I agree with Venom1956 - "Python" and "shooting it a decent amount" don't go well together. I don't buy into the argument that they're necessarily more fragile than other guns out there, but if it does break it's going to be hard to find parts and even harder to find someone who knows how to fix it, and - if you start with one that's in good shape - it's going to eventually show some honest wear, which is going to be expensive if you're starting with a $2k-3k gun.
That said, a large part of the appeal of the Python, for me anyway, is that Colt Royal Blue finish which is just unequaled anywhere in gundom, so I think that's the way to go. I have one, in blue, in 99%+ condition, that I do shoot, but rarely and then only with .38 Special equivalent loads in .357 cases. It always draws a lot of adoring attention at the range, but making sure it stays in the condition it's in is a real PITA, so if I really want to shoot .357 I bring something else, usually a 586 or 686 - the latter being the one revolver to have if you're having only one, or want one you can shoot without worrying about it, IMHO.