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sigp220.45
US Veteran
It sure looks like a Python.
The Pietta Python
- Thread starter sigp220.45
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It sure looks like a Python.
The parts are interchangeable... so it IS a python.
Your statement makes as much sense as saying that if a 1911 doest say "Colt" on the side... it isnt a 1911.
Out of the box; It will lack the fit and finish, and the action smoothness of a "real" python.
So what? A trip to Frank Glenn for "Python Ultimate Action job" and to Fords for a "Master Blue Finish" and it will work better and look as good as any "COLT" Python ever made... for PEANUTS compared to what an equivalent condition Colt would run.
Dennis The B
US Veteran
Parts interchangeability doesn't make it a Python, just as Italian made parts may fit a Colt Single Action Army; but an Italian made SAA is still just a copy.
Not to put too fine a point on things, but if it's not a Colt, it's not a 1911. It may be a "1911 style" pistol, but a Kimber, Springer, or S&W will never be a genuine 1911.
Out of the box, the Pietta is not fitted and finished the way a Python was. You will have to pay extra to have the action and finish redone. In the end, you still have a Python look-alike, and it will never be a Colt Python.
No kidding...
I NEVER SAID IT WAS A "COLT" Python.
SO WHAT?
"Suppose you see a bird walking around in a farm yard. This bird has no label that says 'duck'. But the bird certainly looks like a duck. Also, he goes to the pond and you notice that he swims like a duck. Then he opens his beak and quacks like a duck. Well, by this time you have probably reached the conclusion that the bird is a duck, whether he's wearing a label or not." - Ambassador Richard Cunningham Patterson Jr.
Therefore, In actual FACT... It IS a PYTHON. Albeit a PIETTA PYTHON.
Yet AGAIN... SO WHAT??
A Kimber 1911 IS as much a 1911 as a COLT 1911 is. A Uberti 1860 Army is as much an 1860 Army as a COLT 1960 Army is. A DPMS AR-15 is as much an AR-15 as a COLT AR-15 is. A Cimarron SAA is as much an SAA as a COLT SAA.
Your distinction is very nearly meaningless.
If the ONLY difference are the rollmarks, If the parts are interchangable, and the gun is made from the same specs as a python, then it IS BY ANY MEASURE a Python. Again, as I said - it is a "Pietta Python"... not a COLT PYTHON.
As you said - and I agree; the polish and action will likely not be QUITE the equal of a NIB factory fired only "Colt" Python... but I wager it will be closer than you and many others like. And that's good enough for me!
Ever hear of the "second Gen" and "third Gen" Colt signature series black powder percussion pistols? You know - the ones actually made by uberti? Marked as a Colt BY Colt?
I wouldnt be TOO awful surprised - if the Pietta Python sells well; to see a similar deal resulting in a "second Gen" Python... or even "Python II" from Colt... Would it be more expensive than the box stock Pietta ? Sure. Would it be remotely near the price of an old mint condition Colt Python ?
I think we all know the answer to that.
Made by Pietta, imported and finished by Colt. Trigger jobs and a nice Polish are not - all naysayers to the contrary; all THAT difficult.
In any event - I look forward to owning a PYTHON that I can actually carry and shoot; and use as guns are intended to be used, without worrying about fingerprints, carbon buildup, and honest wear.
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So, let's say it's "not a Python." Who cares?
I heard that when RIA started making 1911's. Those turned out to be pretty good.
RIA's Colt lookalike "detective special" revolvers are starting to get some good reviews these days. Not Colts, but "pretty good."
Maybe these "Faux Pythons" will be "pretty good" too.
I heard that when RIA started making 1911's. Those turned out to be pretty good.
RIA's Colt lookalike "detective special" revolvers are starting to get some good reviews these days. Not Colts, but "pretty good."
Maybe these "Faux Pythons" will be "pretty good" too.
I had one for a short time, the M206 I think was the RIA model of the 2".
It seemed ok for a $200 gun.
Dennis The B
US Veteran
You wrote that it was a Python. The Pietta 1955 is not a Python. That is not a distinction without a difference. Words mean things. It will always be an Italian interpretation of a Colt Python. And please note, that Pietta does not use the words "Colt" or "Python". Ergo, it's not a "Pietta Python", regardless your rant to the contrary.
We're not discussing ducks.
All the Italian reproductions are very careful in their naming conventions. None of them use the term Colt "1851 Navy", "1860 Army", "1873 Single Action Army"; or among S&W knockoffs, "Smith & Wesson Model 3 Russian (American), etc. The AR-15 name is still a copyrighted name owned by Colt. How they protect that copyright is up to them. That Uberti uses model designations in which the copyrights have expired is of no consequence.
