Found a Colt Python for $500, need to know what things to inspect

[forrestd]

I found a guy locally selling a blued 4" Colt Python for $500. He says it was a service revolver, has a low round count, original everything, with a little holster wear.

Does that price sound about right? Also, what kinds of things should I look at to make sure it's mechanically sound and not going to blow up in my face? Many thanks in advance.

 

[DogBonz]

your head

for not buying it...

 

[forrestd]

Hey! I can't meet the guy until Saturday. Otherwise I'd tell my boss I was going home sick for the day.

 

[XavierBreath]

Revolver checkout: how to tell if a particular specimen is any good This thread will tell you what to check.

If it looks decent though, buy it now! Worry about the rest later. You will always be able to get $500 back out of it, unless you beat it to death in a box of rusty logging chains.

 

[Steve C]

The guy selling it hasn't kept up on Python prices. For $500 I would snatch it up before he found out that they're selling for over $1000 and worry about any problems later. If he's talked to anyone else its probably gone by now. Look for the obvious things. You can read the "sticky" at the beginning of this topic regarding what to look for in used revolvers.

 

[forrestd]

Xavier, that is exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you!

 

[Majic]

He says it was a service revolver, has a low round count, original everything, with a little holster wear.

That right there would make me look at it real hard. If nothing else a service revolver would have holster wear. Also if it is indeed a Python. I have seen other Colts people have tried to pass off because they say they just didn't know.

 

[forrestd]

That right there would make me look at it real hard. If nothing else a service revolver would have holster wear. Also if it is indeed a Python. I have seen other Colts people have tried to pass off because they say they just didn't know.

Look at it hard because you'd be very interested, or you'd inspect the ever-loving hell out of it because you'd be suspicious of its condition?

Thanks for the heads up about people incorrectly calling their wheelgun a Python. I'll definitely double-check for that.

 

[Dark Helmet]

Inspect your wallet for the $500!

 

[forrestd]

The money's there, I just hope the weather's good enough so that I can drive over Snoqualmie Pass to meet the guy on Saturday.

 

[dfariswheel]

These days, for a $500 Python in good condition, I'd crawl over a mountain pass on my hands and knees, and be darned quick about it.

 

[Majic]

I would look at it hard because I would be suspicious about it. If it is the genuine article then it would never leave my hands.

 

[forrestd]

I'll proceed with caution then. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[10-Ring]

I just bought a circa '67-68 Python for $750 and thought I got a deal! Get that wheelgun ASAP!

 

[elric]

For $500, if its in good shape mechanically, even with quite a bit of holster wear, I'd sure snap it up.

 

[MishMash]

Hmmm........
A Python at $500? It's a half off sale.
A "little holster wear"? Heck, that's nothing more than "character"!

What was that phone number, again?

Regards

 

[sixgunner455]

I regret not buying one I saw at about that price a few years ago. Most of the bluing was worn off both sides of the barrel. It was a 4", I want a 6". That was the reason I keep telling myself I didn't pay more attention to it.

Should have bought it.

 

[forrestd]

Well there's a bit more holster wear on it than I would have liked, but everything else checked out great. He even threw in a few boxes of both .38 spl and .357 mag. There were even a few rounds of snake shot in there. Thanks for the advice guys! It was definitely worth it. Pictures to come later.

 

[Dark Helmet]

Cool!

 

[Standing Wolf]

It was definitely worth it.

[WINK] Yeah, and the sun rises in the east most mornings, too. [/WINK]

 

[forrestd]

All right, here's pictures as promised!

 

[Dr.Rob]

What's Colt charging for a re-blue these days?

 

[forrestd]

What's Colt charging for a re-blue these days?

I have no idea. I'd be interested in finding out. If it's not too much, I'd certainly consider it (sooner rather than later I mean ).

 

[HighVelocity]

These days, for a $500 Python in good condition, I'd crawl over a mountain pass on my hands and knees, and be darned quick about it.

Don't forget your reflective triangle.


Hey good deal on the python, finish wear or not, it's a python.

 

[FCinCA]

Colt charges 280 for the reblue. Add an additional 125 for recutting the roll marks.

FC