Christmas Python headed back to Colt-CZ

[Poper]

Yup. Santa was great this year! Brought me a new Colt Python and a Walther P22.
The Walther has been trouble free through 300 rounds with a single failure to feed that was a mis-loaded magazine issue. Once cleared, no additional issues. It does need to be fed high velocity fodder as it has a tendency to choke/stove-pipe on some of the cheaper standard velocity stuff. For a less than $300 pistol, I really can't complain. A vertical adjustment for the sights would be nice as it shoots about 3" low at 11 yards, but I have been able to live with it as is.

The Python, on the otherhand, fired two cylinders and then would not unlock the cylinder after it was closed empty. Back to Colt - CZ it goes. Also, the detent in the windage adjustment for the rear sight appears to not be present as there is no tension on the windage screw at all and the rear sight blade is loose. It's almost as though QC didn't even look at it. Off she goes tomorrow!

This is my second new Colt revolver, the first being a King Cobra, and both have had to go back to Colt for issues that could easily have been (and SHOULD have been (IMHO)) caught by QC. Kinda makes me reconsider my quest for an Anaconda....

 

[shoebox1.1]

I know the feeling brother. My KC went back twice for misfires. Works great now but doesn’t leave you smiling

 

[Mn Fats]

The Python, on the otherhand, fired two cylinders and then would not unlock the cylinder after it was closed empty. Back to Colt - CZ it goes. Also, the detent in the windage adjustment for the rear sight appears to not be present as there is no tension on the windage screw at all and the rear sight blade is loose. It's almost as though QC didn't even look at it. Off she goes tomorrow!

This is my second new Colt revolver, the first being a King Cobra, and both have had to go back to Colt for issues that could easily have been (and SHOULD have been (IMHO)) caught by QC.

These aren't the hand tuned Colts of years past. What's left is MIM. S&W does much better for less.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

Most reports of QC on the Pony’s is top drawer. Many gun mag writers are saying these are the best Colt wheelguns EVER MADE.

My $0.02? Ring Colt and speak with them. They are great to deal with and WILL make it right for you.

 

[Jonesy814]

Most reports of QC on the Pony’s is top drawer. Many gun mag writers are saying these are the best Colt wheelguns EVER MADE.

My $0.02? Ring Colt and speak with them. They are great to deal with and WILL make it right for you.

The gun mag writers never met a gun they didnt like. I have NEVER seen them call a turd a turd. Remember the Remington R51? All the pre-release press made it sound like the best thing since smokeless powder, and maybe the handpicked test guns they got were ok. Reality was, people got guns so tight you could not rack the slide and that wouldn’t run a single magazine without malfunction. The gun was recalled pretty quick.
Gun writers are not going to badmouth the advertisers products

 

[Mn Fats]

The gun mag writers never met a gun they didnt like. I have NEVER seen them call a turd a turd.

That is unfortunate. That's why I prefer info from THR.

I believe @CraigC right here on THR is a writer for some gun mags. His input or opinions don't appear to follow any company. Just straight forward handgun info from that man.

 

[wcwhitey]

That’s bites! I am of the mind that anyone can and will make a bad product from time to time. What CZ does about it is what matters. Hopefully it will be taken care of in a speedy and efficient manner.

 

[Jonesy814]

That’s bites! I am of the mind that anyone can and will make a bad product from time to time. What CZ does about it is what matters. Hopefully it will be taken care of in a speedy and efficient manner.

That is the difference between a great company and a wannabe and once a company gets a reputation, whether good or bad, it's difficult to change the image.
A while back I lost a Ruger magazine part. I called for the part. Told them it was entirely my fault, I lost it. She couldn't find the part number and asked if it was ok if she just sent me a whole magazine....for free. That made one heck of an impression on me about Ruger and backed up what I had heard

 

[JCooperfan1911]

That is the difference between a great company and a wannabe and once a company gets a reputation, whether good or bad, it's difficult to change the image.
A while back I lost a Ruger magazine part. I called for the part. Told them it was entirely my fault, I lost it. She couldn't find the part number and asked if it was ok if she just sent me a whole magazine....for free. That made one heck of an impression on me about Ruger and backed up what I had heard

Have dealt with Ruger customer service about twice or three times. Always pleasant and fast. Never on hold long at all.

 

[Pat Riot]

This is my second new Colt revolver, the first being a King Cobra, and both have had to go back to Colt for issues that could easily have been (and SHOULD have been (IMHO)) caught by QC. Kinda makes me reconsider my quest for an Anaconda....

I do believe that I would contact someone higher than Customer Service and tell them their two for two QC failures might cost them on any future purchases.

The gun mag writers never met a gun they didnt like. I have NEVER seen them call a turd a turd. Remember the Remington R51?

I bought one of those and of course found out about all their problems AFTER the purchase.

 

[dh1633pm]

My new Colt King Cobra is top notch. My Mossberg MC1 on the other hand wouldn't cycle right from day one. I had to modify it with a G43 op rod. Now it works.

 

[jmorris]

Kinda makes me reconsider my quest for an Anaconda....

Walk in stores where you get to inspect a firearm before saying “I’ll take it.”, come in handy sometimes.

 

[lightman]

Thats disturbing! I expect a high end firearm to function correctly.

 

[Targa]

I expect anything to have issues, what matters to me is how the manufacturer handles said issue. I know that for me both S&W and Ruger have been very good to deal with, I hope Colt follows suit.

