NEW Python: First Impressions (Has Issues)

JayFramer · Jan 7, 2020

EDITED BELOW: NOTE CYLINDER LATCH ISSUE IN POST #12:

Guys I just got in my Colt’s Python:

Here are the cliff notes:

-Overall fit and finish are excellent
-DA pull is incredible... just phenomenal
-SA pull is light but a bit of grit, hopefully smoothes out
-Lockup is bank vault
-Timing excellent
-Cylinder gap looks ideal (need to measure)
-Rear sight has a bit of play
-Comes with usual stuff in box
-Crown could be a bit smoother
-Cylinder latch issue (see post #12)
-QR code on side almost unnoticeable

Not a perfect gun but overall I’m pleased. I’m going to call Colt and mention a couple things and just see what they say. It’s very much an extremely impressive piece. The laminated grips it comes with are very pretty but I love the old black rubber Colt medallion grips and had a NOS set around and they fit good. Can confirms both Safariland and HKS speedloaders meant for the Python work well. Some more pics:

Going to shoot it tomorrow at the range. I have a box of 100 .357s and we’ll see what it can do. Thanks guys!

-Jay

Tom K · Jan 7, 2020

I have to say it looks better in your pictures than the ones I've seen in the discussion threads. Can you post a pic of the other side?

JayFramer · Jan 7, 2020

Tom K said:
I have to say it looks better in your pictures than the ones I've seen in the discussion threads. Can you post a pic of the other side?

American1776 · Jan 7, 2020

These look like impressive re-releases of the Python. I said on these boards a few years ago that ever since Colt came out with the Cobra, they were testing the waters to make the Python again.

I'm waiting for a royal blue version in 2.5 inch barrel. I wouldn't be surprised if Colt does this.

Protocall_Design · Jan 7, 2020

Very Nice! Can you show us a picture of the lockworks with the sideplate off? I'm really curious as to what the new action is like.

jeffrefrig · Jan 7, 2020

VERY nice-looking revolver, and great photography! Thanks for sharing. I'm curious about "Rear sight has a bit of play." Could you expand on this? (Sorry if I sound like a Jr. High teacher; just wonderin'.) I hope it's repairable to your satisfaction. That gun does shine, though. I'm hoping it'll shoot as good as it looks! Looking at a new gun like that is like a new car scent! (No, maybe better.)

Mike SC Hunter · Jan 7, 2020

Protocall_Design said:
Very Nice! Can you show us a picture of the lockworks with the sideplate off? I'm really curious as to what the new action is like.

Look on u-tube. Its there with a plastic side plate. Has some MIM parts inside. Colt says 14 less parts than the old one. New action design. No trigger stacking in DA as in the old one. Colt said they tested it with 12,000 full power .357's. Found no mesurable effects on the gun.

Hope they get back in the civilian gun business and don't quit us like they did in 1977 when they got the big rifle contracts from uncle sugar. At that time they almost dropped all the "good ol" colt's that we grew up with.

Good looking snake J.

kilov · Jan 7, 2020

Beat me to it!

Congratulations on your Python JayFramer! I stopped by a local range/gun shop today to see if they had one in person. They did but it was already spoken for. However, the woman behind the counter let me inspect it. I haven't shot it so I can't speak to that but I handled it for 15 minutes, went through the included materials and took a few pictures. Fit and finish is spectacular and appropriate for the $1500 MSRP. Lock up is well fit but not overly tight. Nothing felt like it was dragging just that it was machined to the exact tolerances. The stocks had a tiny gap near the bottom of the back strap but I live in Utah where it's dry so maybe they shriveled up a bit. Single action has a tiny bit of creep but should easily be taken care of with a bit of stoning once someone declares what Power Custom adapter is needed. Who knows, it might just break in after a few range sessions. Double action is butter smooth with stacking near the end but not as much the other vintage Pythons I've shot. The sights seem great. If there is a gold bead/brass bead sight that drops in (uses the new King Cobra sight set up) then they'll be perfect. I took pictures of the muzzle and the sides because I know you're mostly here for the pictures anyway.

JayFramer, I can't wait to hear how it shoots. I know I'll be on the hunt for one myself.

Protocall_Design · Jan 7, 2020

Mike said:
Look on u-tube. Its there with a plastic side plate. Has some MIM parts inside. Colt says 14 less parts than the old one. New action design. No trigger stacking in DA as in the old one. Colt said they tested it with 12,000 full power .357's. Found no mesurable effects on the gun.

Hope they get back in the civilian gun business and don't quit us like they did in 1977 when they got the big rifle contracts from uncle sugar. At that time they almost dropped all the "good ol" colt's that we grew up with.

Good looking snake J.

Could you give us a link? The only ones I could find were from months or years ago.

jeffrefrig · Jan 7, 2020

My new Ruger GP100 has the same style front sight removal pin-punch hole as I see in kilov's picture. Is this normal on newer revolvers? Please excuse my ignorance, as my others don't have that "system". My S&Ws are few, and 20th century-made. The few other brands I have don't have that, either. I like that easy change-out feature. I'm really out of the loop I suppose; also, very ignorant. Kilov, too bad you didn't get that one. Both guns look very nice. I only noticed the sight because I think I may end up changing mine out as I get it broken in a little more. Every day I try to learn. Jeff T.

