New Snake Gun - But Not What I Expected..

Fishinfool

Fishinfool

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Last year I bought a new 6 inch Colt Anaconda. Really like it, and decided to buy a new King Cobra .22 rf when they hit the shelves.

Well, they did last week, and a dealer friend of mine called... I went to his shop with money in hand, and looked over the new 4.25 inch Colt. Seemed very nice, but something about it I didn't like, just cant put my finger on it. I guess it just didn't "speak" to me. For a thousand bucks, a gun should speak to you, right?

BUT, there was a 3 inch Python there in the case that did speak to me. Loudly....:)

So, initial impressions - Great fit and finish, smooth and light DA trigger, good SA trigger, but not quite up to the clean break of a good S&W SA trigger. Grips feel good in my hand, and I like the dark wood contrast with the polished SS finish. I also noted the Python fits perfectly in the De Santis model 001 33 holster (for 3 inch L frame) that also fits my 2.75 inch model 69.
My only dislike is the rear sight, as shared by the Anaconda. You need screwdrivers and a .050 allen wrench for the windage set screw. Should be click adjustments like older Colts used. Didn't get around to measuring throats or cylinder gap yet.

I put 12 rounds thru it this morning off my back deck 25 yard range. Nice tight grouping with 158 grain magnums, and 148 grain HBWC loads. Gun balances and feels real good in the hand. I attached a couple pics with the Anaconda and model 69 for comparison. I see this Colt supplementing my model 69 as a magnum woods carry revolver for just bumming around, maybe even some concealed carry if I am feeling particularly squirrelly. Never really felt undergunned when I carried a .357 as a cop back in the 1980's.

Larry

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Fishinfool said:
BUT, there was a 3 inch Python there in the case that did speak to me. Loudly....:)

I see this Colt supplementing my model 69 as a magnum woods carry revolver for just bumming around, maybe even some concealed carry if I am feeling particularly squirrelly.

Larry

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How awesome is it to be able to use a Python as a "woods carry revolver"? I sure wouldn't do that with a NIB vintage model Python!
Larry
 
I really like my 4.25 Python. It has a better double action trigger than my 686, but the SA trigger is a little heavy. It has improved with some dry fire practice though.

I’m not a fan of red ramped sights, the rear is a weakness, so I have new sights on order. They are backordered so I’m not sure when I will get them.

it leads badly with soft swaged bullets. I’m hoping it just needs some more shootin’ to get any possible rough spots polished out.

My 686 doesn’t lead with the same bullets, but it had a steady diet of jacketed bullets before I got into reloading.

Fit and finish is fantastic. The stocks fit perfectly, with hardly a seam and no gaps. The left and right panels match, unlike my S&W stocks.

Yeah, it was expensive but no buyer’s remorse.
 
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About those sights - The Wilson version seems like an improvement. Since I really only intend two loads for this gun, I may be able to set and forget the factory rear. A gold bead patridge front looks good though..

No leading with 6 148 grn HBWC's over 2.9 grains Bullseye, but not enough rounds to really tell yet. My Anaconda does well with lead.

Value is a funny thing. First time I paid $500 for a gun (series 70 Gold Cup) I thought that was the most expensive gun I would ever buy. Now, $1500, for a modern COPY of a collectors gun is considered normal, and a lot of people don't bat an eye. So I'll consider it a "nice weather" woods carry gun.

Larry
 
I retired last year after 55 years of owning my business and my wife told me to buy the new 4.25” my dealer had so I did. Got it new at a discount and just fell in love with it. Then the fever struck and I bought a new 6” and then a new 3”. I love them! Then a new Cobra 2”, 3” King Cobra and 4.25” King Cobra Target. What a great wife!

I was considering the King Cobra 22 also but it just didn’t look right to me. Something is off. Anyway I have a great 617 that shoots and looks great so I’m going to pass on the new KC22.

I had a blue 6” I bought new in the late 70’s or early 80’s. Can’t remember the date but foolishly sold it when prices went out of sight. I regretted that but feel the new Pythons are everything the originals are and more. After shooting quite a few rounds through them now I’d take a new one any day over on original.

Hope you enjoy your new toy!
 
A great post to introduce a great thread! My LGS is still awaiting a 3" Python, but it's mine on arrival. Helps that my check is the only one they accept...;) I even forgive that telegraph-pole 3" barrel and the target grips. Poster ladder13 feels my pain...

I've read more than once about the difficulty moving the rear sight. Didn't know the rear sight was capable of movement or designed to be moved. I point the gun at the target and pull the trigger. Problem solved. Colt produced my 4" Python especially for me: they didn't bother to refine the SA pull knowing I would ignore it.

Last Python comment: I told the dealer not to put it back in its box. Instead I stuffed it in a IWB suede clip pouch, tossed it in my range bag and loaded it in the car for the trip home. My guns have to be ready to work.

Lastly poster viperMD boasts about not having snakes on his property in the U.P. of Michigan, yet you never hear him boast about having to drive 3 hours each way to pick up a pizza...

I thank everyone above for this cool thread. :cool:

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
 
kaaskop49 said:
A great post to introduce a great thread! My LGS is still awaiting a 3" Python, but it's mine on arrival. Helps that my check is the only one they accept...;) I even forgive that telegraph-pole 3" barrel and the target grips. Poster ladder13 feels my pain...

I've read more than once about the difficulty moving the rear sight. Didn't know the rear sight was capable of movement or designed to be moved. I point the gun at the target and pull the trigger. Problem solved. Colt produced my 4" Python especially for me: they didn't bother to refine the SA pull knowing I would ignore it.

Last Python comment: I told the dealer not to put it back in its box. Instead I stuffed it in a IWB suede clip pouch, tossed it in my range bag and loaded it in the car for the trip home. My guns have to be ready to work.

Lastly poster viperMD boasts about not having snakes on his property in the U.P. of Michigan, yet you never hear him boast about having to drive 3 hours each way to pick up a pizza...

I thank everyone above for this cool thread. :cool:

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
Click to expand...


Now, if a major distributor would talk Colt in to doing a run of 2 1/2 inch Pythons with service grips and a factory SS "Tyler-T" type grip included, that would be the cats you know what.

About the time I tell myself I don't need adj. sights, as I usually set and forget them, I pick up a fixed sights gun that shoots 6 inches high, and 5 to the left...:(

That 3 inchers balance in the hand combined with that sweet DA pull I think will make it a natural for DA work. That serrated trigger has to go though - polished is the way to go for DA shooting, says my tender trigger finger.

Larry
 
.38SuperMan said:
I retired last year after 55 years of owning my business and my wife told me to buy the new 4.25” my dealer had so I did. Got it new at a discount and just fell in love with it. Then the fever struck and I bought a new 6” and then a new 3”. I love them! Then a new Cobra 2”, 3” King Cobra and 4.25” King Cobra Target. What a great wife!

I was considering the King Cobra 22 also but it just didn’t look right to me. Something is off. Anyway I have a great 617 that shoots and looks great so I’m going to pass on the new KC22.
Click to expand...
What about the "big boy", Anaconda?
Larry
 
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