Am I crazy to sell off 27-2 and 29-2 for a Python?

[Engine49guy]

Have had quite a few Colt revolvers and honestly prefer the S&W action.
I have passed on quite a few Pythons and maybe should have invested in a crystal ball at some point,
Actually seems the prices Pythoms are "Selling for" have come down from about a year ago at the peak IMO ,
Also if at some point a company like CZ picks up the Colt name or buys their defunct evolver rights they could start making Pythons somewhere what they are asking for their CZ made Dan Wesson .357 of under $1200.

IMO keep the S&W's

 

[murphydog]

As others noted indirectly, it is more a philosophical than a hardware issue. Will you have lifelong regrets for selling your model 27 and 29? Do you like Pythons enough to buy one at the top of the market? Did you marry your first girlfriend (or kick yourself now for not doing so)? Good luck in your decision.

 

[Richard Simmons]

Don't know what you are looking to pay for the Colt and don't know what your two S&W's might be worth but I'd get the Python in the dollars work out.

This is a $900 Valentine's Day gift from my wife. I know what she paid because she was with me when I found it though I had no idea she would return and purchase it. This was 10 years or so ago. At the time I had no idea what it would be worth in 10 years or at least what asking prices might be. I just loved the gun and even more so her for getting it for me. It still makes me happy and I hope it always will. Do what makes you happen.

 

[DD357]

I have owned 3 Pythons over the years; I now own zero. It is a matter of personal preference but I don't miss them at all. I wouldn't briefly even consider selling a N frame to fund a Python. The Smith's have a far better double action trigger.

 

[Bill Bates]

I personally wouldn't jump on the Beanie Baby of gun collecting, the Colt Python. I think they are on a bubble. If someone wants one to say they owned one or want one to shoot fine but realize you might have to hold it a very long time to recoup the current purchase price.

A reality check is in order when it comes to Python values. New in the box specimens in almost all barrel length and finishes aren't rare. or should I say, "hard to find". Just check any of the online auctions. If you want a ANIB Python you can find one any day of the week. I think a lot of the recent run up in value, which seems to have peaked, was hysteria and not based on real reasons for those value like rarity, scarcity and importance.

I think that Python train has gone by and will run level for a years if not go down hill.

 

[quinn]

The values are one aspect, but gun collecting and shooting isn't about banking. Yes, I have a Python, a 27 and a 29. Foy you this should really be about enjoyment. I recently traded 6 guns (5 of them S&Ws) for ONE (1, yes 1) other S&W that I really, really wanted. Trying to guess future gun prices is like trying to guess the stock market. Any of the 3 guns you mentioned should hold their value and continue to rise over time. I know what you mean about the Python itch... it just don't go away until you got one!

 

[ken158]

Colt asking prices have gone through the roof. Ask yourself how many are actually sold for these asking prices... and what does the future hold for Colt revolvers. Say you came upon some funds that would allow you to purchase a Python for $2500 today. Now, take $2500 and invest for 10 years at a crazy rate of 5%. At the end of 10 years, you will have $4,072. (2% interest gives $547 interest). Can you sell a Python for $4100 in 10 years? If so, who will have the extra money for such a luxury item? A $1600 profit that took 10 years to make could pay maybe 4 months of car payments? Guys, in general, guns are not a good investment and no way would I sell 2 vintage S&W's to fund an overpriced Colt (or anything else).

 

[moralem]

I know I asked this question to perhaps a biased group, but each of your responses has been measured and balanced and has helped me make a more rational evaluation of my situation. I know that guns come and go but I also recognize that I am an accumulator as opposed to a collector and I assign too much emotional attachment to objects. A true collector in my mind goes about the buying and selling of guns with a purpose and methods in mind in terms of what they are wanting to accomplish. I accumulate based on the emotional attraction I have to these guns and the Python is just such a good looking gun and iconic. But I think that I am going to keep what I have for now and work to acquire a python at perhaps a later date. There are just some many other guns out there that I would like to have. And for the record the seller was asking 1800 for the Python.......he does have a nice nickel detective special from the mid sixties that caught my eye while I was checking out the Python that just may satisfy my itch for a Colt in the stable.

