Starting to have unnatural thoughts AKA Colt

[Patrick L]

I don't know guys, all these threads and magazine articles about the new Python have me thinking. How can I call myself a revolver aficionado if I've never owned, much less even shot, a Colt?

I'm not crazy, I wouldn't pay the prices people are asking for a Python, either old OR new. Ditto most of the other snake guns. But, earlier this week I saw a Trooper .357 (the old pre python one, not the later MkIII) and today at another shop I handled an ol Officer's Model Match. Both were in the $600-$700 range, which was not too bad I didn't think.

I don't know, I keep hearing little voices...

[Tubbsy]

Glad I'm not the only one.... local gunshop had a nice police positive a while back.... took a lot of willpower to not leave with it....

[pasote]

Originally Posted by Patrick L

I don't know guys, all these threads and magazine articles about the new Python have me thinking. How can I call myself a revolver aficionado if I've never owned, much less even shot, a Colt?

I'm not crazy, I wouldn't pay the prices people are asking for a Python, either old OR new. Ditto most of the other snake guns. But, earlier this week I saw a Trooper .357 (the old pre python one, not the later MkIII) and today at another shop I handled an ol Officer's Model Match. Both were in the $600-$700 range, which was not too bad I didn't think.

I don't know, I keep hearing little voices...

I hear those same voices. They say "buy", "buy", "buy"

[pasote]

Originally Posted by Tubbsy

Glad I'm not the only one.... local gunshop had a nice police positive a while back.... took a lot of willpower to not leave with it....

I saw a police positive at a gunshow but my gunsmith was there also and he said not to buy it because he had tried to sell them in the past and they are a hard sell. Probably good that you did not buy it, in my opinion

[Buford57]

Not unnatural, just different: isn't that what we are all supposed to believe today?

I have owned and carried a half dozen Colt revolvers over the years and still have 2 in the safe, both with sentimental value. I've honestly lost count of the S&Ws. The cylinder rotation and cylinder latch are the reverse of Smiths. The little Colt snubbies hold an extra round. Apart from that it was six of one, half dozen of the other choosing between an Official Police and an M&P.

You want to talk unnatural, for awhile I carried a S&W with a Colt BUG. I'm sure there's a clinical term for that condition.

[RobertJ.]

I think that everyone who is a fan of nice handguns needs to own at least one Colt revolver. These are two of my favorites:

[Telecaster]

All the articles make me want a new 4” Python, but I must remain strong!

[otis24]

I really like the new Colt King Cobra. Not as spendy as the Python.

[sigp220.45]

Nothing wrong with Colts - I own a bunch.

[Tubbsy]

Originally Posted by pasote

I saw a police positive at a gunshow but my gunsmith was there also and he said not to buy it because he had tried to sell them in the past and they are a hard sell. Probably good that you did not buy it, in my opinion

I'm an accumulator.... they come, but never leave.... resell is pretty low on my priority list. Granted, im in my early 20s, so that may change as the years go by.

[alwslate]

I own two that I like but rarely shoot. A 1917 .45 ACP and an Official
Police .38 spl made around 1951 or so. Both are very tight mechanically
which is not always the case with older Colt revolvers. So I figure that
I better quit while I'm ahead and I'm not really looking for any more. But
I can always find room in the safe for another S&W

[DWalt]

Mechanically, the Colt .357 and the older Colt Trooper .357 are identical to the Python (as are the various Officers Models (OMM and OMT) and the Official Police, but they are in .38 Special). One thing to look out for is if they have the correct original grips as that can make a big difference in price, anywhere from $200 to $500. I'd jump on a good Trooper .357 with proper grips in the $600-$700 range. Even more for a 3-5-7.

[Johnnu2]

Perhaps this will help you make up your mind.... (?) Colts need love too.



J.

[glenncal1]

I will ditto the comment about the Officer's Match and Target, they are fine shooting guns and can still be found at pretty reasonable prices if you just want a shooter. At one time I had OMT's in .22, .32 and .38. Sold them to buy more S&W's but should have kept the .22 and .32 (especially the .32) as prices on those really gone up.

A little pocket positive in .32 I just bought:

[Rudi]

Colts are great! I really wish I had a SSA.

[Babysitr]

I love my colts also...have several...a good OMM or OMS, are wonderful revolvers, a pleasure to shoot

[Buick]

Colts are fine fine guns; the Detective Special is a dream to own and fire. Accurate!

