Why did Colt quit on the Python and Anaconda, etc.

[CU74]

Trigger Stacking

.....The Colt DA trigger is a different animal from your S&W or Ruger.............. If you're used to a S&W L frame you'll probably hate having to relearn a new DA trigger geometry.................. Logan5

Colts tend to display lots of stacking in double action, while Smiths, (and Rugers) will have less. Neither is "bad", just different.

If you want a short lesson on stacking, Grant Cunningham has one here, (scroll down to second article on the page):

http://www.grantcunningham.com/blog_files/category-gunsmithing.html

 

[Majic]

add to the fact that Colt did little to nothing to attract the average handgunner needing a ccw piece, unlike S&W, Taurus, and to a less sustainable extent Charter Arms......who all made small, light weight snubbies in various flavors that remained attractive to the average Joe/Jane.

Colt had been making just such a revolver since 1950 and they sold quite well. You are looking at todays market, but if you look to the past you will see Colt was one of the founding fathers. The Colt Cobra came out in 1950 and the S&W Chief Special Airweight came out in 1951. Taurus and Charter Arms followed many, many years later.

 

[lanternlad1]

I have a friend who, in times of financial difficulty, sold his Colt Python in order to raise enough money to keep his house. In retrospect, he says, he made the wrong decision.

Very few things inspire such loyalty, or are so mourned when lost.

C'est la vie...

 

[GunTech]

I love S&Ws, but there is nothing like a Colt V spring gun, and nothing like the old Colt royal blue. I sod my 4" python many years ago when I needed the money. I still miss that gun.

I just recently found a dick special languishing at the local gunshop with no one showing any interest, so i got a very good deal. As was noted, people seem to want autos. I don't understand why. Playing the the Colt, I am amazed at how Colt got the snubby so right. Bigger than a J frame, but smaller than a K, with six rounds and a superb trigger.

Now to find another Python.

 

[def4pos8]

I knew the Python was doomed when a buddy shot my $340 (at that time) Redhawk and was amazed that it felt better than his Python.

Methinks the craftsmen who made 'em simply died off and were too expensive to replace.

Twenty years on, I kick myself in the butt whenever I think that I "passed" on a Korth because I thought $1200 (in Germany) was too much for a revolver. :banghead:

 

[sterling180]

I am at a loss to understand why people think that Colt (or any company) should make and sell guns when they lose money on each sale.

I see your point and sacrifices have to be made and it's a real shame that it had to be those two.Colt also lost alot of money after our bans in the UK.I know that Smith and Wesson did and they were both furious at Blairs government-from what I've heard.Not alot of money,when compared to other 'profitable' countries,but enough to leave them seething with rage.

S&W also was rapidly loosing the 'police and security forces' contracts in favour of Glock,Walther and Sig Sauer.

 

[AJD]

My 1964 Colt Python wearing some aftermarket grips(which feel better to me). The top and bottom are US Firearms Pre-War single action revolvers. They are basically US Firearms "1st Generation" copy of the Single Action Army.

Close up of the 4 3/4" USFA.
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Close up of the 64" Python.
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Close up of the 7.5" USFA.
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And all three together.
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