Python Elites No More...

They are all over gunamerica.com for less but no one is arguing that the prices are ridiculously high, we know they are. Too bad because they are such good shooters, maybe when Colt retools at the end of this year and starts making them again as they claim, the price will be a little lower. No, I won't be holding my breath :eek: , I will be holding, and shooting, one of my Pythons though. :D
 
PythonGuy,

Unfortunately I am afraid that Colt will have to pay for that new equipment somehow, I am afraid that cost will be passed on to the consumer. Unless someone knocks some sense into them, prices will still be high, if not higher when production starts again. I am still unsure about one thing though… Is Colt REALLY going to restart production? The last rumor I heard was that the equipment was shot and they were not going to replace it due to cost and the fact that Military contracts are their main business. I have yet to see anything definitive on that rumor or the comments lately that they are retooling. Surely someone has some documentation other than rumor? Thanks.

.44mag
 
I've read a few posts from people that called Colt and they were told they are retooling, and I called Colt myself to ask them, their answer was a definite MAYBE. I guess they aren't so sure (what a shock) what they will be doing, but until the machines are built and running its just speculation anyway. And of course, the consumer will pay for any and all equipment Colt buys if and when they do. Hopefully, if they do start to make product again, it will be something better then the "Elite" line.
 
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PythonGuy,

That's cool, I figured it was speculation, since I have dealt with Colt's customer service before I know the frustration of getting a straight answer out of them. In my 8 years in the business I have yet to get them to give me anything in writing. I hope they retool, while their guns are higher in price than most, they are another choice for people, and I like variety. :) Have a great one.

.44mag
 
2003 Colt Python Elite

2003 colt python elite
I pound all kinds of cheaperthandirt ammo in my Colt Python Elite. Thousands of rounds. It works like hell!! Folks that bad mouth them don't own one or never did. This revolver will outlast my sorry butt.
 
Back when I wanted a heavy dute .357, I bought a S&W model 686.
It was a decent gun.
Cylinder locked up tight, shot straight.
It was brick heavy and poorly balanced though.
In 1999, my girlfriend at the time married another guy (who turned out to be gay, LOL) and to console myself, I spent the money I had set aside for a wedding ring on a Colt Python elite.
Let me tell you.
More accurate than the L frame.
Cylinder locked up just as tight.
MUCH smoother and better trigger pull.
MUCH better balanced.
Smoother overall action and functioning.
Yeah, it cost a little over twice what the L frame cost, but in my opinion, it was worth every penny.
I guess i could have the L frame slicked up by a smith, but it would STILL be poorly balanced in comparison.
I wish I had bought a snubby python too!
The other guy got the gal and lost her, but I still have my Python!
 
Cant speak for the newer Pythons. In the 80s I did some IHMSA shooting a couple of guys used the Pythons with hot handloads and they never had any trouble. In fact for grins and giggles one day after a match we shot the python from the prone position at the 50 and 100 yard targets we were getting hits at those ranges with it....

Trigger was one of the best I have ever felt in a wheelgun.
 
I love Pythons!

Howdy,

I take strong exception to the statement earlier that Ruger GP-100's are more accurate than the Colt Python. Pythons, I have found, are the most accurate .357 ever made.
Admittedly they aren't rugged. I've never enjoyed shooting any gun more than the 3 Pythons I USED to own :( I've still got my GP 100 and 586. They're rugged, reliable and a great value. There's just something about that smoooth trigger found on the graceful Colt Python! Again, accurate as can be.

Larry C.
 
colt has been trying to go out of the retail business

for years by raising prices while quality has been slipping.As far as i'me concerned their GONE!
 
Agreed, Colt's MFG for civilians is gone! But wrong calculation in my opinion as they are damaging their reputation - watch out re. big companies' reputation regardless of any geo-politico-financial lobbying, especially in the firearms market...

I am selling my brand new Colt Gold Cup Trophy sts just because it lacks what made the model's reputation : tightness and accuracy. You cannot live on a reputation if tangible results do match such reputation... and when customer service is clearly out of focus.

"If you do not take care of your customers, somebody else will" - see Springfield's Trophy Match :)
 
Wow! What an earfull!! But...

I have an Elite Colt Python. I have fired it.. So far no problems... I love the firearm, the trigger pull is great!

So my question is this: What exactly went wrong on those that had problems with them here?
 
Upgrading machinery wouldn't make a difference.

I can't see Pythons being made any more if they keep the original internal lockwork. It takes a skilled craftsman to assemble (hand fit) and time one properly and that's something that takes a lot of training and time. Productivity will be low compared to newer Colt revolvers that feature the Trooper action. If Colt does reintroduce the Python, it may be with the internal mechanism of a Trooper.
 
