Colt .357 Magnum

[Capt. F.]

Years ago I had a 6” Python. Shot it for a while then sold it to my brother in law for $175. Made $25 on the deal.
I’ve regretted it every since.
A month ago I was offered this 1954 .357 Magnum, forerunner of the Python, for $650 along with a holster and 100 rounds of ammo. Gun is about 90-95% and action is smooth as silk.
Sorry for the lousy pic but got it the day after knee replacement surgery so I’m pretty much confined to the living room for the foreseeable future.

 

[moralem]

That is a great price and great gun.

 

[DWalt]

Did you buy it? Just from the picture showing a dull finish, I might be a little concerned that it has been refinished. Colt's standard finish for the .357 was the glossy bright blue, and also the muzzle would not be blued but left in the white in 1956. It is also unfortunate that it has service grips rather than the far more desirable Gen I full checkered target grips. Still, $650 would not be a bad buy.

 

[824tsv]

Colt 357 Model

It doesn't look like a refinish to me, but I remember reading that if the Colt 357 came with a target hammer as your's does then it was fitted with target stocks. I have one as well serial# 5354, also from 1954. Mine has a target hammer and target stocks.

 

[Capt. F.]

Did you buy it? Just from the picture showing a dull finish, I might be a little concerned that it has been refinished. Colt's standard finish for the .357 was the glossy bright blue, and also the muzzle would not be blued but left in the white in 1956. It is also unfortunate that it has service grips rather than the far more desirable Gen I full checkered target grips. Still, $650 would not be a bad buy.

Nah, not reblued. Just crummy photography in my living room.
I checked the 3 digit serial number on line and it shows a 1954 date. End of the barrel isn't blued as it should be for that date.
I actually like the service grips as I don't have big hands for a guy, they fit me better.
As soon as I'm under my own power without a walker I'm going to give it a whirl.
Probably the closest I'll ever get to another Python.

 

[Capt. F.]

It doesn't look like a refinish to me, but I remember reading that if the Colt 357 came with a target hammer as your's does then it was fitted with target stocks. I have one as well serial# 5354, also from 1954. Mine has a target hammer and target stocks.

How does yours shoot?

 

[824tsv]

It's just like a Python. Smooth as butter.

 

[Capt. F.]

It doesn't look like a refinish to me, but I remember reading that if the Colt 357 came with a target hammer as your's does then it was fitted with target stocks. I have one as well serial# 5354, also from 1954. Mine has a target hammer and target stocks.

How does yours shoot?

 

[moosedog]

No refinish. You can tell by the "Colt Horsey". I've had several of those and they are PREMIUM GUNS.
Good luck on the knee replacement, I've had one of those too. My Doctor said no driving and no stairs. That lasted one day.

 

[reddog81]

Nice deal. If you want a Colt to shoot the Python is about the worst value. The prices on them now have a 100% premium on them because they are supposedly "the best production .357 ever" and no longer being made. I take that gun any day over a Python that costs $1,000 more and does the same thing.

 

[Eddietruett]

I have a 6" that dates 1954. Not much finish left and real ugly target grips. Picked up in a pawn shop for $350. Locks up like a bank vault and action every bit as good as my Python. It is a great shooter! Very accurate.

 

[Capt. F.]

No refinish. You can tell by the "Colt Horsey". I've had several of those and they are PREMIUM GUNS.
Good luck on the knee replacement, I've had one of those too. My Doctor said no driving and no stairs. That lasted one day.

This one gives me a matched set of knees. However my wife takes what the doctors say seriously so she won't let me drive.

As far the Colt goes, I have a 3rd issue Woodsman and the bluing on the .357 is a carbon copy.
I know Colts are fragile in comparison to Smiths but that action sure is smooth. I'd forgotten that.

