The Pietta Python

[sigp220.45]

I'm surprised there hasn't been a thread on this yet.

The Italian gunmaker Pietta announced it is bringing the Python back, called the P1955. I'm working off my phone for a few days so I can't post a picture, but a little Googling will turn it up.

The Colt forum has a lengthy thread, with some lively debate. Pietta says it is a faithful copy and most parts will interchange. Price is expected to be well under a grand.

I for one think it's a great idea, though naysayers abound.

 

[Hapworth]

Interesting experiment if it eventuates. I can't imagine it will be built anywhere near to original Colt quality for under a grand...

 

[jack the toad]

Interesting experiment if it eventuates. I can't imagine it will be built anywhere near to original Colt quality for under a grand...

not without a lot of investment casting and MIM parts.

 

[epj]

Well, if they do it right, the MIM parts can fit perfectly without any actual fitting. Something looks off with the shape of the stocks. That sure isn't a Colt Royal Blue finish either. Interesting. I'd sure like to examine one in person.

 

[M29since14]

not without a lot of investment casting and MIM parts.

The Italians are very skilled with these processes and have been making good use of them for a long time. If I had interest in the gun, I wouldn't let anything like that stop me.

For my part, re-creating Pythons seems a bit of a waste of time. I am not sure what the rationale is for such a project, beyond the obvious one (making money). If I saw one in-person I might be persuaded otherwise...

Maybe they intend to actually make the design work better?

 

[Fishinfool]

I haven't read about the new Pietta Python copy yet, but I have no doubt they could produce one of very good quality if they desired.

I've played with a number of Italian Colt SAA copies, and some of the higher priced ones - about $500 range - are damn close to the real thing, that sells for about $1500.

Given the dynamics of Italian gun making, a quality Python copy is certainly possible for under $1000. Just look at some of the high quality Winchester 76 rifle replicas they are turning out, for about a grand. They are beautiful.

I own a Pietta Colt Army cap & ball revolver copy. It is really very well made and finished. I think I paid about $175 for it a couple years ago. That would be a $500 - $600 revolver if made in the states.

Would there be a market for a nice Python copy? I'd bet there would be. They won't sell by the truck load like Glocks, but there is always a market for well finished, classic revolvers, especially icons like the Python. What would people pay for a new S&W model 27, built and finished to the old P&R standards?

Larry

 

[Texas Star]

Spring and overall heat treating quality may be an issue. And Pietta is not generally deemed as good as Uberti.

Sorry: I can't seem to turn the danged Italics function off.

It won't hold its cylinder timing as well as even a true Colt of that era. I wouldn't trust my life to one.

BTW, I will no longer trust a Webley as I've had both hammer noses and stirrup springs break on MK VI's. They're just too old and brittle now. Most of those guns are 100 years old or verge on that. Same for original Colt 1911's. I don't rely on guns with questionable springs. Old Colt .45 autos are pretty likely to crack their frames if shot much. Some Star copies have the frames pre-cut above the slide stop hole to prevent cracking there.

For what it's worth, a well known gun writer who fools a lot with these Italian replica guns told me that the rifles are usually better made than the revolvers.

I have a couple of the Civil War .44 replicas, one by Pietta and owned another, from Uberti. I like them, but only the very best from Cimarron, which have extra good finish and fitting and those from Beretta are really impressive and I don't trust the springs on those for too much durability.

A thousand bucks for a Python replica is ridiculous. One can probably rummage and find a real Colt for that. I've owned two and sold both. Neither was any more accurate than my S&W's and both were soon out-of-time. A VERY well known pistolsmith told a friend of mine that he could re-time a Python, and it'd probably need work again within 500-1,000 rounds, especially if much .357 ammo was fired. I will leave it to you to decide if an Italian copy would do any better.

 

[Brian41]

Well this will be interesting to see and I'll check one out when they become available. I wonder if it will have any effect on the high Python prices we see today. Seems the demand would drop for them if there was an alternative.

 

[Fishinfool]

Well this will be interesting to see and I'll check one out when they become available. I wonder if it will have any effect on the high Python prices we see today. Seems the demand would drop for them if there was an alternative.

I doubt it would make a difference in real Python prices. Most people buying Pythons these days are collectors, not as shooters. They want to see that little prancing horse on the gun. Originality is key. Look at what a factory refinish does to the value of a desirable gun.

