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06-08-2022, 04:45 PM
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2022 3" Blackened Colt Python
Check out this "NEW" Python. It came this way from the factory, even with the checkered walnut service grips. Saw this over on the Colt forum, and I don't think anybody has posted about it here yet. Here is what I found over there:
It is coated with something called DLC. DLC stands for Diamond Like Carbon. It is supposedly tough as nails. Guys claim to carry every day with no wear at all. Just put a light coat of oil on it once in awhile.
Is the DLC finish a standard offering in this Python 3" model? No it is not. It will be a while until the Colt Custom Shop will take anymore orders for this finish. It is a meticulous, time consuming, and expensive process. A fellow on that forum has the first, and only one so far.
Another member of that forum contacted Colt and asked if he could order one of these from the Custom Shop. He was told they are still developing the black DLC process. If they decide to offer the Python in this finish, it probably won't be until after August. He was advised to check back with the Custom Shop in September.
I replied to the owner:
Very nice looking Python. I am still confused! Did you decide to order this from the Custom Shop, and see if they would do it, or what?
Larry
He replied:
Yes Larry, I decided to order this from the Colt Custom Shop.
Fortunately my commission was accepted.
For me , it was black - or nothing.
Some guns with a DLC coating have a matte finish. Others, like the colt, will have a very shiny finish. This is because of very good prep work polishing the metal parts before coating. This was why the colt royal blue was so prized (and hard to do). There was no secret to the bluing, only to the polishing before it was blued.
So, what do you folks think of it?
Larry
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06-08-2022, 04:48 PM
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I like it!
A lot!
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06-08-2022, 04:57 PM
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Oh. That's a must have. I think there is a big group of folks that would like to have a Python, especially a 3" but stainless...meh. One of the most attractive things about the old Python was that exquisite polish and Royal Blue, this checks that box at least for me.
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06-08-2022, 05:45 PM
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Like this very much. Colt will sell tons if they get this right and it's not much of a cost increase. I have a new 6" and while very pretty, it lacks that "tough" look of the example in the OP. Part of me wants bare steel on the side of the hammer, but I can live with it.
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06-08-2022, 05:48 PM
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Now that’s what a Python should look like. I likey!
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06-08-2022, 06:53 PM
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DLC finishes (which I've also heard referred to as a "diamond-like coating") are pretty impressive in person, and apparently ridiculously durable. If Colt can figure out how to make one nearly as shiny and lustrous as their royal bluing, then I'll be more than happy to fork over some dough! That photo is encouraging to say the absolute least.
If Colt could bring back their medallion-bearing, checkered rubber grips that'd be great too.
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06-08-2022, 07:24 PM
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Judging by some of the side-by-sides on the Colt Forum, it's just as shiny but it's "black black" versus the "blue black" of the older blued Pythons. Definitely different in natural sunlight but it's pretty subtle.
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06-08-2022, 07:30 PM
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I think I'm feeling the pull of the dark side.
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06-08-2022, 07:34 PM
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Sounds like a “piano black,” which could be gorgeous.
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06-08-2022, 07:51 PM
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That is a Python I could be interested in. I wonder how that finish would look on a 686.
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06-08-2022, 08:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Telecaster
Sounds like a “piano black,” which could be gorgeous.
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Yeah, but that would be polyester. It would be pretty but wouldn't last long on a gun.
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06-08-2022, 09:23 PM
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Smith & Wesson has been using DLC coating for about two decades now.
IonBond is the company that Smith & Wesson initially contracted with.
The oldest revolvers I can think of are the M&P340 and the night guards. This finish was use on the stainless cylinders.
This is also been the finish on the various black Model 627s
Just like blueing, the final product is dependent on the polishing that is done up front.
And of course it is black and not blue
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06-08-2022, 09:25 PM
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Oh this is most interesting!
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06-08-2022, 09:30 PM
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Now I am interested in a new Python IF I can get a black 3 inch with the correct wood grips as shown. Will make me not hate myself so much for selling my 2.5 inch blue in 1977 for gas money to get home after discharge from the Army. Haven’t decided if a stainless 4” would make up for the 4” Coltguard (E nickel) Python I sold when the Police Dept issued us revolvers instead of carrying personally owned.
Last edited by Baxter6551; 06-08-2022 at 09:32 PM.
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06-08-2022, 09:35 PM
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DLC is a great finish. Hop over to a popular 1911 forum (not sure that it's ok to link to another forum so I'll hold off) and you will see a lot of high end custom built 1911s by many of the top 1911 gunsmiths with the DLC finish.
If the funds were available I'd grab a Python like that one!
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06-08-2022, 10:04 PM
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A high polished DLC finish looks good on the 3" Python and if they eventually offer it I'd buy one. In the mean time I'm very happy with my polished stainless example. And no lock.
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06-08-2022, 10:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mag318
A high polished DLC finish looks good on the 3" Python and if they eventually offer it I'd buy one. In the mean time I'm very happy with my polished stainless example. And no lock.
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Your grips look like the ones on the DLC Python, did they come on your Python from the factory?
Larry
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06-08-2022, 11:02 PM
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This what I've been waiting for! A new Python in a nice blue/black finish.
If they start making them, I will buy one. But I'll go for the 4".
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06-08-2022, 11:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hkcavalier
Like this very much. Colt will sell tons if they get this right and it's not much of a cost increase.
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The fellow that got the DLC Python said that it is a meticulous, time consuming, and expensive process. How expensive, he didn't elaborate.
One thing I was just thinking. I would immediately ask for a factory letter! How cool would it be to have the first DLC Colt Python, and what will this gun's value be in the future?
Larry
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06-09-2022, 01:39 PM
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I’ll be eagerly awaiting a polished black/blue Python.
