So..... I THOUGHT I had avoided the dreaded curse of the 2020 Python by getting one with a high serial # and the fit and finish was perfect.

But then came shooting day.

38Spl just fine.

.357 Magnum...not so much.

On the 3rd round I got a light primer strike then the cylinder stopped spinning. The hammer would pull back via thumb or trigger but cylinder was deader than my hopes and dreams to hook up with Sharon Grosso on Prom Night.

I give Colt a call today and no response to the customer service dept. I wait and call again as instructed. No reply. I wait and call again...still no reply.

Next I pretended I didn't have a touch tone phone and just waited as it played through the messages 3 times then dumped me....just like Sharon Grosso did on Prom Night.

That now makes both S&W Customer Service AND Colt Customer Service high on my list of departments that contract syphilis...just like Sharon Grosso did when she hooked up with Ricky Taylor on Prom Night after dumping me.

What is it with gun manufacturers these days? They act like they just don't want or need our business any longer.

Maybe closed today? Snow?

They're out with Sharon. Give 'em time.

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The best I can with what I got

Probably has a LOT to do with them getting bought out by CZ soon...

Scratch that. Deal is done as of this morning.

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aka "Mooncat"

You have reached the phone of Tytan01. Please leave your name and number. (beep)

Hey Tytan01,
It's me, Sharon........Sharon Grosso. I wish I didn't get your answering machine, but then again I couldn't talk to you. I don't know if you remember me, but I think of you quite often. I have been doing so ever since our prom night! I used to regret dumping you! It broke my heart, causing me to run to Ricky Taylor. I am sure that you remember the terrible rumor that was going around about that terrible decision. Don't believe a word of it. But, after the way you treated me, I have nothing but hate for you!

In case you are wondering how I got your phone number, I now work for Colt Customer Service, and saw you name and telephone number pop up on my caller ID when you called Colt CS. I figured that there was no way I could talk to you without dredging up painful memories, so I didn't answer the phone. Then I remembered how you started dating my best friend in the world, asked her to marry you, and then left her at the alter. I got so mad, that the next 3 times you called Colt CS, I just let it ring and ring and ring!

I went to years of therapy trying to get over you, and telling my husband so many stories about how much I hate you that he hates you too, and would do you bodily harm. I finally turned my life around and I'm very happy now. I am married to the only guy in the world that works on the new Colt Python in the Colt Custom Shop. If I remember correctly, you used to like guns. If you happen to ever buy one of their new stainless steel version Pythons, that came out last year, and have a problem with it and send it back to the factory, he will be the one to work on it.

This has been good for me after all. I have only one more thing to say to you. I HOPE YOU GO STRAIGHT TO (beep)



Tytan01,
Now you know what happened at Colt. BTW, what did you do to the S&W CS rep?

You know you got too much time on your hands when you make up stories on a forum post!!
Larry

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Seems like I recall hearing that some of the cylinder rotation problems in the Pythons were caused by loose sideplate screw(s). Have you checked them?

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Everybody could shoot

Who's Sharon Grosso? And, is Ricky Taylor related to me? (My last name.)
Did you try talking to the place you bought the gun from? I think that would make me unhappy, the gun thing, not the prom.

It took seven months to get a Python back from Colt. That's right a Python, because they couldn't fix the one that I returned!

Not that S&W is blameless, I'm still waiting for the left safety hole cover for my M&P .45, only been about five years.

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Made it, Ma! Top of the world!

Tried calling your primary care lately or maybe the gun accessory company that sent you the extra item you didn’t order at Christmas and now you’re trying to being the honest customer and return it and all you’re asking for is a return shipping label?
This is the name of the game today - complete disregard for those of us paying the bills.
Speaking of bills I believe with your writing prowness you could become the next Bill Bryson!

This is one prime reason I bought old guns to begin with back when there was quality workmanship. There's a great chance the old pieces will last a great many years trouble free.

Did you buy it at a gun shop? If yes, may be worth a try to talk to them.

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You're shy a few manners.

Thanks for posting this. After COVID passes, I was going to go out and purchase a Python to replace the one I sold for about 6 times what I paid for it. Thanks to your post, I'm going to change my plan and not buy. So now, lets see, I no longer buy.... oh never mind...the list is too long :-))) really.
IMHO as always,
J.

While I still own some Colt's I gave up on their customer service decades ago.
Fortunately I have not had any serious (expensive) issues and just fix them myself.

Sure seems we are in a different era today concerning QC and manufacturing. Not just Colt but hearing complaints from others concerning fit, finish, feeding, or sub-par materials. Guess high material and labor costs to have played hell with newer production.

I recently had an excellent warranty/customer service experience with Springfield Armory. You can read about it here...........

An Unusual Mail/Package Carrier Rant

So at least there are some outfits out there that are still getting it right for their customers. I do admit that I have only had to go the warranty route twice for my personal guns. Once with Sig, and it was way less than stellar, and this time with Springfield and it was excellent. I have had some experience with departmental guns and Glock. Glock has always been excellent too, resolving every issue on the initial phone call and sending out parts asap. Yeah, I know "Boo Glock! We hate the plactic guns!", lol.

Colt was just bought out by CZ, so it would be in a transition period right now. I wouldn't expect much help at this time.
Take the gun back to who you bought it from as Jack Flash said. Maybe they can give you a refund.

Anyone know the parent company stock symbol for CZ/Colt?

