Colt Python, what's the appeal?

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Flakbait

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I got a chance to handle a 4 inch Colt Python in the LGS today. It had been reblued with a black finish so it looked a bit odd in color but it seemed to be in good condition.

Colt went out of the double action revolver business way back before my interest in shooting developed but I still remember the days when Police officers all packed .357 Smith and Wesson Revolvers.

I obviously didn't have a chance it shoot it at the LGS but I could not tell much difference between it and my K frame Smith of similar vintage other than the lockup may have been a little more crisper in the Colt when you pulled the hammer back with your thumb. I rarely shoot Smith & Wesson revolvers in single action though.

What is the main appeal of the Colt Python? Better build quality? Is it analogous to the the Model 70 vs the Remington 700?
 
I have a 6 inch python...it does have a smoother double action than any of my Smiths but the single action is definitely better. I can't speak for the one you handled or what year it was made but I have 3 double action Smiths and none compare to the Python.

I will say that another smooth double action pistol was the old Dan Wessons. Those were wonderful pistols. I am sorry I sold mine. I had 3 barrels for it...
 
I owned a Python and I sold it. I don't miss it. They're really not what they're cracked up to be. I personally prefer the S&W 27 and the K frame 357s. For Colts, I like the 50s Trooper and 357 models. Many people say that the pre war Colt Shooting Masters and Officer's Models are the best Colts ever made. Many of those people are Colt nuts themselves if that tells you anything (go check out the Colt forum once in a while). I own many revolvers, and I've owned many more, and the Python, just like the Diamondback, does not live up to the hype. Of course, they're still nice but to call them "The Rolls Royce" of revolvers is a stretch. My appreciation for S&W revolvers really has little to do with my opinions on Pythons. They are what they are to me. I don't bash them because they were made by the "other company".

They are much like the trophy wife who doesn't cook or clean, or know how to think and is yet every man's envy of those look upon her. For the owners of Pythons / husbands of trophy wives, many quickly realize that having the complete all-around package is the best thing, not something that is excellent in only a few aspects. Of course, many others say the Python is the best package and to that I say "to each, their own".

People can say what they want, but they won't change my opinion on Pythons which is built on actual experience, not what cousin Billy said or what they read on an internet forum.

I think Pythons are one of the best 357s to invest in however and I would love to own another one just because of "When in Rome..." and little else.
 
Before the era of excellent revolver action work, Colt Pythons = Kings of the revolver world, renowned for their excellent trigger and "royal blue" finish.

Nowadays, $200 and a couple months wait will yield you a S&W double action trigger that laughs at Colt Pythons'.
 
Pretty & smooth but thats about it,they make a nice safe queen.Had mine sence the 70's & its been in & out of the shop several times for timing problems,would trust my life on it.Another one its not cool as u might think.:eek:
 
Flakbait said:
Colt went out of the double action revolver business way back before my interest in shooting developed but I still remember the days when Police officers all packed .357 Smith and Wesson Revolvers.
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Police officers didn't "all" carry S&W revolvers. Typically they carried whatever their department issued or authorized. That might have been S&W or it might have been Colt.

There's a gun shop near me owned by a retired LEO. He'll sell you a semi-auto, but his story (pretty much confirmed by his partner, who was also with the same department) is that he doesn't like them and that he retired when they told him he couldn't carry a revolver any more. His used gun case is always filled with S&W double action revolvers. Last week I spotted a first or second generation Colt Detective Special in there, so I asked him how that happened, since he seemed to be such a fan of the S&Ws.

His answer was that he sells the S&Ws not because he likes them, but because he doesn't. He said he prefers the Colts, and the reason I never see one for sale is that most of them he gets never make it to the case, and the ones that do go up for sale are bought almost instantly.
 
First off, the finish. Colt Royal blue is something to behold. A refinished Python loses quite a bit of its appeal.

Then there's the single action trigger pull. It is a real target trigger, which gives me a lot of pleasure. YMMV.

