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Info on Colt Snakey Guns
- Thread starter Shmackey
- Start date
I'm not expert, but I think I can give you a start:
Python - mostly .357, but may have come in .38 only. Considered the best of the bunch. Old mechanism that is smoother than the newer ones, but I'm told is more susceptible to breakage. Comes in various lengths from 2-8 inches, and in various finishes including stainless, nickel, electroless nickel, and blue. I have a 6 inch nickel, and love it.
Anaconda - mostly .44 mag, but I think they came in Colt .45 too. Bigger than the Python. Comes in stainless only, I think. Most are 6 inches, but I've seen some 4 inchers too . Mine is a 6 inch stainless, and it's nice but not as smooth as the Python.
King Cobra - .357. This is considered the poor man's Python. Don't have much experience, but I know it doesn't have the vented rib above the barrel like the Python does. I've only seen 4 inchers in stainless.
Diamondback - Know the least about these. I think they're .38 only, but not sure.
Python - mostly .357, but may have come in .38 only. Considered the best of the bunch. Old mechanism that is smoother than the newer ones, but I'm told is more susceptible to breakage. Comes in various lengths from 2-8 inches, and in various finishes including stainless, nickel, electroless nickel, and blue. I have a 6 inch nickel, and love it.
Anaconda - mostly .44 mag, but I think they came in Colt .45 too. Bigger than the Python. Comes in stainless only, I think. Most are 6 inches, but I've seen some 4 inchers too . Mine is a 6 inch stainless, and it's nice but not as smooth as the Python.
King Cobra - .357. This is considered the poor man's Python. Don't have much experience, but I know it doesn't have the vented rib above the barrel like the Python does. I've only seen 4 inchers in stainless.
Diamondback - Know the least about these. I think they're .38 only, but not sure.
Dfariswheel
New member
The Diamondback was available with 2 1/2, 4, and 6 inch barrels.
Finishes were blue and bright nickel. Calibers were 22LR and 38 Special. Grips were small service type on the 2 1/2 guns, and the wrap around type on the 4 and 6 inchers.
The Diamond back is a "D" frame gun same as the Cobra, Agent, Police Positive Special, and Detective Special.
The Diamondback's barrel was made on the same machinery the Python barrel was made on.
In addition to the guns listed above, there was a limited production Colt Boa which was a Trooper Mark 5 with a Python barrel, made for a wholesaler.
The Viper, was a shrouded barrel Police Positive Special.
Finishes were blue and bright nickel. Calibers were 22LR and 38 Special. Grips were small service type on the 2 1/2 guns, and the wrap around type on the 4 and 6 inchers.
The Diamond back is a "D" frame gun same as the Cobra, Agent, Police Positive Special, and Detective Special.
The Diamondback's barrel was made on the same machinery the Python barrel was made on.
In addition to the guns listed above, there was a limited production Colt Boa which was a Trooper Mark 5 with a Python barrel, made for a wholesaler.
The Viper, was a shrouded barrel Police Positive Special.
SnakeLover
New member
Dfarriswheel filled in the blanks pretty well. If you like Colt's, try and find a copy of Colt An American Legend by R.L. Wilson. Very good book, lots of pictures. Several Python's were made into fancy gifts to heads of state from other coutnries, including Hussein of Jordan and Sadat of Egypt.
I think the Diamondback is popular at least in part because it looks like the Python.
Branrot, yes the Anaconda came in .45 as well as .44.
I think the Diamondback is popular at least in part because it looks like the Python.
Branrot, yes the Anaconda came in .45 as well as .44.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
The only Diamondback I've owned was a very impressive .38 special I bought from a guy who tried to do his own action job. Colt's D frame revolvers used leaf main springs in a sort of V shape. They're much trickier to work on than revolvers with coiled main springs, but if you like a glass-smooth double action pull, nothing else even comes close. I replaced that gun's main spring, jiggered it a little this way and that, and largely by accident, ended up with a three-pound single action pull and a pretty smooth, fairly light double action pull. A friend insisted upon buying it before I could a.) improve it, or b.) wreck it. It was an exceptionally accurate pistol.
I don't still try to do action jobs on Colt revolvers. I've sent my Pythons one at a time to Cylinder & Slide. The good folks there won't give me a single action pull lower than three pounds, but their action jobs result in zero creep, zero over-travel, and superb smoothness. Expensive? Yup--and there's a lengthy waiting list, too.
I think Diamondback prices are lower than Python prices because there's less demand for them. I'd be surprised to learn the cost of building a Python was much higher than that of building a Diamondback. You might have more trouble finding fancy stocks for a Diamondback than a Python: market demand again. The prettiest stocks I've ever seen in my life were from Herrett's in very richly grained walnut on an old Diamondback .22 revolver. The fellow wanted $650 for the gun with stocks. The gun itself was only about 80%, but if I'd had the money, I'd have bought it for the stocks.
I don't still try to do action jobs on Colt revolvers. I've sent my Pythons one at a time to Cylinder & Slide. The good folks there won't give me a single action pull lower than three pounds, but their action jobs result in zero creep, zero over-travel, and superb smoothness. Expensive? Yup--and there's a lengthy waiting list, too.
I think Diamondback prices are lower than Python prices because there's less demand for them. I'd be surprised to learn the cost of building a Python was much higher than that of building a Diamondback. You might have more trouble finding fancy stocks for a Diamondback than a Python: market demand again. The prettiest stocks I've ever seen in my life were from Herrett's in very richly grained walnut on an old Diamondback .22 revolver. The fellow wanted $650 for the gun with stocks. The gun itself was only about 80%, but if I'd had the money, I'd have bought it for the stocks.
