"New" Colts in 2014?

I don't expect they'll ever come back. I'm just happy there are 3 in my family, a pair of Detective Specials and a 90%+ Python.

We take 'em shooting too. Sometimes my 1968 2nd-Gen DS even rides in my winter coat pocket with 6 standard pressure LSWHPs. We all might die tomorrow, and my practical country family does not abide by safe queens.

The trigger on my DS is simply sublime.
 
The problem with making the Python again is that it would be near impossible for Colt to make it in such a way that would please the purists and still retail for a palatable figure. You see, if Colt made the Python exactly as they did before, it would be extremely expensive. Also, the fact that new Pythons would once again be available would drive down the price of used specimens making the high price even less marketable.

Now, Colt could, of course, make changes to the design and materials that would allow them to make the Python at a more reasonable price, but then the purists would have a fit and refuse to buy them. I've heard Python owners bemoan the downhill slide in quality when they went to a plastic cylinder latch bushing, so I can only imagine what they'd say about significant design changes.

IMHO, if Colt were to bring back any of its DA revolvers, the small-frames like the Detective Special, Cobra, Agent, and Magnum Carry would be the smart moves because their utility as a CC gun (which are selling well right now), would allow them to update their design, materials, and manufacturing methods to make them more cost effective while still attracting buyers beyond purists and collectors.
 
Just have to enjoy a couple old ones...


standard.jpg



standard.jpg
 
It seems to me that Colt could re-introduce the Python as a theoretically profitable effort using modern investment casting and MIM parts. However, can you imagine the out cry from shooters about how the "new" Pythons are not worth a damn? With investment casting and MIM parts, would the shooting public embrace them or turn-up their noses? Maybe a big hole in the side of the frame for a lock?
 
Steve, if you had that Python you certainly would know how to aim it.

Whereas Officer Brit seems to think the crown of his hat is what actually looks through the sights.

If Colt were to make D-Frame sized sixguns again, I would hope they would remember to offer 3-inch versions. My 3-inch Det. Specials are just that, very special indeed.

Bart Noir
 
One thing I feel confident in saying. If they did bring back the DA revolver, lot and lots of people will say they are not as good as the originals, even if they are better.

I have a feeling their main market would have such a preconceived notion of them being inferior that it would be a gamble not worth the risk for colt.
 
^^ So true, the biggest fans would be the biggest critics. I will say I've always thought the shape of the trigger guard on a Colt is very sexy. Maybe a new Trooper would be accepted better?
 
if colt was to reintroduce revovlers...

if they were serious about it they would do small and simple first. wouldnt really expect more then a parkerized detective special for the first 3 years.

They just dont have the handfitting guys now.
 
This is something I would have little to no interest in. I would love to get my hands on a Colt SSA or a Series 70 but for DA revolvers, S&W and Ruger make or made everything my heart desires. I do hope they follow through and that they are wildly successful.
 
Here is my OP in 32/20 made in 1931, are you sure on the date of your Army Special?




Here is a mid fifties Colt Marshal, an OP with a rounded grip frame. and my Dick Special after testing some Jim Cirello type hand loads.


 
It's very simple for me. If the reproduce actual Pythons I don't care if they are priced competitively with Smiths and Rugers. I care if they are priced under the high quality collector guns which I can't afford to break loose between $2,000 and $4,000 dollars for.

For an actual new Python that is as faithfully remade as the originals were, I'd pay up to $1,500 for one and would be happy that I have my Python and can shoot it too.

Now this is just me and I might be a real minority. But there is a reason old Smiths don't routinely go for the prices the Snakes do so there is no reason a new Snake can't sell for more off the shelf.
 
See, that's one of the major problems in bringing back the Python, couldn't retail for less than $2000.

It'd be well beyond what enough of the market would pay for Colt to make a profit on the re-introduction.
Denis
 
All this talk about bringing back "Pythons" with investment casting, CNC, MIM, plastic...

If you want I can electro-stencil "PYTHON" on a GP100 for a lot less than Colt would think of selling you the proposed abomination.
 
I would think modern machining process would cut down on some of the hand fitting requirements and help keep the costs down.

If Ruger and Smith both make revolvers that sell for under $700 then that leave a whole lot of room for Colt to remake the old snake guns and still make some bucks.

I just think their is a middle ground where things can be almost the same, maybe better, and not cost too much to sell.

If GP100 costs more then $200 to make, Ruger get's their cut, say $300, the deal makes $150, and $50 is left on the table for incidentals.

If a Python could sell for 1,500 and the Colt took their $300 and the dealer $150, and you still have $50 on the table that leaves you $1,000 to make the gun with. I know these figures are rough, but they are representative of the issue.
 
Not even CNC can make that old V-Spring action affordable in sufficient numbers to make it profitable.

The S&W design was much more adaptable to modern manufacturing methods & the Ruger designed with modern manufacturing methods in mind.
And you're not factoring in the start-up costs for a Python re-intro.
Most who think it'd be simple never look beyond the tip of the iceberg.

It is not possible to compare the old Colt action with Smiths & Rugers directly.
Denis
 
but they are representative of the issue.
Click to expand...
Not really because even at the simplest level it ignores return on investment. Colt is going to invest 500% what ruger does and then take 150% as much profit? Not competitive. If they invest 5 times as much they need 5 times the return. Just added $700 to your cost.
A GP100 is only a little over $500.
The availability of the skilled gunsmiths is not what it used to be(or manual machinists in general). The rate to get good ones is way more than what it was in the 50s and 60s adjusted for inflation. Even a small amount of handfitting is going to take a skilled worker. I don't think the workforce is there to produce such guns at the rate Colt would want to in order to look at bringing out a new line without major investment in training and/or recruiting personnel.

At the end of the day you can send a Smith or Ruger to a nationally recognized custom shop and have it set-up exactly how you want for about the same price.
 
Imfdb.org ....

I checked the handy dandy IMFdb.org & it says the deputy on The Walking Dead carrys a Colt Python .357magnum.
No .44s. :D
I don't watch the show so I'm not all up on the characters or storyline.
 
IMHO, if Colt were to bring back any of its DA revolvers, the small-frames like the Detective Special, Cobra, Agent, and Magnum Carry would be the smart moves because their utility as a CC gun (which are selling well right now), would allow them to update their design, materials, and manufacturing methods to make them more cost effective while still attracting buyers beyond purists and collectors.
Click to expand...

This is something that's always baffled me about Colt. With the AR line, they seem to be keeping up with the technology, but with handguns, they're stuck in the past. If they do small frame revolvers, they need to crank out a ton of them and get them close to a S&W price point.
 
Colt 2000?...

Or they could go the Taurus route & try a polymer frame D type revolver in .38spl or .357magnum.
It might be a huge back-fire like Colt's ill fated "wonder-nine" in the early 1990s; the Colt 2000 line, :rolleyes:.

I remember reading a NRA magazine article about Colt's "bold" new venture in my 20s, thinking what a big mistake it was.
For any TFLers who may not know, the Colt 2000 series was going to be a modular type semi auto 9x19mm where the gun owner could switch out the slides/barrels for different uses(target, duty, concealed, etc). It had a safe, DA only type design(I think it was hammer fired but might have been striker like a Glock). The new pistols only lasted about 2/3 years.

If Colt were to re-enter the DA revolver market they'd need a well engineered high quality model that US gun owners would spend $$$ on over a new S&W or Ruger.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top