Colt Python

B

B-Fox

Inactive
Many people mentioned about Colt Python... Since Colt kinda went out of business, where can you get one of those brand new? And how much do they run? And how Colt Python compares to S&W 627?

[This message has been edited by B-Fox (edited August 19, 2000).]
 
New may be difficult. I saw a 2" blue that was still new the other day. They guy wanted over a grand for it. As I looked around the gun show today, I saw several nickel and blue from 8" to 2". They were all over $900. :( I am thinking I will be holding on to my 2 6" Pythons. I would love to pick up a 4" but I am just NOT going to pay $1000 for a .357.

Bubba
 
Saw a new in the box blue Python, 6' today at a gun show. Price was $695. At the time I thought that was kind of high?

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"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them." From the movie, " The Shootist"
 
The Python uses the same 41 cal frame as the official police 38, and the adjustable sighted "357" later renamed the Trooper. (The Trooper Mark III or V was a modernized different framed gun.) I believe all Colts used the same twist for 38 or 357, which was faster than the Smith twist ( IIRC Colt 1 in 14 and Smith 1 in 18 something? ).

Look for an adjustable sighted 357 with a cylindrical barrel free of any ejector rod shroud or top rib, with a ramped base mounted front sight. Find a tight 4" or 6" barreled one and it will shoot better than you can though not better than a Python due to the Python's full length underlug and top ribbed barrel which dampens the vibrations on firing.

As a matter of fact a Python bbl. can be screwed into the Trooper frame but will leave a gap at the top front of the frame where it's been beveled to match the cylindrical Trooper bbl. rather than the top ribbed bbl. of the Python. George Nonte even turned some Troopers into Pythons by welding the top front portion of the frame up to match the Python bbl.

The point being that the Python/Trooper action could be tweaked to a hesitation da trigger pull vs. the Smith's straight-through da trigger pull. In other words the colt could be stroked double action smoothly to a point just before drop where there was a little catch, notifying you to so you could almost single action the hammer break. This used to be important when cops competed on the PPC course with revolvers. That and the fact the design meant skilled craftsmen had to fit the parts making it superb quality rarely equalled.

So if you want a Python but don't want to pay the price, get a clean used Trooper and you got almost the same thing except the looks and a lighter barrel.

(Why did I sell my 4" Trooper? What was I thinking of? Somebody,you are getting sleepy. When you wake up you will want to sell me your Trooper, don't you? /fingersnap/.)

[This message has been edited by Rusty S (edited August 19, 2000).]
 
B-Fox; Now please this is just MHO. Colt Python's are over-rated. I wouldn't get a Python just like I wouldn't buy a $2,000 1911. There's alot of good .357 maggies out there. Don't waste you're money on a colt. Best Regards, J. Parker
 
Pythons arent overrated. Its only those who can't justify owning the best regardless of cost.

Korth also makes an awesome revolver as well.

I suggest that any lunkhead that would compare a ruger or **** and wesson to a Python has their heads firmly planted up their backside.

As for the Trooper comparison, the internal lockwork is entirely different. The Trooper lockwork is similar to the Anaconda.

AND, the Trooper lockwork, while being relatively simple to work on, is a real bitch to get smooth due to the rougher internal machining of the Trooper's frame.

Not saying the Trooper is a bad baseline, but, the Python is the ultimate.

[This message has been edited by slickpuppy (edited August 20, 2000).]
 
I have a custom shop Python from the late 70's. It is the finest firearm I have ever owned. The trigger is the smoothest I have ever felt on any firearm and the finish is perfect with not a single polish mark or tool mark anywhere. The timing is dead on and it is more accurate than I can hold it. It is far better than any other revolver I have ever owned. If you are looking for a handgun to be used as a tool go for something else, if you want a work of art and have pride in knowing you own one of the finest revolvers available get a Python.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rusty S:
The Python uses the same 41 cal frame as the official police 38, and the adjustable sighted "357" later renamed the Trooper.

(The Trooper Mark III or V was a modernized different framed gun. )

Look for an adjustable sighted 357 with a cylindrical barrel free of any ejector rod shroud or top rib, with a ramped base mounted front sight.

[/quote]

slickpuppy:

IIRC, the Colt "I" frame was developed for the 41 Colt, thus earning it's appellation as the "41 frame". It later became the Army Special when chambered in 38 spl.