[k22fan]

This is the S&W forum so you are going to have to live with a reply that is less than wildly enthusiastic about Colts. The V mainspring Colts have to be bought as old revolvers. The Achille's heel of the design is the wear from frequent use makes them go out of time and gunsmiths who are willing to work on them are few and far between. Consequently, I'd only buy one that still has timing that is as good as new. Learn how to tell the difference before you buy.

I own two, a 1910 OMT (or OMM?) and a much newer Police Positive Special in 99% condition. I hang on to the former just because it's my oldest handgun. The later was the least expensive way to have a V mainspring Colt in nearly new condition.

[ISCS Yoda]

A good firearms never goes out of style. I have my preference but there are a couple of Colts in my stable.

I'm an accumulator.... they come, but never leave.... resell is pretty low on my priority list. Granted, im in my early 20s, so that may change as the years go by.

Sometime in my early or mid-30s (make it 1984+ the magazine "Soldier of Fortune" was in the midst of a lawsuit based on allegations of permitting the magazine to solicit hired killers, or something along those lines. The publisher (owner?) was on the witness stand and an issue came up with respect to how many guns his readers owned. He allowed that probably "all of our readers have 12 or more guns". More or less, that was what he said.

I counted mine and then, the next day, I asked my co-workers how many they both owned and each of them owned around 12 guns, same as I did. None were collections; all were accumulations, guns we figured we needed or liked. I can recall 10 of mine from that day (mostly because I still have all 9 of the 10; I just can't come up with the rest!). That's a lot of years and a lot of guns ago, especially if you buy at least one gun every year for your birthday. I admit that I did that but as I had disposable income I "accumulated" many more. It was only after my Smith & Wesson accumulation became akin to a collection that my LGS owner said to me that I ought to join the SWCA and get on this Forum.

I've parted with lots of guns since the 1980s and acquired many more. Accumulation? Works for me?

Colt Police Positive .38 Special



Colt Cobra (and I think I still have the original grips somewhere - I didn't like them)

[Rock185]

I'm a S&W guy, but I've heard those little voices too. I've shot the old Pythons, owned a SAA, MK III and pre MK III Troopers, and currently have an old 3 5 7 model. That new Python is sure a good looking revolver, but the reported reliability issues have seriously muted those little voices...

Would really like to know for sure that Colt has addressed the light primer strike, and cylinder not rotating issues reported. For the time being, I'm continuing to resist the voices and soldiering on with my older Colt revolver.

FWIW, my old, obsolete and well used former LE revolver has never exhibited a failure of the cylinder to advance or a light primer strike with any of the different types of .357 and .38 ammo I've used. It just works. Surely Colt's Hi-Tech digital whiz kids can make the new "improved" Python function as well

[moralem]

There is room in the safe for all kinds of other marquees.....give the Colt a try, you can always sell it if it does not wow you....here is my OMM,pythons, lawman and .357, diamondbacks, mkiii troopers and assortment of snubbies.....I have found them all to be just as problem free as my SWs. No harm in bringing one home and then setting it free, but I think you will find yourself on a slippery slope.....all the best with your decision.

.

[cmansguns]

Many years ago I was a true, dyed in the wool Colt fan boy, accumulator, shooter, and collector. The Colts I had shot ok, but I was never very accurate as the unique shape of Colt grips on the modern revolvers (almost Schofield to me) just didn't put me on target like S & W revolvers. Then one day I discovered a perfect tool for converting Colts into Smith & Wessons. It is called CASH!

Well...here we are a few decades later, safe queens as well as shooters and mil-surp Colts (1911A1) cleaned out....replaced by the S & W's that I really do like to shoot as well as own. The only one I still miss is the Woodsman 3rd Series...that little 22 would put them right where I pointed with no effort at all...just a sweet shooter.

The prancing ponies that have left the stable:

Colt 1903 32acp (1911); Colt OMM 22 (1969); Colt 38 OMM (1962); Colt Python 6" (1971), Colt Woodsman (1965)...not pictured, Colt 1911A1 (1944), Colt 25 Auto; Colt Peacemaker; Colt Gettysburg Centennial (1963)..

No regrets....happy to be involved with Smith & Wesson and this Forum!

Good luck OP on your decision to either buy that new Colt (or two new S & W's).

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

when I watch the Lee Van Cleef westerns I feel I must own a SAA

[jeffrefrig]

Funny; when I watch Lee Van Cleef Westerns, especially when Clint E. is in them, I feel I must learn to shoot a Heck of a lot better!

