blued Python in the glass display case with a price tag of $499. It HAD to be an Armscor for that price, I thought.

But I could read the word Python on the tube.

As I handed back the M1A Scout Squad I was thinking about, I asked about the "Python" by saying, "What's wrong with the Python?" He replied, "It had a little wear on it, some of the bluing was rubbed off at the usual places for a carry gun, other than that, it locked up tight, no upper strap cut cause the previous owner had shot .38's, cylinder chambers needed a good cleaning due to the crud build up and that it was a steal. It's been here for 2 weeks now."

So I looked it over. An E18XXX serial (IIRC that's about 1970-71ish mfg date), muzzle wear from holstering, also front edge of triggerguard and front of frame and cylinder worn bright... nice character. Locked up tight, no end shake at all, real tight cylinder/barrel gap. Pachmayer rubber. White paint on front sight and rear. Someone had really shot this thing and carried it... a lot.

I looked up at the sales staff and he was grinning. He said, "You buy it and you save me $500. No need to worry about wearing it, you can see it's a shooter, not a safe queen. You want it?"

 

[JohnBT]

So, did you buy it?

 

[Baba Louie]

Well... Duh!

So, did you buy it?

Well... Duh!

I asked them to leave their hang tag on it, just because I wanted a few photos to remind me of the single time in my entire life I found a deal worthy of campfire discussion.
I will admit, I've never gotten used to Colt's trigger tho when compared to my 586. Dry fired it a hundred times or so DA and found once again on the slow squeeze at the end of the stack I get too much barrel tip movement.
Will take it out this weekend after I give it a good scrub, along with the 586 (also a 6") and see what's what and if it was worth all the pain of me whipping my wallet out.
It's not all shiny and pretty tho, like those expensive ones everyone shows, is it? No box or papers. Just a revolver with a prancing pony.

Now if I could only find a SAA for the same price.

 

[gruesomenewsom]

It's not all shiny and pretty tho, like those expensive ones everyone shows, is it? No box or papers. Just a revolver with a prancing pony.

I just picked up my first python last week. 6" nickel plated. It had holster wear and a few knicks on the left side of the barrel from wearing. The "3" on the .357 was starting to wear off. But it still had all the nickel on it and was a real eye catcher. the star on the cylinder looks like it had seen better days but the timing still seemed ok when i checked it with a flashlight and the cylinder seemed to lock up nice and tight. with the original box and papers i got it for $850 which I thought was reasonable. I'll work on getting some pics up.

 

[JohnBT]

"Well... Duh! "

So, did ya beat 'em down any on the price?

 

[Ash]

I like Pythons, but live that plane-jane life of a Trooper owner. Granted, I would have paid $500 for a blued Python, but I am plenty happy with my 357 Trooper Mk III's. Folks are sure to disagree, but that's fine by me.



Ash

 

[cherryriver]

BabaLouie-
I'm usually sort of wordy, but I don't have any for the agony the tale of your $500 Python is causing me.
Plus, I've been looking for a six-inch shooter for USPSA use at a decent price.
Just: Ow.
Meanwhile, I do have to throw out a couple of points about your trigger action comment.
Yes, the Colt's is different. Speaking as someone who shoots Colt E/Is every week and Smiths not nearly so often, I actually have a bit of trouble with the Smith break. Not because it's bad, but because it's different. The Colt requires (and rewards) a sweep all the way through. If you pause, you'll get the problem you describe.
On the other hand, once you get the hang of it, it gives less of a jar to the gun when it hits the end of travel, as you might have if you're shooting faster.
My take on it is: the Smith's is better for target shooting, with the slow, staging type pull, and the Colt's is better for speed shooting, where the stack works to help keep the sights aligned by slowing the trigger crash at the end of the stroke.
As I've said elsewhere, on the long shots of the PPC course I sometimes wish my Colt would turn into a Smith. But in something like IDPA or USPSA, I'll get better hits with the Colt when I'm going as fast as I can.
A bit of practice will get things clearer.
Meanwhile, adjusting the Colt DA pull is actually simple, and if you botch it, it's still easy to fix. I'd suggest the Kuhnhausen Colt D-E/I revolvers book if you're curious. But, if you want to do your own wrenching, the Colt mechanism will make you pay for any (other) mistake you make.
A clubmate copper buddy got a nice old Detective Special and set to slicking it up a bit, sans book. He was fortunate to find a replacement set of action parts on an auction site, so that he can undo what he did.
I'd say, if you need six .36 cal hits as fast as possible, the Python's the solution. You'll see.
Bill

 

[Baba Louie]

Bill (cherryriver)
Thanks for the advice. I did do some more dryfiring last night and allowed myself to get frustrated, trying to s l o w l y find the "break" and that was maddening I tell ya.

