Inheriting a Colt Python - What do I need to know?

[Clark]

dfariswheel

If your new Python comes with the original Colt Target grips, HOLD ON TO THEM.
The grips alone are selling for over $200 these days,

My brother bought a Python this year and thought he got a deal.
Then he found out that the grips were not original and that that is big deal.

 

[Guillermo]

not a Ming vase to be displayed and only touched to dust off occasionaly, nor a property to be flipped for cash.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[MtnSpur]

My '66 shooter....taint delicate, taint broke and taint gonna sit locked away in a dark safe neither

 

[Snag]

Here's an piece from the August issue of Shooting Illustrated on the Python. Has lots of interesting stuff. I hope posting this ok, all rights reserved to Shooting Illustrated etc, etc.

 

[Ingenium]

Thank you all for the replies and wealth of knowledge captured within them!

I just chatted with my uncle last night and despite his age he recalled a few tid-bits about it.

Per him:
It's not the super-long barrel so probably the 4 incher, nickel plated, adjustable sights "and not all of them had those so that's nice" he says.
357, not 38, and should be manufactured either 1964/1965 or earlier as that's when he started on the force and it was his original sidearm.

I still won't see it until next week (he's not technologically inclined enough to take a pic and email me, sadly) but I'm getting more and more excited, especially with all of this great input!

Thanks again.

 

[Jim Watson]

"adjustable sights "and not all of them had those so that's nice""

Actually, they all did.
There are a lot of Colts on the E/I/J .41 frame and not all of them have adjustable sights, but adjustable sights and vent rib were the trademark of the Python.

 

[content]

Nice, write up.
Nickle is a plus to most too.

Original sidearm..... got to love the "one owner" factor.

 

[ms6852]

Like me you are very lucky. My brother who I love vvvvverrrrrrry much gave me a colt python. He traded his never fired Springfield XDM 45 for the colt from a friend of his.
Do not let it sit in the safe and acquire dust so that it will go up in value. Enjoy it now.

 

[DC3-CVN-72]

Congradulations on your new Python ! I have 2. One is an Elite in S/S with a 4 in. bbl.like new with the box & pappers , the other is a V code made in 1978 Royal Blue with a 4 in. bbl. like new with the box & pappers. The Elite I shoot all the time. The V code is perfect, I can't even find a turn line. I bought the V code to pass on to the nex generation over & over like new, never to be shot. I've changed mind. I've decided to start a tradition instead. Every 4th of july my father, my twin brother, my son & I will have a shooting contest. fresh target, 6 rounds each, best 3 targets go to the next round. then the best 2 targets go to the next round. then we have a winner. My wife & doughter have no interest in shooting now but if they ever want to be in the contest they are in. also no .38 spl. wil be shot. This gun will only see full house 158 grn. fmj. This sounds like more fun to me than just lelling it sit !

 

[Ingenium]

Actually, they all did.
There are a lot of Colts on the E/I/J .41 frame and not all of them have adjustable sights, but adjustable sights and vent rib were the trademark of the Python.

Ha, too funny. As I said he's aging into a very fine wine these days which is why I post to places like this for additional/actual information

Thanks for clarifying that Jim.

 

[JSmith]

Wow, Ingenium... I wish someone would have given me a Python! I actually had to pay for mine. And I do shoot it; a gun that can't be fired is a paperweight. Or a doorstop.

My Python is a 6", made in '72, royal blue finish. I didn't get the box with it but I did get the original grips as well as a set of Pachmayrs installed. I used to like Pachmayr grips, but now I'm not so sure. I am considering replaceing those with a Hogue monogrip.

Thanks to drfaris for the test routine. I've saved that off under "stuff I want to keep".

My wife & doughter have no interest in shooting now

My wife loves to shoot. At times I have difficulty getting her to let go of the Python.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // I would take your Uncles reference to "them",in post #30,to include police service revolvers in general.
Many if not most of that era were fixed rear.

The adjustable sighted Python would have been a nice bonus, except for the snag potential.