Dating a Colt Python -- which is to say,

[P. Plainsman]

... assigning the correct date of manufacture to it -- not some sort of weird romantic thing. I mean, I'm a budding gun geek, but even geekdom has its limits.

Anyway, my Python. It is serial number 22xxxE. Some of you connoisseurs out there have been remarkably helpful in the past in helping people assign dates to their Colts. Can anyone let me know when mine was made?

Most grateful.

 

[Snake Eyes]

1976.

Yeeeeee~HAW!

I finally beat Dfariswheel to the punch!
I knew camping out 24/7 on this keyboard was gonna be worthwhile!

 

[P. Plainsman]

Excellent. Thank you, sir. The seller described it as an "80s Python," but I'm not at all disappointed to learn it dates from the decade before.

 

[GUNKWAZY]

Good job Snake Eyes

Good job Snake Eyes !!!

By the way, didja catch the Pair of Mint Boxed Snake Eyes on Gunbroker ?
Just thought I'd let ya know.

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

 

[Randy63]

Congrats on your new old Python. How about some pics.
I feel when it comes to Pythons, the older the better. I love my 59' Python even though I'm a S&W guy. This ones a 98%er and probably should be relagated to safe queen status but I can't resist shooting it several times a year with 148gr. 38 specials and a few mild .357s.

Randy

 

[dfariswheel]

Snake Eyes: Sorry, even I have to go to the john once in a while, so ya beat me this time.


Randy63: If you don't stop waving that pair of early Colt target grips at me, I'm gonna shoot YOU.

I've got a first year Colt old model Trooper .22LR that someone robbed the grips from, and I can't afford a replacement set.

Please stop torturing me.

 

[P. Plainsman]

Randy --

Sweet snake you got there. Mine has almost as nice a finish. I got it at a decent price, for a Python, because it wears Hogue hardwood contour grips rather than the Colt medallion grips (or the Pachmayr Presentations -- don't know which grip was stock in 1976).

The Hogues don't look as classic as the stock grips, but I must say, they have a very comfortable feel. I might swap them out for something else later -- Pachmayr Gripper? -- or get funky and acquire something like Eagle Grips' American elkhorn stocks.

I am shooting my Python with 145 gr Winchester Silvertip .357s. I bought this Python to shoot it. It's such a good shooter, I want to feed it the round it is chambered for. And indeed I get better offhand groups with .357s than .38s.

I chose the 145 Silvertips in part thinking that they won't be as stressful for the gun as some other .357 factory loads that might be considered. (I don't reload.) Any advice along these lines?

PS: After reading the thread on "Magnum Force" in this forum last week, I picked up a cheap DVD copy of that first Dirty Harry sequel. Despite the cheesy moments, a great flick for revolver lovers. Now I crave a 4" Python like David Soul's.

 

[Randy63]

Originally posted by dfariswheel:
Randy63: If you don't stop waving that pair of early Colt target grips at me, I'm gonna shoot YOU.

I've got a first year Colt old model Trooper .22LR that someone robbed the grips from, and I can't afford a replacement set.

I know what you mean dfariswheel. Last year a local shop had a OMM in .38 with the early target stocks. The screws were all buggered but the grips were near mint. I was tempted to buy it at $325 just for the wood!

Randy