[Grayfox]

While I'm primarily a S&W guy, I have a few Colt revolvers around too.
I'm quite fond of the "D" frame models. The old Detective Special is my favorite snubby. I prefer it to a J-frame S&W. I also have a 4" .38 and a 6" .22 Diamondbacks. Both are great guns.
My 1940 Officer's Model is the most accurate .38 I've ever owned.
I've also got a 6" Python and Trooper MK III that I really like.

Ain't nothing wrong with those Ponies. Go out and get yourself one. Or maybe a dozen.

[PALADIN85020]

I'm a dyed-in-the-wool S&W fan, but I do have a few C*lts. I have, in no particular order,

A 1920s Police Positive Special in .38 Special

A 4-inch nickeled original Python, 1980 vintage, 99% with box and papers

A Model 1917

A Single Action Army in .44 Special NIB

A Detective Special from the 1950s

A Woodsman Match Target of 1950s vintage, with box and all.

An AR-15 from the middle 60s

An AR-15 BAR match rifle

An AR-15 carbine, brought up to date with M4 components

I agree that the old swing-out DA revolvers have an action that may get out of tune. This also includes other late 20th Century guns, even the Pythons. It's rare to find a gunsmith these days that can work on them. S&W had a much better system from the start - not liable to get out of tune, and no stacking in DA work.

Still, Genuine C*lts have a nostalgic aura that makes owning a few of them understandable!

John

[bummer]

I have 1 colt a 1917 but i would love one day to get a Diamondback

[Skyhunter]

A quality revolver is a quality revolver - regardless whether it says "Colt" or "S&W".
My 1st Colt was the 4" Trooper .357 mag. Still have it and still enjoy shooting and carrying it (It's my "going for a walk" in the woods, etc. revolver.)
My last Colt is a 4-3/4" Peacemaker in .45 Colt.
They will both go to my Son when I'm gone.
There's a passel of Smiths that have come home with me between those two Colts - I enjoy & shoot them all.
Since the China virus has hit, and the oilfield has tanked (Again! It's the 5th serious depression since I started in '78.), and I'm "officially" retired now - I'll be shooting all of them a whole lot more!

WYT-P
Skyhunter

[Kurusu]

Them "voices" carry a lot of "juju".

[Mike, SC Hunter]

I have a Python from the custom shop in 1980. NIB cost was $480.00. Am I impressed enough to buy a new one? No. The old one doesn't impress me much either.

[Patrick L]

Hey Paladin's post reminded me, I DO own a Colt. My Match Target HBAR!!

Actually I have a Colt revolver I totally forgot about. Many many years ago, an uncle gifted me an 1896 Army. I shot it once (due to not being able to find 38 Long Colt ammo, plus the mainspring is so stiff it was a joke to get any sort of squeeze going) then cleaned it and put it in the back of the safe, ironically in a S&W box for safe keeping. I totally forgot about it!

So I guess I should amend my original statement; I've never owned any 20th century Colt revolvers.

[357larry]

I never have understood why people have the opinion that Colts went out of time easily. Back in the day I had 3 pythons. Gave one to my brother, another 4 inch was my duty gun, and I had a 6 inch blue I carried when doing drug raids and working plain clothes. Used to shoot 1000 rounds or better a month, never had a problem. A handful of my brother Officers also carried Pythons, can't remember any of them having timing issues either.

Now I will say that Colts were harder to work on and get right. Not every so-called gunsmith could work on one and get it right. When I put my duty Python together I sent it to Reeves Jungkind in Texas for an action job. It was beautiful. My brother had a well known local gunsmith try to do an action job on his Python. It was jacked up when he got it back. The double action was better but if you cocked it to fire single action you didn't need to touch the trigger. Just wait about 3 seconds and the hammer would drop on its own and the gun would fire. Had to send it to Texas also to correct the problem.

I just get tired of hearing people say Colts had timing issues when most of the people making these comments never owned a Colt. It's just something they "heard".

[k22fan]

Originally Posted by 357larry

(...) I just get tired of hearing people say Colts had timing issues when most of the people making these comments never owned a Colt. It's just something they "heard".

Since I'm the one who brought up timing first I'll answer this. In 1974 I bought a .45 Colt New Service then in 1976 a .38 Special Officer's Model Match. I sold both after they went out of time and I could not find a gunsmith to work on them. When in double action you get a curved comet like trail ending in your firing pin indentation she'd out of time. Missfires go with that. Single action shooter's might not even notice because snappy cocking gives the cylinder momentum to throw it around and the final trigger movement moves the hand higher to lock the cylinder in place tight. Colt defenders here suggested that my problem was starting out with Colts that already had a lot of wear and tear. While that's valid the same amount of firing only smooths a S&W's DA pull. There is simply nothing to recommend the V mainspring Colt lock work over a S&W.