Peter M. Eick
New member
I have a diamondback 38 4" nickel and have found it to be very accurate, excellent trigger and superbly made. Mine is one of the very early ones made in december of 66 if the records are correct.
I cannot compare much to an S&W19. My only experience with an S&W was a model 66 and I was shocked at how crappy the trigger was. I was so used to my diamondbacks glass smoothness and fluid action that the non-stacking S&W trigger felt rough and crude by comparison. I guess this is not representative of S&W, but I cannot say for sure. Since I nearly always shoot my Diamondback in DA mode, I was so used to the Colt trigger that the S&W was pretty odd to me.
My new blued Python is still to new (to me) to say much. The trigger is good, but not a smooth or crisp as my diamondback. The grips are not as pretty and finely checkered. The action is about the same level of workmanship as the diamondback. The thing that really sets the Python appart is the SA accuracy. 6 shots less then 3/4 inch and 15 yrds. What a shock. I do not shoot the 4" diamondback that accurately unless it is off a benchrest.
I can say I was looking around and NIB Diamondbacks are going for between 600 and 1000$ and NIB Pythons are going for 900 to 1200$.
Hope this helps.
I cannot compare much to an S&W19. My only experience with an S&W was a model 66 and I was shocked at how crappy the trigger was. I was so used to my diamondbacks glass smoothness and fluid action that the non-stacking S&W trigger felt rough and crude by comparison. I guess this is not representative of S&W, but I cannot say for sure. Since I nearly always shoot my Diamondback in DA mode, I was so used to the Colt trigger that the S&W was pretty odd to me.
My new blued Python is still to new (to me) to say much. The trigger is good, but not a smooth or crisp as my diamondback. The grips are not as pretty and finely checkered. The action is about the same level of workmanship as the diamondback. The thing that really sets the Python appart is the SA accuracy. 6 shots less then 3/4 inch and 15 yrds. What a shock. I do not shoot the 4" diamondback that accurately unless it is off a benchrest.
I can say I was looking around and NIB Diamondbacks are going for between 600 and 1000$ and NIB Pythons are going for 900 to 1200$.
Hope this helps.
9mmepiphany
New member
the diamondback is the end product of refinement of the colt d-frame which includes the detective special, agent, cobra, police positive, viper, commando and SP IV (?)...the cobra and viper (and agent) have alloy frames.
the diamondback was the only one commonly available in .22lr.
the diamondback has serveral features which contribute to accuracy:
1. 1-14" twist
2. barrel chokes down at the muzzle
3. off-set (from chamber) bolt notches
4. longer trigger stroke (more stabilizing then the j-frame)
the action is harder to tune than a smith (k-frame) but is much more rewarding.
any grip for the detective special family will fit the diamondback.
the diamondback was the only one commonly available in .22lr.
the diamondback has serveral features which contribute to accuracy:
1. 1-14" twist
2. barrel chokes down at the muzzle
3. off-set (from chamber) bolt notches
4. longer trigger stroke (more stabilizing then the j-frame)
the action is harder to tune than a smith (k-frame) but is much more rewarding.
any grip for the detective special family will fit the diamondback.
kindlyoldcoach
New member
More about Diamondbacks....
Quote: "How's it compare to a S&W 19?"
Comparing 6" versions of each, the Diamondback feels smaller everywhere, seems balanced more toward the muzzle, and is faster to point.
Smith and Colt double action triggers are.....different. I used to shoot DA really well with the loaner S&W 19s at my first club, and I like Smith DA triggers on the whole. I guess I prefer the Colt leaf spring action, though. It's less linear.
I shot at falling plates with my 6" .38 for a few years, and rang up some surprising times with it. It was also shootable enough to win me a few gongs in ISU centerfire, before I got an autoloader. I don't think I would have done as well in either event with a Smith 19.
The problem I've had with Colt revolvers is that the average, full-service gunsmith (in these parts, anyway) has little experience in tuning and repairing them. Every single PPC revolver shooter around here owns a Smith. Our police carried Smiths and Rugers. The local Colts typically live in vaults and don't get shot or worked on much.
Jim March's revolver diagnostics procedure was written for Diamondback owners, I think. My .38 has gone out of time twice.
'coach
Quote: "How's it compare to a S&W 19?"
Comparing 6" versions of each, the Diamondback feels smaller everywhere, seems balanced more toward the muzzle, and is faster to point.
Smith and Colt double action triggers are.....different. I used to shoot DA really well with the loaner S&W 19s at my first club, and I like Smith DA triggers on the whole. I guess I prefer the Colt leaf spring action, though. It's less linear.
I shot at falling plates with my 6" .38 for a few years, and rang up some surprising times with it. It was also shootable enough to win me a few gongs in ISU centerfire, before I got an autoloader. I don't think I would have done as well in either event with a Smith 19.
The problem I've had with Colt revolvers is that the average, full-service gunsmith (in these parts, anyway) has little experience in tuning and repairing them. Every single PPC revolver shooter around here owns a Smith. Our police carried Smiths and Rugers. The local Colts typically live in vaults and don't get shot or worked on much.
Jim March's revolver diagnostics procedure was written for Diamondback owners, I think. My .38 has gone out of time twice.
'coach