"New" Colts in 2014?

The Python is permadead.
IF Colt ever does bring out DAs again, it will not be the older V-Spring actions.
Joyce & others at Colt have been making similar commentary about "maybe" for at least five years now. One rep there told me a couple months back he's heard of nothing new with DA revolvers, and he'd be in a position to know.
Denis
 
The Python is permadead.
Click to expand...

What wasn't profitable in the past can make good money in the future.

A decision made in the past isn't always set in stone.

Today there are production firearms costing $2,000 and up, but was this the case when the Python was last produced? I think they have more wiggle room today in regards to pricing then they had back in the day.

Now I am not saying that reintroducing the Colt DA Revolver line would be profitable for Colt. I am not saying they should do it.

I am saying that things change and change brings opportunity.
 
There's an annual market for a few thousand $2500-$3500 custom 1911s, so why not custom (shop) Pythons? With CNC machining, it could be possible to reduce the amount of hand-fitting? S&W is able to make functional, beautiful revolvers for $700-$800, so Colt should be able to make a Python for $3000?
 
The $2500~$3500 market for the Python is based on its collectability/scarcity. Folks who pay that for Pythons never intend to fire them.

And, a Python without hand fitting is not a Python.

As a practical revovler, a newly introduced Python likely would not be a competitor to the L-Framed Smiths.

Bob Wright
 
What if Colt were to license the name and design to a third party, leaving Colt the final say in quality control? Such an arrangement could easily surpass even the $3k per unit mark... But there would definitely be buyers with more money than they can spend who would jump on an opportunity to have one. Colt of course could claim their royalties with no expense other than advertising....which would be minimal, because word of mouth on places like here would take care of the bulk of the traffic following a simple press release. If nothing else, it would certainly be a hit for their marketing department. Of course, there's that troublesome detail of finding a shop who could faithfully recreate the design.... And the huge initial investment required.... And even then they would probably have to produce them in very small quantities... But it's at least an idea?
 
Truthfully.... (excuse the mandering thoughts..)

As much as people say how great Colt DA's are/were, I don't know how many times I have read this sentence in one form or another on this and other sites...

"Colts are great, colts are smooth.. but be careful because parts are hard to find and smiths who are able to work on them are are going the way of the dinosuar"

or something to that effect....

Now, those types of statments make me not even consider a Colt for ownership, because I'm buying a gun to shoot, not to look pretty or enhance my e-peen. I would rather buy a gun that I can get parts for, and get fixed if something should break.

I guess what I'm getting at is... If Colt should come out with a few new models in the near future, would I jump on board and buy one? I really don't know. Would they be doing this as a test to see if they want to introduce even more models? Or, would they try it and scrap it again if it didn't work, thus creating the same problem there is now with Colt DA's?

Me, I wouldn't be lining up to buy one right away.. I would have to wait a while to really see what was what.
 
Old arguments.
Can't compare a $2000+ revolver to a $2500 1911 variant.
Much greater market for the auto. Colt couldn't cover development costs with low sales on a new Python.
Simply will not happen.
Denis
 
Glad I have my Colts, can't buy new ones. Sad.

Used Pythons will fetch $3,000 but Colt make a new one at a profit?

I guess they stay in business on 1911s, the occasional SAA and a few ARs.
 
Part of the current values attaching to used Pythons derive from scarcity & the collector market.

Again, you can't compare that to the cost of development & sales of a new Python.
Denis
 
I'd love to have Rick's Python.

Colt_rick-andrew-lincoln-walking-dead-season-2-teaser.jpg
 
I was in three stores that sell handguns yesterday.

There were a total of two revolvers under the glass......
 
I certainly love my Pythons, and have been shooting the heck out of a pair of them since the late seventies. They missed the "you are delicate" memo :D



But if ever Colt reintroduced some DA revolver, they would be wise to make an updated version of this:



That, IMHO, was the Colt model that really was a remarkable step above the competition.
 
Is it a python or anaconda? It seems to big to be a python.
Click to expand...

It's a Python. They actually made reference to it in one of the first few shows. It looks bigger than it is because the actor holding it is british. We all know how those cheeky british fellows have dainty english hands.
 
I am probably going to be tarred and feathered by the Colt lovers so I hope I can run faster than they can . . . :D

I have two Colts . . . a 1910 Army Special which is a good shooter . . . and a 4" blued Python . . . only because I got it at a low, low price and bought it as an investment . . . yea, it shoots good but for me, it doesn't do much . . a personal thing I guess. I have two S & Ws . . both vintage . . . but excellent shooters.

I know there are those out there that can afford a Colt DA but for the general shooter, they can't. If Colt could come out with a DA that competes with the prices of Smiths . . . they might sell. But can they do it? Could they build somethng like a "classic" OP or similar in a decent price, I might buy one. All a person has to do is go to a gun shop and watch what folks are buying - younger ones want a semi - they want a high capacity - snubs are popular for CCW but only to those that prefer a revolver over a semi. I suppose on a limited production basis they could demand a higher price and snag the investor or collector - but for those that want a shooter and a DA - they've got a lot of competition in Smith and Ruger.

And then . . . if they did produce DAs again . . . . heaven forbid and let's hope that it doesn't have the infamous IL . . . I personally have no problem with an IL . . . on a Smith it can easily be removed and plugged . . but think of the uproar it would make among the die hards . . .

From a shooter's standpoint . . . if Colt can produce a DA that can compete price wise with a Smith or a Ruger . . . I'd take a serious look . . . but I highly doubt that's going to happen . . . just my humble opinion. The only reason I hang on to my Python is strictly from a $$$ standpoint . . . when I was shooting it at a range . . . the one of the two times I've shot it . . . I had a guy makd a pest of himself wanting to buy it . . . at 3 X what I paid for it (mine's about 98%). I'm going to hang on to it . . . I can't make that kind of return on my investments . . . but for shooting, I'll take my vintage Smiths or the Colt AS anyday . . . I just like 'em better . . . and I didn't pay beyond $300 to $400 for any of 'em . . . and I only paid $400 for the one Smith because it was vintage and never fired w/box. I highly doubt that Colt's going to come out with anything in a DA that can compete with that or even with a new Smith or Ruger . . . and as a shooter, I'm not going to pay just for the sake of the name etched on the gun. Sort of like buying either a new Mercedes or a New Chevy . . . they both will get you from point A to point B . . . but the Chevy will get you there at a much more reasonable price.
 
Lot of myth involving the superiority of a Colt over a Ruger or S&W. I think the free market has bore this out. Oi, MJ, watch it mate, don't be a cheeky bugger!
 
Colt needs to get the Magnum Carry .357 DS back up and running.

Stainless and add a red insert front sight and better grips and it would sell well.

Deaf
 
Colt Python issues...

The topic of Colt Python was discussed at length a few months ago.
I doubt the Python or any other large frame Colt revolver will return soon.
Colt lacks the manpower, skilled labor, machines, and other resources to field a Python line.

Rumors & online articles say Colt can't get the new Florida plant up & started. That site was for the company's military small arms contracts.
 
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