Colt Revolvers

[flashman70]

I'm pretty new to revolvers. Although I've owned a Detective Special for many years, since my interest in firearms became an obsession six months ago I've focused mainly on autoloaders. Now I want a revolver for home defense and am thinking something in .357/.38 with a 4" barrel. (I already have a shotgun, so save that advice. )

A number of the revolver boards contain threads with complaints about new S&Ws - the lock, the two-piece barrel on some models, etc. I guess they don't make 'em like they used to. But then, who does?

In looking up older Colts online, I see Pythons, Anacondas and King Cobras. The Pythons seem to command a very high price. Why is this? What are the primary differences between the models?

An education in this would be much appreciated.

 

[Majic]

The Python is a hand tuned, basically hand made target revolver. It was Colt's top of the line revolver. With today's wages all that handwork adds up in the final price.
The differences in the models is the Python is an old style action medium frame target revolver. The KC is a new style action (less handwork is needed) medium frame revolver. The Anaconda is a new style action large frame revolver.

 

[mnrivrat]

Hello !

I'm probably not the best person to give info on Colts but I will share just a couple thoughts until someone more qualified comes along.

To me, the Python is sort of old school Colt DA . The mechanics ,and fit ,and finish ,have made for a sort of legend in smoothness of action as they required hand fitting, and the finish was always top notch.

The later produced King Cobra's and Anaconda's are re-designed mechanics having significant internal changes ,as well as less/to mostly no hand fitting, and a more "production" type fit and finish.

edit: Looks like Majic replied before I pushed my submitt button - I agree with him !

 

[dfariswheel]

The Python is a true custom, hand built, hand polished, hand assembled and tuned revolver.

The Python action is Colt's old design first made in 1908 as the "Army Special".
This is the only DA revolver action type that locks the cylinder tightly at the moment of ignition.
Due to Colt's famous "Bank vault" lock-up, and their tapered bore barrels, the Python was the most consistently accurate production revolver made.
Because of all the hand work and Colt's intent to make the Python the finest production DA revolver ever, the prices are high, and since it was discontinued a couple of years ago, prices are skyrocketing.

The King Cobra was Colt's replacement for all the old style revolvers using the same action as the Python.
Since even the "Budget" Official Police required total hand fitting and assembly, Colt had priced themselves out to the market.
To reduce production costs, Colt designed the first modern transfer-bar ignition action revolver that was "machine fitted" with parts that required little or no hand fitting.

The first in this series was the Trooper Mark III, followed by the slightly modified Trooper Mark V, which was finally made as the King Cobra.
These later Colt DA revolvers were specifically designed for unlimited Magnum shooting.
Master gunsmith Jerry Kuhnhausen believes these later Colt guns were the strongest medium frame DA revolvers ever built, due to Colt's superior forged and heat treated frames and cylinders.

Meeting that reputation, these revolvers are absolute tanks, with the sole "weakness" that they should be dry fired with snap caps to prevent possible firing pin breakage.
Broken firing pins require factory replacement, due to the need for special tooling to remove and replace the pin without possibly ruining the frame.

As was the case with most Colt revolvers, quality on the King Cobra is a step above other brands, with a better polished finish and a smoother internal finish with fewer burrs than other brands.

As is also usual with Colt revolvers, accuracy is also often better than other guns.

The Anaconda is the same basic design as the King Cobra, expanded in size to handle the .44 Magnum and .45 Colt chambering.
Like the King Cobra, the Anaconda is an extremely strong, tough revolver with high quality, and excellent accuracy.

 

[FCinCA]

Nice write up Dfariswheel.

FC

 

[Ascot500]

Don't overlook the Trooper (pre Mark) which has the same frame and lock work as the Python at a fraction of the price, or the Official Police if adjustable sights aren't a requirement.

 

[flashman70]

Thanks, guys. I love to learn from folks that know their stuff.