tbob38
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In the Newhall shooting, 2 of the 4 CHP officers killed had Colt Pythons. Not sure what that means.
Pythons In A Role Besides Safe Queen
- Thread starter Mr. Mosin
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entropy
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Not sure what you're implying....
Confederate
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The only problem with the Colt Python is, as far as I know, is that it has a very small hand (or pawl). When shooting magnum loads the pawl would wear and the gun would have to be retimed. This caused some shooters to hard chrome the pawl to keep it from wearing.
As far as good guns go, the Pythons may be the most desirable, but the best .357 made is the S&W 686, in my view. They are as good as the Python, as accurate, and the actions are better. It also has a better grip, as the Python has a group only an orangutan can appreciate. I'd love to find out if Colt fixed the pawl issue, and if the S&W has a better action as my 686-6 has an action that feels, to me, perfect. I'm not crazy about the lock on it, but I despise the look of the lock rather than its political correctness. I also have a 686-no dash that I like better; however, the action on the dash-6 seems better. I just like the fact that the no-dash has a stamped sideplate, wood grips and an integral barrel/sight. In other words, it has all the beauty and glory of the bygone days.
S&W 686-6 (above) and S&W 686-0 (below).
What's not to like? The Korth and other exotic revolvers are better probably (though I've never seen or handled one), but my 6-inch 686 is the BEST gun I've ever shot. How could any gun be better?
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When I got into LE back in the late 70s, the issued duty gun was a S&W M-15. My favorite revolver at the time was my 6" Python, but I needed a 4" gun for departmental use...mine was pristine and serial numbered 10000E.
I went searching for another one and was able to find an ex-CHP Python (CHP had just started issuing duty guns than the previous owner sold his personal Python). It had a 6" barrel but I had it swapped for a 4" one and had the action tuned. Sort of odd looking with a sun-bleached frame and new barrel. The shoulder was so worn that it looked like pewter. That Python got me through the academy and through Patrol Training. The departmental S&W armorer told me that it was borderline out of time and if it started spitting lead, he'd make me give it up for a Smith...it never did
I wanted to shoot PPC so had the barrel switched back to a 6" one and shot it as first my primary and then as my Distinguished (Street/Production) gun.
I understood that the accelerated wear of the Colt action was due to the tighter lockup during ignition...the action parts took more battering...but it also made them a bit more accurate
I went searching for another one and was able to find an ex-CHP Python (CHP had just started issuing duty guns than the previous owner sold his personal Python). It had a 6" barrel but I had it swapped for a 4" one and had the action tuned. Sort of odd looking with a sun-bleached frame and new barrel. The shoulder was so worn that it looked like pewter. That Python got me through the academy and through Patrol Training. The departmental S&W armorer told me that it was borderline out of time and if it started spitting lead, he'd make me give it up for a Smith...it never did
I wanted to shoot PPC so had the barrel switched back to a 6" one and shot it as first my primary and then as my Distinguished (Street/Production) gun.
It actually isn't that much different than the one in a S&W.
I understood that the accelerated wear of the Colt action was due to the tighter lockup during ignition...the action parts took more battering...but it also made them a bit more accurate
Palladan44
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Have a 98% condition python, 1978 4" Royal Blue. No box no papers. Im gonna start shooting it.
Safe queens are no fun, my opinion is changing as i get older. And with moderate range use and not abuse, im not going to de value it much if at all.
If it was mint, unfired, no turn marks, in box w/ papers i could see the reason to definitely not shoot it.
But i choose to not keep top notch collector "grade firearms" for a reason. Have 1, but got a deal on it.
I find it ironic that Colt put so much effort into a finely tuned glass smooth match grade piece, and most of them sit in safes.
Safe queens are no fun, my opinion is changing as i get older. And with moderate range use and not abuse, im not going to de value it much if at all.
If it was mint, unfired, no turn marks, in box w/ papers i could see the reason to definitely not shoot it.
But i choose to not keep top notch collector "grade firearms" for a reason. Have 1, but got a deal on it.
I find it ironic that Colt put so much effort into a finely tuned glass smooth match grade piece, and most of them sit in safes.
entropy
Member
A combination of the two. A good tune-up always included a new pawl and a new stop, with new springs for both.
View attachment 961934
Opening day about a decade ago. 51 yards facing away.
Bullet recovered in his nose.
'69 E series
Opening day about a decade ago. 51 yards facing away.
Bullet recovered in his nose.
'69 E series
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View attachment 961935
Taken on a coyote hunt, was not done in opportunistic fashion. Had the Python and the caller. Shot on the run at about 25 yards.
Taken on a coyote hunt, was not done in opportunistic fashion. Had the Python and the caller. Shot on the run at about 25 yards.
No longer a Python owner.
I sometimes hunt in crappy weather, or get caught in it anyway.
My good deer spot was sold, so am hunting lesser ground.
Really don't have the option of goofing around w a handgun anymore.
And target shooting bores me.
Get a new gun, experiment, find what it likes, zero and it's time to go kill something.
Hate carrying a long gun and handgun at same time.
Back doesn't like it.
If going w just a handgun, either an optics equipped specialty pistol, or a Smith 686/629.
But I sold my Contenders and Smiths a while back.
May not replace.
But if a 686 6" pre lock comes by at a good price, proly snag it.
Pythons are cool, thought about a new one since stainless and not 3K.
See if they get the bugs worked out of em.
I sometimes hunt in crappy weather, or get caught in it anyway.
My good deer spot was sold, so am hunting lesser ground.
