Here it is, the saga of the Python "Elite" (HA HA HA!) I bought nearly a year ago as a B-day present for myself.
2 days after purchase, the gun is on its way back to Hartford, because a) the ejector rod has frozen in place, b) the cylinder has a deep nick in the breech side edge. Trigger sucks in DA.
Many months later, I get it back, only to discover that the cylinder is still nicked, the grip is cracked, there are burrs aound the firng pin hole such that it is sticking forward after firing. Off it goes, again.
I get it back in around the same long time, this time with a new cylinder and a rear sight that sits crooked on the gun.
This time I take it to the Morons at Simmons Gun Specialties in Olathe, KS, where I get a good trigger job and stupidity at the same time. I met the gunsmith before I brought in my gun, Geoff Gardiski (sp?) and mention that I just got my gun at my mail drop in KC and need to pick it up. I also mention that the cylinder was nicked and Colt did nothing the last time I sent it, could he radius the back edge? Sure. I bring the gun in a few days later, with written instructions about what I want, including the fact that the cylinder is new and needs no work. Guess what? The dumb SOB radiuses the edge anyway, but makes it uneven. I ask for a new cylinder, in lieu of a full refund, because I figure the work he did was worth something and he just needs to make it right. For this, I get a spiel on how good he is and how no one has ever held his work to such a standard and that he will never work for me again.
After six months, I get a new cylinder from Colt, via these jerks. It has a small nick just outside one chamber, barrel side, I take it to Mike Allee, who is good at finishing guns, but not much else, even according to his old employer, the 2nd Amendment, in Overland Park (massive jerks in their own right). He assures me it is fine and won't affect accuracy, so I have him fit it. I shot the gun after he gave it back and index the chambers. The nicked cylinder produces noticable (6" from other chambers point of impact, bench rested).
Back to Colt for a new cylinder. This time, I also ask that the .008 gap be closed, which I think should be a factor of fitting the cylinder and ratchet, both fore and aft. I get the gun back after a month (pretty good for Colt) with a new almost perfect cylinder that locks up bank vault solid.
However, I scratch the topstrap a little when I try to adjust the rear sight elevation because it is jammed from not being installed properly. So I take it off and put it on right (all this from someone who doesn't make a living working on guns). Also, the barrel is on crooked, enough so that I notice the rear sight leaf has been drifted right. Seems some S--- for brains figures that the best way to close the BC gap is to torque the barrel.
So, once again, for the fourth time in less than a year, my gun is at Colt, where more than half the reasons I return it originate and fixing one problem leads to several others.
I have mentioned the names of KC area gunsmiths for those around here, so that they can get an idea of what to expect when they need a gun fixed. I can give a sometimes recommendation to Clayco Gun becuase of their ability as machinists and that they have access to the TWA overhaul base and all the welding and maching expertise that entails. I have met with but not used a guy named Arnold Roberts (AJ Gunsmithing) who gave me some good advice on this Python, but turned down the opportunity to perform work for a problem the factory created and should have to deal with. So, he appears to know his business and be honest.
Anyone from KC care to share good gunsmiths, or bad ones?