The Pietta copy will be a copy, forever. I have no desire to own an Italian knockoff of a Colt Python. I own three, and they all get fired regularly.
And yes, I'm well aware of the Uberti revolvers made under license from Colt's Manufacturing.
You're living in a dream world if you believe that Colt will import a Pietta knockoff, and set up manufacturing to finish the action. Part of the allure of the Python is the superiority of the basic metal finishing. Colt no longer manufactures any revolvers. Colt is barely able to maintain it's 1911 pistol, AR-15 rifle, and Custom Shop businesses. Just where do you think the money will arise?
And I will be carrying and shooting my real Colt Pythons; and loving every minute of pleasure.
PS - I've also read and heard the same arguments about Seiko v. Rolex/Breitling/Omega.
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Nice! If I wanted a 357 the practical side of me would get a new 66 but the unpractical side wants the "PP".
Go to jay Leno's garage and watch him having a blast driving Argentine made copies of a Bugatti and an Alfa.
Go to jay Leno's garage and watch him having a blast driving Argentine made copies of a Bugatti and an Alfa.
In 100% agreement.
Its always entertaining listening to people talk smack about a gun (Python) they (1) never owned or (2) cant afford, always haters in the crowd. That being said I think there is a market for the Italian version of the Python assuming they are a quality product. The price of Pythons has went thru the roof and these gun are out of reach for a large percentage of the public. I mean how many people want to spend 2 to 6 thousand bucks for a revolver to shoot or carry it. There appears to be a resurgence of interest in all revolvers in the last couple years which is a good thing. There is nothing like feel of steel and walnut in your hand, all things come back around. I own and like several Tupperware guns, but I love my revolvers and steel semi auto's.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
I owned a '77 colt python I sold it and miss it.
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Colt should have contracted with these people to make them, done some last minute in-house something - such as install grips, and mark it "Made in USA" and reintroduced it.
Better yet, they could have done what S&W did with its shotguns. Go over to that Italian maker, rent a space on the outside of the building to put up a "Colt" sign, claim they set up a "Colt" factory over there to take advantage of the skilled labor for the labor-intensive job of building the Python, had them fully roll-marked with Colt markings, brought them in and sold them as Colts.
Did Colt miss a big opportunity here?
Better yet, they could have done what S&W did with its shotguns. Go over to that Italian maker, rent a space on the outside of the building to put up a "Colt" sign, claim they set up a "Colt" factory over there to take advantage of the skilled labor for the labor-intensive job of building the Python, had them fully roll-marked with Colt markings, brought them in and sold them as Colts.
Did Colt miss a big opportunity here?
thardgrave
Member
I think it is interesting that anytime, anything is written or discussed about a Colt Python, the same crowd of Python haters emerges with the very same horror stories about what poor guns they are. This thread was not even about the real Python, but it turned into an anti Python rant anyway.
Dennis The B
US Veteran
The missed "opportunity", if one ever existed, would have been due to Colt's financial position. They're not on life support, but the constant restructuring of debt load is never a good sign over the long term. I also doubt that the financial powers that be would ever be in a mood to take any chances on older technology, even if it could be redone in modern terms.
While the top two wheel gun makers, S&W and Ruger, are more or less holding their own, revolver sales wouldn't be where I'd dump any kind of money for product development. Revolvers are hugely complicated to manufacture, far more than semi-auto pistols, and even with modern computerized engineering and manufacturing, they're still expensive.
If you were looking at the bottom line, would you manufacture a niche product, or win with volume and a simpler product to bring to market?
porterc1951
Member
I looked at a Pietta SAA 4 3/4 at the NRA Convention a couple of weeks ago & it had the Cimarron & the Uberti beat big time. Fit, finish, function. This was @ Dixie Gun Works booth. Don't know if this was a hand picked gun or right off the production line, it was definitely worth the $425. If the Python repro was of the same quality, it would be worth $750-800 IMO.
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I pray to God they sell them in stainless.
If so, I'll buy one!! I'm too poor to afford a real python. There, I said it. But I love the design and the lore of the gun.... it's kind of like how clones of the SAA started to be made in the 1950s after westerns and stuff caught people's imaginations. Today, things like video games (Half-life) and TV shows (Walking Dead) have people wanting a copy of the python, me included!!!
If so, I'll buy one!! I'm too poor to afford a real python. There, I said it. But I love the design and the lore of the gun.... it's kind of like how clones of the SAA started to be made in the 1950s after westerns and stuff caught people's imaginations. Today, things like video games (Half-life) and TV shows (Walking Dead) have people wanting a copy of the python, me included!!!
You know, when you think about it, we're seeing history repeat itself.
