My new Colt Python!

Ghost Magnum · Mar 10, 2023

I picked it up yesterday. Now I’m not doing a comparison between this and my 686 Plus Pro Series revolver. The L-Frame vs Python debate has been going on before I was born. But I will tell y’all my first impression.

This gun is a work of art. I love everything about it but the stocks.
But the factory stocks is still pretty good. The balance feels good in my hand. It points like a finger. Site pictures is among the best I have personally seen. Cylinder opens and locks up perfectly.

I like how there isn’t that much markings on the frame. Like Colt lets the Python name speaks for itself. I like that!
All that being said. This is the weirdest revolver I have ever handled. My first impression of the trigger was like “there is no way in hell…” I slid in snap caps and dry fired my Python several times. The trigger is very alien to me. In a good way.
I haven’t had a chance to clean and lube it yet. I have several old 357 magnum cartridges rolling around in my closet. I’m going to squeeze them off this Monday. Range day will be within a few weeks.
Weirdly enough though. My Python fits my old L-Frame holsters.

1911haulic · Mar 10, 2023

Nice, thanks for sharing. You can get different stocks from Altamont. Below is my 8" Anaconda with new stocks shown against my 4.25" Python.

Ameshawki · Mar 10, 2023

I have two of the new ones, a three inch and four inch. They are a different creature. Swapped out the grips on the three inch, targets just don't look right on the short barrel guns. Probably leave the stock grips on the four inch.

One is probably going out for a trigger job. Double is nice the single is too heavy. Both are very very accurate.

SnidelyWhiplash · Mar 10, 2023

Stocks are certainly not "one size fits all" and are easy to change. The trigger will get even better after shooting it a bit.

The single-action trigger is heavier than optimal to pass California's drop test. A good 'smith can alleviate that. The politicians like to screw everything up...it's what they do.

ZGrand · Mar 10, 2023

Congrats on the new Snake. Deer Hollow Enterprises also makes some nice grips, though they are expensive and out of stock the majority of the time. I got lucky and they had a few pair in stock when I happened to check their site several weeks ago.

CajunBass · Mar 10, 2023

Congratulations. I suspect you're going to like that one. I've been a Smith and Wesson guy all my life but now the only revolvers I have now are two 4" Pythons.

I'm THE one who actually likes the factory grips. You knew there had to be ONE didn't you?

They're the most comfortable grips I've ever used. They're not as pretty as the old Python grips, but the checkering on those felt like a wood rasp to me. I even like the muted color against the "white" metal of the Python.

I need to load more wadcutters this weekend.

CH4 · Mar 10, 2023

Congrats on your new Python and welcome to the club. In addition to my vintage Pythons, I have three of the new version; they work as good as they look. I am patiently waiting for a 4” Anaconda in .45 Colt to add to my growing Colt revolver family.

DGNY · Mar 10, 2023

Happy to read positive reviews of the new Colt Python in 357. Glad also to hear that they are accurate, at least in the samples presented.

I must say that my 1980 nickel 6 inch Python, purchased very little used (years ago), is one of my most accurate handguns. A little over an inch and a quarter at 50 yards for five shots rested, back when eyes were younger.

SnidelyWhiplash · Mar 10, 2023

CajunBass said:
I'm THE one who actually likes the factory grips. You knew there had to be ONE didn't you.

I heard a rumor that there was someone who liked the stocks on the new Python. So you’re he?

SnidelyWhiplash · Mar 10, 2023

DGNY said:
Happy to read positive reviews of the new Colt Python in 357. Glad also to hear that they are accurate, at least in the samples presented.

I must say that my 1980 nickel 6 inch Python, purchased very little used (years ago), is one of my most accurate handguns. A little over an inch and a quarter at 50 yards for five shots rested, back when eyes were younger.

While every gun is different…and different guns can prefer different loads…and shooters are certainly different…the new Python is…in my hands better than the originals. I put my new Pythons up against some of my original Pythons…same barrel length against same barrel length (as close as possible anyway)…used identical stocks and ammunition from the same box. The original Pythons all shot fantastic…but the new Pythons shot better…smaller groups more tightly clustered.

