My Colt Python Rant!

[prairieviper]

Recently, I visited a local firearms establishment and was offered a great deal on a polished stainless, Colt Python with 3" barrel. I didn't really need it but I had always wanted another Python, especially the 3". I had not done any research as I had not been looking for one but I soon found out that was a huge mistake. The gun was great but the rear sight is so bad it should be an embarrassment for Colt to put such a junk rear sight on such a nice gun that costs a pretty penny!

The rear sight windage adjustment is done by loosening a very small (0.50") set screw. You can then make adjustments by turning the windage screw and drifting the very loose blade back and forth to where you think might be right, tighten the set screw and shoot a group. After several groups, the set screw may or may not remain tight and thereby allowing the sight to drift and you have the pleasure of trying to sight in all over again. To say I was frustrated is an understatement.

I researched this when I got home and found out the Python rear sight is hated by many and replaced by most. The options are a Wilson Combat Battlesight or Kensight Elliason. While I liked the idea of the Elliason sight, I ordered the Wilson. Hopefully, it will be here sometime next week and I can get the gun up and running like it's supposed to.

Research before you buy. Lesson learned.

Rant complete.

 

[Greyman50]

Welcome to the club of unhappy, PO’ed new revolver owners…….

 

[Thaddeus Beauregard]

This is nothing new. The rear sight is a common complaint about the new Colt revolvers, but many, if not most who buy the gun plan from the onset to replace it from the get-go. I had a Wilson already ordered before I even picked the gun up and installed before I ever even fired the first round. I did the same to my Anaconda and King Cobra. I just factored that into the cost of the revolvers. It didn't sway me a bit and wouldn't have changed my decision to buy one iota because I think it's a really nice gun. If I buy any revolver, I almost always change the sights anyway, and I certainly change the grips, regardless of brand/model. Again, I just factor that into the cost of getting what I want.

 

[prairieviper]

This is nothing new. The rear sight is a common complaint about the new Colt revolvers, but many, if not most who buy the gun plan from the onset to replace it from the get-go. I had a Wilson already ordered before I even picked the gun up and installed before I ever even fired the first round.

So I found out. I got a heck of a deal on the gun so even with the cost of the Wilson sight it was still a bargain. I don't normally replace sights on my revolvers and would not have on the Python had the OEM sight been even adequate.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Pythons ain't great..........A while back I took my 1980 Python(from the custom shop)out to shoot after it being in the safe for a long time...It snapped on 60% of the ammo I put in it.......Mainspring gone again..........This is the THIRD one I've put in it..........In the last 45 years it;s gone out of time TWICE...........TWICE I've had to remove the hand and peen it longer to get it back in time...... This gun has a very low round count......99% single action ...Never has these problems with a Smith or Ruger........Iffen it wasn't a gift from my wife it would now be just a distant memory.......As to have to buy a $200.00 rear sight to replace the crappy ones they are using now ........PULLS A VACUUM.......!!

Ironically people have responded to this post saying I abused it......They say they have run 30,000 rds through theirs with no problems..........That statement is where the real manure is..................

 

[LVSteve]

I checked the date on the OP because I had an attack of deja vu while reading. Yes, the money and innovation when Colt got to the rear sight.

 

[Thaddeus Beauregard]

Pythons ain't great..........A while back I took my 1980 Python(from the custom shop)out to shoot after it being in the safe for a long time...It snapped on 60% of the ammo I put in it.......Mainspring gone again..........This is the THIRD one I've put in it..........In the last 45 years it;s gone out of time TWICE...........TWICE I've had to remove the hand and peen it longer to get it back in time...... This gun has a very low round count......99% single action ...Never has these problems with a Smith or Ruger........Iffen it wasn't a gift from my wife it would now be just a distant memory.......As to have to buy a $200.00 rear sight to replace the crappy ones they are using now ........PULLS A VACUUM.......!!

Ironically people have responded to this post saying I abused it......They say they have run 30,000 rds through theirs with no problems..........That statement is where the real manure is..................

The new Python (2020 and later) is different in several ways than the previous generation Pythons. The new one has addressed a lot of those issues. The mainspring on the new one is thicker and has more of a "U" shape than a "V" shape at the bend. The new style mainspring should last longer. The lockwork in the new gun has been simplified. It now has a S&W style cylinder stop. It should be less prone to going out of time than the old one.

One of the main things that can cause a Colt to go out of time is that in a Colt, the hand is length-dependent for timing, whereas in a Smith, the hand is width-dependent. If you run a Colt really hard with lots of fast double action shooting, it can peen the end of the hand, making it gradually shorter over time and that eventually makes it time short at carry-up. This is due to the fact that at the limit of travel, the hand is binding the cylinder against the cylinder stop bolt to achieve the so-called "bank vault lockup." One solution to premature hand wear is simply install an overtravel screw on the trigger so that the hand doesn't get battered as much, as the trigger is adjusted to stop precisely at cylinder lock. In a Smith, the width of the hand determines the timing of when it slips by the ratchets at the end of carry-up, making the Smith less likely to go out of time.

