The Colt people are probably very much aware of the fact that it's impossible to please everyone. Maybe we should be thankful they're producing a variety of high quality revolvers instead.

Personally, I'd love to see the reintroduction of the Diamondback revolver concept, maybe call it the Rattler (?). In the meantime, I'll just have to settle for a 4.25" Python. However, I noticed either last night or earlier this morning, Colt is bringing back a Commander in 38 Super that has caught my attention.

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Judge control not gun control!

From what I've been told...the change in barrel vents was due to one person with some authority in production...no idea who...that decided he thought the barrels would look good with the extra vents. True or not I can't say but the information came from someone in the know. So...marketing research went out the window on that.

Personally...the change in vents doesn't bother me. The fact Colt is back in the revolver business and in a big way is far more important...to me as a fan and it benefits the gun industry as a whole.

I wonder if back in the day if Colt used the same number of vents then as the new blue guns have now then reduced the vents today if the same people would still be complaining.

When you get down to it...Colt (or any other gun company)...is under no obligation to continue to make products exactly as in the distant past. They can honor the legacy guns but they build guns for the future and future buyers and not legacy buyers. The new King Cobra Target .22 is a 10-round revolver. If Colt didn't aim it at the competition of 9- and 10-round capacity revolvers and only did a 6-rounder it would likely bomb in the marketplace.

I did not know that Colt sold the trademark for Diamondback so how about a 3” Water Moccasin

I have thought about this some, and as an owner of a vintage Python, I actually kinda like that Colt changed the design of some of the new revolvers. It would make it very easy to tell the difference between a new model and an older one. But, I bought a 3” Python because it looked like the original one. So……..what can I say?
Larry

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

I think I remember a Colt Grizzly revolver, stainless or nickel, with black bear paws on the cylinder.
Larry

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

Maybe Crotalus atrox for the folks in the southwest........

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Stoked for the Kodiak! Can fill the 44 gap in my collection finally!

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This is the way....

My Python. Just not made by Colt. Gift from my work friends on my 70th birthday. I needed it then. Better now that I'm not spending my days walking on concrete and marble floors. I understand that the proper words will make it spit poison. I love this cane.

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Heavily armed old man.

Timber rattler or as I mentioned before do it in black DLC and call it a Black Mamba. Sidewinder is another possibility.

I don’t have a preference whether 2 or 3 vents on the 4.25” blue Python. As an example the Diamondback 22 had 2 and the new King Cobra 22 has 3. I like both.

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The Viper is on my must have list.
Since I bought a Python in 2020 I've wanted to collect the Snake guns.
I recently bought a 4.25" Anaconda.

Colt started making DA/SA revolvers again starting in 2017 with the all steel version of the Cobra.
The Pythons, in 2020, the Anacondas shortly thereafter, the King Cobras in between.

All these projects were planned, designed, and sales begun way before CZ bought Colts Manufacturing.

What size frame are these new Colt revolvers, compared to S&W? I like the Grizzly

The Python frame is roughly analogous to the Smith L-frame...or rather the other way around as the L-frame was designed long after Colt's I-frames were around.

The Anaconda is roughly the same size as Smith's N-frame. They can use the same speed loaders. Holster fit between the Anaconda and Smith N-frame may be an issue...depending on the holster design. The new Anaconda will not fit a holster for the original 1990's Anaconda...I found that out the hard way. There's enough difference in the frames to keep a thumbsnap from closing on the new guns.

The Cobra...a modern Colt D-frame...is slightly larger than a Smith J-frame. The cylinder is about 1/10" larger diameter for the sixth round. The King Cobra...while the same basic frame as the Cobra...has a thicker top strap to add steel for the .357 chambering.

The Grizzly is a Python with a ported barrel and unfluted cylinder. Like a standard Python it should fit any holster for a Smith L-frame with the same barrel length.

Unfluted cylinders--be it from S&W or Colt--really appeal to me. Just something about them.

I'm excited to see these in person and the new blued python.

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Rather be outdoors

I have one of the Python Combat Elites...3" barrel with an unfluted cylinder. It definitely adds weight against the 3" standard Python. At first it seemed the action was modified as lock time seemed quicker. The action is the same but it seems the added momentum of the heavier cylinder turning just make it seem to have quicker lock time.

There seems to be a lot of interest in the Viper. Its a stainless twin for the 4th issue Police Positive, which I have. Of course the PP was a .38, but they look identical.



If they bring them out in blue, I may buy the 3" version.

I'm also hoping for a .45 Colt Anaconda. I'd buy that in a heartbeat.

I have a 4" and 6" of the old Anacondas in .45 Colt. I'm waiting for the new Anaconda to be produced in .454. It was designed for that cartridge but who knows when Colt will "pull the trigger" and actually put it in production. They're selling all they can make now so it's on the back burner for the time being. Maybe down the road it may be produced.

The big difference between the original Viper and the Police Positive Special was the P.P.S. had a steel frame and the Viper had an aluminum frame like the original Cobra and Agent.

The new offering is steel frame and .357

My only Colt is a Cobra purchased new in ‘68 for off-duty use.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Malysh: Yeah, I forgot to mention that in my post. I did own one of the original lightweight Vipers many years ago. But those were the days when I had to sell one to get one. I'm afraid its long gone. Another one of those if I had only known moments.

I was actually commenting on how much they look alike.

This Python is the only new revolver, whether S&W or Colt I have ever bought. I have many revolvers from both companies, but almost all of them are old 38 Spec snubs. The newest being a 1990 or 1991 Model 042. Because it is used, this and my first year Colt Agent with a hammer shroud (1955) are really the only ones I carry.

I have been extremely impressed with this new Python offering. Fit, finish, accuracy, and adherence cosmetically to the originals makes it a winner. It is very strong, the lockwork was redesigned and is similar to the S&W type. It is affordable compared the original models. The DA trigger pull is excellent!
As another member said, I am anticipating Colt will offer the 2.5" bbl. version in blue. I am not a stainless steel guy, but this SS Python has really grown on me.

Yes, they do look like alike. I think if one is going to offer a retro model, it's paramount to make sure it looks as much like an original as possible.

An example of a failed retro model, was when Ford offered a retro Thunderbird. It never looked right. It didn't look like an original, but it didn't exactly look like a new car, either.
(I've had 4 Fords in a row, so I don't have a problem with the company).

Like you...I appreciate a finely blued steel and walnut firearm...rifle or handgun. Aesthetically I think they're the finest. Both Colt and S&W were capable of superb blued finishes on their products back in the day. It can still be done but the labor costs will place them out of the market outside of being done custom.

All that being said...stainless steel is the way to go now for durability. The problems early on with stainless guns has long been worked out. Blue may be more attractive but stainless is overall the better choice today.

As I mentioned awhile back on the other forum, I went and looked at and handled the new blued Python 6" and 4.25" at a local shop. The bluing was very good. I could find no fault with it.

I think all of us older revolver fans rue that it's too expensive for S&W and Colt to offer the pre WWII polishing and bluing, but it's not coming back.

I'm in agreement on the stainless. All of my blue S&Ws and Colts show cosmetic blue wear to varying degrees, but all are fired regularly and some of them I bought new more than forty years ago. Not a complaint as long as they function properly and are accurate.

My favorite finish is nickel as it seems to wear no more than stainless, but honest finish wear on a blue gun hurts nothing.