Still…the differences between merely superb and superlative was small.

ladder13 · Mar 10, 2023

CH4 said:
……..
I am patiently waiting for a 4” Anaconda in .45 Colt to my growing Colt revolver family.

Where is the suggestion box?

SnidelyWhiplash · Mar 10, 2023

I’m hoping for an Anaconda in .454…I already have several original Anacondas in .45 Colt.

The new Anaconda was designed with the .454 in mind…the cylinder was made long enough…but from what I hear no decision has been made whether to actually produce any…at least not in the near future. Colt is selling all they can build now with a 4” or 4.25” Anaconda supposedly on the way.

eclayton · Mar 10, 2023

I love my 4.25” Python; after 35 years of S&W and Ruger revolvers, that Python has displaced all my others as my full time, every day holster gun on my ranch. I also bought a new Anaconda and it is just as good. Then again, I bought a 3” Python that choked after about 50 rounds and is back with the factory now. Manufacturing QC questions aside, from a design standpoint I think Colt got everything right when they reintroduced these revolvers. QC bugs will hopefully work themselves out as production continues. I still have and still love my S&W revolvers, and there are still several vintage pre-lock models I’m interested in adding to the fold, but I’m pretty sure any new production double action revolvers I buy going forward will be Colts for the foreseeable future.

Ghost Magnum · Mar 10, 2023

Thank y’all. I just cleaned up lube it. It’s new so it wasn’t dirty. But it was dry. The stocks isn’t that bad. They are pretty. But I’m going to order new one off herret stocks like my smith.
Trigger is going to take some used to. I love it so far. Can’t wait to fire it!

johngalt · Mar 10, 2023

Congrats! Love mine. I replaced the sights with a plain black Harris Custom front and Wilson rear. I wasn't expecting to like the factory stocks (I don't like the shape of most revolver stocks), but I like Python stocks (so that's two of us). The checkering could be a little sharper. I saw a 3" last weekend, but someone snapped it up.

.357magger · Mar 10, 2023

Welcome to the Python club!!!

As a life long S&W junkie I never thought I'd say this but...my new 3" Python has the best trigger I've ever felt on a factory revolver. And I've owned more than a few. In point of fact, right out of the box, it rivals my tuned Model 66 No Dash 4" and I've previously posted about how phenomenally accurate that one is.

So I'm not bailing out on my beloved pre lock P&R Smith's, but Colt REALLY got things right with this one. After a couple of range trips and the arrival of a "Sourdough Pancake" from Simply Rugged, this one is going to the top of my carry rotation. I didn't care for the supplied stocks either, so I went a little old school for a much more pleasant grip feel.

Now if I can just get used to the cylinder release working the wrong way.

CajunBass · Mar 10, 2023

SnidelyWhiplash said:
I heard a rumor that there was someone who liked the stocks on the new Python. So you’re he?

Yes! Yes I is.

CH4 · Mar 10, 2023

SnidelyWhiplash said:
I’m hoping for an Anaconda in .454…I already have several original Anacondas in .45 Colt.

The new Anaconda was designed with the .454 in mind…the cylinder was made long enough…but from what I hear no decision has been made whether to actually produce any…at least not in the near future. Colt is selling all they can build now with a 4” or 4.25” Anaconda supposedly on the way.

454 is better yet! Can shoot both

cowboy4evr · Mar 10, 2023

I have one of the new pythons in 4.2" and I really like the factory grips that came on it and have no intention of changing them . I have been enjoying S&W's for years on end and a few rugers too . I have always like the Smiths and my Rugers . Over the last few years I have acquired a couple of older colt revolvers as well . An early model trooper and a Police Positive Special . I will always keep those 3 colt revolvers . The feel of a colt revolver is just differnt . The quality is something to behold . i have considered a new 3" python or an Anaconda but nothing new yet . Regards Paul

sophie · Mar 10, 2023

I bought the 4.25” Python and the trigger is smooth as silk and crisp. Here’s a photo of mine.

My new Colt Python!

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