 

[italiansport]

I too have a Pre-Python 357 and I agree it's a much better value for the money then paying outrageous fees to own a Python. As others have stated; Smooth as butter and very accurate and of course you can shoot 38spls in it to boot.
Jim

 

[sodacan]

A great revolver. Is the finish two toned? On the very early ones, the cylinder flutes and the underside of the trigger guard had a matte finish. Also, the muzzle was left unblued and the front of the rear sight leaf was rounded instead of squared off. A three digit serial number would make it first year (1953) production. The target hammer and stocks were an option. That model with a six inch barrel is one of my grail guns. At $650, I'd be all over it, regardless of the barrel length.

 

[Texas Star]

This one gives me a matched set of knees. However my wife takes what the doctors say seriously so she won't let me drive.

As far the Colt goes, I have a 3rd issue Woodsman and the bluing on the .357 is a carbon copy.
I know Colts are fragile in comparison to Smiths but that action sure is smooth. I'd forgotten that.

Colts aren't fragile, except that the the timing wears a lot sooner than Ruger or S&W guns. And finding a good Colt revolver smith isn't easy today. Jim Clark told a friend of mine that he could re-time his Python and it'd probably need it again after 500-1,000 rounds!

I've owned a gun like yours and I've owned two Pythons. I read the stuff about Colts being more accurate, but haven't observed that in practice. My .357 (may have been the later one marked Trooper) was about like the S&W M-19 at 25 yards. These were four-inch barrels. My six-inch Pythons and S&W .357 and Highway Patrolman guns shot much better, all six bullets often cutting the same ragged hole, from the offhand shooting position at 25 yards, on bullseye targets.

Of course, if you can fire from the braced sitting position, accuracy is better. Anyone who can't get lethal hits on deer or javelina to at least 50 yards is no real handgunner!

 

[eveled]

Nice gun! Good luck with the knee. You are doing better than I am. This is as close to a python as I'll ever get. LOL.

 

[Capt. F.]

A great revolver. Is the finish two toned? On the very early ones, the cylinder flutes and the underside of the trigger guard had a matte finish. Also, the muzzle was left unblued and the front of the rear sight leaf was rounded instead of squared off. A three digit serial number would make it first year (1953) production. The target hammer and stocks were an option. That model with a six inch barrel is one of my grail guns. At $650, I'd be all over it, regardless of the barrel length.

Yes flutes, top strap, top and bottom of frame are matte. Rest is highly polished blue. Front of sight is rounded, also has a target hammer.

 

[Capt. F.]

Colts aren't fragile, except that the the timing wears a lot sooner than Ruger or S&W guns. And finding a good Colt revolver smith isn't easy today. Jim Clark told a friend of mine that he could re-time his Python and it'd probably need it again after 500-1,000 rounds!

I've owned a gun like yours and I've owned two Pythons. I read the stuff about Colts being more accurate, but haven't observed that in practice. My .357 (may have been the later one marked Trooper) was about like the S&W M-19 at 25 yards. These were four-inch barrels. My six-inch Pythons and S&W .357 and Highway Patrolman guns shot much better, all six bullets often cutting the same ragged hole, from the offhand shooting position at 25 yards, on bullseye targets.

Of course, if you can fire from the braced sitting position, accuracy is better. Anyone who can't get lethal hits on deer or javelina to at least 50 yards is no real handgunner!

Animals are safe with me whether I could shoot or not. I quit hunting in 1995 after I shot an 8 pointer that dressed in at 185 with a .44 Magnum. Got soft hearted in my old age and figured this was a good time to quit.
I doubt I’ll ever shoot anywhere near 500 rounds through the Colt so pretty safe to say my son will get a gun still perfectly timed.

 

[824tsv]

Capt. F.
You can read about the production history of the Colt 357 Model by clicking the link.

The 357 Model

 

[Capt. F.]

Capt. F.
You can read about the production history of the Colt 357 Model by clicking the link.

The 357 Model

Thanks!
Interesting read. Do get me wrong, love my Smiths but think I’ll enjoy the Colt. Thanks to all for the info.
Forrest