There are other things like getting a 6th shot and larger sights on your snub but IMO those do not make up for inferior lock work. There's no reason we should agree on anything. Enjoy your Colts.

By the way, if anyone can recommend a gunsmith who will tune up my 1910 OMM I'd like to talk to the smith.

[DWalt]

Some people get a kick out of complaining about how Colt DAs "get out of time". Well, maybe they do, but I have something like 15 of them , many for 50+ years, and have never experienced one which was out of time, even those which have, at least visually, undergone heavy use. But I don't shoot them much either.

[k22fan]

Originally Posted by DWalt

(...) But I don't shoot them much either.

And the little you do shoot Colts is spread between 15 revolvers. I'm sticking with the suggestion I wrote in reply #18. Only buy a V mainspring Colt which still has timing that is as good as new. I'll add if you want a revolver that you can practice enough with to win matches buy something else.

[Qc Pistolero]

I've been raised on S&W guns.But it is not because I'm married to a brunette that I can't appreciate a blonde!
Smiths are no 1 in my book but I feel that owning one or more Colt(s)is something any afficionado must experience.While my hand never fitted around the shape of a da Ruger,I can accomodate the shape of both the Colt and Dan Wesson.Of course,I'll always recognize the feel of a Smith even blindfolded but the Colt must be tried and shot to appreciate.Certainly an excellent piece of machinery.And afterall,we must all admit that Smith worked pretty hard to take no 1 spot from Colt which it had held from late 19th 'till a little after the first quarter of 20th(somebody correct me if I'm wrong on dates here).

[Hank Dodge]

I own and shoot the Colt's Single Action Army. I have a few of them at this point, and I shoot them a lot. That said, they all needed action work out of the box to make them "feel" right. Since doing that tuning, they have run strong with zero issues over many years. They are a solid, rugged design that points very well for me and feels right in the hand.

I haven't been able to say much about the Colt double actions. I've never cared for the Python the times I have handled and shot it. They are beautifully finished revolvers, and I'm sure most of them are OK shooters. I've just always preferred the feel of the S&W over the Colt. I certainly would never pay the inflated prices for an older Python at this point in the game. I did buy a like new Colt .357 a while back for a decent price. That revolver feels better in my hand than a Python ever did, and the action is pretty darn nice. Funny how that is....

These new Colt Python and Cobra series guns are junk. I've handled a fair amount of them now and shot several. Brand new they have had timing issues and failures. The fit and finish has been pretty bad in my opinion as well considering the price they are asking. I'd never spend my money on one. Hopefully Colt can get their act together and address these issues. I'd like to see them get back in the game.

[Mike, SC Hunter]

Originally Posted by 357larry

I never have understood why people have the opinion that Colts went out of time easily. Back in the day I had 3 pythons. Gave one to my brother, another 4 inch was my duty gun, and I had a 6 inch blue I carried when doing drug raids and working plain clothes. Used to shoot 1000 rounds or better a month, never had a problem. A handful of my brother Officers also carried Pythons, can't remember any of them having timing issues either.

Now I will say that Colts were harder to work on and get right. Not every so-called gunsmith could work on one and get it right. When I put my duty Python together I sent it to Reeves Jungkind in Texas for an action job. It was beautiful. My brother had a well known local gunsmith try to do an action job on his Python. It was jacked up when he got it back. The double action was better but if you cocked it to fire single action you didn't need to touch the trigger. Just wait about 3 seconds and the hammer would drop on its own and the gun would fire. Had to send it to Texas also to correct the problem.

I just get tired of hearing people say Colts had timing issues when most of the people making these comments never owned a Colt. It's just something they "heard".

They DO go out of time faster than other brands. Mine mentioned above has has had the hand peened twice to bring it back into time. And mine was relative light duty. So it's a fact not a myth. Some owners don't realize this because the the python has a 2 pronged hand that when the trigger is pulled will advance the cylinder into locked position. I REALLY chuckle at claims of zillions of round count with no issues.....Makes one wonder.

[Gamecock]

I got an email from gunbroker saying that the new Python was the best selling revolver last month.

I know that's not true because YOU CAN'T GET ONE.

I got an email from a favorite internet seller that they had the Python back in stock. I went to their website to buy and they were out. Ever how much stock they got in, it was gone in 15 minutes.

