Do You Think The Colt Revolver Bubble Will Burst Anytime Soon?
- Thread starter Joe_Pike
- Start date
Thats kind of my point, its not like the colt revolvers were SUPER revolvers, I personally prefer the sw pc stuff, I think sw is easier to deal with too... I honestly don't know when the colt wheels got so sought after? I remember before this they would sit in the gun shops case like red headed step children... I have seen them well below $500 in nice used condition. The fact that people are will to spend 20 times that now doesn't make it a better gun...
This thread has me considering selling mine, I am going to pull them out after the holiday and contact a local collector that showed interest in it a few months back, maybe he will make me a good offer on both.
This thread has me considering selling mine, I am going to pull them out after the holiday and contact a local collector that showed interest in it a few months back, maybe he will make me a good offer on both.
The thing I find hilarious about Colt prices in regard to the Anaconda and the
King Cobra is that they were not big sellers.
Their triggers, especially in double action, suck compared to the older Colts and the Smiths and Rugers which were their main competition.
The King Cobra and Anaconda lockworks are cheap and were introduced in failed hopes to stemming the popularity of the Smiths and Rugers. Just take off the King Cobra's and Anaconda's grips and pop their side plates and you'll gulp. The Troopers that followed the dropping of the leaf spring design that Pythons have were just as suckie.
I doubt any serious gunsmiths gave any attention to the King Cobras and Anaconda when introduced nor today.
King Cobra is that they were not big sellers.
Their triggers, especially in double action, suck compared to the older Colts and the Smiths and Rugers which were their main competition.
The King Cobra and Anaconda lockworks are cheap and were introduced in failed hopes to stemming the popularity of the Smiths and Rugers. Just take off the King Cobra's and Anaconda's grips and pop their side plates and you'll gulp. The Troopers that followed the dropping of the leaf spring design that Pythons have were just as suckie.
I doubt any serious gunsmiths gave any attention to the King Cobras and Anaconda when introduced nor today.
carguychris
New member
Thank you, that IS a better comparison.micromontenegro said:
I'm not sure what's meant by "the Colt revolvers." That by itself is way too broad of a category to serve as the basis for any solid generalizations. The 1950s and 1960s Pythons are incredible revolvers. So are a number of pre-war Colts, which few people seem to have much interest in for some reason.
If you're talking about the junk Colt came up with in the 1980s, or any transfer-bar Colt, though, you're absolutely correct. In fact, in that case you're being too kind.
highpower3006
New member
I have a few Colt DA revolvers, fortunately, bought before the prices went stupid. Funny thing is it wasn't all that long ago when I was able to find them at decent prices.
Back around 2011 I found a 97-98% 1964 vintage Python in a small gun shop and got it for $875 OTD. A year and a half later, I found a mint Detective special for $500 and a couple of months after that, I bought a '68 Trooper in the original box with the test target and all the paperwork for $600.
At the time I really didn't think much of what I was paying for them, I figured that I was basically buying at market value. Since then, even common earlier DA Colts like Police Positives have jumped in price to the point that I refuse to fuel the market by spending money on what I view as inflated prices.
The prices on vintage Smith and Wessons is going up too. Two days ago I was offered $1000 for a mint in the box M19-2. I remember that just a couple of years ago, they could be had for $450 or so. Someone mentioned .38-44 Heavy Duties, try finding a nice one for much less than $700 nowadays. Prewar .38-44 Outdoorsmans are regularly fetching upwards or $1500 and I have seen some better examples going for two grand or more. Even the lowly Highway Patrolman's have risen to above $600-700 for nice examples.
The thing is, all guns made before 1980 or so, have begun to skyrocket. When and if it will slow down is anybody's guess.
While the new S&W PC guns may be nice, personally I find the tapered slabside barrels to be hideous.
Back around 2011 I found a 97-98% 1964 vintage Python in a small gun shop and got it for $875 OTD. A year and a half later, I found a mint Detective special for $500 and a couple of months after that, I bought a '68 Trooper in the original box with the test target and all the paperwork for $600.
At the time I really didn't think much of what I was paying for them, I figured that I was basically buying at market value. Since then, even common earlier DA Colts like Police Positives have jumped in price to the point that I refuse to fuel the market by spending money on what I view as inflated prices.
The prices on vintage Smith and Wessons is going up too. Two days ago I was offered $1000 for a mint in the box M19-2. I remember that just a couple of years ago, they could be had for $450 or so. Someone mentioned .38-44 Heavy Duties, try finding a nice one for much less than $700 nowadays. Prewar .38-44 Outdoorsmans are regularly fetching upwards or $1500 and I have seen some better examples going for two grand or more. Even the lowly Highway Patrolman's have risen to above $600-700 for nice examples.
The thing is, all guns made before 1980 or so, have begun to skyrocket. When and if it will slow down is anybody's guess.
While the new S&W PC guns may be nice, personally I find the tapered slabside barrels to be hideous.
Model12Win
Moderator
Until Colt releases the King Cobra again, like they were supposed to do this year, I fear the bubble will not pop for some time.
22-rimfire
New member
It was not quite like that nor are the triggers particularly bad. The Mark III and Mark V guns basically were developed to migrate the customer away from the older Colt DA revolver designs to a less expensive gun to manufacture while keeping the wonderful blue and nickel finishes. Stainless was of course added in keeping with Ruger and S&W. I believe Colt intended to drop the more expensive lines which they did in 1986/1987 but it just didn't work out that way until it was fairly exaggerated after the bankruptcy/re-organization in 1992. The new Colt actions were comparable to S&W and still were better than Ruger in terms of what Colt lovers liked.
