Why did I go to the LGS today?!

[SRSTAdam21]

I have the week off of work and decided to head down to my favorite local gun shop. The owner there is always friendly and has sold me several guns and optics since I moved to TN last year. Today I was shopping for a new 357. I have had my eye particularly on the 686+ with the unfluted cylinder just because I like the look and know they shoot well. He had one in stock and as I was checking it out asked if he had any of the new Colts in stock. He said he had one a customer had just given up from the layaway process.

Out he comes with the most gorgeous firearm I have ever had the pleasure of holding. A brand new Python.

I pick it up. He allows me to work the action. My friends, all other revolver actions are now ruined for me. Not looking to spend double of what I had planned on today, and not being a credit card guy, he allowed me to place it on layaway.

My bonus arrives two weeks from Friday. That will be a wonderful day...

As I’m sure you know, cell phone pics don’t do it justice especially with everyone’s fingerprints on it.





Now to spend the next few weeks working up some mild loads to shoot.

 

[shoebox1.1]

Sexy. I wanted one but got the king cobra instead. It fits my CCw needs better but I still want a python

 

[shootstraight57]

Nice Python!

 

[SRSTAdam21]

Sexy. I wanted one but got the king cobra instead. It fits my CCw needs better but I still want a python

He also had a 4in King Cobra that I liked, but once I saw the Python I was drunk on wheel gun lust.

 

[shoebox1.1]

There was once a time when MEN carried real guns and we know the REAL guns are wheelguns... “Clint smith”

 

[shoebox1.1]

One of my hero’s btw..

 

[mcb]

Cylinder release still goes the wrong way! Will get you killed on the streets.

 

[adcoch1]

That gun and a couple hundred hot 38+P loads would sure make for a good afternoon...

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Ya, Colt hit one out of the park with the new ones. Very nice!

 

[shoebox1.1]

Cyl release might be backwards but the cyl turns the right way!! Lol

 

[shoebox1.1]

So does my CA! I like that. The cyl release is the only different thing I have to train for between the two

 

[FlSwampRat]

My friends, all other revolver actions are now ruined for me.

Tell me about it, my first gun purchase in spring of 1974 was a 6" Python. All because of this darn gun porn:


Haven't found a trigger to compete IMHO And don't mention striker fired pistol actions.

 

[PWGUNNY]

The Python is near the top of my buy list. They are getting closer to retail price by me. One dealer near me, started at $3,000, then $2,400, today its down to $2,000 for a new 6" Python.

 

[Riomouse911]

Nice!

I still haven’t seen one in person. I hope I leave my wallet home when I do because I’m afraid the CC will leap out of it and ring up a sale before I can blink .

Let us know how it feels when you bring it home and how it shoots for you when you get a chance to shoot if!

Stay safe.

 

[Old Dog]

I also still have not seen one in person. Apparently, one hit one of my local gun shops and was spoken for as it was getting placed in the display case (without the buyer even asking to handle it first) … probably a good thing for me, as I would've snapped up a 6" even though it's really the 4" I want (first).

 

[mcb]

The Python is near the top of my buy list. They are getting closer to retail price by me. One dealer near me, started at $3,000, then $2,400, today its down to $2,000 for a new 6" Python.

I could buy three nice used S&W for $2000. I will never understand the draw to Pythons or Colt in generals.

And yes I have fire Colt revolvers including a Python. They are good but not as good as their price would indicate IMHO.

ETA: I have less that $3000 invested in five, yes FIVE used S&W revolvers. Four of which are N-frames.

 

[Old Dog]

And some people choose to drive Toyota 4-Runners instead of Jeeps. Do you really need to tell those guys that the Toyota is not as good as its price would indicate?

People are drawn to different products, for whatever reasons. No need to make them wrong if their choice is not the same as yours. I happen to be a fan of Colt and have used its products for more than 50 years; I appreciate the history, I have learned how their guns work and how to maintain and shoot them. They are as good as their price indicates to me.

 

[ROK'N THUNDER]

Very nice! I have a 686+ unfluted cylinder but the Python is sexier.

 

[horsemen61]

Man I’d love to barrow one and have about 500 wadcutters loaded up!

 

[mcb]

And some people choose to drive Toyota 4-Runners instead of Jeeps. Do you really need to tell those guys that the Toyota is not as good as its price would indicate?

People are drawn to different products, for whatever reasons. No need to make them wrong if their choice is not the same as yours. I happen to be a fan of Colt and have used its products for more than 50 years; I appreciate the history, I have learned how their guns work and how to maintain and shoot them. They are as good as their price indicates to me.

I would say Jeeps are not as good as their price would indicate but I get your point. And if you like your Colt and think you paid a fair price for it that is all that matter but...

I have spent a lot of trigger time running revolvers pretty hard and have not seen anything a Colt can do that a S&W can't do for less money and in many ways (ways that mattered to my use) better than the Colt. IMHO I just don't see what makes them worth more other than Colt quit making them for a number of years. If I was going to drop $3000+ on a revolver it would be Korth at least there you are getting something special with the roller double action trigger.

I am not saying Colts are bad revolvers but when I look at it objectively I don't see the functional reasons why the prices are so high other than scarcity. YMMV for sure!

 

[aarondhgraham]

I am not saying Colts are bad revolver but when I look at it objectively I don't see the functional reasons why the prices are so high other than scarcity. YMMV for sure!

^^^ What he said. ^^^

Aarond

.

 

[ThomasT]

Nice gun. I hope you don't get it and decide its too nice to shoot and make a safe queen out of it. A fate worse than death for any gun.

 

[Old Dog]

but when I look at it objectively I don't see the functional reasons why the prices are so high other than scarcity.

It's all relative. I look at the prices of new S&W revolvers and think they're obscene. The prices of older S&W revolvers went through the roof a long time ago -- are they really worth what people are asking for them now? (And I'm a big-time fan of old Smiths)

There is very little "looking at things objectively" these days when it comes to most consumer items, and even less objectivity when it comes to firearms, as most "gun folk" have deemed many genres of firearms as collectible and even as investments.

Back to the OP: Congratulations for being one of the first few THR members scoring the new Python. We support you (most of us, anyway).

 

[CajunBass]

Congratulations. I've had one for about a month now, and am just waiting for a 4" one to come into my dealer. That one will have to go on layaway, but man I like my 6" one.

I've got over 500 rounds of 357 through it. No real problems, but keep an eye on the screws, especially the two on the left side (one is hidden under the grip). They worked themselves loose on mine after about 475 rounds, and caused the cylinder to skip. To me it's not a big deal. Less than 30 seconds with a screwdriver, and it was back in business and they haven't come loose since, but I admit that I haven't fired it but a few rounds since. I didn't put any thread sealer on them yet. I figured I'd just keep an eye on them in the future.

One other thing that's not "wrong" but is different. The rear sight has a small Allen head screw that used to lock the sight adjustments in place. You'll need to loosen that up before adjusting your sights and of course, tighten it back afterward. I'm not sure what size hex wrench it is, but it's small, and the same size is needed to change the front sight if you so desire.

 

[Thibaut]

Enjoy, STRSAdam21, it is beautiful.