Anyone know if Colt is bringing back the Python?

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I wouldn't give up drinking water waiting on that to happen. And even if by some miracle they did, it wouldn't be the same gun. They might call it a Python (or Python II), but it would be a 'product improved' gun, designed to be CNC'd, MIM'd or even printed.

You think used Pythons are high priced? A new one, manufactured in the same manner as the old one's, would make used prices look cheap. Best to just bite the bullet (so to speak) and pay the price for one now. They won't get any cheaper, and you'll have one while you're waiting.
 
HAHAHAHAHA! Don't hold your breath.

If you want a Python, just suck it up and buy one. It'll never happen. Even if they released a DA revolver that looked like a Python and was called one, it wouldn't be a real Python.
 
The allure of the Python is the hand fitted action, and the near-perfect metal finishing followed by that deep Royal Blue or Nickel finish.

The folks that did those jobs are retired, or on to other jobs. The equipment used is long retired. The only ones left are those which do the repairs, and the parts and knowledge is diminishing rapidly.

Even modern CNC machinery can't quite match the hand fit.
 
IF and that is a big IF, it would be right around now. The Colt Python is the signature sidearm on the popular "Walking Dead" show, so now there must be a renewed interest in it :D
 
It's a good thing they don't build 'em like they used to. If they did, we couldn't afford 'em.
 
They no longer have anyone with the skills that were needed to make the originals.

Although I wish Colt had made a small lady's revolver called the Garter Snake.
 
NO. Why would Colt do that even if they could? The cost would exceed the market price.
 
Probably not,but it is a doable project. Yes the gun would be expensive(but not gold plated) Colt meant high quality and a premium product at one time,not me too.

With todays machine tool revolution making things out of forgings and bar stock isn't really cost prohibitive. I remember some years back the very same question being posed about the Winchester pre-64 rifle....now they are back (FN-USA)and better than ever IMHO.....and affordable for many.

I remember some gun scribe for one of the pablum gun rags saying the action alone would cost $10,000.00USD to make and could NEVER be done.

Colt has suffered from poor management for decades and has a unique and very awkward ownership structure,this has hurt them for decades. Colt is making "some" progress,slowly.

I know it has been claimed that they have a problem finding skilled workers and that their youngest employees are in their 50s. I know lots of unemployed machinists and struggling gunsmiths that could fill the bill.There IS plenty of talent out there if you want to find it.

The Python could be made as a custom shop item and sold for a reasonable price,not Ruger Blackhawk or Vaquero prices but if USFA made 1973 P frames a little cheaper and better(IMHO) why cant Colt or anyone else make the Python??
 
rodinal220 said:
Probably not,but it is a doable project. Yes the gun would be expensive(but not gold plated) Colt meant high quality and a premium product at one time,not me too.

With todays machine tool revolution making things out of forgings and bar stock isn't really cost prohibitive. I remember some years back the very same question being posed about the Winchester pre-64 rifle....now they are back (FN-USA)and better than ever IMHO.....and affordable for many.

I remember some gun scribe for one of the pablum gun rags saying the action alone would cost $10,000.00USD to make and could NEVER be done.

Colt has suffered from poor management for decades and has a unique and very awkward ownership structure,this has hurt them for decades. Colt is making "some" progress,slowly.

I know it has been claimed that they have a problem finding skilled workers and that their youngest employees are in their 50s. I know lots of unemployed machinists and struggling gunsmiths that could fill the bill.There IS plenty of talent out there if you want to find it.

The Python could be made as a custom shop item and sold for a reasonable price,not Ruger Blackhawk or Vaquero prices but if USFA made 1973 P frames a little cheaper and better(IMHO) why cant Colt or anyone else make the Python??
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At the risk of being repetitive, your posits have been noted by other posters.

Yes, modern CNC machining can get you close when manufacturing. But, "close" is not on the button, and it takes a long time and real talent to insure that all the parts mesh together as a Python.

U.S Firearms no longer manufactures the SAA clone.

Out-of-work machinists and gunsmiths are not automatic candidates to work in an established gun line such as the Python. The Python 'smiths were/are specialists of the highest degree.

The ability to build a Python is only part of the equation. Revolvers are not the majority of handgun manufacturing. Semi-autos of all ilk, vastly outsell wheel guns. While not a niche market, revolvers have a much smaller impact on the total handgun market. Why spend scarce research, engineering, and manufacturing resources on a product with such little impact on the overall bottom line?

Marketing a product like the Python would be extremely narrow. Guns would have to be built to order. I don't think Colt, or any other manufacturer would dare think that market penetration would be anything more than boutique in nature. If Colt thought for one second, that they could duplicate the Python of old, and create a new market, they would be gearing up production and sales right now.
 
The biggest problem Colt would have in bringing back the Python would be that the new gun would always be compared with the old ones and would be found wanting. Even if the quality was good or as good. We all have a tendency to look back at the "old days" and judge newer products harshly. A new Python would not measure up in many peoples judgment , and if there WAS a perceivable flaw, Colt would be pounded mercilessly.

And this does not even take into consideration all the grief they would take over the price!
 
km101 said:
The biggest problem Colt would have in bringing back the Python would be that the new gun would always be compared with the old ones and would be found wanting. Even if the quality was good or as good. We all have a tendency to look back at the "old days" and judge newer products harshly. A new Python would not measure up in many peoples judgment , and if there WAS a perceivable flaw, Colt would be pounded mercilessly.

And this does not even take into consideration all the grief they would take over the price!
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Right on.

I think S&W has a hard time with their new line of "Classic" revolvers, I've seen specimens sitting under glass for over a year now. I tried hard to convince myself to by one but just couldn't feel the love like I do when I handle a real classic.
 
S&W's problem with their classic line is the lawyer hole in the side. Not classic at all. You're turning off the very people you're targeting. Too many Smiths on the used market to pull that off.

I could see some interest in modern Colt revolvers. Put me down for a new dick special and .45 Colt Anaconda.
 
They might call it a Python (or Python II), but it would be a 'product improved' gun, designed to be CNC'd, MIM'd or even printed.
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There has already been a Python Mk III on the 1969 Trooper Mk III coil spring action but with Royal Blue and vent rib. It was really quite a nice looking gun, but even then they seemed to realize it would not sell well with the original to compare to.
One of our posters here has shown a couple of the few that were made.

Your only shot at a DA Colt is a resumption of the Mk V family, King Cobra and Anaconda types. And that not a very good chance.
 
Chuckle...there would be a whole culture built around why the old ones are the only ones worth having.:cool:
 
Problem with the USFA reference is that they did not charge near enough. Their guns were head and shoulders above Colt but too many people remain starry eyed about the Colt name. Without regard for the product it's stamped on. Too much "if I'm paying $1200, I'm buying a Colt". The fact that the USFA was a better gun in every way and more true to the original SAA was irrelevant. Didn't matter that the Colt was really a $600 gun and the USFA a $2000 gun, it didn't have those magical letters stamped on the barrel or that stupid horse. . Maybe Colt could pull it off, since they can stamp a dog turd with "C-O-L-T" and people will buy them. :p

That said, the newer SAA's and New Frontiers are excellent sixguns, just still not as good as a USFA.
 
My question is.......... Who in there right mind would pay the $$$ for one. I am sure there are people out there that would pony up the several thousands of dollars for one, but really..... Who would pay the kind of dollars for a safe queen gun. I am sure the majority of Pythons are setting in safes.
 
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