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

[one eye joe]

Indeed......many opinions and all so well said. To sell will require effort on my part so I am less inclined to go that route. I will keep squirreling away and wait till I am financially prepared to outright acquire the Python. And I do have a Trooper MK III to hold me over.

IMHO, THIS IS THE BEST POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEM…...

 

[Officerblue]

Colt has made some fine revolvers over the years and the Python is one of them. If you want to get it you won't regret it... I love my Colt collection wouldn't trade it for the world.

 

[mike from st pete]

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

You certainly are.

 

[Tom_R]

If you want a Python because you think they're neat and just want to have one, then don't let us dissuade you. Go for it. But keep the Smiths. Unless of course you aren't really a shooter but more of a collector.

But, if you want a Python because it's supposed to be the most accurate revolver out there (as some would have you believe), there is a much better approach. Buy a Model 16 with a 6" barrel, have the cylinder rechambered to 38 Special using a tight match chamber, and have the barrel bored and rifled to .356" with a 1 in 14" twist. I did this Bullseye shooting and the results were outstanding. Using WW White Box 38 Special 148 grain Wadcutter, the gun shoots less than an inch at 25 yards and less than 1.5" at 50 yards, and all 6 chambers shoot to group. Hamilton Bowen did the work. Cost of the complete project is just about what a nice Python will set you back, but will provide you the durability and smooth action all of us Smith and Wesson shooter love and cherish so much. To quote from an old Bogey movie, "Pythons? We don't need no stinkin Pythons!"



Looks just like a Model 14 doesn't it?

Keith

Keith, I am not being snarky when I ask, I am just wondering why you didn't get a 586 instead.

 

[andyo5]

Have you shot a Python?
I feel that their trigger action is inferior to that of S&W revolvers.
Sure they look cool. The name and mystique. But I would not sell off guns that I like to get one.

 

[XAVMECH]

Are Snakes for the shooting?

Hmmm, I have a nice 4-inch 29-2 and a 3.5-inch 27-2. Probably wouldn't trade 'em, they're very nice guns - and I can shoot them with confidence. I owned a pristine Colt 4-inch Diamondback for many years, and shot it from time to time. Many of the Python owners that I've met were concerned about shooting them too much - whatever that means. But it always made me think that the Python might have been a better revolver to look at than to shoot. So, from a collector's perspective, it may be a good trade. On the other hand, if you're a shooter - it may not be the best move. I'd rather have my 586 snub than a Python of comparable barrel length..... But that's just me.

 

[manderson]

Yes, Pythons are nice (I used to own blued 4", 6" and 8" guns and only shot the 6") but I have to think they have reached the pinnacle of their price escalation

Ed

I just had to take a look. On GB there are nine pages of Pythons of which only eighteen have bids, and most of the bids have not met the reserve and they are not selling. None (or very few) of the Pythons on GB are selling. I believe the bubble has burst, but the sellers don't want to believe it.

 

[Tom_R]

I just had to take a look. On GB there are nine pages of Pythons of which only eighteen have bids, and most of the bids have not met the reserve and they are not selling. None (or very few) of the Pythons on GB are selling. I believe the bubble has burst, but the sellers don't want to believe it.

Any chance you noticed how many of those listings mentioned the Python as Legendary? The "Legendary" COLT Python is as tired a phrase as the "Venerable" 1911.

 

[AveragEd]

Wait - are you saying I was right about something? I gotta show this to my wife!

Ed

 

[rifmon]

Nope. Don't do it. I agree with the statements to save for one of these very nice revolvers.

The revolvers you have are themselves classics and collectible.

While I admit the Python is a coveted revolver, I like classic Smiths better. I do not like the action, the cylinder release or the grips of Colts as much as Smiths.

I handled a Python in a store once and remember thinking, "If I did not know this was a great revolver, I would not know it was a great revolver..."

Back in March, I was shooting at an indoor range and next to me was a proud Python owner. He was a very nice guy and offered to me that I shoot his Python a few times. I was shooting my CZ 75B for the first time that day and I was more interested in putting a few hundred rnds downrange to prove its reliability within my one hour range time but did not want to insult him.

