Python's...are they all that and a bag o' chips

[priv8ter]

Now...I know price and value are very subjactive and personal issues. What some folks pay $1000's for, I wouldn't even open my wallet for.

That being said, I have always wanted a Colt Python. When I think 'revolver' the image of a Python is what pops into my head.

But, I have never fired one.

Now, I am becomming increasingly disenchanted with my H&K USP, and trading it in would get me a lot closer to a Python than I am now, income tax refund money making up the difference.

My issues revolve around shootability of these fine firearms. Yes, they look sweet, but, do they shoot sweet? Do they have nice trigger pulls? Are they that much better than a Ruger GP-100, or a 686?

Or, would I just be paying for a name, and the ability to smile smugly and say, "I have a Python"?

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I have owned 2 pythons. The old 60's one I had to sell when in college to buy books and my current early 70's version. The early 70's REQUIRED a trip to a very good gunsmith (Teddy Jacobsen of Texas) to get really smooth and shootable. Excellent investment and it is very smooth. I just measured the trigger pull today with my new lyman digital measure. SA is 2 lbs 2 onz and the DA is 9 lbs 1 onz every time on all cylinders.

Get the python you won't regret it. On comment though, Teddy (and others) have told me it is not as "solid" as the smiths. If you want to blast full load 357mags, you may want to get another gun. I am only shooting 38 special +P's out of mine.

 

[Psssniper]

In six years, I've never shot mine, it's an oldie. I just pull it out of the safe and look at the most beautifull Blue I've ever seen, then I put it back. Trigger pull is sweet....I paid $500 for it.

"I have a Python" (smiling smugly)

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

Python Feedback

As the retired owner of Fitz Pistol Grips I sold grips for the MK1&2 and Mk 3 pythons and the feedback I get is that the earlier models are a better buy.


The earlier Python is the only 38 caliber revolver that I know of that can take a 38 caliber bullet, squeeze it down to .3560 diameter and spit it out very accurately. I found that out in police pistol competition in the 1960's

 

[Standing Wolf]

I looked at new stainless steel Pythons ($1,069 each) several weeks ago, and was completely unimpressed with the triggers and finish; older Pythons are another story altogether.

 

[Quantrill]

Pythons

I have an much older Python. It is silky smooth and a pleasure to shoot with .38 wadcutters which is about all I use in it. Quantrill

 

[MiniZ]

I've got an older nickled model-unsure of year of origin, and I don't feel inclined to pay Colt to find out.

the trigger is silky smooth, one of the best I have ever encountered.

I shoot very mild .357 mag in it exclusively. There has been some debate if the Python is really as fragile as some report, but I don't want to find out with my own gun.

If you can find a deal on one(and there are some deals out there), I would not hesitate to buy one-again with the caveat that you don't need to run full-house .357 mags through it on a consistent basis. Otherwise, I would go with a Smith or a Ruger.

I've handled a couple of new ones, and I am not impressed with what you are getting for the price they are asking.

 

[jar]

Old yes. New No!

 

[firestar]

I had a 4" S&W 586 and it was SWEET! I don't see how a Python could be more accurate but I have heard that they have nice triggers.

If you can afford it and you want it, go for it. You can allways sell it if you have to. If you are talking about accuracy, I would be willing to bet any amount of money that a Python will outshoot a H&K USP any day! No contest. For that matter, a S&W 586 is almost garanteed to outshoot a H&K USP.

I would like to have a Python but it is not worth 2-3 times what a good S&W 586/686 is worth IMHO. If Pythons were 50% more expensive then I would buy one but not at 200-300% more. But I am a shooter first and a collecter next to last. I shoot my guns and I don't worry about the loss of value because now it has a cylinder ring from being fired. I also like to buy used because most people don't shoot their guns much and you can pick up guns that are almost new for big savings and once you shoot them they all look the same.

 

[aug e. dog]

MiniZ, you don't have to pay Colt to obtain the year of origin. I just called their customer service #, told them the serial # of my Python, and they told me the year of manufacture over the phone.

 

[Tropical Z]

Theres a decent Anaconda on consignment at a shop near me,and the guy wants $800.00-PASS!

 

[1badmagnum]

its the only colt worth the price.

 

[9mmepiphany]

if you really want one but you can't abide the price difference between it and the comparable L-frame, there is away to get one "on the cheap"...especially if you are more a shooter then a collector.

look for a used python (you should be looking used anyway) that has alot of holster/handling wear. there are even former LE pythons out there. shoot it to decide if you like it enough to keep. you can then have it refinished for a couple of hundred dollars

i got my last python (i'm thinking about 3 years ago) for $375. it was a former security guard's duty weapon and had the wear on the sides of the barrel and cylinder to prove it. the lockup is extremely tight and it looks like the sideplate has never been off the gun.

my favorite python (former duty and competition gun) was so sun-bleached on worn of the backstrap that it has been mistaken for satin nickle or brush stainless. it is so dear to my soul that i think it might deserve being rust blued someday.

a python beauty is beyond its utilitarian value...it is an example of a craftsman's art

 

[4thHorseman]

I didn't really appreciate my Python till I took it to the range with my S&W 686. After shooting them side by side it became quickly aparent the quality of the Python over the 686. I consider the 686 a fine gun.
The Python out shot the 686 everytime for me. The trigger pull on the 686 wasn't even close to being as smooth as the Python. The python trigger was exceptional.
The difference was worth the price five years ago. $500 slightly used. Basically if you can afford one, go for it,you'll never lose any money on them. They seem to only go up in value. Now, the price is very steep..... so......again if you can afford one, go for it.

