[ARCHIVED THREAD] - I must have a Colt Python (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 10/1/2007 4:22:43 PM EDT
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But not this one- Sweet Link of Goodness I had a chance, years ago, to trade my POS High Standard .22 to my Grandfather for his Colt Python. The .22 was the only gun I had at the time. I thought dear old Grandad was losing his effing mind, so I politely as I could declined the offer. I regret that decision every day now. Grandpa is gone now, and so is the Colt. I have no idea what ever happened to it. This is without a doubt one of Colts very finest firearms ever produced. Enjoy the goodness. |
I didn't spend 2500$ on either of mine nor would I spend that much on one course I have had both of mine for 15 years+ now |
I bought one a couple of months back, 6" barrel, blued. It's stunning. It had been converted to fire single-action-only to use as a target pistol. The shop I bought it at is owned by a gunsmith who is a former cop. He used to carry a Colt Python back in the day when departments were getting them for $125. I think they used to get them even cheaper than that for quantity buys. This gunsmith was weaned on Colt Pythons.I've wanted one of these for the longest time and just happened to see a beautiful used one in their shop one day. I was like: "Hey, why didn't you call me when this came in!".  |
Good grief, I didn't even notice that. The one I got was $700 and needed another $150 to get it back to double/single action. It's not new, but may as well be since the previous owner took such good care of it. Even on gunbroker these pop up for ?$1000-1200 often.
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One of the first revolvers I shot at the range. A nice older gent was there with 2 of them, made me shoot both, and several of his other nice revolvers. I say made me shoot as he was constantly handing me something different to try out and he taught me quite a bit about them during that afternoon. I probably didn't get 100 of my own rounds down range that day. Haven't seen him since, and lost his card. Fun guy to shoot with though. |
Because its quality workmanship which is rare these days. I turned down one with a 2 1/2 inch barrel because I didn't want to spend 1300 for a used gun. I would buy it today if I could since I'm building a collection of the Colt Snake Line of revolvers for my grandson. |
I dunno  For me its the stygma associated with it. Bad ass cop gun - 629 notwithstanding - looks, finish, looks, Colts naming them after bad ass serpants (Python, Anaconda, etc.), looks. And, the aforementioned chance that I had to own one of my GD's guns. I saw one in a high priced gun shop a couple years ago for $800.00. Still to rich for my blood. |
+1 Yeah, it's really something you have to see in person. You don't have to be a Colt cool-aid drinker to appreciate them either. The blueing is 
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More hand-fitted parts and overall quality. ie; like blueing, trigger and accuracy I've been wanting to use this image in a positive way on here 
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I like the Python, but for my uses, I'm more suited by a S&W N frame revolver. In fact, I prefer them so much that I own 4 of them in .357, and not a single Colt.
There is no comparison in the fitting and lockwork of a current 629 to the old P&R N frames or a Python. Of course, when S&W was making what the current generation considered the "old, quality guns" in the late 50s, 60s and 70s, the prior generation of shooters was lamenting the loss of quality from the pre-war age. |
+1 If I had to sell everything I had, you'd probably find me out in the woods, living in a tent, with my Colt Python. The one I got is from a deceased gentleman's estate. Even he couldn't sell it.
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I only own 3 colts my first AR which is a HBAR and 2 pythons I got lucky on the snakes because a guy I worked for years ago(I said 15 earlier but on reflection it has been 20 yrs  ) was a serious colt collector and he picked up both of mine for me. I have 800$ plus some trade work in mine.I can't think of a factory revolver whose blueing even comes close. |
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The older Smiths come damn close, but just aren't quite there. Diamondbacks and Pythons are absolute art in pistols, like the SAA, they have no equal. I have a Diamondback that is like new, they are a mini Python with the same cylinder locking system. I inherited it and I'll eventually inherit the Python that goes with it. The old Smiths though, you can't get more nice pistol for your money right now than a minty N-frame, but that'll go away soon. |
I don't think I'll ever understand the reasoning behind buying a gun and not shooting it. 
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That's the other one I would like to get to go with my Python, is an Anaconda in .45 Colt-just seems oh so right. Nick |
| That one you pictured was so expensive because it was a '57 vintage, and in such great shape for an old Python. You can get a later version exactly like it for much less than half that price. I have one just like it ('78) I paid $1000 for it NIB never fired. The Python is definitely the Cadillac of revolvers. There are still plenty out there to be had, but not likely they will get much cheaper. I'd suggest getting one while you can, since Colt won't be making any more. |
I had an Anaconda in .44 magnum. It was a piece of crap. I've never been so disappointed with a purchase in all my life. The quality of the Anaconda wasn't even up to par with a Taurus revolver. Sold it and bought a S&W 629. While the 629 wasn't the prettiest revolver I've ever purchased, it at least went bang, and I was able to polish the revolver properly myself since S&W stopped polishing them at some point. After some work with Mother's wheel polish and removing the lawyer lock, I was left with a very nice and very reliable revolver. My advice is to save whatever money you think about putting on an Anaconda and instead put it to getting another classic Python. Actually I would advise against buying any of those older revolvers because they are dangerous with modern ammo and are known to blow up on shooters regularly. They also give you the clap and explosive diahrrea. They should be treated as hazardous. As it happens, I have a facility to dispose of these dangerous revolvers so they won't hurt any innocent people, so I would encourage sending them to me immediately for proper disposal. |
I suppose maybe I should send you my 1897 vitage Peacemaker, also? Nick |
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some of the anacondas barrels wer not put on square & the timing was off. SI'm not sure what years were affected. I have shied away for that reason. The nickel python I have sure is nice though, I have not shot it, but only cause I haven't got around to it yet. |
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I have a 1970 4" Python with an enhanced blue finish, original walnut target grips and original box. It's a sweet gun, but it is a shooter. She has been used (not abused) over the years, and it shows with the drag marks on the cylinder and a couple of nicks in the finish. The trigger is as smooth as silk though. Like another poster said, the trigger breaks like glass. It's nice to see the price of Pythons appreciating, but I don't plan to ever sell mine. Turret-Buster: Keep your eyes peeled, there are Pythons out there for good prices. I was in the same boat as you until I picked mine up almost 1 year ago from a member on the boards here. I got a great deal and haven't looked back since. |
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The last Python I got, it almost made me cry the shape it was in. It is currently at Colt getting a new finish and getting tuned and timed. I know that will kill the collector value of the gun but I have others so I will make this one a shooter. I couldn't stand to see it in the shape it was in. Anyway, here's three of them. I have the original grips for the 6 inch blue one in the middle. |
Well, since I'm not out any money on either one of them, I guess that's fair. Although, the Python was gotten from my wife's grandfather's estate. All things considered, I'd rather he had not passed on-nice guy and a really great shot. There was always a long present under the tree at Christmas from him. Nick |
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The GF's dad has one and I have fired it many times. He has many sweet revolvers, but none of them compare to that pistol. He used to use it in the late 70s/early 80s when he was a competitive shooter and he carried it at one point in his years as a LEO. He has made it clear that he might be buried with it. I don't blame him. |