With my M14 and M15 and 586 I've got it down pretty well for slow, aimed, accurate and steady sight picture/release with hardly any front end wiggle.
Now you're saying I've got to learn something new???

sigh

OK. Old dog, New tricks time. (learning is fun... learning is fun...)

Will give it a hundred goes doing a clean sweep tonight, hoping that does the trick or begins to click internally in me feeble brain.

All of my Springfield crew were jealous at first (new kid in town syndrome I think) but I KNOW they were sniggering as the evenings frustration wore on. We ARE talking about 35 years of S&W/Finger/Brain/Eye coordination here ya know.

But everyone swears by the snake, so I figure I can learn some new nuances.

I still pinch myself but I've taken the Minnie Pearl tag off.

Thanks again for the good words and the sympathey for my agony. I feel your pain.

 

[cherryriver]

You know, Louie, the heartbreak of frustration is a horrifying thing. Let me help... here's my FFL's address...

 

[Grayrock]

What year did Colt stop production of the Python?

 

[Hawk]

I believe 1999 was the last year as standard production. It wheezed and stumbled along as a custom shop offering through around 2003.

No scratchings on the coffin lid since then, afaik.

 

[strat81]

Just when I thought I was over my desire for a Colt, this thread appears.

I swear, Colts are like crack and this forum is the bad friend saying, "C'mon, one hit won't hurt."

 

[welldoya]

One thing that I have noticed about Pythons. There is a lot more talk about wanting one than actual buyers.
I had a 95% 4" (circa 1982) for sale last year. I started at $900. No takers. Dropped it to $850. No takers. $800. No takers.
I had it for sale on two or three forums for a month. Oh, I got a lot of comments "What a great deal, wish I had the money." "That's a steal, wish I hadn't just bought a (fill in the blank)".
Walked around with it at a gunshow. Must've shown it to 20 people. Their eyes would light up when they saw you had a Python and they were hoping you were stupid. When I said $800, they acted like they had been snakebit.
Finally sold it for $750 and $35 worth of trinkets and beads.
So, when I read all the hype and how a beater is worth $1,000, I know better. I've been there.

 

[Ash]

And my Troopers cost less than $400...

Ash

 

[Ghost Tracker]

A great-shape, royal-blued Python is an object of pride for the owner & lust for the observer. Much like a well-presented Classic Car, a walnut & velvet cased Souza Grade Ithaca, or Angelina Jolie in evening wear. It causes a hushed reverence & (in some extreme instances) shortness of breath. Beautiful design, beautiful execution...stunning, to those who appreciate the undeniable lines of elegance.

But day-in-day-out, IMHO Colt's premier DA Revolver (like those examples above) is just too high-strung for heavy, practical use compared to the available (S&W, Ruger) alternatives. A Derby-winning Thoroughbred is a pure work of art but, as a mount for a tough trail ride, give me a good (maybe ugly) Quarter Horse.

 

[Ash]

Like I said, my Troopers set me back less than $400, or about the price of my Ruger Service Six...

Ash

 

[bayouboy]

Oh, no! Someone needs to tell my old beat up 1975 Python it's not a Smith and Wesson. I ran 300 rounds thru it yesterday (all double action) without a hiccup. Round count, since I've had it, is well over 3000. Pretty good for a gun that's not fit for day in and day out carry.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Noboby said the Python wasn't fit for everyday carry. It just doesn't fit...me!

 

[Gladius]

I'm a Smith man, born & bred (no, really). Still.... I always wanted one... and I'm not disappointed....

 

[gruesomenewsom]

i took my python out today for the first time along with my gp100 to compare. the sights needed adjustment but the accuracy was there! the ruger i think was more accurate but i think thats mostly because i like the ruger match sights better. still one helluva gun. Not disappointed at all.