Python custom work

T

thedudeabides

New member
I have a python that needs some TLC, are there any good custom shops that are still working and taking orders?

Most people I've found are either not working on revolvers anymore or backlogged for months if not years...
 
I think Colt will still work on Pythons, thought not on most of the older type revolvers. What kind of TLC does it need?

Jim
 
Contact Colt. If they won't do the work, you could try Cylinder and Slide but I understand they are backed up for months. Not many places do good bluing any more due to all the regulations, and very few will do anything to match the original bluing. Unless the bluing is really bad (as in gone!) I would let it alone.

Please don't use cold blue; it won't last and the gun will look worse than it does now.

Jim
 
Colt does bluing in the plant.

I strongly recommend Colt because they're THE experts on repair, and they still do Python Royal Bluing that makes the gun look factory new.
The hand may not need replacing, Colt may be able to stretch it and re-fit it.

Right now they aren't taking new work for a couple of months, but it's well worth the wait.
Plus, since it's a factory refinish, you take less a hit on the gun no longer being in original condition then if someone else blues it.

If you just can't wait for repairs, Frank Glenn in Arizona is a famous expert and fast.
I'd still wait for Colt for the refinish work.
 
Grant Cunnigham is a Colt guy but good luck with that. I got on the list for some custom work almost four years ago and never have been given a go ahead with sending him a gun. Just as well though. I got tired of waiting and sold the gun I was going to have worked on.
 
BTDT
I held a gun for Jerry Moran's attentions for five years and never got the call.
I gave up and sold the Python.
I much later heard that he had changed specialties to Contenders without the formality of notifying his revolver customers.
 
Colt's your best bet.
They're out of Python hands & have not shown much interest in ordering any more, but they can still do a one-time stretch on yours.
They will do the best re-blue, and the time frame should be shorter than other places, although you can still count on it being gone for a while.
Denis
 
Burdett and son in College Station has a gunsmith that works on Colts.
I took them my Colt Lawman three months ago to get a hair trigger fixed.
They still have it.:(
They also do reblueing
 
The Lawman is not the same gun, totally different guts, does not use the older V-Spring action.
Those V-Springs are in a class by themselves & you DO NOT hand one over to just anybody. :)

And the same goes for a Python reblue.
Denis
 
Colt isn't really taking new custom shop orders, but would reblue it. Don't even ask what their lead time is right now. I was quoted 1 year on a 1911 custom a few months back and sent it in to SA and had it back within a month.

I can see why there are so many of these things on sale these days, no one will work on them (or do so in a reasonable time frame).

I can' get 3 times what I paid for it in 1996 when they were everywhere at pawn shops, but I just like shooting it so much. I'll shelve it and see if Colt is feeling more open to rebluing it in a few weeks.
 
The cylinder isn't rotating enough on one cylinder?

Anyway, for bluing my vote is on Colt. I have a Python I should send in myself.
 
That's the problem with the V-Spring Colts- they have simply obsoleted themselves our of practicality as longterm shooters.

If you want it done right, send them the gun & forget about it for a couple years.

At least it's in line for work there while it sits.
Sitting un-fixed in your safe gets you nowhere. :)
Denis
 
There must not be many Colt revolvers out there.
With all the internet hysteria about how hard they are to work on, simple economics would indicate that somebody should study up on them and offer services. If there were as many as they claim to have made.

Or are we approaching a Dark Age of Colts? A Dark Age is defined as a period when you not only forget how to do things, you forget they ever could be done.
 
Last I looked, Colt was running behind. Call ahead.
Please be advised that due to extremely high demand for services we are temporarily not accepting work in the Product Service department for refinishing or polishing type work. The Custom Shop is also not accepting new orders or custom gunsmith work at this time. These services should resume in the fall of 2013. Contact customer service before sending in your items, 800-962-COLT (2658) ext. 1450
Click to expand...
I need to call them at some point. My Python is approaching 50 years old. It deserves a makeover/spa treatment (re-blue & a good going through.)
Last time I dealt with Colt CS regarding a part, they stated that they no longer carry Python parts. They referred me to:
Jack First Gun Parts
I would call them about the hand. As previously mentioned, you may not need another one, but having one available might be a good idea.
 
There must not be many Colt revolvers out there.With all the internet hysteria about how hard they are to work on, simple economics would indicate that somebody should study up on them and offer services. If there were as many as they claim to have made.

Or are we approaching a Dark Age of Colts? A Dark Age is defined as a period when you not only forget how to do things, you forget they ever could be done.
Click to expand...

I have always had the impression that you had to have some mystical powers to be able to work on Colts.:D

I'm with you Jim. There are surely intellegent folks out there that could learn how to work on these old revolvers. Maybe there just isn't enough money it to attract the right people. I would like to learn how to do some smithing if I had the chance. I'm reasonably intelligent and could probably learn without hurting myself.
 
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