Colt Python, what's the appeal?

I never understood the appeal. I'm a sixgun nut and own three dozen revolvers of various makes but never drooled over Pythons. Not really anything special about their finish, other than perception and one can easily have a Ruger or S&W just as well finished. Or better. Through most of the `80's and `90's Colt overpolished most of their "premium" revolvers.
 
A refinished Python loses quite a bit of its appeal.
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Unless Colt did the work (and it sounds like not) it has been badly damaged.

If you could pick it up cheap, and then have Colt refinish it (it is not all that much actually) it might be worth another look.
 
People that shoot guns should be less concerned with finish and vent ribs. My criticisms of the Python are the DA pull and the SA pull, the sights and the grips. None of the above are really good enough for me when talking "the best revolver of all time". Of course, many of you decide the best revolver by whether the finish is a royal one or not.

The other thing is as a shooter, they are not worth what they sell for. Of course you could always turn around and sell it but they're not head and shoulders above a S&W even though they are price wise.

For fit and finish? I'd rather have a pre war S&W or Colt.
 
Unless Colt did the work (and it sounds like not) it has been badly damaged.
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Sorry but Colt is not the last word in refinishing. They've put out enough factory turds that it should not be assumed that they will do the best job. If it's done properly, it doesn't really matter who did the refinishing. Unless it was done very poorly, you sure as hell ain't gonna make it better by having it refinished again. If indeed it is a poor refinish, it needs a restoration, not another run of the mill refinish job.
 
I like the way my S&Ws feel to me. The Colts are kind of the "Glock" of the revolver world to me, and I don't mean that in a derogatory way at all. What I mean is I like to have the original grips on the revolvers I own and the Colt's wood grips just don't feel "right" to me much like the grips on a Glock don't feel good to me. That probably sounds like a real goofy reason to a lot of folks, but what can I say. I love the bluing, though.
 
I like Colts, and the Python is one of their high watermarks. Can anyone throw a recent price on one of these? That vent rib should actually function as wire guide or something. I hate guns too pretty to shoot. I'll pay the bucks, but I would shoot it.
 
I think the allure of a Python is in there day they were true works of craftsmanship of a true American Heritage .

That day has passed ,at least for me anyways.

As the era of Colts DA revolvers comes to a close ,so does the people that knew how to build & repair em , we won`t bring up the availability of parts .
 
I bought a 4" blued Python a year ago . . . just because I'd heard so much hey about 'em and I got it in my craw to "have the Python experience". I've shot it twice and yes, the action is smooth, but, personally, I don't see what the great appeal is. I'd much rather shoot my 1920"s S & W M & P or my 1910 Colt Army Special - the same frame size but to all the extra metal. When it comes to centerfire, I favor 38 spl. To be honest, if I could only have one center fire pistol, it would be my Ruger New Vaquero 357. I love SA and it's a great shooter.

I got a good deal on my Python so it will pretty much be a "safe queen" . . I bought it more for an investment anyways. Would I do it again? Probably not. Just my personal feelings about it though. A lot of folks love 'em so more power to 'em. If we all liked the same things in life, it would sure be a boring world! :)
 
Yeah, that ventilated rib kinda reminds me of a spoiler on a Saturn with a 110 hp engine. Just there for stylin. The Python is an attractive looking piece, but not my style.
 
If you don't like Pythons that's great. It is less competition on finding the next one that is for sale. Bad Python. Bad..bad..bad.
 
I have 2, one is a 4", and the other a 6".

I shoot the 6" much better. It is a 100 yard handgun for man or beast. I only wish it was a .41 magnum.
 
Thank you TFL staff for keeping things in line here, I think what makes Colts revolvers so appealing to some is their names, python,diamondback, anaconda, not model 10,66, 64, 29, kinda boring to say "YEAH I HAVE A SMITH 66 357!" when the other fella is saying" I SHOOT A COLT ANACONDA 44 MAGNUM!"

Please dont boo me! :o I have two smith revolvers and one colt:D
 
I fell in love with Pythons back as a kid - my Dad had one and I shot it one day after shooting several other guns (S&W, Colt, and Ruger). Personally, I felt look and trigger alone justifies the lure of the Python. Basically it has:

  • a deep/polished royal blue like I've never seen on any other weapon
  • aesthetically, I love the full underlug and vented rib
  • the smooth DA trigger and a feeling of having a roller bearing for the SA (straight from the factory)
  • better than average out of the box accuracy

Just my $0.02...I love those Colt "snake guns" and gladly purchase any of them I find available.
 
My criticisms of the Python are the DA pull and the SA pull, the sights and the grips. None of the above are really good enough for me when talking "the best revolver of all time".
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Winchester, I am astounded that you would criticize the SA pull. The DA, okay, it IS weird. Some people learn to manage it very well- I am not one of them, and prefer S&W's DA. But almost every Python I have used has had an oustanding SA pull. A paper puncher's delight.

Sights:The standard Accro ones, IMHO, are good enough. But to really enjoy a Python, you should get the optional Colt-Eliason rear/ partridge front combo. Again, I am talking about a target revolver- which is what the Python really is. Why Colt tried to disguise it as a service revolver is a mistery to me.

The stock grips are the worst ever. But I am yet to find any stock DA revolver grips that don't suck- for me. That's why they come with those handy screws, so you can fit ones that, well, fit your hand :D

BTW,I am quite sure that without the vented rib, the six inch would lose its balance- which is another of its great points. The first, unvented portotypes had their underlugs drilled almost to the muzzle to achieve the correct weight. So no, they are not there "just for looks".

Proper sights:

IMG_6561.jpg
 
"If it weren't for the god awful ventilated rib on the Python, I might actually like it."

It was designed to be a target gun and the weight on the barrel helps. Maybe if you'd shoot it more and look at it less; guns are for shooting, right?
 
I've got a 95% 6" 1969 Python. It's had to go to a gunsmith once for timing issues. It's a beautiful gun. I enjoy owning it. Cleaning it, taking it out and showing it to other gun people. Shooting maybe 12 rounds a year through it. But I'm not going to shove it in a holster and walk around in the woods with it. Or put a thousand rounds through it and take a chance that the gunsmith won't be able to fix it properly next time. I'll treat it gently and enjoy it!

Gregg
 
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