Colt Revolvers: Goodbye, old friend

Howdy,

I really, really like colt Revolvers. While the S&W snobs were using their 686's, I was using 6 rounds from my Pythons to make THREE holes in the center of my B-27 target!

Unfortunately, Colt is,for now, out of the civilian firearms "bidness". Nobdy has lost a larger share of the civilian market in my lifetime as Colt. So many famous models, such a historic and well-known name. "Quality" and Colt are no longer synonymuos. As for Revolvers, it especially pains me. They were accurate and the Pythons/Diamondbacks were more fun than eating M&M's out of J-Lo's navel!
As a Colt lover (still), the best thing to happen to Colt and FOR it's loyalists would be for SOMEONE to buy them and move them to a more gun-friendly state (where they're less afraid of liability lawsuits. THIS,IMHO, is driving them to RUN from the civilian firearms market).
Why not Texas or Lousiana? It's beyond me why so many (if not ALL) of the firearms manufacturers are in lawsuit-happy, Blue states (Ant-Gun) for crying out loud!! Sheesh, Texas has deep pockets and many attractive things to offer and Louisiana is building I-49 and I-69 as we type. Why not a major firearms manufacturer relocating to "The Sportsman's Paradise"? My two cents.

Larry C.
 
I own a couple Colts. A Detective Special manufactured in 1973 and an Official Police manufactured in the early fifties. They're great revolvers, but whenever I look at them I find myself rather sad. Those handguns are reminders of what Colt used to be. How a compnay went down hill so fast is beyond me. The only thing that is worse is when I thumb thorugh my copy of R.L. Wlson's Colt book. Now that is very depressing. :(
 
2006 or 2007

I have called the customer service of Colt's MFG after I saw their commercial site disappeared from www.colt.com. Actually, www.colt.com is the "Colt Defense" site, only dedicated to Law Enforcement, Military and a clownesque "Private Security Support Center".

The lady on the phone said the new commercial web site IS on www.coltsmfg.com!!!
And she confirmed rumours I had read on the net in a couple of forums : production of Pythons and Anacondas will start again in 2006 or 2007 :-) :) apparently, they had to change their machines because the tolerances had become very unacceptable - or is that because they needed to find a proper gunsmith to make the revolvers for them ?!?

Anyway, the reason of my call was to ask the lady why it was impossible to get ANY single Colt firearm delivered in Europe ?!? :eek: She "drowned the fish", by giving me first the English military importer's name and a contact whom I called and explained me politely - as a real English gentleman - that he could not possibly halp me with commercial weapons.

Then I called Colt's MFG customer service again and the lady gave me the Swedish official dealer's name to contact - which I eventually did not do that time...

Now, I am selling my Colt Gold Cup Trophy (bought 2 years ago from the last Belgian official dealer's stock) because it's too loose and inaccurate. :barf:

I have to say it does not compare with my 2 Sig P210's... And I am looking to replace the Gold Cup with a Les Baer to get a proper level of finish, fit and accuracy.

Even Colt's highest price range pistol - the Special Combat Government - supposedly "accurized" is a piece of shhhh.. - excuse the language - sold with a target bearing a 2" group at... 15 yards when Les Baers and Sigs provide tighter groups at... 50 yards my friends! Ridiculous.

Colt's Manufacturing Company's commercial web site : www.coltsmfg.com
Have fun :-) :)
 
Monsieur Darimian,
For me, Special Combat Government is the device for measuring of precision.

If Colt will renew Python manufactiring, it could be great news for all gun lovers. This gun turns me on.
 
I own 4 Pythons (Don't ask me how I ended up with 4). While I love the classic lines of big ol' N frame Smiths, the Python with that vent rib in 4" or 6" is just an elegant looking piece. It's just impressive! Blue especially.
 
For me, Special Combat Government is the device for measuring of precision.
Click to expand...

Alex_L,

I surely respect your opinion re. the Special Combat Government for having had the opportunity to hold a gorgeous two-tone one in my hands - the one sold with a target showing a 3" five-shot group at 15 yards.

Colts 1911 are unquestionably gorgeous pistols, especially the Gold Cup and Special Combat, but I maintain what I said, they are no longer the precision reference like those tight-fit Series 70's of the 70's, now gone.

I wish you had one day the opportunity to shoot a Sig P-210. You will then see and understand what genuine precision and fit really is.

Do not take me wrong, neither personnally - it is just a matter of fact.

Cheers
Darimian
 
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