Colt Python 2020
- Thread starter james
- Start date
I'm a revolver guy - back in the early 70's I wanted a Python really bad but at a cost of about $200 it was beyond my means at the time. It had the smoothest action I ever tried and beautifully finished. The under lug was unique at the time giving the pistol excellent balance and recoil control. S&W later copied the idea with their Model 586's - the "poor man's" Python.
I shot a lot of bulls eye pistol back in those day and I used a S&W 22 (Model 17) and 38 (Model 14) revolver for the rim fire and center fire matches respectively. The S&W had an advantage in the timed and rapid fire stages because it had a shorter hammer cock but the Python's under lug had the advantage of superior recoil control.
In the 80's I obtained a S&W Model 27, 357 magnum with an 8 3'8" long barrel - it was real ghog slayer. Later traded for a 586 - 6" barrel which was easier to shoot with full magnum loads because the under lug. Still shoot a lot of revolver but don't compete or hunt with them anymore - just paper punching.
I shot a lot of bulls eye pistol back in those day and I used a S&W 22 (Model 17) and 38 (Model 14) revolver for the rim fire and center fire matches respectively. The S&W had an advantage in the timed and rapid fire stages because it had a shorter hammer cock but the Python's under lug had the advantage of superior recoil control.
In the 80's I obtained a S&W Model 27, 357 magnum with an 8 3'8" long barrel - it was real ghog slayer. Later traded for a 586 - 6" barrel which was easier to shoot with full magnum loads because the under lug. Still shoot a lot of revolver but don't compete or hunt with them anymore - just paper punching.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
I have three - two blued, 586's - 6", one stainless, 686 - 6" - that should give you some idea how I feel about the S&W "L" frame revolvers.
Now days only rich men can afford an S&W revolver - last I checked the 686's new were going for over $700.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
If they have the firing pin on the hammer i usually gotta buy emI have three - two blued, 586's - 6", one stainless, 686 - 6" - that should give you some idea how I feel about the S&W "L" frame revolvers.
Now days only rich men can afford an S&W revolver - last I checked the 686's new were going for over $700.
rjtfroggy
Gold $$ Contributor
I have the models mentioned, 8" Python, 6" Diamondback 38, and a 4" Trooper 22lr, all early 70's version and hardly used. Also in the safe 2 1911's, 45lc Cowboy lnib, 38 agent, a Police 38sw, 1936 or38 version 25 auto pocket, and a daily carry 380 govt. and a few others I am probably forgetting.
I got away from hand gunning when I got into rifle shooting, now they only come out for cleaning a couple times a year.
I got away from hand gunning when I got into rifle shooting, now they only come out for cleaning a couple times a year.
GotRDid
Gold $$ Contributor
Just like the old Python bbls spun on the S&W revolvers back in the day, you could have made a "Smython".
GotRDid.
GotRDid
Gold $$ Contributor
Say what you will, but sometimes its the equipment, sometimes its the operator.
I carried a fixed sight, heavy bbl'd S&W Mod 10 when I first started in civilian L.E.
After carrying/shooting the M1911A1 as an MP and on our Post Combat Pistol Team, it was a simple transition.
Like others, I had heard of the fit/finish/actions of the Colt revolvers, and saved up to purchase one after actually shooting a Partner's Diamondback.
I carried and shot my new (to me) Diamondback for 2 years, and bought a Detective Spl for off duty. A Police Supply company in So. Indiana by the name of Kiesler's ordered my Ultra Bright Stainless Python for the princely sum of $624 delivered on Dept. Letterhead in '86. Had to sell the Detective Spl, but never regretted that.
I carried the Python until we transitioned to semi-auto pistols in '93. Still love these guns; need to get them back out for some exercise. LOT of rounds downrange with these two.
GotRDid.
I carried a fixed sight, heavy bbl'd S&W Mod 10 when I first started in civilian L.E.
After carrying/shooting the M1911A1 as an MP and on our Post Combat Pistol Team, it was a simple transition.
Like others, I had heard of the fit/finish/actions of the Colt revolvers, and saved up to purchase one after actually shooting a Partner's Diamondback.
