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To shoot, or not to shoot, that is the question.

Daddymac

Daddymac

I have a Colt python that I bought new 25 or 30 years ago, I have actually fired the pistol, but very lightly, maybe 300 rounds, it is in excellent condition and from what I can tell valued around 3K, quite an increase over what I paid. I am a use it but don't abuse it guy, but in this case I'm not sure, it is such a fine pistol I want to shoot it, but I don't want to hurt the value because I feel sure that one day this will be passed down to one of the kids or GK's.
I have a pile of guns, all types, I love shooting and have no problem sending rounds down range through any of them except this one.

Am I'm I being silly or smart?

So, what say you readers of the forum, save it for a future generation or fire away?
 
Shoot it when you want to and take care of it with kindness. Its not like you are caring it in a holster ever day. You have already removed the Virgin title from it. One thing for sure, you are not going to devalue it any more than it already is unless throw it against a stone wall.
 
While my unfired 1861 Harpers Ferry 3 band is in the safe at my mothers, all my other firearms have been shot.
I used to work with one guy that would pay tens of thousands of dollars for flintlock pistols. We put blank charges through them.
 
I carried my Python for years as my Duty Gun; it still nearly looks and shoots like it did when new. My view is that I will continue to shoot/care for it until it is no longer physically possible to do so, and hope that there is a worthy heir to receive it. If not, I will sell it.
Not enjoying it now would be like saving my Wife for her next husband.
GotRDid.
 
I see it as you made an investment that has greatly increased in value. If it were mine and I had several other guns I might shoot it but would also recognize if something broke or needed “adjustment “ it would be difficult to find someone to work on it. How much is a broken or out of time Python worth? If you value it as a shooter, shoot it. If you value it as an investment, protect it.

There’s lots of wheel guns that shoot 38’s and 357’s as good but none cooler than a Python.

I have a like new 38/44 Outdoorsman that I haven’t shot, I might shoot some wadcutters through it someday or maybe not since I’ve got a bunch of revolvers that would shoot as good or better.
 
Shoot it with the younger generations, in a memorable context like some $5 dollar matches and when one of them gets it, they will remember you and those times when they take it out.
 
Shoot it and enjoy it. Like someone else said "it's not a virgin anymore". I think guns are things of beauty too, but their reason for being is to be shot. If you never intend to sell it anyway, what does it matter?
 
If it was NIB I'd consider it investment and pass it on that way and what your heirs would do is up to them. As an occasional shooter, keep shooting and your kids would appreciate it as dads shooting gun.

If I had a safe queen I'd tell the kids, keep it, admire it, and treasure it as something special to me but if you sell it (for good reason) then know you may never see anything like it again. That's just me.
 
r bose said:
I had read Colt was going to make the Python again. I think that will kill some of your pistols value. My suggestion......shoot the gun and enjoy.

https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/breaking-colt-brings-back-the-python-357-revolver/

It all over their website too.
Click to expand...

The "new" Pythons have their place, and I would like to own one. I doubt they will ever share the same demand as the original Colt Python; much of the tribal knowledge and hand fitting has been lost to time.
GotRDid.
 
As long as you clean it and don't holster it the value will be maintained. I shot a S&W Model 19 from the 60's for 40 years. I finally sold it and the only thing that brought the price down was the worn bluing on the barrel and cylinder. If I had not used it with a holster it would have looked like new.
 
Of course do what ever makes you happy and comfortable but take some friendly advice from an old man who has shot a lot of pistol for over 50 years. Enjoy the gun - it's one of the finest revolvers ever made if not the finest. It's made to be shot, a lot.

You don't have to shoot full house magnum load out of it. If you reload you can shoot loads at a 38+P pressure level which will not loosen the crane / action on a well built sturdy pistol like this one.

Some don't like to shoot 38's out of a 357 for concern over burnishing the cylinder at the transition point from the end of the case length where the bullet extends into the cylinder. If you have that concern you can down load the 357 with fast burning powders like 231 to achieve 38+P pressure levels in 357 cases. I've used 6.0 - 7.0 grains of 231 with 125 grain jacket bullets in 357 cases. Extremely accurate and effective. However never down load slow burning powders like 2400, 296, H110, etc below the that shown in the reload data manuals.

Myself I've shot thousands of 38+P loads in my 357's, Model 19 S&W (K Frame) and Model's 586 / 686 using 38 cases. My favorite load is 5.7 of 231 with a Hornady 125 XTP bullet. Even my relatively light frame Model 19 which is over 40 years old is still is great shape.

If you are concerned about this lasting long enough to be a multiple generation heir loom then use the light lead bullet loads in the manuals. Wadcutters are a great way to go for this purpose. It's virtually impossible to wear out of the barrel shooting these.
 
I'm not a good investor. I traded my Python back in '82 or '83 for a Dan Wesson Pistol Pack. I've always enjoyed a swap-barrel firearm and was afraid of scratching the Python. Yes, the Colt today would be worth about double the value of the DW but man, I have had a LOT of fun with the Dan Wesson running literally thousands of rounds through it.

I would shoot it or sell it if it were me.
 
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