I heard a pawn broker explain to a new clerk that the reason Colts cost so much more than S&Ws is because Elvis Presley owned and advocated Colts. I don't think he was kidding around.
Why do Colt snakes sell for so much more than comparable S&W's
- Thread starter Paul12644
- Start date
IIRC, Colts have always cost more than Smith & Wessons. Back in the day, early 80's, when I went to buy my first handgun, Pythons were about twice as much as a Model 19. Other Colts were more too, but not as much as a Python. That's why I bought a Model 19.
I bought a "shooter grade" Python for $800.00 a month or so ago, from a local dealer. It's got some finish wear, but is in good shape mechanically, and shoots just fine.
I bought a "shooter grade" Python for $800.00 a month or so ago, from a local dealer. It's got some finish wear, but is in good shape mechanically, and shoots just fine.
All I have to do is look inside a Colt and a Smith & Wesson. The S&W wins hands down in the engeering department.
doc540
Member
carried a dick for years
dreamboat double action
dreamboat double action
I bought my first Python in 1972 for $198, brand new. I still shoot it occasionally, and maintain it meticulously. It is a piece of art. Whenever, I have my 6" at the range, it always seems to attract attention. The out of the box action was and still is smoother than any Smith I own, but the ergonomics are not as good as any of my K,L,or N frame revolvers, and I have tried numerous grips and trigger shoes. As mentioned, there is no shortage of Pythons available, and the prices are interesting to say the least. I would not buy one at the current asking prices. I bought one last year at an auction for $725. It was a later vintage than my others, and I flipped it for $1250, which was always my intention. The sellers can ask outrageous prices, but the guns are only worth what a buyer (or a fool) is willing to pay. Good luck to all.
gagunner 2
US Veteran
Pythons aren't to only ones going for crazy prices. about three weeks ago,three 6" .22 Diamondbacks SOLD on GB.Two went for $1400 each,The other $1800.???????
Glad I bought mine 25-30 years ago for $200.
Glad I bought mine 25-30 years ago for $200.
Colt prices are insane, but if you're selective you can find some good deals. Last November (2011) I picked up a beautiful pre-WWII Colt Officer Model Target (.38 Special) with the 6" heavy tapered barrel for $500.00. Two weeks later I then picked up an equally nice .38 Spl Colt Trooper w/4" barrel (mfd. 1960) for $375.00!
Why? Because everybody wants Pythons, .357 Magnums, Diamondbacks, 1911's, Woodsman and Single Action Army. You can still get Official Police, Pocket Postive and Police Positive and Detective Specials for a pretty reasonable price. You'll probably pay a bit more than the equivlant S&W versions, but you can find bargains. Don't be afraid to shop around.
Why? Because everybody wants Pythons, .357 Magnums, Diamondbacks, 1911's, Woodsman and Single Action Army. You can still get Official Police, Pocket Postive and Police Positive and Detective Specials for a pretty reasonable price. You'll probably pay a bit more than the equivlant S&W versions, but you can find bargains. Don't be afraid to shop around.
I think that many gun owners and prospective buyers tend to rate guns
by their subjective reaction to things like fit, finish and especially the
smoothness of the action and trigger pull. Things like durability and
design and engineering features are largely ignored. They assume
beauty equals quality and goodness. Same mistake we often make
when looking at women, hee hee, couldn't resist that. I once asked
a friend who was an FFL holder what kind of extractor the bolt of
his CZ .223 rifle he was bragging on had and he had no clue. Another
friend was telling me about his most recent successful deer hunting
trip with the 30-06 bolt action rifle he had inherited from his grand
pa. He had taken a deer with it for several years in a row. I asked
him what brand the gun and scope were and he knew neither.
Amazing! The snake names and highly polished finish counts for
a lot of appeal to some buyers for sure. I do own a few Colts but
they're just shooter grade.
by their subjective reaction to things like fit, finish and especially the
smoothness of the action and trigger pull. Things like durability and
design and engineering features are largely ignored. They assume
beauty equals quality and goodness. Same mistake we often make
when looking at women, hee hee, couldn't resist that. I once asked
a friend who was an FFL holder what kind of extractor the bolt of
his CZ .223 rifle he was bragging on had and he had no clue. Another
friend was telling me about his most recent successful deer hunting
trip with the 30-06 bolt action rifle he had inherited from his grand
pa. He had taken a deer with it for several years in a row. I asked
him what brand the gun and scope were and he knew neither.
