sigp220.45
US Veteran
There are a couple of minor differences, but it sure looks Pythony. I hope the price leaks soon.
I’m sure the naysayers are looking for nits to pick.
I’m sure the naysayers are looking for nits to pick.
New Colt Python for January 2020?
- Thread starter The Norseman
- Start date
GTBL, thank you for the clear picture of the 2020 Python, from that thumbnail, it is pretty and looking at the top of the trigger guard, you can see the lineage to the newer Colt revolvers.
I think that the Python was always a pretty revolver, but I can still hear the words of my old time gunsmith telling me that a Colt won't hold a good trigger like a Smith. Honestly, there are very few 'smiths left that I would trust any of my guns to if they needed work. In the late '90s I wanted a Diamondback, and Bill tried to sell me on a Highway Patrolman, I ended up getting the price I wanted on a Trooper MkIII. As much as I am a Smith shooter, I still long for a Diamondback, and a Python just wouldn't do.
On the newer Colt revolvers (from pictures) the trigger geometry looks longer to me. I envision a long action with MIM parts comparable to what you found on the old MkIIIs. Those parts just can't be stoned like the old parts we are fond of. Good triggers may require the replacement of all the internals in the hopes of getting a good trigger.
Honestly, I applaud Colt for trying to resurrect the revolver line, because even the Smith revolver aficionados will end up on the winning end, because it will encourage competition and in that arena, the consumer usually wins! If Colt comes out with an appealing revolver, will I buy it? Probably not, unless it comes with an attractive price tag and an extended layaway plan! Meanwhile, I will still keep looking for a Diamondback!
I think that the Python was always a pretty revolver, but I can still hear the words of my old time gunsmith telling me that a Colt won't hold a good trigger like a Smith. Honestly, there are very few 'smiths left that I would trust any of my guns to if they needed work. In the late '90s I wanted a Diamondback, and Bill tried to sell me on a Highway Patrolman, I ended up getting the price I wanted on a Trooper MkIII. As much as I am a Smith shooter, I still long for a Diamondback, and a Python just wouldn't do.
On the newer Colt revolvers (from pictures) the trigger geometry looks longer to me. I envision a long action with MIM parts comparable to what you found on the old MkIIIs. Those parts just can't be stoned like the old parts we are fond of. Good triggers may require the replacement of all the internals in the hopes of getting a good trigger.
Honestly, I applaud Colt for trying to resurrect the revolver line, because even the Smith revolver aficionados will end up on the winning end, because it will encourage competition and in that arena, the consumer usually wins! If Colt comes out with an appealing revolver, will I buy it? Probably not, unless it comes with an attractive price tag and an extended layaway plan! Meanwhile, I will still keep looking for a Diamondback!
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UncleEd
Member
Old Python, new Python.
But as I see it, Colt has to do a really
good sales job with the new Python,
pointing convincingly its worth and
dare I say improvements mechanically
over the older model.
When all is said and done, from a practical
point of view, Colt has to prove it has a worthy
competitor in its NEW Python. It can't
claim that it has resurrected the old Python.
But as I see it, Colt has to do a really
good sales job with the new Python,
pointing convincingly its worth and
dare I say improvements mechanically
over the older model.
When all is said and done, from a practical
point of view, Colt has to prove it has a worthy
competitor in its NEW Python. It can't
claim that it has resurrected the old Python.
It's good that they're bringing out a new iteration of the Python. Given what I've read about the other new Colts, my 1979 Python should be going up in value.
How do you know what he paid for it? Maybe some old widower woman from his church sold it to him because he was her dear departed husbands best friend. I know that's a stretch but stranger things have happened. Heck, I've had people give me guns and wouldn't take any money for them when I offered. I've given a few away myself. Not everything comes with a price.
Seems I may have run across some bad intel, gang. Apologies in advance.
The new Python looks solid. The frame behind the cylinder looks to me a little more like an L-frame Smith in some ways. Overall I like it. I don’t really care for the laminated (i.e. fancy plywood) grips, but so long as it takes standard Python grips, it should be an easy matter to swap them.
Looks like the NEW Colt’s Model Revolving Holster Pistol of Magnum Caliber is set to be a sure winner. I imagine they’ll be out of stock and constantly sold out for months or years. Maybe some day, once the Walking Dead fanatics have sold there’s to pay for some new cosplay props, I’ll pick one up.
The new Python looks solid. The frame behind the cylinder looks to me a little more like an L-frame Smith in some ways. Overall I like it. I don’t really care for the laminated (i.e. fancy plywood) grips, but so long as it takes standard Python grips, it should be an easy matter to swap them.
Looks like the NEW Colt’s Model Revolving Holster Pistol of Magnum Caliber is set to be a sure winner. I imagine they’ll be out of stock and constantly sold out for months or years. Maybe some day, once the Walking Dead fanatics have sold there’s to pay for some new cosplay props, I’ll pick one up.
I actually kind of like the grips—they look interesting. I look forward to seeing one in person. Thanks for your follow-up.
Once again Colt's is "thinking big." Let's say they make and sell 10,000 guns @ $2400 and another 500 "collectors" for $2800. That's a shade over $25 million. Last I heard (a long time ago) UAW wages, benefits in Connecticut were about $75/hr. 50 workers= $7,800,000 yr + materials and facilities. Might be doable. Woulda been more doable if'n they built out the factory Osceola County gave them 10 years ago with a skilled (think recently unemployed aerospace) workforce @ maybe $30/hr. When I see product I will be convinced. Joe
I seriously doubt that. Anyone that REALLY shoots a Pyhton instead of locking it away and bragging on it knows better. It doesn't take a whole lot of rounds to get out of time. The second leg on the hand will push the cyl into lockup when you pull the trigger when the timing goes bad. Mine has gone out of time twice. Both times I removed the hand and stretched (peened the sides) to bring it back into time. 50 years with S&W and I've never had to do that.
sigp220.45
US Veteran
I’ve owned three Pythons and a ton of other Colt revolvers. I’ve been hearing the “Colts get out of time” line for decades.
