Colt Python prices..wow...

[Breakaway500]

I was perusing on the dark side this morning (because I came across a very nice 1924 Police Positive 6" .38 revolver for sale locally for easy money) and read a few threads on various values of Colts..one was a Python..and I have to say...wow. Granted,this particular Python was a 1956 model,99% condition all matching,in the original matching box,with a factory letter..but still...sold for $12K? Wow. The few "snake" guns I have owned went right back on the market as I didn't care for them vs. my S&Ws. I have some older Colts in the cabinet,and this 1924 PP would be my newest. Not always a bad thing to have some of the "other" makes in the collection.

 

[HARDWARE]

i realize theyre not making any more. but there is no shortage of pythons. a typical 70's python changes hands for in excess of 3K these days.

i know a local shop that must have about 15 on the shelf at this time.

 

[dmar]

That's a ton of money, but I'm really not surprised, as those early Pythons are very sought after. A 1956, in that condition, with box and letter = gold! I believe Pythons were first manufactured in 1955, same year as the Model 29...

As for the dark side, a lot of us love our Colts around here. I may have more Colt revolvers than S&W, but I'd have to check... Love my Pythons, awesome guns, but I'm not about to buy one for $12K!! I would, however, sell one for $75k...

 

[Breakaway500]

I'm not really a brand snob when it comes to anything(cars,bikes,guns,knives etc) however, my first hand experiences with "modern" Colts have been..unsatisfactory..so I tend not to look at acquiring them. However, I am willing to try one from pre WW2, just for giggles. If it doesn't work out..they always seem to sell.

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...I'd like to find a nice prewar Officer's Model...the best of Colt...without all the bling factor and hype of the Python...

 

[chud333]

My gun safe has several from that other manufacturer.
They all get shot and they all perform well.
I'm not a gun snob either, (by brand). If they look nice
and shoot well then i am on board.
I have one Python at the moment, a Trooper, and several SAA's.
They do the job that they were designed to do.
I'll let the market determine their value to others.
The Colt collectors do Love those early Pythons.


Chuck

 

[bigggbbruce]

About a year ago I took a 150 mile ride to go pick up a SS Python that I sold that afternoon at a 100% return on my investment. I'd do that again in a heartbeat.

 

[steamloco76]

Python and any other Colt with the snake names are bringing silly high prices everywhere. My LGS has a waiting list for Pythons, when he buys one it never hits the display case.
I owned and eight inch, blued with Colt rubber grips from 1990 until 1993. Bought for $400 OTD. I added Hogue wood and sold it to my neighbor for $750 when I needed a new camera for my job. The LGS just sold a Python like mine for $2800.
Two Colt's still reside in my safe, a very good condition 1975 7.5 inch Colt New Frontier Buntline .22LR/.22WMR and a former Cop's 6 inch heavy barrel Official Police .38 Spl dating to 1954. The OP has a ton of holster wear, but it's in perfect mechanical shape and shoots just fine. The action is nearly as smooth as a Python for one heck of a lot less greenbacks.

 

[DWalt]

The immediate predecessor to the Python was the Colt ".357." It was Colt's first venture into the .357 Magnum market. Pretty much identical to the Colt Python and built on exactly the same frame but with a plain barrel. Not very many of them were made, but those out there can usually be found at a considerably lower price, often in the $1000 range, depending upon condition. Some say the ".357" was not as well made or finished as the later Python. To which I say pure BS. They are every bit as good in every respect.

 

[kip595]

I'd agree with DWalt; every 3-5-7 I've handled has been a joy of craftsmanship. My only current revolver with the Pony is a 40s O.P. that is indeed a joy to shoot.

I enjoy both sides of the S&W/Colt coin, but although a Python might be nice, I've yet to encounter one I was willing to drop that many greenbacks on. Came close a few months ago, but the seller and I were just so many C-notes apart and couldn't bridge the divide so to speak.

Sort of like the old saying, for now I'll stick mostly to my Colt autos and S&W wheelguns.

 

[apollo99]

They Python still has that "it" factor. On the Colt Forum there is talk of Colt reproducing the Python, similar to they Cobra they just came out with. While it probably won't be the same fit and finish as the original and the action may be different, it may be a home run for Colt if the quality and price point are where they need to be. We have to just wait and see.

 

[DWalt]

Colt dropped the ".357" when they came out with the Python, as they felt that they did not need two different "Top-of-the-line" .357 revolvers and chose to keep the Python. Later, Colt did bring out the .357 "Trooper" line, much the same as the original ".357" but with a (slightly) lesser quality finish, targeted more toward the Law Enforcement market. Very similar to the difference between the S&W Models 27 and 28. I have one of each (a ".357" 6" and a .357 Trooper 4") and consider both of them as contenders for being my favorite revolver. If it came down to being able to own only one revolver, it would be a very tough decision for me to choose between those two.