 

[Speedo66]

It's almost as though QC didn't even look at it.

What do you expect on a cheap gun? lol

Hopefully they'll make it right, quickly.

 

[Poper]

Walk in stores where you get to inspect a firearm before saying “I’ll take it.”, come in handy sometimes.

IF they happen to have one.....

 

[Archer]

Sounds like you didn’t use the lockdown screw on the windage adjustment. Of course it will freewheel, if you didn’t actually READ THE MANUAL and lock it down.

 

[Targa]

^^Freewheeling? Sounds like the cylinder is locked up and he is unable to lock down the screw for the rear sight.

 

[airfoil]

My Colt KC is just fine, thanks...There is a tiny lockdown for the windage on top of the sight, tiny, but it's there. The matter of the cylinder lock is unfortunately likely a flaw, and would need attention.

I've had problems with Ruger sp101's and the New Vaquero...the NV required a trip to the factory as it broke three times, but I did learn how to take it apart and put it back together...something I like to do anyway.

I am not gonna piss on Colt for a couple, few bad stories about QC. I'll wager the OP will enjoy that Colt when it's sorted out.

 

[Old Dog]

While I like to see members bring up issues they're experiencing with a new firearm they just purchased, these threads seem to quickly degenerate into commentary about whatever brand is involved, spawning the usual hearsay, gossip, unsubstantiated and undocumented criticism about that particular brand's products or its customer service. This thread hasn't devolved too badly in that respect (yet)..

These aren't the hand tuned Colts of years past. What's left is MIM. S&W does much better for less.

That's right, S&W does use more MIM and many of its guns do cost less than Colt's. "Hand-tuned?" Sigh.
Or someone immediately chimes in to praise another manufacturer's awesome customer service, even before an OP gets around to updating us with the outcome of his situation.

At any rate, 'tis sad to hear the OP has problems with his new Python. Mine has been nothing short of spectacular (and reliable, of course) and a few of my co-workers who've picked up the new Python are giving me similar feedback. I haven't had to send any new Colt products back to the company, but I've spoken to their CS a couple times and had great, informative conversation. Here's hoping the folks back in Hartford do the OP right.

 

[Riomouse911]

Gives a new meaning to the term, “You’ve been snakebit.”

Guns are machines, most are great from day one but some have issues sooner or later. I’ve sent back several pre and one post-MIM S&W revolvers, a Ruger rifle, Redhawk and a Blackhawk (Amazingly, both handguns are .41 Mags!), I had a gunsmith work for months on a Dan Wesson rimfire revolver that decided not to revolve one day, I had an older Wingmaster pop the shell stop from the receiver and hopelessly jam, a Gen 3 Glock 17 that had constant trigger reset issues until I bought and installed an Apex trigger system and it’s 100% now, etc.

I really do want a 6” Python. I just hope my future gun isn’t a lemon.

Stay safe.

 

[Old Dog]

I really do want a 6” Python. I just hope my future gun isn’t a lemon.

Brother, I firmly believe that when you find one, you can be confident that it won't be a lemon. As I've said in every "new Python" thread since the gun's been released, it typically exceeds expectations. Of course, my sample size is currently running at exactly seven (and of those I've shot only one is mine) that I've actually handled and fired so far... (I wouldn't be able to go back to work if these guns sucked as I've talked several of the guys into buying a new Python in the past year).

 

[hemiram]

Gives a new meaning to the term, “You’ve been snakebit.”

Guns are machines, most are great from day one but some have issues sooner or later. I’ve sent back several pre and one post-MIM S&W revolvers, a Ruger rifle, Redhawk and a Blackhawk (Amazingly, both handguns are .41 Mags!), I had a gunsmith work for months on a Dan Wesson rimfire revolver that decided not to revolve one day, I had an older Wingmaster pop the shell stop from the receiver and hopelessly jam, a Gen 3 Glock 17 that had constant trigger reset issues until I bought and installed an Apex trigger system and it’s 100% now, etc.

I really do want a 6” Python. I just hope my future gun isn’t a lemon.

Stay safe.

What did he do with the DW for months? I would imagine the hand probably broke on it, I don't remember what it looked like, but since the 22 is basically the same as a 15-2 mechanically, it almost for sure uses the same hand, which is extremely hard to break. I managed to do it on a 15-2 once, but I think that gun was abused by a previous owner. 15 min and I was back up shooting. Having a ton of almost never needed DW parts comes in handy, once every 10 years or so.

 

[Old_Grouch]

It's almost as though QC didn't even look at it.

You, the end consumer, are the QC department. That's the way it seems anyway for just about every manufacturer of anything these days.

 

[Riomouse911]

What did he do with the DW for months? I would imagine the hand probably broke on it, I don't remember what it looked like, but since the 22 is basically the same as a 15-2 mechanically, it almost for sure uses the same hand, which is extremely hard to break. I managed to do it on a 15-2 once, but I think that gun was abused by a previous owner. 15 min and I was back up shooting. Having a ton of almost never needed DW parts comes in handy, once every 10 years or so.

I bought it off GB so I can imagine there may have been previous abuse. The exterior was nice but who knows what went on inside. It was a damaged hand and also something else in the lockworks that prevented the cylinder from rotating correctly.

Whatever it was it required a custom part to be made since CZ and Numrich were dry. So far it’s been good to go, but in all honesty the Models 17 and 18 are a bit more svelte and have been more fun to shoot.

Stay safe.