I travel a lot in my work, and always try and drop into Pawn Shops, Police Supply houses and Guns shops at every new town.
I have found several, as in over 100, Like new Colt Pythons in several Gun Shops in New England for everywhere from rediculous to really cheap prices.
One I was looking at was a Ultimate Stainless Python in 4 inch up in a very well known Connecticut store. It was priced at almost $3500. A older gent noticed me looking at the Python, and we struck up a conversation about them. He said he worked at Colts for over 25 years and retired just after the strike was settled. His retirement gift was a 6 inch Colt Python which he has never taken out of the Colt presentation case.....................He wanted $1800 for it, but I wanted a 4 incher......................Uh, no problem...............his brother worked at the Custom shop setting up some machine tools......................he got a matte stainless 4 incher which was custom tuned by Rich Tousignant....................When I mentioned that I knew Rich and Earl Giggey of the Custom Shop, he said I could get that Python for about $1000 since it was used.
We had lunch at a local seafood diner (on me) and I met his brother........................saw the Python.............................It was offered at $1200 cash, and it came in Rubber Pachmayrs with the Colt medallion......................................I mentioned I wanted wooden grips to end up making it into an Ultimate model..................................................he said, "I have a Ultimate 4 inch with standard action for the same price".....................he had got it for his wife at the factory discount price in 1991 of $525. We struck a deal for both the stainless Pythons for $2400 and the local gunshop charged me $100 to run both pistols through their books and $75 to ship to my dealer in VA.
So I got 2 Pythons for the price of what one used one usually goes for, and he threw in a set of checkered wooden grips he had as a spare. I was offered $4000 at my local dealer for the bright Ultimate model with the added grips alone. I still have them in my safe and they will not go anywhere.
As has been said the deals are out there if you stick with the model and price you want. Also, dont get ripped....................always get up to date pics or better yet, travel to see the piece. It also helps to listen to what people are saying and dont be afraid to ask.
If you prefer a Nickel Python, most of those were popular in Southern states, and I remember seeing many in Florida, Georgia, Lousiana and Texas. Since they were popular there, they probably resell higher there too, but they may resell lower in Northern or Midwestern states.
Most people who have hung onto Pythons are usually the original owners and usually did not carry or shoot them alot, so do you homework and make sure it is not a worn beater. Good luck, a Python with custom action by Frank Glenn is a thing of beauty on the range and when dropping the hammer.
Good Hunting