 

[HARDWARE]

i had one years ago and it was fantastic. i'd buy one today if i really wanted it.... but for that kind of money there are other things that interest me much more.

 

[Voyager28]

Well, I'm not a collector and every revolver I buy is for one thing, to shoot. In my life I have owned a few Colts including a Python and a Diamondback. Frankly, I did not care for them. It wasn't the quality, it was the geometry. The shape of the grips just never felt ....... "right" in my hand.

for those that like them, great, more power to you. As for me, I'll stick with my Smittys.

Bob

 

[HARDWARE]

never understood why they made such a refined revolver and put grips on em that look like plywood

 

[Sconnie]

The Cabela's up near Madison, WI must have bought someone's collection. Several cases with Colt snake revolvers and semi autos too I think. Beautiful guns that to me looked unfired or at least very well cared for. Not a collector of any brand myself but they are fine looking guns. I couldn't tell you the prices exactly because I was more interested in looking at the guns. I do know the prices were waaaaay above my budget. And I have what I want with the S&W logo on them.

I always think of my dad when I think Colt. He worked for a company that was part of the Colt Industries family. At one point he asked me if I had any interest in any Colts saying he might have the ability to get a discount. We are talking the early 1980's. I was new on the PD and we carried Smith model 19's so I told him no. Just getting started about that time and even at a discount I couldn't justify laying out the cash for something that wasn't a necessity. Ah well, woulda coulda shoulda...

 

[gen3guy]

Proof that 'wanting' is different from 'having'. Yes, they are great guns but I'd rather have 4 or 5 Model 27-2 shooters.

 

[Xfuzz]

Became interested in handguns in 1972.
Carried S&W's mostly since.
LOVE Colt SAA's and 1911's but always somewhat concerned
with the Colt DA revolver mechanics.

Smooth actions were nice but did not like the
they "stacked" in double action.
Seems a great percentage I found on a show table or pawn
shop were out of time...some a little some a lot.

I have acquired 2-3 Colt DA's the last year or so
all brought crazy prices.
Give me a S&W model 27 any day over the Colt DA.

 

[moosedog]

I've owned maybe a half dozen Pythons over the years and still have a six inch nickel. Nice guns for sure, but much weaker clock work that a N or even K frame 357. I've had several go out of time. Never has an S&W gone out of time on me.

 

[Toblerra]

Ya know I have always wanted a Python, 4" blued and that was before TWD came out which I believe is at least partly to blame for its popularity and inflated price. Personally it was because I heard that it was a chosen favorite of tunnel rats in Vietnam, not even sure if that's true or not.

Then I bought a no dash 586, same basic style and much more affordable. Since then I've bought three Smith's and though I would like to shoot a Python one day or perhaps own one I cannot understand why someone would pay that much money for one. Funny thing is, if Colt decides to start making the Python again those prices will likely plummet and everyone who paid that ridiculous amount will be wishing they had sold it beforehand.

That being said, I still love the look of the Python, I haven't even held one before but would love to hear your guys honest, objective (if possible) comparison of it with your favorite Smith.

 

[sailor723]

I don't think Colt resuming Python production would have that great an impact on pricing. It seems to me collectors would continue to favour the "classic" guns vs modern production.

 

[DWalt]

never understood why they made such a refined revolver and put grips on em that look like plywood

??? I never did see any Python or .357 with grips that looked like plywood. A high-condition pair of first generation full checkered grips used on the earlier Pythons (up until about 1960) will bring a very handsome price today. Even the second generation grips can easily bring $200-$300 or even more from the right buyer. Not long ago I found a pair of second generation grips with a slight defect for $125 and I was elated.

 

[DocB]

I sure don't have a Python. Never even saw one out for sale back then. This 1968 Colt came up back in the early 1980's. It was about like new. I was impressed so bought it for $200 OTD. That's about as far as I'm willing to go for a Colt, but it is still really pretty. It's one of the last Official Police models that somebody apparently owned for around 15 years and cut loose. I don't think I've ever even shot it.

 

[31FordA]

I never owned a Python, and with what they're going for never will. The one's I've shot were very nice, but I still prefer my Model 28's. I've owned a few Colt's over the years (Police Positive, Trooper III, Detective Special), but the only one I have at present is a 1895 Navy. The only Colt snake gun I ever really wanted was a 4" Diamondback, and that was from watching the John Wayne film "Brannigan" as a kid. Don't think I'll be getting one however, the last few I saw for sale were going for $3,000+.

 

[HARDWARE]

??? I never did see any Python or .357 with grips that looked like plywood. A high-condition pair of first generation full checkered grips used on the earlier Pythons (up until about 1960) will bring a very handsome price today. Even the second generation grips can easily bring $200-$300 or even more from the right buyer. Not long ago I found a pair of second generation grips with a slight defect for $125 and I was elated.