Usually someone will demonstrate this awful affliction by very slooooooooowly bringing back the hammer to full cock, then triumphantly nudging the cylinder into place with a little click.
I say - cock it normally. Oops, it locked up
Or I’d say - pull the trigger and hold it back. Now nudge the cylinder. Ooops, its solid as a bank vault.
I’ve never had a Colt revolver actually be out of time when used as its meant to be used. I just bought a 120 year old New Service that has seen plenty of use and it is still perfectly timed. Part of the design is for the hand to shove everything into place if required when the trigger is pulled.
I’m happy this internet wisdom is out there, though. Leaves more Colts for me.
Usually someone will demonstrate this awful affliction by very slooooooooowly bringing back the hammer to full cock, then triumphantly nudging the cylinder into place with a little click.
I say - cock it normally. Oops, it locked up
Or I’d say - pull the trigger and hold it back. Now nudge the cylinder. Ooops, its solid as a bank vault.
I’ve never had a Colt revolver actually be out of time when used as its meant to be used. I just bought a 120 year old New Service that has seen plenty of use and it is still perfectly timed. Part of the design is for the hand to shove everything into place if required when the trigger is pulled.
I’m happy this internet wisdom is out there, though. Leaves more Colts for me.
UncleEd
Member
The "out of time" reports usually followed
vigorous and constant double action
shooting.
The empirical evidence suggests Smith & Wesson
and Ruger revolvers handle double action "fast
and furious" shooting much better than Pythons.
It seems the Colt Python's method of lockup wears faster.
My experience mirrors that of Mike, SC Hunter that
the Python hand needs stretching (peening) to
restore its timing, at least for a short time.
Grant Cunningham, known as a revolver gunsmith,
explains in an article about the Colt Python
hand and how it wears and must be replaced
on a regular basis for the gun to stay in time.
The NEW PYTHON, I expect, addresses that
timing situation with the hand and Colt might well
have redesigned the gun just enough to
act like a SMITH.
vigorous and constant double action
shooting.
The empirical evidence suggests Smith & Wesson
and Ruger revolvers handle double action "fast
and furious" shooting much better than Pythons.
It seems the Colt Python's method of lockup wears faster.
My experience mirrors that of Mike, SC Hunter that
the Python hand needs stretching (peening) to
restore its timing, at least for a short time.
Grant Cunningham, known as a revolver gunsmith,
explains in an article about the Colt Python
hand and how it wears and must be replaced
on a regular basis for the gun to stay in time.
The NEW PYTHON, I expect, addresses that
timing situation with the hand and Colt might well
have redesigned the gun just enough to
act like a SMITH.
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So Colt is reintroducing the Python? That's nice. I expect it will have zero effect on the value of older Pythons, just like the current S&W revolvers have had on previous S&W revolvers. I would expect the new Python to make extensive use of MIM parts and to be CNC machined so that it can be easily assembled instead of hand fitted.
FERTILIZER...........You probably don't shoot 100's to 1000's of rounds out of yours either. And why should one have to cock it like pumping a jack handle to get it to lock when cocked?
Bullseye 2620
Member
jag312
Member
We went through this once before with the Colt Single Actions. Colt stopped making them for WW2. Then started making them again in 1955. I'm not old enough to know if there were any complaints about the quality of the new Colts back in 1955. I do know that if you compare the new Colt Single Actions to the pre-war ones, there are a lot of small details or short cuts that Colt did. We can expect the same withe the Pythons.
sigp220.45
US Veteran
Haha! Keep it up, and I’ll keep buying those “out of time” Colts!
UncleEd
Member
And let us give this gentleman a hand, a bag
full of hands, Colt Python cylinder hands!
(Sorry, couldn't resist.
)
Who would have thought a Colt Python thread would stir up more arguing than a discussion of politics or religion!? And on the S&W forum to boot where we all know one 586/686 is better than 10 Pythons.
OP
The Norseman
Member
Interesting....with all the new vs. old, CNC vs. handfitting, there was only one passing reference to USFA. Their "Premium" SAA combined CNC with handfitting, using best quality materials like bar stock and tool steel, combined with gorgeous color casehardening. They proved a modern manufacturer could take a classic design and build it to the level of a custom gun for a reasonable (albeit not cheap) price.
Management had other plans, though, and USFA is finished.
But, I digress..... back to Colt.
Colt doesn't care about the private civilian market. They've neglected it for decades.
Ever try getting parts or service once they discontinue a gun? Forget it!
They are in financial trouble (yet again) because of thinning gov't contracts.
If they ever get those back at some time they will likely discontinue the bulk of their consumer products (again) and drop the ball regarding spare parts and customer service (again).
With that in mind, whatever shape or form a new Python takes is a moot point.
Management had other plans, though, and USFA is finished.
But, I digress..... back to Colt.
Colt doesn't care about the private civilian market. They've neglected it for decades.
Ever try getting parts or service once they discontinue a gun? Forget it!
They are in financial trouble (yet again) because of thinning gov't contracts.
If they ever get those back at some time they will likely discontinue the bulk of their consumer products (again) and drop the ball regarding spare parts and customer service (again).
With that in mind, whatever shape or form a new Python takes is a moot point.
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