I believe it was designed to replace the .41 Colt cal. "Thunderer" and the 38 Colt cal. "Lightning" which were Colt's earlier and first double action revolvers. I won't guarantee it, but the date 1893 ( the SAA came out 20 years earlier ) rings a bell.

A few years later, Smith and Wesson developed the frame that became the K frame. Again, IIRC, the year was 1899 for the S&W.

The Trooper/Lawman ( adjustable/fixed sights ) "Mark III/V" revolvers were coming out circa 1970 or so.
 
While I think the Python is one of a kind and I adore mine, anyone who says a "prewar registered S&W 357 Magnum" can't compare with a Python is...well, let me just say they are inexperienced. In my book it's a 2 way tie for first place. Of course I'm talking about S&W guns that have been out of production for 60+ years. They really were sixgun perfection. Too bad the old prewar Smiths cost so damn much. I don't really care for late model, pre-agreement S&Ws, and we all no where S&W can stick their POST-agreement guns. AS for speaking of modern day 357s, I'll take a Python.

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Just one of the Good Guys
 
I knew a fella a couple years ago where I worked that was sooooo proud of his Python. It was like mid or maybe late eighties manufacture as I recall. We'd go shootin' and he thought he was the "king of the walk". My magnum at the time was a lowly S&W mod 66. Well, his prized Python went "out of tune" (didn't work anymore). Thanks, but I'll pass on owning the "best". J. Parker
 
Rusty S - A Python is not at all like a trooper. The Python is the only arm that I know of that has a tapered bore that gets tighter towards the muzzle. It is also burnished with a special process where a hardened steel ball is pushed throught the barrel. This hardens and polishs the bore. The lockwork is unique in that the cylinder is held tighter into position the more the trigger reaches the end of its travel. It is one expensive item that is really worth the price especially if pride of ownership means anything to you. I think anyone who shot the pistol would agree it is the best of the revolvers with the exception of the roller seared Korth.

J.Parker - A Python can break just like the several S&Ws I have owned. It could be that the Python broke because the owner did not read his owners manuel. The gun should not be cycled in a manner that would not effect a S&W. I forget what the manuel says buy maybe someone can refresh my memory. I think it was that you can not pull the hammer back hold the trigger and keep cycling it this way???
 
Again, Colt put the Trooper name on two very different frames.

The one I am talking of was made on an "I" frame.

Find a 60's Gun Digest and you will see.

I once had a 4" blue "old model" Trooper and a 4" nickeled Python at the same time and the Trooper had a better double action pull than the Python. I still have an 8" nickeled Python Target 38 special.

For that matter try to explain to a cocky 23 year old that the Colt "Officer's" name used to also be on a big, heavy, match 38 Special revolver.
 
FYI guys: A 1969 or earlier Trooper is the same "I" action as all Pythons. When I rebuilt my original Trooper, I used all Python parts. They fit perfectly.


From 1970 on, the Troopers use a coiled mainspring rather than the v-spring of the "I" frames.

Joe


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Go NRA
 
Bless you Joe!

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How could I have missed? The sights were dead on when I closed my eyes and pulled the trigger!
 
Joe,
Thanks for the clarification. I was going with my experiences with my later model trooper vs. my python and the lockwork is entirely different.

Don't have my gunsmithing manuals handy on them right now, but will look it up in the Python smith manual.

Rusty, now I understand what you were saying.

Learn something new everyday. Thanks Joe and Rusty.
 
I have a first model COlt Trooper in .357 with the V-spring action. I actually got it back after it was stolen over ten years ago! It is a fine gun, but had been butchered by the so&so who had it/stole it. The hammer had been "bobbed", the original stocks missing, etc. and it had a ring in the barrel. The barrel was really hard to replace, but I finally got lucky after numerous calls to Gun Parts Corp and got a clean 4-inch barrel to replace the same. I found out that there are two size threads on the Python barrels...the old ones will fit the old Troopers but the new python barrels will not. In either case, you'd end up with the gap between the rib of the python barrel and the frame, as noted above. I'm just ecstatic that I got the gun back and was able to get it repaired. It had some rust pits and a lot of wear marks and scratches, so I had to have it bead-blasted and reblued in a matte finish. It's no collector's piece, but a mighty fine shooter once again! (I also have a six-inch Python which barely beats the Trooper on groups.)
 
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