Colt is struggling again financially. That only means that the old stuff is likely to go up in value even more. There has to be a top price, but it doesn't seem to have been reached yet for the regular production guns.
I like the classic Colts. Oozing panache, IMO. I owned a couple of Mk IIIs but didn't care for them. Same with the later models. Traded a S&W Model 29-2 for an Anaconda. That was a big mistake. Traded the ugly snake for a Ruger #1. Hard to believe that with Pythons selling for 2K+ Colt can't make a new one priced to show a profit. I do wish Colt would get back into the gun making business but if all they will offer is the Mk III and later models then no thanks.
Meanwhile, I enjoy my old Colts. Got this at a show for $200. Lots of holster wear but these guns are so cool.
Wanted a 5" Official Police. Settled for this 4" version I got off Gunbroker for $175. Paid $185 for the ivories. Sad when the stocks cost more than the gun wearing them. Been carried a lot, maybe an ex-cop gun.
About a month ago I found the 5" OP I wanted at a local show. Well, actually it's an Army Special made a couple years before they changed the name to OP. Same gun, different name, close enough. Stamped for the St. Louis PD, I have a weakness for agency marked duty guns. Not much finish left, but works fine and while the $275 price was a little high for the condition it called to me.
Then there are the Pythons. I think the most deluxe and finely finished mass production revolver made. Paid $300 for the 6" and 20 years later bagged the 4" for $600 right as they started to skyrocket in price.
Meanwhile, I enjoy my old Colts. Got this at a show for $200. Lots of holster wear but these guns are so cool.
Wanted a 5" Official Police. Settled for this 4" version I got off Gunbroker for $175. Paid $185 for the ivories. Sad when the stocks cost more than the gun wearing them. Been carried a lot, maybe an ex-cop gun.
About a month ago I found the 5" OP I wanted at a local show. Well, actually it's an Army Special made a couple years before they changed the name to OP. Same gun, different name, close enough. Stamped for the St. Louis PD, I have a weakness for agency marked duty guns. Not much finish left, but works fine and while the $275 price was a little high for the condition it called to me.
Then there are the Pythons. I think the most deluxe and finely finished mass production revolver made. Paid $300 for the 6" and 20 years later bagged the 4" for $600 right as they started to skyrocket in price.
22-rimfire
New member
I agree. I did the Python thing buying off and on over a period of 10 years. But I was never a big fan. Maybe the fact that I could never shoot the first 6" I purchased very well kind of jaded me against them. At that time, I didn't even own a S&W revolver of any kind. Colt Colt Colt.... This and the fact that I purchased a Trooper Mark III (6") 357 for $265 and loved the trigger, and the accuracy was better than I can shoot consistantly. I was sold on this Mark III.
I later picked up rimfire versions of the Trooper Mark III but they were all essentially mint and I didn't shoot them. I would have purchased these anyway for the collection. My attention was always focused on the Diamondback and I judged gun shows based on how many DB's were for sale and at what prices. That was then and now I can't really afford them like I used to. That's okay. I still have a stable full of them, but mostly 22's.
I suspect Diamondbacks and Pythons will always sell for more and the prices will continue to increase. The less common production models will garner huge prices over time.
Wheelie_Fan
New member
Yep....
When a moderate sized firm, unencumbered by shareholder pressures or government demands, (read: some family with fairly deep pockets) comes out with a rock solid revolver design with a great finish and a smooth action and sells it for a reasonable, yet expectedly, premium price.
Given the number of companies popping out the low hanging fruit (ccw semi autos) over the last decade or so, I'm amazed someone hasn't taken a shot at it...
Granted, higher expected tolerances & proper fit/finish, etc... should be expected... but krikey... It shouldn't be THAT frickin hard. How many j frames and s101's get sold every year? A small, conservative startup might find a niche with a very well made product...
OR
When Colt reintroduces a few of the snake guns next year., and they meet/exceed expectations....that might do it...
I've heard there is progress...
When a moderate sized firm, unencumbered by shareholder pressures or government demands, (read: some family with fairly deep pockets) comes out with a rock solid revolver design with a great finish and a smooth action and sells it for a reasonable, yet expectedly, premium price.
Given the number of companies popping out the low hanging fruit (ccw semi autos) over the last decade or so, I'm amazed someone hasn't taken a shot at it...
Granted, higher expected tolerances & proper fit/finish, etc... should be expected... but krikey... It shouldn't be THAT frickin hard. How many j frames and s101's get sold every year? A small, conservative startup might find a niche with a very well made product...
OR
When Colt reintroduces a few of the snake guns next year., and they meet/exceed expectations....that might do it...
I've heard there is progress...22-rimfire
New member
Where actually are they go to build them? FL?
Wheelie_Fan
New member
for gods sake... This is an interweb forum... I can't give ALL the answers..
However, as a manufacturer, in a high cost state... I submit that with the right attitude... and a motivated, forward thinking workforce... you can make anything.... Anywhere.
However, as a manufacturer, in a high cost state... I submit that with the right attitude... and a motivated, forward thinking workforce... you can make anything.... Anywhere.