First revolver Bought! Colt Bill Davis 357 ??

J

jaybkorn

Inactive
Okay so I have a few pistols but I wanted something different and unique and IMHO beautiful

I found a 6 inch 357 colt custom by Bill Davis . . . The tag said Colt Python on it

I picked it up and the trigger was like butter smooth and light with no hammer, Was a DAO type trigger the dealer said.

I dont know much about it but I can't wait to get the to range with it!

can anyone tell me some more about it ?
6 inch bull barrel
colt python ?
hammerless
SN# 662##

Thx
346ujnk.jpg

full
http://i44.tinypic.com/346ujnk.jpg

close up pony :
http://i42.tinypic.com/18kuur.jpg

full again :
http://i42.tinypic.com/34qw6eu.jpg

bull barrel
http://i40.tinypic.com/29nz607.jpg
 
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Could be a Python, Trooper or target match? There are several guns build on that frame. and after custom work like that someone who knows more can probably tell you.
 
I don't know anything about it, but it looks pretty sweet. That's quite the barrel on that thing. And that front sight looks pretty interesting.
 
It's a PPC gun and it does have a hammer, it's just been bobbed. If you call Colt with the serial number they can tell you what it was originally and the year it was made.
 
I had Bill Davis build two revolvers for me back in the 80's. He was/is probably the best revolversmith I've ever encountered. He did a Smith 27 and a Ruger Security Six for me at the same time. Each gun would shoot an inch at 50 yds off a rest with max loads. His trigger work was unequaled. I don't know if he's still active. Frank Pachmayr reccommended him to me and it was probably the best reccommendation I've ever gotten for gunsmith customization work.
 
oops yea I meant to say bobbed or trimmed no thumb part.

I really hope its a python as I've always wanted one but this was the first that was in my price range.

the sights are an Aristocrat "rib"
 
Nice gun. I have a Bill Davis S&W, also with the 6" heavy barrel & sight rib.

As WC145 mentioned, it's a PPC gun, and Davis was the PPC builder when PPC was the game. It ought to lock up like a bank vault and be a sweet shooter.

Note, though, that this is not a general-purpose gun, but specifically built as a target gun tuned for (148gr wadcutter) .38spl target loads, so it's unnecessary, perhaps unwise to shoot .357mags through it. If it started life as a .38spl, and you may not be able to even load the longer .357s.
 
I really hope its a python as I've always wanted one
Click to expand...

It's unlikely to be a Python. The base guns for these builds seem to be basic fixed-sighted .38spls, as there was little need for anything more. Mine was built on a very basic S&W model 10, for instance. Still, they were built for customers, so it's possible someone started with a Python donor.
 
the dealer listed it as a 357 colt python :(

any way to check if its a 38 special or a 357 mag ?

as for ammo: Crap I just had it loaded with 357 Mag 125 gr FTX® Critical Defense in my night stand (locked of course)
 
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the dealer listed it as a 357 colt python
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As stated, it could have started as a Python. But it's value is as a Bill Davis PPC revolver, not as a Python. I'd have bought it if I were looking for a PPC revolver, but wouldn't have paid any extra for it if it were based on a Python.

any way to check if its a 38 special or a 357 mag ?

as for ammo: Crap I just had it loaded with 357 Mag 125 gr FTX® Critical Defense in my night stand (locked of course)
Click to expand...

If the .357mags seated completely and the cylinder closed, it's technically a .357mag. Still, I'd recommend sticking with .38spls with this gun, even for HD duty. The barrel is likely an Apex barrel, and has a faster twist rate than stock, designed for lead (not jacketed) wadcutter bullets shot at lower velocities.
 
ah okay, I guess I will start shopping for some 38's.

Will the 357mags hurt the barrel or rifling?

and as a Davis how much is it worth ?

I got it used for 600$

(I apologize for my ignorance in revolvers and etc haha)
 
.357s won't hurt the barrel or rifling. However, consider the gun "optimized" for .38spl wadcutters, it is a specialized piece built for a specific purpose, it is not a general use Colt Python with a heavy barrel.

At $600 I'd say you got a good deal for a Davis gun that is based on a Colt Python if you intend to use it as a range toy. It will be very accurate, it will have a terrific action, but it will not show it's best loaded with SD ammo and perched on your nightstand.

You've got yourself a great gun but not necessarily built for the general use that you envisioned. Of course, there's worse self defense loads than a .38spl wadcutter so all may not be lost.
 
I agree with WC145 on all points.

I don't think .357s will hurt the barrel per se, but Apex barrels had shallow lands & grooves and are a bit oversized (and have a fast twist), so .357s may not be very accurate (and you may see some copper fouling to boot).

$600 sounds good, even for a used gun bought in your LGS. If it's in in pristine condition, and/or came with documentation, I could see one selling for $1k.

As far as target ammo, most load their own, but if you don't reload, you can buy factory target ammo on-line:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/23...38-special-148-grain-lead-wadcutter-box-of-50

One thing I noticed about mine is that it seemed to shoot low. But then, I realized PPC shooters typically aim at the neck for a 50 yard CoM hit, so it'll hits low with the typical bullseye-type target.
 
I think the base gun was a Trooper or 357.
The top strap falls away at the front to blend with a round barrel, not the flat top and mild bevel to the rib of a Python.

I had a similar one on an Official Police and a friend built one up on a Python.

AT THE TIME (1970s) you could get a lighter DA on a Colt than a S&W.
But Colts are out of production and the Smith smiths have 30 years more experience. Not many Colt target revolvers being set up any more. Not that the existing ones aren't smooth, accurate guns.
 
It really doesn't matter if it started as a python or not. Pythons were simply the trooper that had custom work, fitting and polishing done to the action.

Since this is a custom gun now it wouldn't matter if because all of the above would've been done to the gun regardless.

I'm not sure how u ended up with a custom PPC revolver when you wanted to get a Colt Python? Just because someone claims it was a Python doesn't mean it still is...
 
I was at a gun shop and It really caught my eye, I was looking for a new Taurus 608 357 6inch barrel (8 rounds and big for SD)
they were sold out everywhere and at 500$ for one of those or this for 600(after I talked him down green back a dollar)

Anyway, this caught my eye and when I saw Colt, Python (I'm limited in education on revolvers but those two names meant alot to me)
I was pretty sold, the smooth light trigger was soo nice and it was DAO which I like So i bought it.

Now I saw that the top sights have Bill Davis custom engraved on them but the gun it self doesn't say anything on it so how can I tell if it is actually a Bill Davis custom and not just a stock colt with the sights bolted on.

I'm going to the range tomorrow, Hopefully I can find some .38 spc

Thanks
 
sorry to hear about it not being a .357 you still have a very fine custom revolver using it and a taurus in the same sentence isn't even fair.
 
I need to get some money back imo . . . now I'm not even sure its a Bill Davis It could be just the top sight rail wow I feel screwed
 
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