Why?

Old Colt has nothing to do with new Colt. All them 120 year old machines have long rusted and wore out. And the hand work on the old Colt can not be taught. Now you need a 20 million dollar machine to do what trained factory line people did by hand back then

Because all you need is one buyer to buy into the "Old Python >>> New Python" train of thought.

Just one.


That being said - for every New Python sold, the Old Python loses that much more they can command price-wise. At least a little bit. See above.

Holsters can be pricey. Often after spending $600 to $900 on a gun people don't want to put out another $100.00 or so for a holster. This one cost me $105.00. But I have plenty of Uncle MIke's for hiking and a lot of them fit more than one gun.

Perhaps the holster is the item up for sale and the
seller is just throwing in the Python as a bonus.

Mark_Mark said:

Old Colt has nothing to do with new Colt. All them 120 year old machines have long rusted and wore out. And the hand work on the old Colt can not be taught. Now you need a 20 million dollar machine to do what trained factory line people did by hand back then

Click to expand...

Over the same 120 years that $20M machine will be much cheaper than the labor force they used to have to make the old guns.

I've heard the new Colts are much more durable than the old models.

Because those are two rather different revolvers mechanically and the older (original) Python still commands a good price for several reasons. Reasons like great craftsmanship, finish, collectability and even nostalgia - it's a gun, not an iPhone...

^ also 100% true.


So there are your two sides to this coin...

Barmcd said:

I've heard the new Colts are much more durable than the old models.

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oooh yeah! Way more durable, 100% warranty, and will probably out shoot the ols Colts… I still beat my butt for not buying the 6” Excellent condition Python 2 months ago. $2,000 - that was a steal!

Mark_Mark said:

And the hand work on the old Colt can not be taught.

Click to expand...

The mystique of the hand crafted older guns, whether Smiths, Colts, or Winchesters, can't be disputed. And it isn't possible to make more of those originals. Without a doubt, whether a current Model 10, Python, or '92, the old ones will command a premium. Are the old ones better tools? Probably not. But that isn't really the question.
Moon

Just like the newer S&W’s.

I’m sure despite their MIM parts, 2 piece barrels, lock holes, etc. they’re great guns, but I’d still pay extra for a good used one without all of those “improvements”.

halfmoonclip said:

The mystique of the hand crafted older guns, whether Smiths, Colts, or Winchesters, can't be disputed. And it isn't possible to make more of those originals. Without a doubt, whether a current Model 10, Python, or '92, the old ones will command a premium. Are the old ones better tools? Probably not. But that isn't really the question.
Moon

Click to expand...

Yes… and don’t just focus on Colt Snake guns. Pre-War M&P’s, Hand Ejects, Office Model, Triple Locks, Break Tops, Nagants, …. So many very good service guns out there, but one thing 4 Sure!!!

They Don’t make them like they use to.

Well…. unless you spend $5,000!

Speedo66 said:

Just like the newer S&W’s.

I’m sure despite their MIM parts, 2 piece barrels, lock holes, etc. they’re great guns, but I’d still pay extra for a good used one without all of those “improvements”.

Click to expand...

S&W 52-2! Holly Molly! talk about QUALITY and specialty, it literally only shoots mid-range (says right on the barrel) 38 Full Wadcutters.

that gun will never be made again.

I love history, and these guns gives us a senses of time we either live though or was not even born yet!

So OP… why is a old Colt Python 2x more than new run. Because of people who live in Florida and got TONS of cash from not buying a Boat!

If someone wants to buy "a Python" they can walk into most any gun store in America now, and find one for around $1400, maybe less. If that person just wants a Python to shoot, that's what I'd recommend. Heck, you might even get a "better" gun.

But I don't think "you" buy a "legacy Python" (as I've heard them called) just to have "A" Python. You want a "Legacy Python" and are willing to pay the extra to capture the mystique? The panache? of the Python as it existed "back in the day."

CajunBass said:

If someone wants to buy "a Python" they can walk into most any gun store in America now, and find one for around $1400, maybe less. If that person just wants a Python to shoot, that's what I'd recommend. Heck, you might even get a "better" gun.

But I don't think "you" buy a "legacy Python" (as I've heard them called) just to have "A" Python. You want a "Legacy Python" and are willing to pay the extra to capture the mystique? The panache? of the Python as it existed "back in the day."

Click to expand...

or buy 2 Glock with extendo mags, case of aluminum 9mm!

if you get it, you get it
if you don’t, buy a Glock

I wouldn't go that far. It's actually a legitimate question I think. When the 2020 Python (Python 2?) was introduced a lot of people predicted the collapse of the price bubble on the "legacy" Pythons. That doesn't seem to have happened. So why not? I certainly don't have a real answer for that other than "They're the same but different."

CajunBass said:

I wouldn't go that far. It's actually a legitimate question I think. When the 2020 Python (Python 2?) was introduced a lot of people predicted the collapse of the price bubble on the "legacy" Pythons. That doesn't seem to have happened. So why not? I certainly don't have a real answer for that other than "They're the same but different."

Click to expand...

So you’re getting a Glock then?

I'd get every nickel I could if I had one.

All the hand work that went into Colt's 120yrs ago was because the machining sucked. They didn't do it because it was better, they did it because they had to. Think about it, the most precisely made revolver-shaped instruments ever created weren't made 100yrs ago. They've been made in the last 20yrs and they involve little hand work.

Jamesishere said:

With the new Python's out for awhile now, and the blued one's just showing up. Why are people still trying to sell the old pythons for so high of price?

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Because you can’t make a new, old one.

Same reason say a ‘69 Camaro in ”as new“ condition would cost more than a brand new one sells for today.

Mark_Mark said:

So you’re getting a Glock then?

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Well, it's not like I've never owned one. I don't right now, but I do have a Taurus G3.

CajunBass said:

Well, it's not like I've never owned one. I don't right now, but I do have a Taurus G3.

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G3 is as Modern as you can get… Cheap, high quality, and goes bang every time!

Break a Old Python hand … call the doc for meds, cuz it’s going to hurt

There's only name and rough form in common between the old classic Colt double actions and the new offerings with the Colt name. That's not to say the new ones are no good, or that they can't serve the same functions because by all accounts they are pretty decent on the whole with only about an average amount of factory lemons cropping up among a lot of mostly satisfied customers.

The thing is, knowing how the fit and finish is on the old Colts versus the new offerings, it's very clear that the classic guns will always command a high price. Theres just no replicating the craftsmanship that made the hand fitting possible, or even the basic mechanical results of what the old jigs and fixtures produced. Theres a soul of sorts in the tooling and once it's worn out and gone it can't come back. Something similar in a lot of ways can be made, but it will just not ever be the same.

jmorris said:

Because you can’t make a new, old one.

Same reason say a ‘69 Camaro in ”as new“ condition would cost more than a brand new one sells for today.

Click to expand...

Exactly.
2023 Hellcat(not even a real Hemi) Charger. $80k

1968 J code Hemi Charger. $200k

Today's might be more reliable and better made, but it'll never be the icon the original was. And they sure aren't gonna ever make em like that again, just like the new/old Pythons