Python questions
Local used handgun store has a Colt Python. It was blue now gun metal gray. Shop man says finish was very bad and the previous owner had it refinished. Not shiny nickel but a somewhat odd moderately shiny gun metal finish. But in the clean up process, the Colt logo and Python wording is almost rubbed off the gun frame. Seems to be in good mechanical order. They want $624 for it. I think that is a bit steep. Nothing but the gun. Opinions?
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Could not afford this gun in the 60's. Now I'm not
as strapped so I am starting to shop. Would like to buy a six
inch in Royal blue. My questions are: Were certain years of
production better than others and was there more than one
grade of blue finish? Thanks!!0 -
Hello Mel and welcome to GB. We have a few really expert Colt guys on our board but I have no idea what has happened to them. I know I'm looking at trouble here but I 'll give your question a shot. My great uncle owns a very early 6" Python which he bought new back in around 1958- about the time I was born. He still has the pistol and I've studied it and compared it with my own Pythons. There appear to be a few differnces between these older/newer Pythons: The blueing on his pistol looks to be more highly polished than my own "royal blue" pistols. The vent rib is higher on his early gun and the wood stocks have checkering which covers the entire "grip". My uncle was an journey level electrician when he bought his Python and it cost him an entire weeks pay! I don't know if there are any particular years of production to avoid. I like all three of mine- a 3" blue, a 6" blue, and a 6" nickel.
Mark T. Christian0 -
I bought one brand new in the early 80's. Don't know about the earlier models, but mine is beyond reproach of any sort. It is the second to last handgun that I would part with, a 1911 government model 70 series being the last gun that I would part with.
If it ain't broke-it ain't ours!!!0 -
Mark's got it right and gave you some great information. They only thing I would point out, early ones, 1955 to the early 70's are worth a little more because of the features Mark Christian told you about. They were readily available in the Blue and some Nickel ones.
1981 brought the matte Nickel finish, (Electroless Nickel), which was discontinued in about 1985 along with the Bright Nickel. Then came stainless guns.
To sum it up....For Investment, get the "Early Specimens." For a wonderful gun to shoot......whichever you are intrigued with, (but, please Don't shoot the Investment/Collector grade ones!), A Work Horse hunting hand gun would, in my opinion, be the 6 inch Stainless. Shy away from the 8 inch guns.........very hard to sell, are generally priced a little cheaper than a 6 inch, great guns but no "demand." If you just want one for the "Braggin' Rights," get the "Early One!"
There aren't any "Bad Pythons" or any to avoid for any reason I know of. It's just that "Like Fine Champagne, they are better with age!"
"Life is FRAGILE!" Handle With Care!0 -
I'd evaluate a gun on its individual attributes. I wouldn't have any hesitation to buy a Colt from 1960 forward if everything appears to be satisfactory and you like the way it looks and shoots. Kind of hard to imagine Colt messing up a Python, possibly the finest production revolver ever made IMHO.
Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead0 -
Could I interest you in my NIB 6 inch Blue Python. Don't know if it is classed "royal" or not. Serial K21XXX. $850.00 and the S,H,&I, to your FFL. gwvr@cowboystate.net 0 -
As usual, MC and RP have covered this topic very well. As a collector, and of about the same vintage, I vote for the earliest gun you can find. I find the early variations the most interesting, and the full-checkered stocks are a thing of beauty. If you have waited forty years to buy a Python, I would think a forty-year-old Python would be the logical choice.
Current Pythons are very expensive and you can probably buy most of the collectable ones for about the same money. I would prefer the early ones to the current ones. The quality has varied over the years, with the UAW stuff of the late 1970s and early 1980s probably being a notch or two below the best.
I personally prefer the 8-inch barrels to shoot, and would make an early 8-inch my first choice after a 1955-1960 vintage Python. (I have a factory-tuned 8-inch nickel with the Elliason sight package that is awsome.)
Like MC, I too have been wondering what happened to those expert Colt guys. Maybe the right topics have not been coming up lately to attract their interest.0 -
You may have gotten lucky. Check with Colt. They announced they are resuming production of Pythons. . . But when? 0 -
HUNTERMELL, I couldn't afford one in the 60's either on a Sergants pay, but I put one on lay-away, and finnaly got it. Have carried it ever since. I've looked at a lot of 'em since then, to see if any thing was changed on 'em, never could see any difference. Just find a good early one you like and go for it. Welcome Aboard!!
SEMPER FI MAC, SEMPER FI0 -
Thanks to all for the information. A collector grade would benefit my children, but am looking for a shooter in excellent condition. Shopping for it will be fun. It gives me an excuse to attend gunshows
and make sudden stops at gunshops.0
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