Why do Colt snakes sell for so much more than comparable S&W's
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Joewisc
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Mostly supply/demand. Colts seem harder to find.
silentflyer
Member
Because the Colt wheel guns are not being produced now, the old supply and demand deal, the Colts have become collectors items, to be fair so are many S&W's, but the S&W's are still in production.
00Buck2
Member
I enjoy shooting both, but the finish of a Python is comparable to a pre model smith in my opinion.
I can tell no difference in accuracy but can tell a difference in fit and finish.
This thread needs a photo.
My shooter Python
I can tell no difference in accuracy but can tell a difference in fit and finish.
This thread needs a photo.
My shooter Python
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Single Action Armies are still produced, and there are factory rumors they are considering getting back into the DA revolver business, but for now that's it for Colt revolvers.
jtcarm
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Colt has had a foot in the grave for years:
They got fat & lazy thanks to their exclusive-provider contracts for the 1911 and AR-15s. Blew off the police market for service-grade DA revolvers (before autoloaders took over.) Then they lost those juicy contracts.
Besides all that, there just isn't that much money to be made in price DAs anymore.
It's funny that this topic should come up now, because just yeaterday I bought my first Colt revolver in a very long while (like 20+ years), a .22 Diamondback circa 1977. In fact, aside from an antique Model 1889, this new acquisition is my only Colt wheelgun.
To me, the more modern double action Colt revolvers have a feel and look that's very different from their Smith & Wesson equivalents. The exterior contours and markings of the Colt are very precise, but the blueing is on the heavy, blackish side in comparison to an S&W. The trigger is blued and the hammer in the white, no casehardening to be seen. The grips are nicely cut, but the finish seems slathered on very thick in places. Nothing to fault mechanically that I can discern.
One reason many newbies here are reporting S&W "soft fitting" numbers as serial numbers is that a maker like Colt does put the serial number in the crane recess and nowhere else - the butt is as smooth as a baby's...well, butt.
These generally do go for big bucks nowadays, although I was able to make a very good deal on this one at my local feed store cum gun counter.
To me, the more modern double action Colt revolvers have a feel and look that's very different from their Smith & Wesson equivalents. The exterior contours and markings of the Colt are very precise, but the blueing is on the heavy, blackish side in comparison to an S&W. The trigger is blued and the hammer in the white, no casehardening to be seen. The grips are nicely cut, but the finish seems slathered on very thick in places. Nothing to fault mechanically that I can discern.
One reason many newbies here are reporting S&W "soft fitting" numbers as serial numbers is that a maker like Colt does put the serial number in the crane recess and nowhere else - the butt is as smooth as a baby's...well, butt.
These generally do go for big bucks nowadays, although I was able to make a very good deal on this one at my local feed store cum gun counter.
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very nice diamondback...congrats
As wretched as the Anaconda is in the lockwork department, the 8" .44 is the most accurate .44 Magnum revolver i own. Better than any of the PC revolvers, Classic Hunters, or any other S&W at 100 yards. Fairly annoying, because I'm always afraid the dang thing will quit working.
Sold the 4" Anaconda after it broke it's third hand spring.
Sold the 4" Anaconda after it broke it's third hand spring.
Buckey08
Member
The real reason colt's cost more is because the owners have so much money buried in them in repair cost and making them work as well as a old Smith that they can't sell them for a loss! ( The things you learn on this forum )
Cocked & Locked
Member
I'll go with that. Plus, there's just something about snake handling that is enchanting.
I think supply & demand drives price. And although Colt made some nice DA revolvers, aka; pythons, some early troopers, etc. but there's a reason Colt quit making them and I think it's because they didn't sell as well as S&W. Whether due to manufacturing cost, quality, etc. there's just more Smiths plus Smiths are still in production.
I've owned Colts and wish I owned more so I could sell them for price they're bringing today.
I've owned Colts and wish I owned more so I could sell them for price they're bringing today.
When the Anti-Gunners pushed to the point of insisting on "key locks" and a bunch of other garbage the various manufactures reacted in different ways.
Smith & Wesson went with the locks. Colt decided to get out of the handgun business all together except for the military.
Smith & Wesson went with the locks. Colt decided to get out of the handgun business all together except for the military.
Jim Watson
Member
???
Colt was out of the double action revolver business long before the key locks came along.
And they still do a lively commercial business in 1911 derivatives and SAAs.
In my youth, Colt was still a player in the revolver business. I think a combination of non gun company managment (which also hurt S&W) and relatively low sales of their 1969 Mk III models started their decline.
Colt was out of the double action revolver business long before the key locks came along.
And they still do a lively commercial business in 1911 derivatives and SAAs.
In my youth, Colt was still a player in the revolver business. I think a combination of non gun company managment (which also hurt S&W) and relatively low sales of their 1969 Mk III models started their decline.
dlbx2
Member
Hard to find?
Right now on GB there are 273 Pythons for sale, and 73 27s. Finding one that is fairly priced is a rare thing for sure. I have a 3 inch blue one that belonged to my brother, and after giving it close inspection, I just don't see it. I could probably sell it for more than any of my n frames, but would never trade it for any of them. If they are so special, why are there 273 people, on GB alone, who are wanting to part with them? I don't have to answer that one. Try finding a NIB 27-2 4 inch, and a NIB Python. There are plenty of the Pythons for sale, but I haven't seen a true NIB 4 inch 27-2 since I sold one years ago. I know a dealer who promptly put his Python allotment in his gun safe to re-sell as part of his retirement. If you collect Colts, and are willing to pay the painful prices that they seem to demand, then I say what ever makes you happy. But hard to find? Get out your wallet or credit card and start looking; barrel length? finish? NIB? they are all there.
DLB
Right now on GB there are 273 Pythons for sale, and 73 27s. Finding one that is fairly priced is a rare thing for sure. I have a 3 inch blue one that belonged to my brother, and after giving it close inspection, I just don't see it. I could probably sell it for more than any of my n frames, but would never trade it for any of them. If they are so special, why are there 273 people, on GB alone, who are wanting to part with them? I don't have to answer that one. Try finding a NIB 27-2 4 inch, and a NIB Python. There are plenty of the Pythons for sale, but I haven't seen a true NIB 4 inch 27-2 since I sold one years ago. I know a dealer who promptly put his Python allotment in his gun safe to re-sell as part of his retirement. If you collect Colts, and are willing to pay the painful prices that they seem to demand, then I say what ever makes you happy. But hard to find? Get out your wallet or credit card and start looking; barrel length? finish? NIB? they are all there.
DLB
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I've always wished I had bought a python back in the day. Just visited GB and wow! Absolutely insane prices! I'm wondering if they are truly selling for these prices or is there a lot of time spent making the rounds on places like GB?
gunguy56
Member
In 1976 I bought a NIB 6" nickel Python at my LGS for $300 plus tax. The finish on the frame up by the hammer was a little frosted in appearance. I had the LGS return it to Colt..the repair invoice stated "Fit and finish are up to factory standards". At that point I quickly decided that Colts would.no longer reside in my house...Take a new Colt .45 auto and shake it..the fit of the slide to the frame is loose like an old wartime 1911A1. Shame on Colt management for running a good product down...