When USFA was in business, they sold for about half of what a real Colt SAA brought, even though they were actually better made. I can say that owning a USFA, and a couple real Colt SAA's. People will always pay more for an original, especially a discontinued model.

Larry

 

[Texas Star]

Has the Python actually been discontinued? I don't keep up a lot with Colt. All they make that I want is a rather basic stainless .45 auto.

 

[sigp220.45]

Has the Python actually been discontinued? I don't keep up a lot with Colt. All they make that I want is a rather basic stainless .45 auto.

Yep. It lingered for a while as a Custom Shop item, but I'm pretty sure that is done, too. In the last couple of years Python prices have gone stratospheric - a plain old 4 inch blue one is now a $2000 gun.

 

[Andyd]

I have posted in the Colt forum thread a few days ago and am well aware of the Pietta copy. I have a 1972 Colt Python and several Uberti cap and ball revolvers.

If Pietta wants to make a really good revolver, I think they can.

 

[Grayfox]

Interesting for sure.
The Italians make some fine firearms, but Pietta is sort of considered a second tier gun maker. Kind of like Taurus here. Nothing really wrong with them, just not the top of the line.
While I've always admired the Colt Python, I never really had much desire to own one. Price being one of the primary factors.
I'll reserve judgement until I can get one in my hands and see what the actual selling price is. Who knows, maybe I'll buy one.

 

[MOONDAWG]

Just speculation...so...limmeesee...it'll be "Made" in Turkey, because labor's so cheap while still maintaining ISO9001 QC, then "Assembled" in Italy, to get the "Italia" stamp on the frame...then "Sold" in America for under a grand.

Hmmm...I have no problem with that.

 

[jack the toad]

The Italians are very skilled with these processes and have been making good use of them for a long time. If I had interest in the gun, I wouldn't let anything like that stop me.

For my part, re-creating Pythons seems a bit of a waste of time. I am not sure what the rationale is for such a project, beyond the obvious one (making money). If I saw one in-person I might be persuaded otherwise...

Maybe they intend to actually make the design work better?

+1
I don't see the market for an Italian copy but what do I know?
If I had an interest, MIM parts wouldn't be the problem but they'd have to be way under $1000.

 

[muzzleblast]

I have been following the Pietta Python threads over on the Colt Forum. It sure has the keyboards warmed up! Responses vary from the typical "I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole" to those who welcome a shooter-quality, reasonably priced copy.

For many years, the Japanese, Italians and others have been producing copies of some historic American firearms no longer produced by the original manufacturer. Some of the copies are very high quality. Many of the copies are decent. In many cases the copies are mechanically and functionally as good as, or better than, the originals if only due to advances in metallurgy and manufacturing techniques. Of course, there are examples of other attempts at copies that are sub par. It remains to be seen what Pietta delivers.

Personally, I am quite interested. I am lucky to have three Colt Pythons, a 2.5" shooter grade, a 6" shooter grade and a pristine 1971 4". I also have a set of beautiful, vintage Fuzzy Farrant grips made for a clipped toe. These grips sit in the drawer because I just can't bring myself to use the grinder and files on the frame of any of my original Pythons. But, if Pietta actually produces a reasonable quality Python copy, I will get one, have the barrel cut to 3", cut the toe off of the grip frame, slap those Farrant grips on it, and then stuff it in a custom holster featuring genuine, imitation Python skin. Heck, I might even nickel plate the thing just for grins.

But, if the actual production model is delivered with an internal lock... all bets are off... ...

 

[ma deuce]

Interesting for sure.
The Italians make some fine firearms, but Pietta is sort of considered a second tier gun maker. Kind of like Taurus here. Nothing really wrong with them, just not the top of the line.
While I've always admired the Colt Python, I never really had much desire to own one. Price being one of the primary factors.
I'll reserve judgement until I can get one in my hands and see what the actual selling price is. Who knows, maybe I'll buy one.

If you told me Uberti was making it, I'd be very interested. Pietta - well, maybe, but not so much.

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Will be interesting to see how it turns out. Personally hope it turns out good and they start making a DS copy.

 

[Old TexMex]

Does Pietta have the " magic ball"?

 

[Fishinfool]

Funny thing about Pietta. I have seen a couple that were really well made and finished, and seen a couple that were only fair. Uberti does seem more consistent.

But, if Pietta is serious about trying to match the Pythons fit and finish (I would hope they are smart enough to realize how important it would be for this iconic revolver) I think they are capable of doing so. Time will tell....

Larry