Saw these on consignment at a local gun shop 8" barrels one nickle the other blue asking 7 K

Thanks for posting the fine pic. They look like real beauties. Bet they are asking a pretty penny for those Pythons.

I have a 6" from the Colt custom shop since 1980......They are NO big deal.
As shooters Smiths are so much better. Over priced by people that think they really have something. And bought buy people that will never shoot them who really think they got something.

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S&W Accumulator

Nice pair

In today's market that is not to bad a price. Not that I am a buyer at those prices

My 8" Royal Blue Python is one of my finest shooting revolvers.
I sold my 8" stainless Python a few years ago because I was offered that kind of money for it.

I also ended up selling my Silver Snake because it really was an offer that I could not refuse.

It's often difficult to discuss the Python craze on most forums without getting someone upset. I understand this, most gun owners are passionate about their favorites. Perhaps more so either when you have something worth a lot of dough or you PAID a lot of dough to get it.

The one thing that seems to get lost in the Python market that always baffles me is that while certain oddball barrel length and finish models are definitely rare, the Python is not at all a rare gun across the board. Year by year production numbers are easily found and half a million of these things were made.

With most guns (and, well anything collectible) the availability and production volume means a LOT, but in the world of the Python, it almost seems completely irrelevant.

I'll never understand that.

I think the Python was/is one of those guns even non shooters recognize and an awful lot of us couldn't justify the expense back in the day.I finally bought one,enjoyed and turned a nice profit at the end-perfect!

I have a 6" Blue Python, I bought it at a great price from a friend who didn't ever remember firing it. I put it into my revolver rotation and regularly shoot it. I would compare it to my 27-2 5", and I say the edge goes to the 27-2. The Python has that stacked trigger pull that I don't feel like sending to Frank Glenn and spending $300 to get rid of so it takes a few cylinders of .357 to get used to. Over all it is a nice revolver, and while I don't regret owning it, I don't think I would be paying some of crazy prices I've seen them going for. It does have a really nice blue finish, but it has some of the parts turning purple which seems to be common on the Python. The Walking Dead didn't help the affordability of the Python as I think every new season seems to bump up the prices, especially the 6" stainless. I have 9 S&Ws and one Colt, I guess overall I am a S&W guy.

I own a few Pythons(all bought many yrs. ago) just for the heck of it. They were always high-priced versus other brands. The pricing may have helped create some of the reputation.

I do think it's fair to say Pythons are better than average revolver accuracy. I have shot all of mine but the only one that I've used a lot is a 4" Bright Stainless I bought about 1990. I even shot USPSA matches with it for a while. Making major was pretty simple with 158 gr LRNs and a dose of Unique.

The Python craze relates to "they don't make them anymore" and people with lots of cash looking for investments since interest rates have been so low for the last 10 yrs. and stock prices so high.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

That is a fair price for the pair. Are they consecutively numbered? Documented unfired?

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Even older, even crankier....

I carried the blue off a 4" Python and could shoot it way better that any Smith I've ever shot. Retired it when it got sloppy timing after thousands of rounds of .357 125s. Just sayin'.

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On the whistle draw and fire 6

People LOVE anything that is hand made. The story goes that the Python was discontinued because it became too expensive to make. Kinda like the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, an aircraft well ahead of its time but much too expensive to produce and maintain.

I admit, I bought quite a few Pythons because of the workmanship, fit and finish, and value. Just like a hand made Amish hope chest, they are functional, but many see them as works of art. They continue to rise in value, but I do plan on passing mine onto my kids and grandkids.

The Colt frame for the Officers Model Match was the same frame for the Python, and only the Python carried on when Colt discontinued the OMM's in late 1969 or so IIRC.

That particular set of Colt frames just never fit my hand and hold positions as well as S&W K and N frames do, even with factory grips.