And then there's accuracy. If you take the time to taylor handloads to your Python, you'll probably find it outshoots every other DA revolver, except for the Dan Wesson. Again, YMMV. With factory ammo, you'll probably find accuracy is the same as a Model 19.

And then, there is the aesthetics. To some people, the Python is just ugly. For me, it is one of the most beautiful handguns ever. It certainly is one of the most copied ones- the full lug is nowadays prevalent, thanks to the Python.
 
Every pimp should own at least one. But I have no gold tooth and no Python.:D Obviously, some people think Pythons are special, but not my taste.
 
I agree with micromontenegro 100%.


Also the e nickel /aka/ royal coltguard finish is gorgeous and unique on a python.
 
"Every pimp should own at least one."

You obviously know a lot about pimps. Got anything else intelligent to say?
 
Back in the day, my father was a training officer. I recall the single rookies had 4 inch Pythons. They were the only ones who could afford them. Most of the other officers had Colt Troopers or S&W model 10's.

The accuracy and craftsmanship of the Python are what attracted me to them. Wish I still had mine. I can't afford a replacement for it at this time. Regards 18DAI
 
"Every pimp should own at least one."

You obviously know a lot about pimps. Got anything else intelligent to say?
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Well I had no idea you lacked a sense of humor, grandpa.:rolleyes:
My point is I think Pythons are gaudy ugly guns.
 
I guess nothing special about the Python unless you truly appreciate the finest action and finish ever.
Sold my model 27 and now own only one 36 calibre S&W which is a snub nosed 66
 
My point is I think Pythons are gaudy ugly guns.
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Well, beauty is of course in the eye of the beholder, but you're definitely representing the minority opinion. I like my Python and, like most, think it's pretty attractive. It doesn't have the best double action trigger among my revolvers, nor is it the most accurate - both those honors go to Smiths. But the fit and finish is unquestionably magnificent and you gotta admit that the bluing on a Python is simply spectacular. Yeah, the vent rib is a little silly on a handgun, but overall it's a nicer package than a lot of what's being produced down on Roosevelt Avenue these days.
 
...I got a chance to handle a 4 inch Colt Python in the LGS today. It had been reblued with a black finish...
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You sure it was a Colt? Arms-core or someone is making what looks like a double-action Colt...either a Diamond Back or a Python. They have a black finish.
 
For a double action revolver I generally prefer a S&W or Dan Wesson. Chiefly because I think you get just as much bang for your buck as with a higher priced Colt. This is not to say a Colt is not as good, or not better, just generally more expensive in my experience. Sometimes good enough is well....good enough. The vent rib of the Python is strictly a matter of personal esthetic like or dislike. The under barrel lug does help hold down recoil with its extra weight. But then other revolvers followed suit and have that today too.

But concerning the exact question the OP asked, I would say this....

1. It's a Colt. Colt's bring premium prices whether they are better than another brand or not. The fact that it's a Colt adds value for some people simply because of the Colt brand.

2. Fit and finish is usually very nice.

3. It has an acceptable smooth trigger usually right out of the box.

4. It was arguably the top of the line "Cadillac" of the Colt magnums of its day.

5. And this is the main reason in my opinion......It is a top of the line (for its day) classic revolver that is no longer manufactured. And for this reason alone it will rise steadily in collector value and will make you a profit if you resell it. Although the one you spoke of will lose some of its collector value being refinished in black rather than its factory royal blue.



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The attraction ....to the Colt Python ..is the craftmanship ...

but personally, I find the N frame S&W model 27's to be as good a gun, if not better, and the style of grips on the N frame S&W's suit me better. Colt collectors will argue the Python is a better gun / S&W collectors will argue the N frame S&W's are better guns ...there is no wrong or right answer...

A 4" N frame model 27 in .357 mag ...in original Nickel ...will probably cost you around $1,000 these days ( especially if its a dash 2 engineering revision ) and it is a great revolver ....but the Colt Pythons are nice guns as well / just not the revolver I prefer / but I respect their craftsmanship.
 
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