 

[BigBill]

Never sell guns to get one gun. Only save, layaway, buy.

 

[smithman 10]

Crazy?

In a word, yes. Breathe deeply, the urge to have the silly, overvalued snake gun will pass!

 

[bigggbbruce]

I can always buy back into the 27 and 29 a bit later and one at a time to make it easier on the finances. And the rate of increase on the 27 and 29 are no where near the Pythons. So should I sell off or? Thanks for the feedback.

You are wrong...

Used Smiths are gaining traction because of the overpriced Colts..

I've owned Pythons and prefer a properly tuned Smith.

Save your money for more Smiths..

 

[arjay]

Sold my Python a year ago,couldn't resist a 300 % return.Its value has stayed flat or maybe dropped a bit since then.The values plateaued for a year or two when I first bought it and then they took off,but who really knows if that will happen again.Wasnt it buffet who said to sell when everyone else is buying?

 

[gwpercle]

The high prices are not going to last. I would keep my S&W's.
As soon as the bottom falls out , you will have a gun you paid way too much for. I see regretting this deal.

 

[flagman1776]

I greatly regret trading some really nice S&Ws. I'll be run out of town on a rail if I post what I let go. I can never replace them... I think you should raise the money some other way as choice S&Ws are appreciating like crazy.

 

[one eye joe]

LIFE IS TOO SHORT, NOT TO OWN A PYTHON ! ! ! THE ITCH WILL NOT GO AWAY UNTIL YOU OWN ONE. DO NOT BUY ONE THAT HAS NOT BEEN FIRED, BECUSE YOU WILL NEVER FIRE IT EITHER---UNLESS YOU TAKE LEAVE OF YOUR SENSES. LOOK FOR A CLEAN SHOOTER. UNLIKE THE S&W DASH NUMBERS, THE VINTAGE IS NOT VERY CRITICAL. I'VE OWNED A LOT OF THEM, AND STILL OWN A COUPLE--INCLUDING THE LAST ISSUE 4" PYTHON ELITE IN BRIGHT STAINLESS, WITH A FACTORY COMBAT TRIGGER TUNE. THEY ARE ALL GREAT REVOLVERS…..

PERSONALLY, I WOULD TRADE THE 2 S&Ws TO ACQUIRE THE PYTHON, JUST TO GET SOME PEACE IN MY LIFE. ONCE YOU HAVE THAT OUT OF THE WAY, YOU CAN THEN GO ABOUT REPLACING THE TRADED GUNS, ONE AT A TIME, AT A LEISURELY PACE, IF YOU REALLY MISS THEM…...

 

[senecaap]

No, for three reasons.
1. The 27 and 29 are much better guns
2. The Smiths are upward trending, the Python really has not got much more room to go. Do you really believe, at the current rate it would be possible, that someday there would be price parity between a Python and a Holland & Holland?
3. The Python isn't even the best gun Colt ever made. Have you ever seen a New Service Shooting Master? Now that is a work of art.

 

[Ahab]

I have owned 3 Pythons over the years; I now own zero. It is a matter of personal preference but I don't miss them at all. I wouldn't briefly even consider selling a N frame to fund a Python. The Smith's have a far better double action trigger.

Yes, I believe this too.

 

[16thVACav]

Selling two Smiths to buy a Colt, is akin to selling two Corvettes to buy a Mustang.

 

[vinny77]

If you buy a Python now at top dollar do you really believe the past
rate of price increases will continue in the future? Keep your Smiths.

I believe it will...economics 101: supply and demand, and the digital age of marketing. couple of years from now someone will be looking at this thread and saying" that guy should have bought that python."
Collector and investment value is driving the market. I don't see that reversing itself. As far as trading two quality smiths for a python, I would go the cash route for the colt. Who knows, in a few years you could be trading that colt for 2 or 3 Smiths!

 

[foytfoyt]

I have nothing against buying any gun you want to be happy.

However, the one Python I tried did not have as nice of a double action trigger as my N-frames. It had a slight "bump" or two, and built up somewhat strangely in force. Maybe just vs what I'm used to?

One thing to consider:

When Colt comes through their current, and most recent bankruptcy, what happens to values if the new leaders decide to put the Python back into production?