[31FordA]

Although the bulk of my menagerie are S&W, I have also acquired a number of Colt revolvers. Over the years I’ve picked up a 1969 Single Action Army with ivory grips, a Police Positive, two Detective Specials, an Official Police, a couple of Troopers, and one of the new Night Cobra’s. The oldest gun I own is a Colt, a 1895 Navy. I enjoy shooting my Colt’s, and would happily buy more if they come along at the right price.

One of the guns I still want to get from when I was a kid is a 4” Diamondback. John Wayne carried one in “Brannigan”, it even gets mentioned by name. The 10 year old me decided I should get one when I grew up. Unfortunately the last one I saw was $3,200. That was a bit much for nostalgia.

[6string]

Originally Posted by Patrick L

I don't know guys, all these threads and magazine articles about the new Python have me thinking. How can I call myself a revolver aficionado if I've never owned, much less even shot, a Colt?.

Arguably, a die hard fan would say if you bought a new "Python", you still haven't experienced a real Colt Python.
But, the Pre War stuff was the best Colt ever made: Shooting Master, Camp Perry, New Service Target, etc.
I used to shoot two pre-war Colts for Bullseye competition, an Officers Model Target and a Police Positive Target. Both very nice. Being 22s, they maintained their fine tuned trigger and timing.

For the kind of money we're talking, have a look at this gorgeous piece, offered right on our forum:

King Super Target for sale - REDUCED TO $2500

Colt SAA... the stuff of legends! (That is, if you get a 1st gen or early 2nd gen.). Or... a USFA or American Standard SAA.
All the classic Colts were labor intensive, hand fitted designs.

[CajunBass]

I've been bit by the Colt bug lately and have ended up with a few.

A couple of 2020 Pythons. I didn't have any trouble getting either. Walked into my LGS one afternoon and asked if they had one. They did. It went home with me that evening. A couple of months later, I got tired of waiting for another to show up, so I checked the Sportsman's Warehouse website. They had the 4.2" ones in stock, so I ordered one and picked it up a week or so later.



The 6" one is a fine shooter, with over 800 rounds through it. I had to tighten up a sideplate screw but otherwise, no problems with it. I haven't had a chance to shoot the 4.2" yet, Covid kept the range closed, then when it finally did open, with it's reduced capacity I haven't felt like waiting in line. Maybe soon.

Before those I bought a 2028 Cobra. I've shot a few hundred rounds through this and it's one of my two carry guns. Just depends on which one I feel like carrying really.



Then this one, a 1966 Trooper, in 38 Special. I'm told these are sort of "unusual." It came to me with the box, and some of the papers. I don't believe it's been fired outside the factory, but can't prove it of course. So it's just a really nice Trooper.

[petepeterson]

Originally Posted by Buford57

N

You want to talk unnatural, for awhile I carried a S&W with a Colt BUG.

Makes perfect sense to me...A K-frame and a DS or Cobra use the same speedloaders.

[Gamecock]

Originally Posted by CajunBass

A couple of 2020 Pythons.

I am envious.

Originally Posted by CajunBass

I had to tighten up a sideplate screw but otherwise, no problems with it.

I thought they had fixed that! Was yours early production?

[BAM-BAM]

Not all Colts are Pythons..... Have/had some New Service, OPs, Diamondbacks (.22 and .38) and Detective Specials over the years........ all that's left are my Dad's 2" Detective Special and 6 inch .357 New Service

[Rubone]

A couple of 4" Diamondbacks live in my safe, a .22 and a .38 (and not $500 in the pair of them, wood stocks are stored away), along with a Colt 1911! But then there are Springfield Armory, Taurus, Sig, Glock, AMT, Ruger, Kel-Tec, and an H-R in there as well......

[CajunBass]

Originally Posted by Gamecock

I am envious.



I thought they had fixed that! Was yours early production?

Yes. The 6” one is <3000 SN.

[Rock185]

Now that I think about it, I do have an old Colt .38 that has not gone out of time in the last 106 years

[crazyphil]

I like Colts almost as much as my S&W revolvers. I have the Gold Cup
shown on the left, and an Agent on the right. The Craig Spegel stocks
on the Agent cost almost as much as the Agent.

I also have 1860 Army, 4.75" Peacemaker, and 7.5" Cavalry models.
All 3 are replicas. They hang on my office wall with an appropriate
holster. I enjoy looking at them.

[smith17]

Bought this from a friend selling his late father's guns. He didn't want a little one. I had never heard of this Colt : Pocket Positive. Looks almost new. I think it's from the 20s or 30s.