That was a bit of hyperbole...of course it's not plywood. Python grips look very plain and I don't even know what they're made of. ..but some dark walnut would have been much more appropriate in my opinion.

 

[gman51]

Pythons are like dirt.........neither are being made anymore.
I bought a 1968 Python 4" and IMO it lives up to the hype about it.

I also bought a Colt Trooper MKV 6" which supposedly has never been shot other than by the factory. The MK V was only made for about 4 years and it then became the King Cobra and the base gun for the Boa.

The LGS I use has a LNIB never shot Python and I believe it has a price tag of around $12,000.

I didn't pay near that for mine and wouldn't have it if it had required a home loan to own it.

 

[iPac]

I will openly admit to being a gun snob, but not in a bad way like condoning people for their own preference. I am more a gun snob in the sense that I am very critical on what revolver designs I will own and use.

The Colt V spring action is about the only thing that tickles my fancy. Why? I have always had an engineers mind, and the pocketwatch like intricacy of the Colt action is truly a marvel of design. There is no other action that you can custom tune/tweak to make however you want quite like a Colt V spring. Eliminate the stacking, and I would bet more than one of you would be amazed.

I don't condone the current prices, never have. No reason for it, but everyone sure seems happy to pay them so they exist. However, it is changing daily for the better, and will continue.

Instead of defending the 'weak' Colt action in my normal way, I have a different theory now. Some had experiences that make them think Colt is inferior, others like me had experiences that make them think S&W is inferior, who is right? When it comes to the stronger action design, I think they are both about equal. I don't think that the Colt V spring is inherently weaker, but rather a result from the final hand fitting.

Colt and S&W revolvers are tough shooters that I believe will BOTH last a life time if properly maintained. Properly maintained being the key word. If you get a shotty built gun from the factory, it's not going to last long right? Or if you don't keep your gun properly maintained and in spec, it's not going to last long right?

Based on my experience working on the V spring, almost every single Colt I have come across benefited from me tuning it up and putting it back into spec. Considering this V spring design is all hand fitted parts, they probably all didn't leave the factory perfectly 'built'. Think of the Python, considered a custom built production gun. They surely didn't have the time to perfectly tune them, which they NEED. That is why after the '60s, quality started dropping because the era of hand fitting master smiths was winding down, but the design still called for hand fitting.

So maybe that plays a role in folk's experiences. I know all of my properly tuned Colts are reliable, accurate, and tough as nails. All of my properly tuned Smiths are reliable, accurate, and tough as nails. They are on a more level playing field than most would think. Of course folks will always have their own personal preferences, that won't change. So enjoy what you like, but don't shy away from a Colt because internet lore. You may just end up liking it.

 

[Toblerra]

I don't think Colt resuming Python production would have that great an impact on pricing. It seems to me collectors would continue to favour the "classic" guns vs modern production.

You may be right.

 

[Toblerra]

The Cabela's up near Madison, WI must have bought someone's collection. Several cases with Colt snake revolvers and semi autos too I think. Beautiful guns that to me looked unfired or at least very well cared for. Not a collector of any brand myself but they are fine looking guns. I couldn't tell you the prices exactly because I was more interested in looking at the guns. I do know the prices were waaaaay above my budget. And I have what I want with the S&W logo on them.

I always think of my dad when I think Colt. He worked for a company that was part of the Colt Industries family. At one point he asked me if I had any interest in any Colts saying he might have the ability to get a discount. We are talking the early 1980's. I was new on the PD and we carried Smith model 19's so I told him no. Just getting started about that time and even at a discount I couldn't justify laying out the cash for something that wasn't a necessity. Ah well, woulda coulda shoulda...

Those model 19's are fetching some pretty high prices these days too. Fact is all of these classics are being rediscovered I think. The craftsmanship just isn't what it used to be, maybe it's nostalgia as well but honestly there's just no comparison to the run of the mill polymer handguns out there. They have their purpose I have owned several myself. I know this, it wasn't until a couple years ago my father and I were out shooting and I was frustrated shooting my autos that day and he pulled out his old 6" model 19 I had all but forgotten about and said "try this instead." So I set my Colt commander aside, picked it up and nailed the target right in the center on the first shot. Second shot was right next to it. I realized right then and there that all the rounds in the world mean nothing if you can't hit **** with them. Of course I still have my custom Colt .45 and my browning hi power but I got rid of all my polymers and bought smiths! Now I hit what I'm aiming at most of the time and have rediscovered a new appreciation for revolvers in general especially the older smiths. I think in time more younger guys my age will realize the same thing.

 

[bushmaster1313]

I don't think Colt resuming Python production would have that great an impact on pricing. It seems to me collectors would continue to favour the "classic" guns vs modern production.

Based on all the LNIB and ANIB old Pythons for sale, it seems like back in the day a lot of folks bought Pythons to keep and not to shoot.

I doubt many folks would spend big bucks today to buy a new Python that they would not shoot.