I sold the 22 OMM, the 38 OMM and the 6" Python years ago, was astounded at the "bidder wars" (all local guys for my Python) and had a cat-bird grin on my face when the deal closed. Anyway it may just be me and my hands, eyes and the stocks, but ANY of the Smiths .357 do better for me than the Python ever did. I do know the guy that bought my Python and he has only recently turned down an offer $1,000 higher than he paid me some years ago....so the mystique goes on but I don't have any sellers remorse...I just keep on shooting and enjoying my Smiths...they seem to get better with time and practice passing.

Attached Images

	Colt Python reduced size.JPG (27.7 KB, 68 views)
	Pre 27 e.jpg (38.7 KB, 64 views)
	M27-2 B reduced size.jpg (61.3 KB, 65 views)
	Model 28 - C1.jpg (46.6 KB, 58 views)
	65-3b.jpg (38.0 KB, 58 views)

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

I've owned one Python back in the day and paid $350 for it, used but in cherry condition. That was back when the revolver was supposedly dead and everyone wanted semiautos. I found it to be a nice, but over rated gun. I far preferred the Model 27 I replaced it with as a duty weapon. I wish I had that Python back. I'd like to have one in the safe on the Colt shelf, but mainly so I could sell it to these rubes who think they're worth 3k.

Frank Darabont the creator of the Walking Dead should be getting a royalty on each Python sold at these inflated prices.

What does a cable TV guy have to do with the rise in price of Colt DA revolvers over the last 6 or 8 or 10 years?

The Python takes more head shots than Trump. The negativity around it is amazing.

Shooters seem to take great pride describing why they don't have a Python.

It's a lot more than just saying I have other preferences.

It kinda reminds me of my own attitude toward Glocks.

Haha, my only Python regret in life is that I don't have a story detailing how much I sold one for.

I do have a Bill Davis "Cougar" or "Rython", a 1980 stainless Ruger Police Service Six with a 6-inch stainless Python barrel. I found it in very used condition and I paid chump change for it and it's fantastic.

I prefer to call it my "PUGER"

Take away the vent rib barrel and the Python would never have gained the popularity it has today. Its the looks of the gun (and the nice blueing) that made it. Don't get me wrong, I like it, and I would buy one if the money wasn't stupid on them. But, I had the chance to in 1992 when they were in production and not outrageous, and I ended up with a 686. Saved a few hundred, but didn't walk away dissapointed.

I tend to put stuff in my Joe Lunch Box perspective. My first new car cost 3400.00 in 1973; my first house cost 10,000.00 a few years later - after years in a mobile home; my first S&W new model 19 was 185.00 in the mid 70's; couple of college degrees for my son & I - well all paid for with overtime at the local machine shop. Money is money & value is in the eye of the person with a checkbook. I wish the buyer happiness.

I've had to peen(stretch) the hand in mine twice in mine to bring it back into time.

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S&W Accumulator

I've had to peen(stretch) the hand in mine twice to bring it back into time.

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S&W Accumulator

I remember using this gun in the video game "Half-Life 2" against the aliens and cyborg oppressors. Guys call me a dork but it spurred an interest and love for revolvers in my young mind.

Just as Dirty Harry inspired folks to get into magnum handguns in the 1970s, video games and other movies inspired my generation (yes I'm a millennial) to do the same.

As such, the Colt's Python will always have a place in my heart. I don't own one, and can't afford one, but those are some mighty fun guns for sure!!

They’re definitely pretty, but I never cared for the skinny ejector rod.

I ordered a new 4 inch blue one from my LGS back in May 1996. LGS told me the quality and finish was hit and miss by then, so he would have the opportunity to pick and chose. I had a license for it (compulsory in Switzerland) which was valid for three months. As the Colt did not show up, I used the license on a brand new SIG SAUER P229 in the then new .357 SIG chambering.

The Python finally arrived in February 1997. I did not regret my purchase, beautiful gun. The only flaw then was that it came with rubber grips.

