Found a Colt Python at the pawn shop - is this a good deal?

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Wyoredman

New member
Hello revolver fanatics. I was browsing the local pawn shop yeserday and he has a Colt Python .357 mag, 6" barrel, blue with gold lettering, two sets of grips, no box. He is asking $1100.00

My question is if this is the going price? I have been looking on GunBroker and they seem to go for that, but it seems a bit high.

I examined the gun and it looks clean, but used some. The barrel is bright and there are not any major scratches, etc.

I am not a Colt guy, as I don't own any guns made by the company, but I just thought this may be a good one to pick up.

What is your professional opinion?

Thanks.
 
i am not a pro by any standard, but i will offer my insight. use the revolver checklist, its a sticky on this forum. i swear by it, and its the standard by which potential new revolver purchases are judged. seems like a good price for a python, but if its not mechanically sound it ain't worth it imo.
 
Value depends entirely on actual condition.
The standard reference is the Blue Book which give ball park values based on the amount of original factory finish.

Terms like "Very nice", or "looks good" are not a viable way to give a value.
Python prices have been skyrocketing so most anything is worth $1000 most places.
In order to be worth $1100 it would need to be in at least 95% condition and have the original factory Colt Target grips.
WHICH Colt Target grips it should have depends on the year the gun was made.

The gold filled lettering is not factory, but can be easily removed with a toothbrush and some lacquer thinner.

Bottom line, whether it's worth $1100 depends on the actual condition, if the grips are genuine Colt, and if it's in proper timing and adjustment or needs repair.
 
A large chunk of the market for Pythons these days is collectors, so small details will probably have disproportionate effects on the value. While not necessarily a deal maker/killer, box and papers would have substantially added to the gun's value. Other things to look out for include factory vs. aftermarket grips (factory is preferable) and evidence of refinish (bad), and evidence of other non-factory gunsmithing/modification (also bad).

Also, while it is noted in the revolver checkout sticky, it's worth mentioning that the Python has the "old" Colt lockwork and, as such, the cylinder should have no perceptible rotational play when at full lockup (on other DA revolvers such as Ruger, S&W, Taurus, Rossi, and some later Colts, a bit of rotational play is normal).

As far as the value is concerned, it's difficult to estimate that accurately without some very, very detailed information. That being said, based on the limited info we have, unless the gun is mechanically unsound $1100 seems like a fair price but not a bargain.
 
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6 in barrels are very common. Could the gun be refinished?

I think a big part of the value here depends on what the second set of grips are. If the gun for example has a pair of Python Service grips, and a pair of Python Target grips, well then there's some value there.

IMO/experience, the 60s Pythons bring more money than 70s, and the 50s Pythons more yet. I suppose your gun could be 80s as well. Check out the SN, If it has a letter suffix OR a prefix, it is 1969 or later. For a 1950s gun, the SNs go up to about 9000 (no letter prefix or suffix) so if its below that, I'd go for it assuming it passes the "revolver check out"

Pythons are still worked on at Colt. If the gun has lockup/timing problems EITHER with hammer cocked OR with hammer down (and trigger held back) Colt will fix it. I had to have mine fixed and it was about $110 including shipping both ways. Sometimes though the bill could be more, depending on what EXACTLY is wrong.
 
Colt partially works on Pythons. :)
They're out of hands, the most common wear point in timing issues & can only stretch/peen an existing hand if that's the problem. And then a hand can only be stretched once.

Unless they start to order more parts for these guns, this is the beginning of the end for large-frame V-Springs service there.
Other parts stocks are also being used up.
Denis
 
Thaks Guys. I have decided to pass on this Colt, for now. I just can't seem to bring myself to become a "collector", and that sounds like what I need to be with a gun like this.

If anyone is interested, PM me and I will give you the name of the shop and the phone number and you can call Bob, the owner. He is a great guy and would have no problem sending the gun to your FFL.
 
If its a '50's or '60's gun and in 93- 95% condition, it's a good deal. If it's post '60's but in 95 - 98% condition it's a good deal.

Even a rough looking python can be refinished for $350 and sold for $1,300+
 
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