Colt Python

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cdahl383

cdahl383

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I’m relatively new to the gun world. I was looking around at .357 magnum revolvers and really like the Ruger GP100 and S&W 586/686. I was looking around some more and came across the Colt Python. Then I looked at the price! Holy crap! Over $2K for a revolver?

What’s the deal? Why is the Python so much more than the others?
 
cdahl383 said:
I’m relatively new to the gun world. I was looking around at .357 magnum revolvers and really like the Ruger GP100 and S&W 586/686. I was looking around some more and came across the Colt Python. Then I looked at the price! Holy crap! Over $2K for a revolver?

What’s the deal? Why is the Python so much more than the others?
Click to expand...
It’s 487% more accurate.
 
For a new one, MSRP is closer to $1,600. Today’s gun buying frenzy has allowed sellers to ask well above MSRP because people will pay it. At some point this will end, but right now it’s a sellers market so gun/ammo prices across the board are loco.

For a nice used Python, these guns still carry a ton of cachet earned from decades of hand fitting with exquisite actions, workmanship and finishes. From day one, this made the Python among the highest priced .357 revolvers commonly encountered in the US.

The 686 is my favorite .357 for almost every use, but the days of them being lower cost Python alternatives are almost gone. Just today on GB I saw used ones that are bidding up well North of $1,000 (selling price, tax, shipping, transfer fees), this for a decent condition gun with no frills.

Stay safe.
 
I chose a 686 over the Colt Python 38 years ago before they were labeled with dashes for a couple of reasons. As a lefty it was easier to operate the cylinder release than the python and the double action was smoother as well. Another thing that many people do not realize was that back than some of the pythons had timing issues. I bought a second 686 and my brother traded me his python for the 686 also because he liked it better than the python...trigger was smoother. I’ve been thinking of sending the python to Turnbull to get it restored and give it a harden steel look , I like the color and don’t care about the collection value.
 
If you just want "a 357" no, it's probably not. You can get a good 357 for a lot less money. I've got two of the 2020's and I'm not convinced they're all that much "better" if I just look at it as "a gun."

But if you want a Python, for whatever reason, or no real reason, there is nothing else that is a Python. I can't even put my finger on why I wanted one, much less two, other than that I've wanted one for a long time. When Colt was making them before, I told myself something else was "just as good." Then when they stopped making them and the prices went out the roof, I knew I'd never buy one.

Then when they came back last year and started making them again, I jumped at the chance and bought two. I'm quite happy with them. I paid MSRP for each, ($1499.00) and I wouldn't sell them for a dime less today. But I wouldn't pay any more for one either.
 
I wanted one of the new Pythons but I refuse to pay even MSRP. When they were first released they were going for less than msrp and I procrastinated about an hour to long. I picked up a new 4 inch 686+ at my local shop about 4 months ago for a very fair price. Damn fine pistol with a smooth and crisp 4.5 lb sa pull out of the box. DA is fine as well. Some will poopoo on it because it has a lock on it and it's a 7 shot. The purist will always be like that but it does not bother me in the least because she's a shooter. Now as soon as a 6" comes along at a fair price I will grab one...
 
JDeere said:
I wanted one of the new Pythons but I refuse to pay even MSRP. When they were first released they were going for less than msrp and I procrastinated about an hour to long. I picked up a new 4 inch 686+ at my local shop about 4 months ago for a very fair price. Damn fine pistol with a smooth and crisp 4.5 lb sa pull out of the box. DA is fine as well. Some will poopoo on it because it has a lock on it and it's a 7 shot. The purist will always be like that but it does not bother me in the least because she's a shooter. Now as soon as a 6" comes along at a fair price I will grab one...
Click to expand...
Folks can poohpooh all they want to, I agree with you. My 686+ 4” is a fantastic revolver, I had it bead blasted for a matte finish and actually carried on patrol for a couple of months after a thumb ligament injury.

It is by far my favorite .357 in my stable of several. :thumbup:


2649E2B9-97E2-4250-9EEC-EC9F039F0DC7.jpeg

Stay safe.
 
Yes, by-gone. Note how on the Python the
hammer pin, trigger pin, etc. stick out of the
right side of the frame. Very old school.

S&W used to allow pins to show on left side
of frame (plate is on right side) on some guns
before WWII. Today S&W takes
the trouble of smoothing out the left side so
you can't see the pins. Very new school.
 
cdahl383 said:
Over $2K for a revolver?
Click to expand...
And, that's for new; used examples are getting $4k

Colt wants a lot for the 2020 versions because it's a limited run, only a few thousand. The labor and machine costs are significantly higher for such things. Particularly with demand as limited as it really is.

The originals became expensive as Colt stopped production on them. For having made tens of thousands, they were made in a time where the sort of hand fitting and action work could be done at the factory with no real change to the MSRP. The V mainspring is endlessly debated as whether it was better or not--and to no real end. But, they were very addictive. The blue 6" I bought in the late 80s for $400 was worth $1200 in 2010 when Recession forced me to sell. (Per CPI, that $400 was worth $788 in 2010, for context.)

Now, whether a $1500 2020 will be worth $3000 in 2040 is something that will only be known in twenty years.
 
Just to reminisce ! Paid $175.00 out the door in 1968 for a 6", blued, and got a box of 38's and 357's each to boot. Was only 17 so gave my dad the money I saved from doing odd jobs. I know I have mentioned this numerous times when Pythons are discussed here. But dog gone it, it is a good memory and it makes me smile. I still have it. Only firearm I have that I remember the serial # of. :thumbup:

If I knew then what I know now, I sure would of spent my money differently :rofl:
 
Kleanbore said:
Does the price comparison with the MSRP mean something to you, or do you just not like the price?
Click to expand...

Just my preference. I have never paid msrp or above for any firearm. The first day they hit the price at most well known online dealers was about 1350. Had I not procrastinated I would have one. That being said there has never been one that I had to have either. If one is a Colt fan or one that has to have the latest offerings then that's their choice but it's just not me.
 
I have had several Pythons and while they are pretty, accurate and desirable I rather prefer my 686+ 6" which is just as, if not more accurate, about equivalent in size, and easier to tune and much less trouble to keep that way.
I will admit that when Colt dumped the consumer years back I kind of lost my love for them. I'm down to three 22s and a 1903.
 
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