Colt "Monty" Python?

R

Rickmeister

New member
I just saw a new 6" Colt Python on display at one of the local gun dealerships. It had the word "Elite" engraved on its barrel. Is this a new issue or what?

I had to leave the store in a hurry, as I began to drool uncontrollably and felt my hands go about my body, frisking me for a wallet... unmistakable signs of an impending gun purchase. But I'm still reeling from that rotten experience I had with Taurus; and this, I guess, is the reason I hesitated to jump in.

As well I might, since I don't know that much about the Python, except that when it was first issued 30-some years ago it instantly became a classic.

Then again, it isn't hard to see why.

So I am asking you for a word of wisdom. Should I fork out $1100 for this big fat snake, or is it a gimmick best avoided? In other words: Can there ever be another Python, or am I merely deluding myself with my impression of its remote and glorious past?
 
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The Python Elite is the current Python. They are very expensive and, I think, over priced. For $1100 you could probably find a 1960's or 70's Python in 98-100% condition with a far better trigger and still have money left over.

My two cents.
 
Hey Rickmeister,
I bought a 6" Python Elite last year. I believe these new Pythons are way overrated. I sold it. It wasn't finished nearly as well as the older 60's and early 70's vintage Pythons. Look closely at the front sight blade on one of these guns. The whole blade, not just the red insert, is made of PLASTIC. That's crazy! It would have cost Colt only a few more cents to put a proper steel blade on the gun. If you look around at bit you can find like new older Pythons in the $700 range.

Randy
 
I've heard the newer ones are not up to the same standards as the older ones. I bought my 1980 6 inch nickel Python with wood grips in like new shape a few months ago for 675. I've been very happy with it.
 
Not too long ago I had a chance to shoot both the current Python and a Python from the late 70's, mid eighties. The older revolver was so much better than the current one that there was simply no comparison. The older one was smother , better balanced, rolled up and returned on target better than the new one and frankly, had better fit and finish.

At that same time I let the others shoot my old Colt revolver while I shot theirs. All of us agreed that the best of the three was my Colt 1917 made between 1917 and 1919. Now that is a sad comment on our current state of manufacture.

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I have a Python Elite with a six-inch barrel. I bought it the week before Colt announced it was bailing out of the civilian firearms line of work. It's a good revolver--especially considering I paid $750 for it, not the $1,100 it would command today--but out of the box, the single action pull was over six pounds, and the double action pull was needlessly heavy and uneven. The bluing is okay, but not the equal of bluing from years gone by.

The Python, incidentally, is nearly fifty years old: it was introduced in 1955.

The rest of my Pythons are older. Some are in better condition than others, and some were better cared for than others; on the whole, however, I believe they were better firearms when new than Python Elites currently being manufactured.
 
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