Amazing! The snake names and highly polished finish counts for
a lot of appeal to some buyers for sure. I do own a few Colts but
they're just shooter grade.
Bob R
US Veteran
Is there really a S&W that is comparable to a Colt Python (snake)?
bob
Is there really a S&W that is comparable to a Colt Python (snake)?
bob
Well, I'd put them about the same, really.
27-2.
Python
Not really a direct comparison, the Python is more akin to the L frame Smith than the N, but I've never really cared for the L's for some reason.
The Python has more wear than the 27 and grips need to be refinished...maybe...I haven't decided if I'm going to or not. When I got it I was thinking I'd send it back to Colt for refinishing but after cleaning it up, it looked better than it did at the LGS.
One shoots about the same as the other, at least in my hands.
sub-moa
US Veteran
Is there really a S&W that is comparable to a Colt Python (snake)?
bob
Dumping gas on a fire just might cause a flame or two
I've owned Pythons since the early 70s and I like their looks
and fit better then any 357 S&W,HOWEVER, when I used to
shoot a lot-- the Pythons can quickly go out of time and some
were out of time right out of the box,never had that with a
S&W, Pete
and fit better then any 357 S&W,HOWEVER, when I used to
shoot a lot-- the Pythons can quickly go out of time and some
were out of time right out of the box,never had that with a
S&W, Pete
Bill Bates
Member
I think Python/snake gun prices have gone nuts because people that collect them have cylinders that turn the wrong direction. ;^)
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Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
As noted, supply and demand. Colt has been out of the DA revolver business for a long time, now. Prices are ridiculous. A nice Python will sell for $1500 easy... and yet Colt can't make a new one and turn a profit on it.
Often debated as to which is best, most shooters prefer the S&W trigger. I have no preference. I believe the Python to be the best finished production revolver ever made. I love my 27s but the Python is nicer.
I paid $300 for the 6" Colt in the late 1980s. The 4" was bagged about 6 years ago for $600. Either would now sell for $1,500 or more. I have a 4" nickel Python that was refinished (has visible flaws) that I got for $300 a few years ago and I am told it would still bring a grand or more. Amazing.
Often debated as to which is best, most shooters prefer the S&W trigger. I have no preference. I believe the Python to be the best finished production revolver ever made. I love my 27s but the Python is nicer.
I paid $300 for the 6" Colt in the late 1980s. The 4" was bagged about 6 years ago for $600. Either would now sell for $1,500 or more. I have a 4" nickel Python that was refinished (has visible flaws) that I got for $300 a few years ago and I am told it would still bring a grand or more. Amazing.
blaiwayw
Member
I enjoy totally disassembling my Colt and Smith revolvers. The internals of the Colt are much more complicated. I've heard it said that Colt's lose timing and are more prone to failure than the Smith action. I haven't found that to be true. I like the final cylinder lockup on the Colt, which seems to speak to quality. Here are some pics of my shooter grade Smith's and Colts in .22 and .38. All 50's vintage, except the Colt in .22 that's late 30's I think. Value wise, I think it's a wash.
Smith357
US Veteran
The law of supply and demand, with a relativity high demand for both, more S&Ws = lower cost, Fewer Colts = higher cost.
Except that doesn't quite square with what was brought up in post #19 - there's some perception other than scarcity that's driving the current "snake" gun pricing, which in any case may be approaching a level that's creating market resistance.
re: value differences
Here's another perspective. I was looking through an old gun digest the other day...mid '60's, I think. Anyway, I looked up three pistols; a Colt .38 Super, a Browning HP, and an S&W 39.
All three were within $5 of each other...all around $100. Today, in as new condition, the Super and the BHP will bring close to $1500, yet you'd be VERY lucky to get half that for the 39. It seems to me that the only S&W models that really hang on to their value are ultra rare models like a Mod. 53 .22 Jet, or "N" frame models. Thoughts?
Here's another perspective. I was looking through an old gun digest the other day...mid '60's, I think. Anyway, I looked up three pistols; a Colt .38 Super, a Browning HP, and an S&W 39.
All three were within $5 of each other...all around $100. Today, in as new condition, the Super and the BHP will bring close to $1500, yet you'd be VERY lucky to get half that for the 39. It seems to me that the only S&W models that really hang on to their value are ultra rare models like a Mod. 53 .22 Jet, or "N" frame models. Thoughts?