 

[4thHorseman]

Just a quick note here, I remember 6 years ago, you could buy pythons at gun shows all day long for $400. Man how prices have changed.
Keep an eye open at pawn shops. You might pick up a good deal there.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I've found it helps to leave my business card with gun shop owners. I write "Python" and "High Standard" on the back. When I'm looking, I return to favorite shops every few weeks. That's how I found my 2.5" Python.

 

[Roboshred]

Snake bitten

I'm nearing forty and have always wanted a python but never bothered to buy one. However, I was at the local range recently and I saw a post on the wall for a used python. I wrote the # down and didn't do anything for about 6 weeks then decided to give the guy a call. Well it turns out that $425 later I bought the locaL CHIP officers colt. A great deal I don't know but the realization of a childhood dream would make it worth it at double the cost. The firearm in my opinion is a work of mechanical art.

 

[JMLV]

What you might want to consider is

an Officers model match or other officers model revolver. also the "357" & the old model"Trooper" All the above have the famous (or infamous if you prefer - I have been told by more than one gunsmith that a older colt action will go out of time faster than yhe compareable smith or ruger action) old style colt action. Only difference being in the distinctive barrel design of the python. Just another way to go. I love my Officers Model Match .
See photo below:

 

[Watch-Six]

I have owned two Pythons. One was an old blued 6" model and the other one I bought new in stainless 4". They were both very nice revolvers, but the older one was better. I later stupidly traded them both away. I have regretted letting the old blue one go. In actuality though, I also had a 6" 686 at the time and it shot as well. It just didn't have the class of the Python. Watch-Six

 

[9mmepiphany]

i've also heard (repeatedly) that my python is going, or is already slightly, out of time...that was 20+ years, and thousands of rounds, ago. most (5k+) have been wadcutters in competition with the rest being a mix of 125gr and 140gr magnum loads..i think the 158gr mags are alot rougher on the action (and me)

because the colt lock-up is tighter, it takes more abuse during the firing cycle...think along the lines of a suppressed pistol with a locked slide.

 

[4thHorseman]

Going out of time is grossly over stated. Very rarely do they go out of time.
You got to remember a Colt (old style) is no way shape or form similiar to a S&W. Not even in ball park when it comes to lock work.
The Colt has a "second hand" that S&W and Rugers do not have. It will "lock" the cylinder at the last second. It often gives the appearence it's "going" out of time, and actually that is the farthest thing from the truth. They are made different and lock the cylinder much differently by lockwork.
If you are unfamiliar with the Colt's action it is easy to confuse. One easy way to tell, check where the the firing pin has struck an empty case primer. If its in the center its good.
Also pull the trigger through, if the cylinder locks just RIGHT BEFORE the hammer drops its in time. Smiths and Rugers lock early, Colt's lock late.

 

[Pappy John]

Having shot both Pythons and 686's in the past I can say that the machining and finish of the Python was much better... that bluing is just beautiful. But I personally found the stacking of the double action trigger pull in the Colt put me off. I didn't persue it at the time, but now wonder if a good smith could have gotten rid of that or was it a result of the lockwork so that it could only be lightened but not done away with. The Smith had no stack whatsoever.

 

[Mike Irwin]

I think I'd rather have a bag of pretzles and no Python...

 

[Kahr carrier]

Pythons are nice I use to own a 4 inch . I got a sweet deal at the time $375.00 ,I bought it off a retired OPD officer. It shot well but I eventually shot it loose with 125 grain 357 loads. A steady diet of 357 is a bit much for them.

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

Just found 6 Python MK3 ISSF/ISU/Olympic Grips

I recently just sold the last of my Python grips to a shooter who bought his 8th one and in getting ready for a shoot in Sacramento tomorrow I knocked over a box in the barn that had 6 Colt Python, Officers Model ISSF/ISU/ Olympic grips in it. I sure was surprised.

I have a pic attachment of what one looks like on my Smith 5 Screw New K-38 Masterpiece revolver except the Colts are a bit heftier because of the bigger Colt frame.

It is suitable for left thumb cocking as the top strap inteferes with right thumb cocking unless the strap is thinned down with a Dremel tool. I hope to hear what is done with what I thought was the last one I recently shipped. The fellow bought one for a Mk 2 Colt, a Mk 3 Colt and 2 Smith K frames and a Smith 41. He is some shooter as he alrteady had 2 for his High Standards.

I would like to watch him shoot but I am in California and He is in Florida.

Shooting can be a spectator sport also for me.

I thought I could place a picture here??

John Paul