Colt Python 1970 - I don’t get it

[lamarw]

You can take the same amount of money and buy a Manurhin MR73. It can be shot forever without an issue. It's design is derived from the French love for the S&W Model 19 but built to a higher standard of quality and durability. Just shell out $3,300.00 to Beretta and wait a long time for its arrival.

The Masterful Beretta Manurhin MR73 Revolver Hits the American Market – Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews

 

[jeffrefrig]

I would think just to make a few dollars I'd offer $3225. There's somebody out there that doesn't even know he wants to buy it off you for $4G or more...yet. A 50+ year old Python in that condition isn't a shooter. That's just trade bait for something (like more money.)

 

[Jack Flash]

It's all what a collector is willing to pay. Some accumulators / collectors go nuts over anything with the Colt logo.

Makes no sense to say "I can buy a Taurus that will do anything a Registered Magnum will do." It's not about performance.

 

[Protocall_Design]

FFL says the seller is willing to let it go for
3500-4000

YIKES

So much for the willing to deal part

No thanks

What makes these old Pythons so expensive?

Some sellers are greedy. Some buyers are dumb. I would rather buy 4 or 5 L frames for that kind of money.

 

[xfarfuldog]

These threads really bring out the Python haters. Prices are what they are. I have 2 older blue Pythons and several Smiths. Love them all. One of those Pythons was carried for well over 10 years . It still sits in my safe. I was my departments head firearms instructor as well as our basic police academy instructor.

After leaving, I worked at a private security academy and requalification school for many years. Many of my departments officers also carried Pythons. Never saw a single problem with any Pythons ever.

YMMV

 

[JohnRippert]

These threads really bring out the Python haters. Prices are what they are. I have 2 older blue Pythons and several Smiths. Love them all. One of those Pythons was carried for well over 10 years . It still sits in my safe. I was my departments head firearms instructor as well as our basic police academy instructor.

After leaving, I worked at a private security academy and requalification school for many years. Many of my departments officers also carried Pythons. Never saw a single problem with any Pythons ever.

YMMV

I don't hate them. In fact, when Starsky and Hutch came out I was in love with them. I grew up and never thought they were worth the prices they were commanding. (shrugs) I am perfectly happy sticking with my 19-2's.

 

[BE Mike]

You sound like someone who shoots his guns instead of collecting. Collectors pay big bucks for many things including art, autos, coins, stamps, etc. Most collectors are well-healed financially and that drives the market for collectables. People who use guns can get something that is useful, safe, reliable and accurate for thousands of dollars less than a collectable.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I was on the Colt forum awhile back, hardly ever go there, and ask the question. If I were looking for a Colt Anaconda (not a Python), would I be better off with a new one or an old one. Someone who had both told me for the money the new one was a better revolver.

Now if we apply that to the Python, it would appear with the introduction of the new Python, the old ones shouldn't have that much appeal anymore. I just checked the price on the new ones and it's half of the asking price on the one in the OP.

Which one would you buy?

 

[Grayfox]

Its because they are excellent guns and they don't make them anymore. Simple as that. As near as I can tell, the average Colt collector ain't hurtin' for money and are more than willing to spend it for what they want.
If anything, I believe the 2020 Python actually drove the price of the older guns up. Many folks prefer the original over the remake.
Its the same with all the snake guns. I have a 1975 6" Python and 4" .38 and 6" .22 Diamondbacks. Any of which I could sell for a very nice profit. I always wanted a .45 Colt Anaconda. I'd have to sell one of my kidneys to buy one now.

 

[DWalt]

Same reason the S&W Registered Magnum will sell for about the same amount. Snob Appeal.

You can buy a Colt 3-5-7 or a Colt .357 Trooper and get essentially the identical gun for much less than a Python. And there were not nearly as many of them made (especially the 3-5-7) as Pythons.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

$3500.00-4000.00 for a used Python? You’re not the only one who doesn’t get it. I wouldn’t trade my 27-2 even for a Python if I couldn’t sell it and had to keep it and use it.

Same here. I WOULD NOT trade my 3 1/2" mdl 27-2 for ANY python made yesterday or tomorrow.

 

[sodacan]

Have you heard the one where you can make over 2000% on your money?

And THAT'S no joke!

I have been offered some crazy money for it, but I couldn't replace it. I would trade it for a Registered Magnum. LOL

 

[xfarfuldog]

I don't consider myself a collector, maybe an accumulator. My old Python was purchased for $ 350 in about 1978. The second one about 4 years ago for $ 1500. I've also got multiple 66's in 2.5, 3, and 4 inch. Friends thought I was crazy paying $ 1,000 for a Lou Horton 66 three inch. Didn't even tell them what I paid for my Lou Horton 1/2 inch no dash with original box.

I sold a P220 ST yesterday. A 66-1 four inch today. Just not shooting that much anymore.

Edit: the 3 inch 66 is an Ashland Shooters Supply. The second Lou Horton mentioned is a 686.

 

[ladder13]

I’ll take a Lew Horton 3 inch Python for this, all day and 3x on Sunday.

 

[Sevens]

Being made in the hundreds of thousands, they're certainly not rare, and there are literally hundreds of them for sale on the various auction/sale sites. I've never really checked, but I wonder how many are actually sold.

You are correct -- and the real documented number of them (before the recent re-introduction) is around half a million produced.

 

[outta_ammo]

I wonder how many are actually sold.

Ther are currently 47 used no-reserve Pythons with bids just on GB.

Highest is currently at $3,925 with 8 days to go.

 

[CH4]

While some here think paying $3000+ for a Python is silly, there are many more folks who think paying $1500+ for a 3.5” 27, or $1000 for a 2.5” 19/66 is just as silly. Then there are those who will happily drop $3500-$5000 for a 1911 that’s still in production, but whine about the price of an early Python or uncommon Smith. It’s all a matter of personal preference and one’s ability to pay for them. I believe in diversity and own a sampling of many brands.

 

[n c rod]

At $4000.00. Good luck flipping.

 

[S&W59]

Colt 'snake guns' pricing of late has become insane. Driven by speculation and the fact Colt is now owned by CZ and no longer making revolvers of the same quality as the vintage Colts of the 1970's, the prices have gone beyond reason. That being said, their prices do not go down, only up. Neither S&W nor Colt modern production retro revolvers have the same look and feel nor performance of their vintage counterparts.

 

[CH4]

At $4000.00. Good luck flipping.

Seriously, folks who drop $4k for a Python aren’t buying it to flip.