Colt Python 1970 - I don’t get it

[Grimjaws]

So out of the blue my local FFL calls me and says you interested in an old revolver?

Heck yeah!

Story is this guy bought this revolver back in 1970, shot it once, cleaned it and oiled it and kept it in the safe. He wants to sell it to someone who will appreciate it and shoot it and not flip it.
Luckily my FFL knows I’m an old school revolver guy as I have gotten some great deals from him over the years
LNIB 15-4 Nickel for $400
Pristine 66-1 2.5” for $600
And others

So he shows me a 1970 4” Blue Colt Python. Rates it 98%

Guy whose selling says he knows these go for big bucks online but wants to deal for the person who will appreciate it

So I ask how much?

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

YIKES

So much for the willing to deal part

No thanks

I have a blue well worn 19-3 with Herrett grips I got a few months back for a heck of deal at a gun show for $350
So spending that kind of money for another 4” blue .357 just doesn’t make sense

I knew they were expensive and I was thinking he would offer it for lower but a pipe dream on my part.

What makes these old Pythons so expensive?

 

[Oldsalt66]

Folks will pay a lot for classic and iconic, items that aren’t being produced anymore, the new products notwithstanding.

 

[hittman77]

Five years ago that was a $2000 - $2500 gun all day every day.

Times have changed.

Honestly, I don’t know what its worth in todays market but not much surprises me any more.

 

[KalamazooKid]

That’s a bit high but if as described with box etc, $3000 is not unusual at all. I have a couple of them and watch the prices regularly.

 

[outta_ammo]

Your average (i.e. not a dog, but not pristine) Python has a median value of $2,338 at auction these days, and tops out at $4,299 unless we're talking rare versions, which can easily sell for well into five figures.

Based on the vintage and the description, I think the seller's price range is in very reasonable territory.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I have one from the Colt custom shop that my wife gave Christmas of 1980. A $480.00 gun........For my current use that's about what it's worth now. In the early years when I shot regularly it went out of time twice. Both times I had to peen the hand(make the top fork longer-There are 2, an upper and lower fork) on my vice to get it back in time.
Knowing one Colt collector very well. I find most of them are fondlers and talkers instead of dedicated shooters. Therefore the python sleeps in the dark and my Smith's see the sunshine and get shot..........BTW In over 50 years of owning and shooting Smiths. Never-Ever has one gotten out of time.

 

[sodacan]

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.

 

[rockquarry]

So out of the blue my local FFL calls me and says you interested in an old revolver?

Heck yeah!

Story is this guy bought this revolver back in 1970, shot it once, cleaned it and oiled it and kept it in the safe. He wants to sell it to someone who will appreciate it and shoot it and not flip it.
Luckily my FFL knows I’m an old school revolver guy as I have gotten some great deals from him over the years
LNIB 15-4 Nickel for $400
Pristine 66-1 2.5” for $600
And others

So he shows me a 1970 4” Blue Colt Python. Rates it 98%

Guy whose selling says he knows these go for big bucks online but wants to deal for the person who will appreciate it

So I ask how much?

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

YIKES

So much for the willing to deal part

No thanks

I have a blue well worn 19-3 with Herrett grips I got a few months back for a heck of deal at a gun show for $350
So spending that kind of money for another 4” blue .357 just doesn’t make sense

I knew they were expensive and I was thinking he would offer it for lower but a pipe dream on my part.

What makes these old Pythons so expensive?

I don't know what makes them so expensive. I've had two for many years. Good shooters, but no better than other revolvers in their class, be they Colt or S&W and I've had a fair number of each. People want what's not made now and apparently the newer Pythons just don't satisfy the urge like the originals.

Maybe its the fondlers and waxers rather than the shooters that drive the prices up.

 

[Eric300]

If it was NIB with all original paperwork, unfired, unturned, then maybe somewhere around $2800-$3200. Yeah, I don't get it either.

 

[eb07]

I don't get the python either. Give me a 357 k or n frame all day long.

 

[dmar]

That’s pretty high, if it were me, I’d pass.

But, with Colts, you never really pay too much, you just may pay too early…. In other words, that high price will catch up to the value before too late long…!

 

[ken158]

When the new Python was introduced I believe the old Python values took a big hit. I see a lot of nice old Pythons at gun shows and none ever sell over the low to mid teens. I confess to buying a new one at a good price but would not pay the same $ for an older one.

 

[Jaymo]

I've always loved the Python. But, the L frame killed my lust for one.
After buying an early 586, I'd say get an old 586 instead.
The DA and SA pulls on mine are phenomenal.

 

[luvsmiths]

If this has box etc, it would Bring that and more on GB. (98%)

1969 Colt Started with letter prefixes with letter "E"

3500-4000 prob means it can be bought for 3500 for sure, and maybe less.

Again, if it has box and all, it is not high for these days at all, especially for 4 inch. I sold a 6 inch recently for 4100.00- 1969 year with brown box numbered to gun.

Don't ask ME why. I also sold 29s for 3000 that were mid 70s guns. Go figure.

 

[sodacan]

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.

Wanted to add that I am the original owner of a 1972, 6". I shoot it several times a year, and maintain it religiously. BTW, I paid list price for it--$198.00. You can save the jokes about selling it and doubling my money. I've heard them all. LOL.

 

[CH4]

When the new Python was introduced I believe the old Python values took a big hit. I see a lot of nice old Pythons at gun shows and none ever sell over the low to mid teens. I confess to buying a new one at a good price but would not pay the same $ for an older one.

Where are these gun shows?
Out west shooter Pythons run $2000+, nice ones run $2500 to $4000

 

[luvsmiths]

Wanted to add that I am the original owner of a 1972, 6". I shoot it several times a year, and maintain it religiously. BTW, I paid list price for it--$198.00. You can save the jokes about selling it and doubling my money. I've heard them all. LOL.

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

And THAT'S no joke!

 

[S-W4EVER]

I bought a 4” Colt Python back when they were affordable just to see what the big deal was and I was underwhelmed. While I have no plans to part with it I prefer my S&W 19-4.

 

[alwslate]

$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.

 

[stansdds]

Having owned and shot Pythons, S&Ws, Dan Wessons, and Rugers, I can say the Python is usually very accurate, maybe a little more than the average S&W or Ruger, but most DWs are equally accurate as the Python. As for trigger action, they are all different, but I can stage the S&W double action better than I can with the others. I see the Python as more of a status symbol, it's the Ferrari of revolvers. Beautiful to look at, handles well enough, but needs more care than a Corvette or Mustang.