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Old paratrooper in NC

Unfortunately incompetence is everywhere anymore. My one Colt I own a Colt Competition 1911 9mm had to go back from get go. Ejection brass to face very weak and unable to feed hollow points took to local gunsmith he had no luck correcting issue. I decided to have him send it back thru his FFL Colt did offer me a return label gunsmith already had gun so he sent in. I contacted Colt they had no recollection of receiving pistol almost cost me a friendship. Colt did get pistol back after along time gone. My experience not to high of Colts CS. Good luck OP.

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Take it easy. Chris

I realize that any manufacturer of anything can produce an item that is perhaps not up to their usual standards. I understand. FWIW though, the last two new Colts I purchased,1911/O-Frame types, both had to go back for issues. I diagnosed the issue on the first gun, and politely advised Colt what I thought needed to be done to correct it. It came back unrepaired, with a snarky note that my gun met production standards. I tested the gun and another serious problem reared it's ugly head. I was an O-frame armorer for years, and knew none of this was right. Sent it back a second time with another polite but detailed description of both the uncorrected initial issue, and the new issue. After a total of about 5 1/2 months back at Colt between the two trips, they grudgingly corrected the issues.

I've occasionally needed to deal with Colt Customer Service since the '70s. Even back then it was difficult. Judging from my experience of the last few years, and what others have reported, it does not seem to have improved. Not saying I wouldn't buy another new Colt, but if I did it would be with fingers crossed that no "customer service" would be required

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

I eventually got through. Got them right before they closed. I got my RMA Number and am sending it back. For the money I paid for it, they can fix it.

LOL. Pretty good.

As for S&W.....I stopped using S&W for repair work and send my business to Fords or other places. And if any new Smith breaks, I'll just stop buying new Smiths altogether and stick with the older guns like I used to do.

After researching it online and seeing the videos...I was going to pop the side plate off, take a look around then clean, lube and put back to gather and test.

But then I remember how much I paid for the darn thing so I am waiting for the RMA to show up, ship it back to Colt and let them fix it. The way I figure..they can't tell me that my messing with the gun voided my warrantee AND they can fix whatever the problem is at their expense since they let it out the door that way in the first place.

Sharon Grosso was awesome. A real vision of beauty. Best Part...she had a twin sister. Karen.

Worst part.....both of them were experts at sticking that shiv in and breaking it off.

I bought the Python via Gunbroker. The shop/seller is on the other side of the country from me. I figure I'll let Colt fix their error. Give them a chance to make it right.

I hear ya on that.....

Are you gonna send that beautiful expensive gun to Czechoslovakia, Kansas City, Little Rock, or Connecticut? Sharon lives next door she’s upgraded to a belted magnum now.

The problem you described sounds like the one I had with my early (S/N <3000) 6" Python. I did find the sideplate screws had worked loose, but had not fallen out. The sideplate was starting to work out of place, so they weren't far from falling out. A minute or so with a screwdriver and it was back in business, and the problem hasn't resurfaced.

I hope your fix is as easy.

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John 3:16 .

Heck... I wish, as a Mass. resident, we could just buy the Python... I have faith in Colt, own several of their 1911's, one of the convertible AR-10's, model 901, older Python and King Cobra, a couple of older police specials and a bunch of pre ban AR15's in various calibers ...

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Jack C

When you first mentioned Sharon Grosso, it caught my attention, as my first wife's name was Karen Grosso. But, I thought, "ahhh, what are the odds they could be related??" However, the more you wrote, the more details from our youth started to come back, and when you mentioned her twin sister Karen, I knew it had to be her!!! What a small world we live in!!!

As you say, Karen was just heartbreakingly gorgeous, but she had a sadistic streak a mile wide. Please try not to be upset, but it's my sad duty to report that she suffered a tragic woodchipper accident a couple of years after our divorce. Her beautiful, long blonde hair got caught up in the blades and dragged her in, face first. Closed casket funeral, needless to say. Some might say there was a certain irony involved... me, I just think it was Karma.

Now, if you ever saw their cousin, Summer, she'd make you throw rocks at both of them. My LORD, she was gorgeous!! Last I heard, she was headed to Hollywood to make her fortune, but I lost track of her after that.

Sorry you got dumped, but believe me, it was for the best.
I can attest to that.
At least, now, maybe you can sleep a bit better at night...
John

Yes...Yes I can.

BTW....do you know where I can find that woodchipper? I want to put it in my man-cave.

You and I think a lot alike, actually!
Unfortunately, the wood chipper is still impounded in the
Police evidence storage, and there is no word on when or
if it will be released. I asked her husband about it (in a
delicate way, of course,) and he wants nothing to do with it.

I check up on it a once a year.
(The Anniversary of the event, with its’ obligatory bottle of
Champagne, reminds me.). Get this: the Evidence Clerk,
with whom I’m now on a first name basis, thinks it’s haunted!!
She swears it turns itself on and off, even though there’s no power
running to it!! 😱.

So far, there’s been no change in its’ status. Technically,
I guess you could say I have “First Dibbs” on it if it’s ever
released, but since you and I have shared so many similar
experiences (!!!), I’m certainly not averse to co-ownership.
Say, you have it in even years, I have in odd years, and
the survivor assumes full ownership to pass it down to
his heirs? 😁

Man.... Sharon Grosso... now, THAT’s a name I never
thought I’d hear again! And to think, she works for Colt, too!!
Maybe the CZ personnel shakeup will alter that...
Good luck with your Python!
All the best,
John

I must say that it sounds like Colt is servicing their customers in much the same manner a bull services cows. ;-)

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The triple smoker