Heavier Use of a Python

[Mike SC Hunter]

I guess I'm swimming upstream......I have a 6" from Colt's custom shop(1980)....I still prefer my Smiths to it......

 

[gman51]

The Python story.
Colt Python: A Complete History

 

[Old cop]

I always wanted a Python but the realities of a mortgage and kids got in the way when bumped up against a cops salary. My first off duty was a Colt Cobra, purchased new in 1968 for $85, a lot of money then. I still own that Cobra, shoot it often, and it has not worn out yet.

 

[BigBill]

Was that the OLD Speer bullet that looked like a SWC with a 1/2 Jacket on it?

I loved those in both 357 and 41 Magnums. I have about 1200 of the 41s remaining

The Speer 38cal 140gr JHP bullets I load were round nose hollow points. I buy them every chance I get the 140gr JHP in any brand to load.

I still have a few boxes of the orginal reloads to try in my m28 & m 27-2.

 

[just plain joe]

Speer did make available for reloading .38 Special or .357 Magnum, a 146 grain jacketed hollow point. The catalogue/item number was 4205. It was shaped like the semi-wadcutter bullets you see today. The side of the bullet was copper jacketed. The nose portion was lead.

Speer reloading manual number 9 warned not to drop below the velocities listed in the .38 Special data as there could be core/jacket
separation.

I recall reading magazine articles of the day that this was a very effective round. This was based upon the premise that if the exposed lead did not expand, then the blunt shape of the exposed lead nose would cut a wider wound channel compared to a lead round nosed bullet. I can't speak from experience, I'm only parroting what was popular thinking at the time, i.e. late 70's/early 80's.

Apologies for the thread drift.

JPJ

 

[Peak53]

Since any firearm you own may require service at some point, might as well also keep your second favorite choice as a backup.

I nominate your choice of the 686's as the backup.

 

[KEN L]

When I was a young man, a fellow wanted me to sell several handguns for him. One of which was an absolutely mint 6" blue Python, serial #599, and I did manage to sell it for the princely sum of $450.00!
If only I knew then what I know now!

 

[BAM-BAM]

I guess I'm swimming upstream......I have a 6" from Colt's custom shop(1980)....I still prefer my Smiths to it......

You are not alone...........................

My Dad loved his New Service..... but give me a S&W any day for it's grip frame and action!

 

[CDR_Glock]

Your Python will hold up just fine. No worries.

First up, someone mentioned the Python was specifically made to handle 357mag pressures. That's not exactly true.

The modern medium framed Colt was the E frame, and designed for the 41 colt and 38spl cartridges. That's all it ever was until Colt realized their folly of ignoring the 357mag round. So they took the E frame and gave it special treating to make stronger. The result was the I frame Colt 3-5-7, then shortly after the Python. The only difference between the two frames is the firing pin location and the heat treating, all other parts are still largely compatible.

As long as you shoot standard pressure ammo, problems will not arise for a long time. By design, the only part that should require attention after high round counts is the hand, which is still easily serviceable today. However, start shooting over pressure loads and watch you gun begin to wear apart.

The only exceptions to this reliability would be a poorly built factory example, or a used example already with issue. Once you get into '70s production and beyond, poor factory builds are very possible, and of course almost all Pythons on the market are used. So there is reason to be cautious. However, when properly built and properly examined for quality before purchasing, they are a great and dependable guns.

The only other caution I have against "strength" is on later Pythons that got the newer cylinder assembly, so '76 and newer. I just don't feel the new assembly holds up well to magnum loads, and I will never buy one with the newer style. There is a reason why Colt switched their smaller D frames to the newer cylinder assembly in the mid '60s but NOT the magnum I frame. I firmly believe the only reason they eventually did adopt it in the I frame was to allow quicker production at a cheaper cost, as it wasn't coincidence this change took place right at the beginning of peak production where half of all 650K Pythons produced were made during a 7yr period. ('75-'81)

Good to know.

I had 3 built from 1968 to 1974.

Wonderful guns and the Blue was amazing. However, where I live, there aren't any high level gunsmiths. I'd have to ship them out to Cylinder and Slide. My brother in law coveted my 4" Python. I had an 8" and 6" also. Eventually I sold the 8" since it was too front heavy.

When I got into S&W and Ruger revolvers, I started preferring them on my Colt. I preferred the Smith action and I preferred the higher round count (586 PC L-Comp 7 shot and 627 PC 8 shot). I felt like the Python had been outdated. Plus I shot my Smiths more accurately at 25 yards.

