Is there a Python Bubble about to burst?

[bushmaster1313]

The Python's are handsome guns, but it seems that there are a lot of "Like New" Pythons for sale on Gunbroker and they get bid up pretty high.

I'd rather a Smith with holster wear, but what do I know?

 

[m1gunner]

They aren't really getting more expensive, your dollars are shrinking in purchasing power.

Been to the gas station lately?

edit to add: Priced in ounces of gold, they haven't gone up at all.

 

[Texas Star]

I'd rather a Smith WITHOUT holster wear!


Seriously, I've owned both and they shot so well that I couldn't tell which was better. Some claim the Python has an accuracy edge, but I couldn't tell , and I was shooting groups offhand at 25 yards in those days in which often, all six bullets were in a jagged hole.

I liked the older Model 27 better, for general handling quaities and the feel of the action and the checkering on top and that the cylinder will hold its timing a LOT better than a Colt.

But people buy Pythons as investments, seldom to shoot, nowadays.

 

[feralmerril]

Pythons are very accurate guns. Many years ago I would compare my colts against my smiths off the bench. The python and I think the old troopers had a slightly tapered barrel. I think it good for accuracy. I carried and shot the old colt trooper. I have presently two pythons and two troopers besides my smiths. The trooper is so high priced that I think a lot of us make them safe queens without planning to and carry cheaper good guns. I know I do. Those of you who have exspendsive collector cars dont drive them to work do you? Same deal!
I also have a fine 27-2. Its fine but in my opinion is overbuilt makeing it heavier than need be. It seems to be a safe queen along side my pythons and single action armys. I often take a nice m&p with me on my dusty quad rides or a converted from heavy duty .44 special. I dont sweat scuffing them up. My more exspendsive .44 specials also stay in lockup. If I want to take a .357 along I now opt for my 3" model 66-3 lew horton. Being stainless I dont worry too much about it getting dusty and by the way, I suppose that gun probley is worth almost as much as my pythons.

 

[Dennis The B]

Not likely, at least in the shorter term. The don't make them anymore. They were, when produced, a nearly hand-made revolver. All the hand fitting made them unique as a "mass produced" revolver. Finish and fit were/are superior to nearly everything but a Korth.

Colt, sometime down the road, will run out of repair parts, and the 'smiths who repair and restore them. Not many commercial gunsmiths can work on them. The needed detail knowledge is retiring or dying off.

There is no one willing to step up and hand make a revolver. The retail price would be north of $2K, maybe even $3K.

Like all economic issues, the Python fits the model. Limited supply, high demand yields higher price.

 

[A10]

Don't see the price coming down soon. I do believe they are overpriced, but what do I know? I'd trade mine for a nickel 3 1/2" 27, I just like Nframes better......

 

[Frank46]

I only own one colt. A 1975 vintage trooperIII. First 357 I've shot that I've enjoyed. When e-bay some years back was allowing the selling of parts, bought everything except the frame for a trooperIII. Frank

 

[5-Shot]

I'm with TexasStar on this one. While Pythons may have an advantage in mechanical accuracy, it doesn't show up in offhand shooting. Back when I was a good shot (many decades ago) I could always do just a little better with my Smith's than with my Pythons. It always seemed to me that Smith's had a little quicker lock times and that allowed them to be pointed just a little better when they went off. Wonder if it's ever been measured?

Ed

 

[doublesharp]

Call me cynical but it's my supposition that the rise in nib Pythons coincides with the availability of reproduction (counterfeit) boxes, hang tags, labels, paperwork, etc that is available on the auction sites.

 

[michael thornton]

I had a 2 1/2 inch python, i was tickeled to death when i got rid of it! ill stick with the smiths, the python is the most over rated gun i know of.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Nothing is preventing Colt from making new Pythons. They wont be the same mind you -think of the Heritage S&W offerings. They wil be cooming out of the Custom shop.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Nothing is preventing Colt from making new Pythons.

IF they still have people employed there that know to to work on that action. If they no longer do, it won't be easily possible.

I own a couple of Colts, but lack of parts and lack of talented people to work on them keep them firmly in the safe.

Just try finding ratchets, hands and other wear parts for most Colt revolvers- they are non-existent.
If you have a honey hole of Colt double action parts- let me in on it.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I'm a .357 fan so here's a couple of my over-priced guns...both brands.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Yes, the bubble has been about to burst for over 55 years now.

I've shot a few Pythons, and think they're really nice, just always a little more than I've wanted to pay (note I did not say they weren't worth what someone is asking). I've finally quit buying guns, so they have joined the group I would like to have but probably never will, along with a SAKO Finnwolf, etc.

 

[kennyb]

i have several pythons...great guns!

 

[therevjay]

Is the Python bubble about to burst?

I sure hope so! I've always wanted one, but can no way handle todays prices.

 

[perrazi]

colt has enough peopleto work on pythons and others with that type of action,but production and repair are two vastly different things.to have a newly built python today,with the original action, would be in the neighborhood of $2500. their was a study done at colts not long ago about this very thing. that was the number that was discussed and it was decided they couldn't sell enough of them to pay for personnel training and to support continued sales.

 

[GatorFarmer]

IF they still have people employed there that know to to work on that action. If they no longer do, it won't be easily possible.

I own a couple of Colts, but lack of parts and lack of talented people to work on them keep them firmly in the safe.

Just try finding ratchets, hands and other wear parts for most Colt revolvers- they are non-existent.
If you have a honey hole of Colt double action parts- let me in on it.

The Python stayed in production until the late 1990s. The New Frontier was gone longer and is now back. At the end they came out of the custom shop and people complained about them. But they were made.

Colt D frame revolvers are still made in the Phillipines by Armscor. They purchased the rights and crank them out. If they can start up production there it would seem that we could manage it here in the States.

 

[DCWilson]

There is no Python bubble any more than there is a 3.5-inch M27 bubble or a five-screw Pre-29 bubble. The demand for these guns is greater than the available supply. Prices rise and stay high.

I do think there is a trash market for Pythons that the gullible need to be aware of. There seem to be many fake-box Pythons and incorrectly stocked guns that end up offered on the auction sites as completely authentic. Also, there seem to be some pretty well used Pythons that are described optimistically by sellers as to condition. But if you want a Python and look carefully enough, you can find a correct one -- even a correct package -- at a price that is consistent with demand.

 

[DunRanull]

Had I known THEN what I now know about Pythons, it would have stayed in my safe, in the box, unfired! It's still in fine condition but the box and original grips seem to have walked off. My 4" Smith 28 does everything I need a .357 to do.