So I shot it. Was it nice?? Yep! Was it three times a Smith in action and feel and accuracy? Nope. But it is a nice revolver as well as a holy grail gun no doubt! But if I had the choice right now between a new-to-me classic 27 or 28 vs a Python, I'd go with one of the Smiths!

 

[sodacan]

I own one Python which I bought brand new in 1972 for $198. I shoot it a lot and maintain it impeccably. I won't sell it, because I enjoy it, but it's better than money in the bank. In as much as I like the Colt, I would not be inclined to trade any of my older "N" frames for one, because even though they are easier to replace, I like them equally as much. I would have to really want the Colt badly to make that trade and add cash. Good luck.

 

[Jaymo]

I wouldn't sell two really nice guns to buy one really nice gun.

I'm a lifelong Colt fan. I'm a lifelong Python fan.
I also lusted after a Smith Model 52 since I was ten years old.
I finally found a 52 that I could afford (unfired, even) last year, at age 44.

The 52 killed my lust for a Python. Either would just be a target gun for me. For target shooting, I believe the 52 is vastly superior.

ETA:If I had a Model 16, I'd keep it in .32 cal. My 10s and 15s are far more accurate than I am. They handle the "very accurate .38 with a great action" chores very well.
My 586 handles the "very accurate .357 with a great action" chores as well as I can appreciate.

My 52 handles my "make my buddies' guns look like inaccurate junk" chores perfectly.

I'm not a gloating person, but the 52 makes me want to gloat.

 

[mgb223]

Just turned down a $5000 offer on my colt Python 2 1/2" bright stainless. Would trade my 2 2 1/2" fixed sight 629's for it!

 

[keithherrington]

Keith, I am not being snarky when I ask, I am just wondering why you didn't get a 586 instead.

Well, prior to this build I spent a lot of time trying to get an off the shelf 6" 586 to shoot accurately enough for serious Bullseye competition. Invariably, 4 or 5 chambers would shoot to group but one or two would not. I even got from a friend at the Performance Center an experimental 38 Special cylinder for the 586, but the improvement still was not sufficient. Finally, I found the 6" 586 too heavy when compared to my Model 17-6. I found the Model 16 I showed above to be the perfect combination of weight, balance, accuracy and action feel I wanted in a Bullseye revolver. It has won me a bunch of matches.

Keith

 

[DevilDog72]

ummmmmmmmmmmmm.................yup....... crazy idea........ take two asprin, get a good nights sleep.

and,,,,,,,,,,bight your tongue for even thinking of such a thing

 

[UncleEd]

Have you shot a Python?
I feel that their trigger action is inferior to that of S&W revolvers.
Sure they look cool. The name and mystique. But I would not sell off guns that I like to get one.

This sums it all up very nicely and in past decades I've owned a good number of Pythons so it's not likeI don't have experience with them. .

 

[Mehutch]

I was bitten by the Python too. Years and years ago I saw one for $600 bucks. I said, 'Hey that is just too much for any gun.' Silly me. I also sold my dream gun, a 4" blue 29, pinned barrel and recessed cylinder for another gun. I never replaced that 4" S&W 29. There are several guns that I still want, but with an outstanding stable to chose from at home, I am happy with what I have. At 63 years I have what I feel are the cream of my crop, but no cheery. I am okay with that.

 

[Fishslayer]

How many posts do you see that say "Sure am glad I sold that gun?"

How many "Sure am sorry I sold that gun?"

If I was wanting a Python I'd figure out something besides selling my S&Ws but that's just me.

 

[Retired W4]

Another "but that's just me". Speaking just of the aesthetics of the Python, I don't see it. Shot one in the late 60's and it shot OK. Not enough for me to buy one. My 58 felt and shot much better.

 

[Walky Talki]

Are you investing in the Python or sacrificing for the Python

It's better to be heavily invested than to of sacrificed. To sacrifice something means you will always feel like you lost a piece of yourself

Do these guns you're trading have sentimental value to you? At one point you'll want these guns back and you won't have that option, they will be the ones that you had but got away. Money is renewable, it'll always be around and it'll always be out there waiting for you to accumulate it. I would rather part with money for something I want then give up something that means something to me


Pythons were a mass-produced gun. When you are ready to get one the one that's right for you will be out there. Have patience