6518John · Jan 7, 2020

I had to study the barrel

It almost looks like a two piece barrel but after studying closely believe the crown is simply recessed into a solid part. But it almost appears two-pieced to me. Not a criticism, was just curious. I think it’s a beautiful revolver and I believe a rising tide floats all boats—the more quality revolvers out there, the better it will be for both the consumers and the manufacturers.

JayFramer · Jan 7, 2020

I’ve been opening and closing the cylinder all day, have oiled it, but it doesn’t seem to be breaking in at all gang. Worse, sometime it absolutely will not open sometimes, it just seizes. There is a distinct “clicking” feeling and sound when moving the cylinder latch with the cylinder open and out of the way.

I’m thinking there is a burr or rough spot in there. Well... going to ring Colt’s in the morning and see what can be done. This can’t be right, would hate to have to reload this under duress and it seizes up. Will also mention the loose rear sight and rough crown.

Also, I am noticing significant play in these Colt branded new old stock Pachmayrs. Upon further inspection, the grip cutouts on the inside leave gaps, and when the revolver is shaken, it can be felt. I would advise those ordering the new Python be wary of this. Might well be normal for these grips and not a dimensional issue with the actual gun’s grip frame, but if you are like me and like the looks of these black grips, expect some play in them.

So we’ve got a nice little laundry list of issues here gang, with the most serious (and it is serious) being the cylinder release latch sticking and locking up. Keep in mind this is a sample size of ONE and a single data point. With my luck, this is the only Python made with these issues but it’s just something I figure I’d mention.

Will advise what Colt says tomorrow. Hoping they don’t have an abysmally long wait time (thinking of you, S&W mothership) lol!

-Jay

wood714 · Jan 8, 2020

JayFramer said:
Guys I just got in my Colt’s Python:

-Jay

This picture makes me question if I really want a 4.25" version.

It wears a 6" barrel most well.

schutz5 · Jan 8, 2020

What serial number sequence did ya get?
Hundreds,thousands...?

Thanks for the write up!!

Chino74 · Jan 8, 2020

Pachmayrs on my 629 & 29: Some have more wiggle than others on the frame...just depends on the particular grip pair U get, it's a **** shoot, some might be snugger than others. I have several sets. One can always shim the grip profile inside to contact the frame more so long as whatever material is used doesn't walk out & effect the main spring etc.

CajunBass · Jan 8, 2020

Thanks for the report. I thinking I want one.

Hapworth · Jan 8, 2020

Big kudos to JayFramer for getting his hands on one of these and giving us the scoop, positive and negative.

I'm watching with intense interest. We seem to be coming into a revolver renaissance. Ruger's still making good products and constantly updating its variations; Kimber made a winner in the K6s and appears committed to the product by expanding the line each year since its introduction; and Colt's return with the well-reviewed new Cobra and King Cobra.

Now the Python -- which looks to be an overall improvement within the bounds of modern production methods.

All these manufacturers seem to be listening to their customers and their potential customers, who have been lamenting their options for some time.

Good designs. Quality builds with consistent evidence that the manufacturer and its employees care about each product that leaves its factory.

Consistently good, shootable triggers out of the box.

Better sights and sight systems, stock.

No locks.

Thoughtful new designs that find a happy medium between capacity, shootability, concealability and carryability.

S&W, the premier manufacturer in this group -- and a passion for some of us -- has fallen behind in these respects and it's reflected in the emergence of significant new competition, which I suspect will enjoy a lot of dollars that otherwise would have grudgingly gone to S&W.

I know my money now has other viable -- in many instances seemingly better -- options and will be spent accordingly.

I hope S&W is paying attention and has a plan to compete in the form of offering new and updated products that better reflect what the market is clearly showing it wants.

As for the Python, I like what I see (and I have never been a Python or Colt revolver guy), and want to hear from the likes of Jay Framer and more new owners in the near term, because if its established (like the K6s snubby, Night Cobra and others) to be yet another example of the revolver S&W should be building, I'm buying (at least) one.

JayFramer · Jan 8, 2020

UPDATE:

Spoke with Colt this morning. We talked about the issues and long story short, this pretty pony is going back to the stable. They are sending a free shipping label.

Will advise everyone on the repair as I learn more. This is a gorgeous gun and they got MOST of it right. Sweet action, beautiful finish, just probably has teething issues since it's a new product and I am more than aware there is risk in buying any newly released gun.

Grayfox · Jan 8, 2020

Thanks for the report. Now future buyers will have a good idea of problem areas to check out.

Yep, it sucks to be the beta tester.

Wyatt Burp · Jan 8, 2020

Wow. The gun sounds great except that critical glitch in the cylinder release. I’m tempted to sell my old Python and buy one of these and a Cimarron S&W American repro in .44 Special. But that gun ain’t out yet and the new Pythons can’t come into California.....yet?

NEW Python: First Impressions (Has Issues)

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