How do I buy a blue Colt Python 6 in.?

V

Vinnie Harold

New member
Hello.

I am in the market for the above gun. I have been on Gunbroker and they have many beautiful pythons listed. They price them from about $2000 and up.

How do I know what I am buying? They all have descriptions, but often times seller exaggerate the "newness" or the look of the revolver. If you have not actually held the pistol in your hand, can you really know what you are getting? Also, I am a novice as to what to look for. I know about marks etched on the cylinder and play in the cylinder, but I would need some to take apart the weapon and inspect it.

If you buy and do not like it then you pay shipping both ways if returns are allowed, and shipping costs from FFL to FFL can get expensive if you do it to often.

Are there knowledgeable people out there that somebody can pay to go out and find them a fine specimen in the desired pistol, and have that person inspect the pistol and basically give it the OK? If so, can anybody recommend somebody to me?

Thanks

Vinnie
 
Buying a gun online - like a Python - that you can't hold in your hands and inspect closely ...is really foolish in my opinion.

Online return policies vary by seller ...and nothing is guaranteed by the online sites like gunbroker. In fact you might send off your cashiers check to the seller - and never get a gun / and the website will not be in a position to help you. Their feedback systems are pretty good....but its still a crapshoot in my opinion.

For a higher end revolver like a Python or a S&W model 27, which I think is comparable, - are transactions that you need to do in person at a local gunshop or maybe at a gunshow. Ideally, you might have a buddy who is knowledgeable about that model - that will go with you and help you / or some shops have guys that are very familiar with those models / some shops don't have a clue - except what the price is on a gun like one of these revolvers that probably comes in on consignment.

I've never heard of a 3rd party broker ...that could act as your agent ...buy and then ship the gun to your local FFL location - as a dealer. In theory it could be done - if the 3rd party had an FFL bought the gun and was reselling it to you as a dealer - you pay them, they ship it to your local FFL.

If you have to buy online .../ then at least deal with a real "brick and mortar" dealer that is using these websites to reach additional customers. At least then you have a real shop to call - get more photos - maybe a return policy, etc. But I'd still buy locally....even if you have to pay more - you'd be way better off in my opinion.
 
If you agree to pay shipping both ways if you are not satisified, many sellers will give you a 3 day inspection on gunbroker, or if asked. However, that could cost you over $100 for both shipping to and from your FFL dealer to the seller.
 
+1 on the Colt Forum

big difference between new in the box and shooter grade, know what you want
 
You also need to check on a regular basis LGS, Pawnshops, etc.

I bought my 4" blued 2 years ago for $800.00. It's about 95%, no papers or box. I purchased it for a shooter. Shortly after I purchased it, I was in a LGS that had a 6" blued - no papers or box but about 95% as well. They had $800.00 on it. I waffled and then went back the next day to buy it - it was gone. They are out there . . . you just have to be patient, keep looking and don't waffle if you find one that is priced right and meets your criteria.
 
I don't know about fugate. They have about the highest prices of anybody on the net. I don't like them. But that's just me.

I'd shop gunbroker and look for brick and mortar gunshops. Look for high numbers of positive feedback. Call and talk to the seller. Ask questions about the gun.

And always keep in mind that you might do all your homework but still not get the gun you expected. It happens to all of us. When it happens you either accept what you got or sell it and try again.
 
totally agree

Buying a gun online - like a Python - that you can't hold in your hands and inspect closely ...is really foolish in my opinion.
Click to expand...

Yep, if you have to ask, you have some learning to do son.

TBS, I did buy online, a new S&W 627 (.357 mag 8-shot) V-COMP for $1200+ OTD (MSRP $1700+). This was a factory backed up gun from a S&W retailer. I'm golden with that. Good luck
 
Educate yourself.

Is the best way to buy IMO. Find out everything you can about the gun. Go to gunshows and to shops. Check out various forums. Ask questions (as youve done).

When it comes to high end guns, this is the best method of purchasing. This may not satisfy our need for 'instant gratification', but its the most prudent way. (I was really into vintage side-by-side shotguns. They can be expensive.)

Looking back, the majority of the times I made a "less than smart" purchase of a gun, was when I hadn't done enough of my homework beforehand. On the great purchases I made, - - I had done my research and when a great gun at a good (or bargain) price came up - - I was prepared to jump on it NOW.

And one thing that has helped me, (and probably a lot of guys on this forum), is knowing that we don't actually need any particular gun. Most of us have a few others - - and theyll all do the job of putting a hole where a hole needs to be put. This knowledge can prevent foolishness.

The self education & search is part of the fun, and for a lot of folks - - - the most fun of the whole process. Good luck.

P.S. - - there's a gunshop in one city in our state that sells all their guns at list price and above. This is for new current production guns. Everything in that shop is way overpriced, new & used. - - Reason ? Its in an area with a lot of high tech industry newbie types with more money than sense or experience when it comes to guns. You can buy what you want with a fat wallet & an attitude of 'who cares what it cost'. Buying smart takes time & effort to build the knowledge needed.
 
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Its not always about the lowest price on these guns ....

I may seriously look at 25 high end revolvers at a big gun show / out of 1,000 or more revolvers there....and outright reject 15 or more of the ones I ask to pick up and inspect closely - based on condition alone. Its all the little things ...some spots in the barrel I don't like, a couple of scratches on the gun indicating something foolish happened ( like maybe it was dropped on a hard surface), something in the trigger doesn't feel right, screws on the frame are all buggered up, ...etc....

You can't do that on the internet....

We all have budgets ....but for a gun you're likely to keep for a lifetime ( like a high end S&W model 27 or a Coly Python ) ...a few hundred bucks over the next 30+ yrs is truly insignificant - in my opinion. Besides at a gunshow - you might get to meet the original owner..and talk to him about the gun, why he's selling it, etc...and its fun.
 
You could always talk to your LGS owner and place a request into him. Tell him what you want, age, condition, finish, barrel length, your wallet depth, etc., maybe spot him some money and/or tell him if one comes in that meets your criteria, 1st dibs, etc... If it doesn't float your boat, he can put it in the display case and it'll probably be gone within the week.

Most any Python is better than no Python and they're all gonna cost a small fortune. Gotta plan on spending around $1.5K minimum, maybe more, maybe less.
 
One thing to keep in mind is to look for a Python that has the original factory grips. Lately, I've seen several Pythons for sale with aftermarket grips and the original grips available for an additional $200-300, No use in getting gouged by someone trying to extend the price of their Python.
 
NO ONE is going to permit you to take a Python apart before purchasing it. There is too much risk of damaging it and this is really only recommended to be done by Colt.

If you are just looking for a nice, blued Python, I'd suggest looking for one manufactured in the late '80's or 1990's, because:

1. There is a better chance you will find an almost new in box Python
2. There is less likelihood that it's been beat to death or refinished.
3. It will probably have the proper grips, box and stuff that goes with it.
4. You won't be paying a premium for a nice '60's or '50's Python (good ones hard to find)
 
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