Incidentally the SIG and Python were the same price, abt. 1350 Swiss Francs.



A few years ago I bought a 4 inch Diamondback in .22 lr, as a fun shooter, and for the twinning factor.

No matter the item, "Is it worth it?", is always in the eye and wallet of he who pays for it. America isn't about "need". America is about "want". You want it, you work hard for it, you get to have it and enjoy it, America. If you can, go for it, and enjoy to the fullest.

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Ad Astra Per Aspera

Pythons are beautiful Revolvers and incredibly well made. That said, I for one could never spend 7 Grand and not shoot them! So since I would shoot them, I could buy less expensive examples still in excellent condition for way less.

To me to have a "virgin gun" is like marrying a Miss America and just starring at her! Gotta use it!

I bought my first Python in August 1964 for $119. Shooting bullseye matches in 1967, my scores were 260+ the first year. Try shooting outdoors at 50 yard targets for excitement.

We shot groundhogs out to 100 yards with handguns and the Python took its share.

I didn't have a S&W at the time but I am sure it would hold its own.

I had a nickle plated non rib Colt called the Cobra if i can still remember cost about 179.00. .357 4" barrel

I'm not a collector;just a plain shooter.When I was offered a 1956 Python for $600 4 years ago,of course I jumpted on it.Even if the blue was nonexixtent,the action was pristine(it hat fired 12 rds of .38 spl and one of .357mag).
I love the smoothness of the action and almost enjoy as much the cocking as the trigering part of shooting that piece of history.
For the price,I thank the Shooting God to have put me across the path of such a deal.But if it would have been $2000,I would have bought a couple of model 27 instead.
But like I said,I ain't no collector;just a plain shooter.

I don't have any Pythons and at todays prices I never will. I'd even have a hard time paying half the going price. I see these things at every gun show for 2-3 grand. The funny thing is, I see way less pre lock 686s.

I have often wondered why there are so many unfired and ANIB Pythons for sale. My guess is that many were bought as collectables when still available from the factory.

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Buy American
Vote Responsibly

I have owned five Colt revolvers. 4 Pythons, and a Diamondback. The Pythons were 2in 4in and 2 6in all like new and literally perfect. The Diamondback I got when I was ten as my first revolver it was the 38spl version in 4in. I loved it and shot it a ton. All the Pythons had the typical smooth as glass triggers and all shot well, but not as well as my good Smiths. And no where near as trustable and reliable. I sold all the Pythons when the prices went absolutely nuts about five or six years ago. I got 3500 for the 2in, 3K for the 4in and traded one of the 6in for a super clean BMW R100RS motorcycle that was probably worth 4 grand at the time. I sold the other 6in for 2500 due to the fact the 2in and 4in are THE gun every Python collector wants.

Good story. The BMW was a late 70ies / early 80ies model ? A buddy had one, great bikes.

Guess the walking dead craze boosted the 6’’ values.

The only Python I ever owned was a pretty nice 4" 1966 gun. Being as that was my birth year I would have loved to have been able to keep it. However, that was during a period of time I was between jobs and I was buying and selling to stay afloat. I gave $1500.00 for that gun and turned it in two days for $2700.00

It’s way more than just that show now. I feel like anytime I see someone carrying a revolver in a current TV show now, it’s a python. Total bandwagon thing.

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Oui Chef!

I always wanted to shoot one but I could never afford one. The only revolvers that I have, that cost to much to make, are a Security-Six and a Speed-Six. That's what Bill Ruger always said about why he quit making them. Both good shooters too. Ha

Those are beautiful.

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Life is short,live it fully.

Not just one, but two unfired guns, that's very sad.

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Freedom isn't free.

I paid $1K for a new stainless Python Elite in 2003. Put maybe a hundred rounds through it, and sold it for over $4K in 2014 or 15.

No complaints here.

I always thought, back when I was collecting, and then selling, that the earlier Colt officer models were comparatively way under priced.