After WWII, Colt stopped making the SAA. Low sales, high costs...etc.. Then along came TV westerns and there was a demand for six guns. The price of those used guns went up. People even took old worn out ones and rebuilt them. Along came Bill Ruger with his Single-Six, and a few other manufacturers to fill that demand. Today, I don't even know how many companies are making single action "cowboy" revolvers.
Cowboy action shooting has led to a demand for the shotguns and rifles from that bygone era. Manufacturers have stepped in to fill that demand too.
IPSC and other action shooting games gave birth to a demand for 1911 pistols that wasn't really there before. That market certainly hasn't slacked off any.
Today the demand for the Python is on the rise. Why? Who knows really, we can argue about rather it's a better gun than anything else until the cows come home, but that demand is there. Maybe it's video games...maybe it's The Walking Dead, maybe it's just people seeing a gun selling for two/three grand and want one because they can't get one.
So it's not surprising to me that someone would come along and make one. It's just sort of surprising to me it took so long.
After WWII, Colt stopped making the SAA. Low sales, high costs...etc.. Then along came TV westerns and there was a demand for six guns. The price of those used guns went up. People even took old worn out ones and rebuilt them. Along came Bill Ruger with his Single-Six, and a few other manufacturers to fill that demand. Today, I don't even know how many companies are making single action "cowboy" revolvers.
Cowboy action shooting has led to a demand for the shotguns and rifles from that bygone era. Manufacturers have stepped in to fill that demand too.
IPSC and other action shooting games gave birth to a demand for 1911 pistols that wasn't really there before. That market certainly hasn't slacked off any.
Today the demand for the Python is on the rise. Why? Who knows really, we can argue about rather it's a better gun than anything else until the cows come home, but that demand is there. Maybe it's video games...maybe it's The Walking Dead, maybe it's just people seeing a gun selling for two/three grand and want one because they can't get one.
So it's not surprising to me that someone would come along and make one. It's just sort of surprising to me it took so long.
I'd be a buyer if the price was right (well below 1K).....not so much because I long to own a Python but rather because I'm always interested in adding another unusual or interesting shooter to the stable. I think that's the purpose of this gun....not as an alternative to a Python but rather something interesting and fun to own/shoot.
The Alfa revolvers made in the Czech Republic are gaining popularity here in Canada and they are selling in the 550-650 range depending on whether in blued or stainless finish. I think this Python copy would be similarly successful if, A. it was priced right and B. had a decent (pretty) finish.( The blued Alfa's are pretty utilitarian looking but then again they aren't trying to look like something else the way a Python copy would be)
The Alfa revolvers made in the Czech Republic are gaining popularity here in Canada and they are selling in the 550-650 range depending on whether in blued or stainless finish. I think this Python copy would be similarly successful if, A. it was priced right and B. had a decent (pretty) finish.( The blued Alfa's are pretty utilitarian looking but then again they aren't trying to look like something else the way a Python copy would be)
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Since we're kind of wishing here, I'd like to see this "Python" in a bright stainless (or nickel) with a S&W type trigger feel in DA mode, not the mushy Colt "stacking".
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DFrame
Member
Yep. See it all the time!!
I own a Pietta Arms 1873 SA .44 revolver. While many Poo Poo their quality because it's not a "Smith" or a "Colt" I love shooting mine, and everyone of my gun enthusiast friends who have shot it love it as well. I'll definitely look at one of these Colt Python Replicas. I'll never be able to afford a Python, but I'll entertain buying a "Copy" to shoot.
What is that? Why no description?
Jdavis
Member
Of course it isn't a Colt Python, I don't recall anyone saying that it is. It is however, a genuine "Spaghetti Snake" and I'm OK with that. 
357-RevolverGuy
Member
It seems Pietta is calling it the model 1955-P. Who cares that it's a copy. I still think it's a pretty neat attempt. How many manufacturers copied the S&W model 10? According to history nearly all of them! It was the most copied gun of the century and some of the Spanish models are still in fine condition out there.
Anyway most of the websites I've come across are in Italian. Anyone take a guess at what they're saying?
Zobrazit téma - Pietta P 1955 (Colt Python replika) ? St?electví.cz
Armietiro - Il Colt Python risorge con Pietta
scattershot
Member
To me, the thing that makes a Python a Python is the exquisite fit and finish, with bluing that looks a foot deep and an an action that is like two greased ball bearings in a silk handkerchief. This may look like a Python, and that's fine, no problem here. A fiberglass bolt on kit on a Volkswagen may look like a Ferrari, but there's no comparison.
I'm sure they'll sell a boatload of them.
I'm sure they'll sell a boatload of them.
If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck....what is it? It might be an duck that's uglier but it's still a duck right?
Am I the only one around here that is hoping they decide to make a Detective Special? Anyone?
Am I the only one around here that is hoping they decide to make a Detective Special? Anyone?
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