In the meantime I’m fine with the latest generation Pythons. I have both the 3 and 4 inch and am more than satisfied with Colt and the product produced.
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06-09-2022, 02:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fullmetaljacket
Oh. That's a must have. I think there is a big group of folks that would like to have a Python, especially a 3" but stainless...meh. One of the most attractive things about the old Python was that exquisite polish and Royal Blue, this checks that box at least for me.
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I’m a big fan of the polished stainless. I’d really dig a new one in Royal Blue as well if they could produce them.
Not sure about polished black though. Maybe it’s just the lighting in the OP’s image … but that finish isn’t quite working for me.
If it's that or stainless, I’m good with my choice.
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06-09-2022, 03:28 PM
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Just when I said I've bought my last gun....(yea...right... )
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06-10-2022, 10:32 AM
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I have a beautiful Yildiz SXS 20 gauge shotgun with Turkish walnut, brushed nickel receiver, and black chrome barrels and it was under $500 at Academy Sports a couple years ago. The black chrome is very tough and pretty and it is the next best thing to old school deep bluing and I don't know why a lot more guns don't use black chrome if deep bluing is so difficult and expensive now?
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06-10-2022, 03:39 PM
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He just created, with the assistance of the factory, an extremely rare, transitional piece, that will likely only appreciate in value.
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06-11-2022, 12:24 PM
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Ruger had a special edition SR9C with DLC coating that according to online reports holds up very well and looks cool to boot.
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06-24-2022, 07:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boykinlp
Your grips look like the ones on the DLC Python, did they come on your Python from the factory?
Larry
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No it came with the usual Target grips. But since the original short barreled Pythons came from the factory with service grips I put a set on. With the 3 " barrel they look better and they actually feel great.
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06-27-2022, 09:47 AM
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I'm in, thanks for the heads-up!
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06-27-2022, 05:19 PM
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Does look awesome! Makes me wish I would have bought one back in the 70s. Thanks for showing.
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06-27-2022, 05:29 PM
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Hmmm
That's sublime. Been thinking about having my 3" black nitrided, but may look at this alternative. :P
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06-28-2022, 11:19 AM
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I guessing anyone could buy a Python and send it off for DLC metal finishing. Springer precision used to be one of the few people that offered the service.
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08-08-2022, 03:01 AM
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A new thread popped up on the Colt forum in regards. The chances of these getting to market are looking better and better, and I'll be looking for one if/when they do become available! (I'll forgo any engraving though. The clean lines of the gun and the apparent luster of the finish look sharp enough for me.)
NEW BLACK PYTHONS ON THE WAY | Colt Forum
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Last edited by NY-1; 08-08-2022 at 03:07 AM.
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08-08-2022, 06:36 AM
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I am glad CZ reinvigorated Colt.
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08-08-2022, 06:52 PM
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I can only hope that MSRP for these won't be too much higher than for the stainless models. I wonder what sort of costs are involved with the application of this DLC finish, and if they intend to apply it in-house or outsource it.
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08-08-2022, 08:17 PM
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DLC over that stainless will be tough as heck. I recently took apart my new Python, and the screws were harder than my hollow ground bits! Unfortunately for S&W, I have zero interest in their new guns but may end up breaking the piggybank again for a 3" DLC Python. The stag grips/T-Grip combo I did for my 6" would look terrific on one of those.
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08-08-2022, 09:35 PM
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Colt has been using the DLC finish on the Night Cobra but it a satin finish.
As to black chrome, black chrome has been offered for over 30 years as a custom finish. When I had a custom 45 built 30 years ago I thought about black chrome but found out it’s very soft and wears quickly.
In my career I was a professional photographer and had several black chrome cameras. I can confirm the finish is soft and wears quickly with normal use. In a short time the black wears through to the base metal and looks terrible.
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08-08-2022, 09:38 PM
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I'd like the DLC on my 3 inch 686
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08-09-2022, 12:21 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shark Bait
I'd like the DLC on my 3 inch 686
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Can you please show us pictures?
Larry
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08-09-2022, 04:28 AM
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Make a 4 inch Anaconda with the DLC, and I am a buyer.
This past spring, I picked up a higher end Cold Steel folder with a DLC s35vn steel blade. Dark black and shiny, no ripples or orange peel, it has held up great with a lot of use fishing, and out in the woods setting up blinds / stands, and general carry use.
Being the DLC was like a $5 option on the knife, I don't think it would be that cost prohibited for a firearm done on a production scale.
Larry
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08-09-2022, 06:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hkcavalier
DLC over that stainless will be tough as heck.
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The first time I read that line of your post, I thought you were saying that it would be tough to put DLC over Stainless.
I was going to reply that my DLC revolver hold up just fine
Then I read it a second and third time and I think that you are saying that DLC over Stainless will be a Very durable finish
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08-09-2022, 06:14 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boykinlp
Can you please show us pictures?
Larry
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Right now it is just a standard 3 inch 686-6, but I would like a DLC finish applied if I can findsomeone who does it
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08-09-2022, 09:37 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NY-1
DLC finishes (which I've also heard referred to as a "diamond-like coating") are pretty impressive in person, and apparently ridiculously durable. If Colt can figure out how to make one nearly as shiny and lustrous as their royal bluing, then I'll be more than happy to fork over some dough! That photo is encouraging to say the absolute least.
If Colt could bring back their medallion-bearing, checkered rubber grips that'd be great too.
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And put a REAL Colt trigger in it.
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08-09-2022, 01:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Capt. F.
And put a REAL Colt trigger in it.
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The Pythons do have real colt triggers in them, I have two of them so I can attest to that for certainty.
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