Colt revolver if you can't afford a Python

[Black Butte]

What Colt revolver would you go with if you couldn't afford a Python but wanted Colt represented in your collection? How do you feel about the Police Positive as one such alternative?

 

[Sevenfaces]

well 6 months ago I'd say King Cobra, but they seem to be selling for only 100$ less than shooter pythons. I heard the Colt MK III is a very reliable .357 though I can't say from personal experience.

 

[LKB3rd]

As a substitute for a Python, they made some really nice revolvers like the .357 and Trooper.
I like the little D frames like the Detective Special and Cobra too.

 

[shotgunjoel]

Colt trooper (adjustable sights) or lawman (fixed sights). It's pretty much the same thing as the Python, but with a cheaper bull barrel, and cheaper finish. Different grips too I think. The action is the same though.

 

[Black Knight]

While there are many good to great choices I believe the most sought after would be the Colt Single Action Army (SAA). Many go for the Police Positive, Police Positive Special, Official Police, Trooper, Trooper MKIII, Trooper MK V. All of these are good choices and old style. There are some newer "modern" style revolvers that include the Boa, and Anaconda. For me I would probably go for the lastest model Detective Special or the Magnum Carry. Good luck on your search. When looking for Colts the journey is half the fun.

 

[Walkalong]

Trooper Mk III or King Cobra. The Mark III is great and can be had reasonable. The Cobra will be a good bit pricier.

 

[9mmepiphany]

My first choice would be, in descending order a D-frame:
1. Diamondback
2. Detective Special
3. Cobra
4. Viper
5. Police Positive

 

[SaxonPig]

The Official Police is the quintessential Colt.




The Trooper (pre MKIII version) and The 357 Magnum are nearly the same as the Python except for the barrel contour.

 

[Gordon]

The Colt ".357" was their premier revolver before the Python whose lockwork and extra fitting it shares. I have a 4" .357 that rivals any Python I've yet had in accuracy and smoothness. BTW these guns are sleepers still I believe but folks are catching on these days so hurry!

 

[Old Fuff]

If you want "the best," and don't have to have a Magnum, look for an Officers Model, Officers Model Target, or Officers Model Match, in .38 Special or .22 LR.

These were bullseye target guns, and Colt lavished plenty of extra hand work on them. Today they can sometimes be found in the $400 to $600 range, and at those prices there is no better buy. Fortunately very few of today's buyers want a .38 Special revolver with a 6-inch barrel.

Ignorence is indeed bliss....

 

[Lucky Derby]

What SaxonPig and Old Fuff said.

I have two Troopers (preMKII) and an Official Police. I had a Python. sold the Python because I just could not justify keeping it at the price it sold for, when the Trooper is it's equal on the range.

 

[buttrap]

I would have to agree with Saxon or Fluff. You want the any Colt on the .41 frame vs the old .38 on the .32 frame PP stomp on it to adjust the sights guns.

 

[XxWINxX94]

Well the general size of a python and police positive is entirely different. Python has larger, bulkier frame, and the PP is very very small with the black plastic grips.

I own a Police Positive Special, and unless you reaload or are looking for a .22, the calibers for regular police positives are limited to cartridges that aren't that cheap.
I would say do yourself a favor and look for a Police Positive Special in .38 Special, thats what I did and its a great choice and ammo isn't too bad if you don't reload.

 

[Walkalong]

Fortunately very few of today's buyers want a .38 Special revolver with a 6-inch barrel.

Some of us like them.

 

[MtnSpur]

If you want "the best," and don't have to have a Magnum, look for an Officers Model, Officers Model Target, or Officers Model Match, in .38 Special or .22 LR.

These were bullseye target guns, and Colt lavished plenty of extra hand work on them. Today they can sometimes be found in the $400 to $600 range, and at those prices there is no better buy. Fortunately very few of today's buyers want a .38 Special revolver with a 6-inch barrel.

Ignorence is indeed bliss....

Hoping some will show up in 2 weeks at a gun show I plan on attending
Have the Trooper in 4" (1968 build) and absolutely love the balance and accuracy. Looking at online pricing for Pythons and Diamondbacks will give you sticker shock . An Officers Model would be a nice addition for you and certainly won't break the bank tooooo much

 

[WVleo]

Colt Lawman MKIII 2" or go home ( LOL LOL ) ! The pristine wood stocks are in the gunsafe, wearing rubber for the Wife's hand. Nice production revolver only costing Me $500 and change..........WVleo

 

[PRM]

Colt Police Positive

I have had a Python (I do regret letting it go), also a couple of Diamondbacks that were eventually sold. These were great guns, top of the line shooters, and collector pieces ~ but I like the older style revolvers.

One of my personal favorites is a Police Positive Special with elephant ivory grips (by Jerry Meacham).

 

[ColtPythonElite]

There have been no bad suggestions posted. I guess you gotta specify what you want...a .38, .357, snub, 4", 6" 8", ect to get a more pinpoint answer.

Personally, I'm picturing you asking about what gun relatively compares to a run-of-the mill 4" or 6" Python. If that is the case, I'd suggest either a MK III, MK V, or King Cobra. A nice one of those can generally be had somewhere between $500 and $750.

Keep your eyes peeled. You can often find unfired specimens for the same money as used guns.

 

[Gordon]

Once again
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=228601511

 

[ColtPythonElite]

That gun is worth the $600 starting price. I wouldn't give much more for it, though....One good thing about that gun is it has the original grips....Anyone looking at an older Colt needs to shop for one with the original wood, unless the price is discounted to reflect the lack of the stock grips. Some Colt stocks are worth well over 200 bucks.

 

[MtnSpur]

That gun is worth the $600 starting price. I wouldn't give much more for it, though....One good thing about that gun is it has the original grips....Anyone looking at an older Colt needs to shop for one with the original wood, unless the price is discounted to reflect the lack of the stock grips. Some Colt stocks are worth well over 200 bucks.

Truer words (on the original wood) were never spoken. :banghead:

 

[Old Fuff]

Some of us like them.

Meaning top-quality .38 Special revolvers with 6-inch barrels...

Obviously you are not enjoying the bliss that I mentioned...

Still, most of today's buyers aren't interested in tack-drivers, since they're more interested in playing "spray & pray." Personally I like it that way.

 

[joe_security]

Make mine the 6" tack driver with original wood. I will pass on the spray & pray.

 

[rcmodel]

The Official Police is also sometimes a sleeper pricewise.

It is the same .41 size I-Frame as a Python or Trooper, just with fixed sights and less hand fitting & finishing.
But still, they always shoot like a Colt, meaning very good.

The Police Positive Special is a smaller gun, and shares the same small D-Frame size with the Detective Special snubby & Diamondback.

Perhaps not quite as durable as the Official Police if you plan on shooting it a lot with hot .38 Spl ammo.

rc

 

[harvester]

It should be noted the MKIII Trooper, King Cobra, Lawman, MKV do not share the same lock work of the pre 1970 colts. The early Trooper, Python, Official Police, Army Special, Officers Models and a few others share a similar old style lock work on the 41 frame. The Diamondback, Detective Special, Cobra, police positive special and a few others also share a similar old style but smaller lockwork on a smaller frame. The older style lock work is based on the 1908 colt patent and in 1969 it was revised to reflect the need for mass production.