So I gifted my 4" Python to my brother in law. I sold my 6" Python and bought a Smith 500.

I shot only 357 Magnums in 158 and 125 grains in my 357 Magnums. Then again, nowadays, I prefer much larger Magnums.

The OP with have no issues with just 38 specials.




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[S&WsRsweet]

You could do a lot worse than a 4 inch Python as a 1 handgun option ,but I would second tne idea of keeping the 686 it is a fine gun in its own right and if thevPython ever needed work your 686 would be waiting and ready.

 

[Topsarge]

I am a retired police officer. I started out with a model 19 Smith and quali quickly changed to a 4" Python. My department eventually changed to autos and I carried a Sig. I am now 66 and will probably work until I am 70. I work for an armored car company and carry a 40 M&P.

I am starting to get arthritis in my hands and the 40 hurts to shoot. We will be changing to a 9 mm soon. I have a Sig, Beretta, Glocks, and a Shield in autos. I also have my original Python and a no dash and dash 1 686's.

I like shooting the Python the best. The 686's are fine. It not as good as the Python. As I get older I think I will have trouble with the slides on the autos. I may reduce my collection to 1 gun. If I keep and use the Python, will it hold up? I have owned it for over 30 years, only go shooting once a month and generally shoot 38 special.

I'm a retired Sgt. I carried a 6" Python as my duty weapon. Held up for a long time. Best revolver I've ever shot. It will outlast you and many more. Feel confident with it.

 

[Richard M]

Given the Colt snake market and prices nowadays, unless you have a lot of disposable money and don't mind paying more than something is worth, you might want to find a similar S&W. I know a S&W doesn't have the action of a Colt V spring, but unless you're super anal about action designs like I am, a S&W is the way to go.

Especially if you're looking for a STS example. They were the cheapest to produce and finish at the factory, that's why they replaced nickel guns. Yet they are the most sought after and expensive Pythons today. This STS fad was initiated because STS and BSTS models are the easiest to buff/polish back to 99% thus increasing profit by 100s if not 1000s%.

The Colt market is a joke, with Colt specializing online dealers laughing all the way to the bank. If you are serious about buying another one and want to bring your A game, send me a PM and I will share my Python buying guide with you. It's 29 pages with photo references that covers everything you need to know. I even include a digital copy of the Jerry K shop manual as you can't become proficient or expert without having a thorough understanding of mechanics. I've been extensively studying Colt V spring models for years, mainly the Python.

Last year a friend told me he was selling his dad's old 6" Python for $600 and if I wanted it. I didn't have the money and told him it was worth at least double. He didn't believe me and took it to a gun show that weekend. He was offered and took $800 before he walked past the first table. Before he left the show, 3 hours later, he found out the guy sold it for $2000.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I am a retired police officer. I started out with a model 19 Smith and quali quickly changed to a 4" Python. My department eventually changed to autos and I carried a Sig. I am now 66 and will probably work until I am 70. I work for an armored car company and carry a 40 M&P.

I am starting to get arthritis in my hands and the 40 hurts to shoot. We will be changing to a 9 mm soon. I have a Sig, Beretta, Glocks, and a Shield in autos. I also have my original Python and a no dash and dash 1 686's.

I like shooting the Python the best. The 686's are fine. It not as good as the Python. As I get older I think I will have trouble with the slides on the autos. I may reduce my collection to 1 gun. If I keep and use the Python, will it hold up? I have owned it for over 30 years, only go shooting once a month and generally shoot 38 special.

The Python will last, but it may need occasional service, and parts are getting rare and expensive, not to mention qualified gunsmiths who know the Python action.

Seems to me that for a regular shooter, something else is a better choice, while the Python can be shot occasionally and admired. Just my thoughts.

 

[CDR_Glock]

The Python will last, but it may need occasional service, and parts are getting rare and expensive, not to mention qualified gunsmiths who know the Python action.



Seems to me that for a regular shooter, something else is a better choice, while the Python can be shot occasionally and admired. Just my thoughts.

That's why I sold my last Python for $2000. Hahahahahaha


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[chief38]

I shoot with a friend who has shot about 100 rounds or so per month for many years out of his early 80's Python and has not had any problems at all. Since he is not a reloader, he is shooting strictly factory 158 grain lead RN ammo. I've not seen any degradation issues with it either.