Really don't have the option of goofing around w a handgun anymore.
And target shooting bores me.
Get a new gun, experiment, find what it likes, zero and it's time to go kill something.
Hate carrying a long gun and handgun at same time.
Back doesn't like it.
If going w just a handgun, either an optics equipped specialty pistol, or a Smith 686/629.
But I sold my Contenders and Smiths a while back.
May not replace.
But if a 686 6" pre lock comes by at a good price, proly snag it.
Pythons are cool, thought about a new one since stainless and not 3K.
See if they get the bugs worked out of em.
the operative word is "was"--unless one is speaking of the original Python.
The new one does not depend upon the hand for lock-up.
BigBlue 94
Member
I must throw this in,
The python gets the hype of being a super fine pistol, and the best ever made by colt. In fact, the Colt Shooting Master held that title. It was said that if one ever came back for service, the original fitter of that gun had to stay late and work on it on their own time. They did make some SMs in 357 mag. The action on my beat up 1928 SM in 38spl is still smoother than my python.
AustinTX
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I've owned and handled a lot of (old model) Pythons over the years (with five currently in the collection), and I'm of the opinion that there were unfortunately a lot of Mondays during the workweek at Colt by the late 1970s. Pretty much nothing but Mondays from 1985 to 1990. I've seen some pretty deplorable metalwork and fitting on the later old-model Pythons. Even so, the saddest looking ones still shot well, if one could get past crooked sight pictures from canted barrels and/or ribs machined off-center and laterally sloped.
AustinTX
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Yes, Shooting Masters are a work of art. Pythons from the 1950s come pretty close to the quality of fitting of the SMs, in my opinion, but the only postwar DA revolvers that match the SM in this regard are Ratzeburg Korths.
Confederate
Member
Very good replies, and very informative. I'd love to see some photos of the new Pythons, particularly their lock ups with the cylinder open. Also, are all new Pythons stainless or is the company producing blued revolvers? It seems that the driving factors on the old guns was the deep bluing. I couldn't afford a Python, alas, so I bought the next best thing --- a Buck Alaskan:
And my Browning Hi-Power:
I also have some SOG knives with a deep blue finish, but I can't see what advantage a stainless Python would have over a stainless S&W 686 (unless it's the vented rib that's the draw). My 686-6 is about as smooth as I could hope for. If I were going to spring for a new Python, it would be a model with a deep blued.
One question though. When Pythons have that people color, is that intentional?
This bluing is fabulous:
..
And my Browning Hi-Power:
I also have some SOG knives with a deep blue finish, but I can't see what advantage a stainless Python would have over a stainless S&W 686 (unless it's the vented rib that's the draw). My 686-6 is about as smooth as I could hope for. If I were going to spring for a new Python, it would be a model with a deep blued.
One question though. When Pythons have that people color, is that intentional?
This bluing is fabulous:
..
CajunBass
Member
I guess it depends on how you define "use." I don't hunt with mine, or carry them on duty, or anything like that. I shoot them from time to time, but not very often really. They've never seen a holster, and ride to the range in a range bag, encased in a cotton sock to keep them from getting scratched. When they get home, they get cleaned and put away, in the safe.
But I like having them.
But I like having them.
Assuming that you meant to ask about the purple color, it has to do with the heat treatment...you see a lot of it in the H&K P7 line
The deep blue is a product of the final polish applied before bluing
The Happy Kaboomer
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OK......So what turns the cylinder to lock up?
Confederate
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Yes, the purpleish color. Is it intentional? I've seen several Ruger Security-Sixes that have a purplish tint and don't know what causes it.
When I've seen it, it wasn't on the entire gun, only part of the gun. As for the deep blue, the gun is thus polished to a high shine, then it's blued? I'd love to see a picture of the parts after they're polished but before they're blued. It must be quite a sight. If someone had such a gun hard chromed, then polished again, I wonder what it would look like? It's too bad they can't hard chrome in colors other than silver. My favorite finish is bright nickel.
My Browning Hi-Power (shown) is gorgeous. I've never seen any other firearm with such a lustrous blue.
It is not intentional, it's a flaw
If you've ever seen a Python in Ultimate Stainless...before it is touched...that is what the Python in the white looks like
The Browning Blue doesn't come close to the depth of the Colt Royal Blue.
The hand turns the cylinder.
It does not lock it.
The gun works like a Smith & Wesson.
walnut1704
Member
Back when the originals were still in production, and shortly thereafter, I had two. I shot the 6" enough to have it go out of time (right around 10,000 rounds). I shot the 8" a lot less. The 8" was way too heavy for shooting offhand more than a few rounds. Plus my 8" was one of the Python Targets. The biggest .38 Special revolver ever made. Accurate as a rifle off sandbags but kind of a stupid gun. Huge gun and it wasn't even a .357. I guess it's all "rare" now but I bought it on the cheap because it had sat in a display case for three years before I bought it.
I sold them both because ultimately I decided to concentrate on S&W's and I don't regret that decision at all. I have just one Colt (1958 Colt Agent) and it's a family gun that's rarely shot. I do value my experience with those two Pythons though.
I sold them both because ultimately I decided to concentrate on S&W's and I don't regret that decision at all. I have just one Colt (1958 Colt Agent) and it's a family gun that's rarely shot. I do value my experience with those two Pythons though.
AustinTX
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Not sure that's right. Here's a post on the matter from our resident Colt cognoscente, @dfariswheel:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/new-python-king-cobra-target.867465/#post-11480641
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