I carried and shot my new (to me) Diamondback for 2 years, and bought a Detective Spl for off duty. A Police Supply company in So. Indiana by the name of Kiesler's ordered my Ultra Bright Stainless Python for the princely sum of $624 delivered on Dept. Letterhead in '86. Had to sell the Detective Spl, but never regretted that.
I carried the Python until we transitioned to semi-auto pistols in '93. Still love these guns; need to get them back out for some exercise. LOT of rounds downrange with these two.
GotRDid.
I got a 1975 unfired diamondback that I’ve just never been able to force myself to shoot and at this point it’s not going to happen. I’m going to have to buy one of these new pythons in 6”. But I think I’m going to wait till they sale for $1000 instead of the msrp.
The upcoming blued models won’t be to the quality the old ones are but just the design of the python is gorgeous to me. I’ve had 5 smith 44s all 629s ,I like stainless, over the years. All pre lock. But they just never did it for me like the snake guns. Even the lowly king cobra I liked better than the smiths.
The upcoming blued models won’t be to the quality the old ones are but just the design of the python is gorgeous to me. I’ve had 5 smith 44s all 629s ,I like stainless, over the years. All pre lock. But they just never did it for me like the snake guns. Even the lowly king cobra I liked better than the smiths.
Colt bluing/polishing trivia:
During the 1960’s and early 1970’s my father was an independent corporate recruiter (aka “headhunter”) in Hartford, CT. He developed a good working relationship with the CEO of Colt. Although Pops normally recruited for upper management positions, Colt asked him to help out filling several openings in their polishing and buffing department. Apparently this step in the manufacturing process required the most skill, took the longest to perfect and required considerable upper body strength. Interestingly, Colt’s CEO advised my father to seek out men of Polish descent. He said those guys, for whatever reason, tended to have the aptitude and strength to do the job right.
During the 1960’s and early 1970’s my father was an independent corporate recruiter (aka “headhunter”) in Hartford, CT. He developed a good working relationship with the CEO of Colt. Although Pops normally recruited for upper management positions, Colt asked him to help out filling several openings in their polishing and buffing department. Apparently this step in the manufacturing process required the most skill, took the longest to perfect and required considerable upper body strength. Interestingly, Colt’s CEO advised my father to seek out men of Polish descent. He said those guys, for whatever reason, tended to have the aptitude and strength to do the job right.
I was watching videos last night of guys shooting the new Colt. There were two guys from the Gunsite shooting school shooting it. They both said that if they were in a match and had the choice between a vintage Python and a new one, it would be no contest. They would take the new one. They also thought that guys who paid thousands of bucks for their vintage pythons are going to take a beating.
I will be willing to bet that Gunbroker will have a bunch of them for sale for a grand over msrp for a while. I'm going to tell my lgs to order one for me as soon as they can get them at a reasonable price. (and by reasonable I mean for a normal dealer cost)
joshb
Gold $$ Contributor
Yeah, there’re a couple on Gunbroker already. $1600, last I looked.
Latest thing to shoot up are the Colt ARs since Colt announced they would stop making them, they are around double MSRP now.
I agree with @joshb, I’m gonna buy one for list price and start shooting it immediately, probably stop at the range before it sees the inside of the safe. Probably gonna get a 6” one, because I’ve always wanted to have an extra few inches, more than my S&W 686 that is.
I agree with @joshb, I’m gonna buy one for list price and start shooting it immediately, probably stop at the range before it sees the inside of the safe. Probably gonna get a 6” one, because I’ve always wanted to have an extra few inches, more than my S&W 686 that is.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
Anybody want to shed a 4” 586 and get one of these new super good pythons?
I hope to own a 4.25 stainless new one for carrying in the field and a 6” royal blue OG for artwork.
There is one on GB right now that has been bid up to over $3000!!!!! And a bunch more bid up to over $2000. What the heck are people thinking? The retail price of these things is $1499. I guess there are a lot of people with more money than brains.
hoz53
Gold $$ Contributor
yep Im gonna put my "original" python up for sale in the next few days. I dont want to shoot it for what they are worth either. If I could get one of the new pythons for a "reasonable" price I mite. But I have a like new 6"
686 in the safe for shooting. Will the new Python be better to me than it? I kind of doubt it but we'll see and ill get one if it is.
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