Also worth noting, it's not as if the rear sight on a new Python is unusable; it's just that it has some deficiencies, namely that the windage adjustment is secured by a tiny set screw, and some dislike the lack of windage clicks. A replacement rear sight won't cost $200 though. The Wilson replacement is $114 and the Kensight/Elliason replacement is $80.

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

Welcome to the club of unhappy, PO'ed new revolver owners…….

At least it isn’t a plastic fantastic.

 

[Greyman50]

Have been looking at the new Colts as have a few older ones and years ago friends had pythons that they shot. The completely dumb, stupid engraving of some code on right side of frame Completely turned me off. Placing such Under the grips/ stocks would have been ideal but such is today’s business practice.

 

[M29since14]

This is to show all the cool kids that Colt is so skilled that they can do that! The cool kids wouldn’t think to look under the stocks.

 

[Greyman50]

Have read some have polished the code off, but why mess up a $1200 .oo pistol with the dumb code?

 

[M29since14]

Remington does it too, and I think Smith has the silly stuff on some of their “products.” I’d guess there is some guidance from the generous uncle on this, looking into the future, and if you are a manufacturer maybe you get style points for participating? (Maybe not.) If so, that smacks of registry and should be forbidden by current law. But who cares about laws!

In any case, I see it as a clash of the generations, and we old timers are losing all of those.

 

[zogger]

I bought a new 3" Python about a year ago. I knew in advance about the rear sight and replaced it almost right away. I also replaced the front sight with a taller one as even with the WC rear sight I had to have the sight way down to hit at POA. I also put on Hogue rubber grips. I like the gun very much.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Have been looking at the new Colts as have a few older ones and years ago friends had pythons that they shot. The completely dumb, stupid engraving of some code on right side of frame Completely turned me off. Placing such Under the grips/ stocks would have been ideal but such is today's business practice.

Bar code..........I'd buff it off.

 

[YouveHadYour6]

Pythons ain't great..........A while back I took my 1980 Python(from the custom shop)out to shoot after it being in the safe for a long time...It snapped on 60% of the ammo I put in it.......Mainspring gone again..........This is the THIRD one I've put in it..........In the last 45 years it;s gone out of time TWICE...........TWICE I've had to remove the hand and peen it longer to get it back in time...... This gun has a very low round count......99% single action ...Never has these problems with a Smith or Ruger........Iffen it wasn't a gift from my wife it would now be just a distant memory.......As to have to buy a $200.00 rear sight to replace the crappy ones they are using now ........PULLS A VACUUM.......!!

Ironically people have responded to this post saying I abused it......They say they have run 30,000 rds through theirs with no problems..........That statement is where the real manure is..................

Sorry, gotta be that guy who must've 'got a good one', you can call 'manure' on it all you want but 15k so far and going strong - from 1981:


It's been mostly target .38, but a fair chunk of .357 as well. It'll go when I go.

 

[prairieviper]

I have owned several Pythons. This is my first generation 2 Python. The old ones were all great and trouble free but eventually were sold or traded for something that I thought I wanted more. I'm older and wiser now, just not wise enough to have done my research ordered a new rear sight in advance.

As an aside, I don't care for the QR code etched on the side either.

 

[JwesleyN]

Have read some have polished the code off, but why mess up a $1200 .oo pistol with the dumb code?

Buff the code off then you have a beautiful divot! Mine shoots great and the code doesn’t bother me that much.

 

[Faulkner]

At least it isn't a plastic fantastic.

You mean like a Glock that works right out of the box without having to replace parts. Yeah, at least it wasn't one of those.

 

[cookieman]

My H&K P2000SK has that code but it is VERY small and not obtrusive so no bother.,
I wonder what info it contains. Serial number only for a quick scan?

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

You mean like a Glock that works right out of the box without having to replace parts. Yeah, at least it wasn't one of those.

Wait until you get on the firing line.

I’d rather 6 for sure than 15 maybe as the old saying goes.

The fact ONE revolver has a factory issue does NOT invalidate the FACT wheelguns are the more dependable option for serious social work.

 

[Faulkner]

Wait until you get on the firing line.

I'd rather 6 for sure than 15 maybe as the old saying goes.

The fact ONE revolver has a factory issue does NOT invalidate the FACT wheelguns are the more dependable option for serious social work.

I'd like to take this opportunity to demonstrate we can disagree without being disagreeable.

 

[Sam2511]

Recently, I visited a local firearms establishment and was offered a great deal on a polished stainless, Colt Python with 3" barrel. I didn't really need it but I had always wanted another Python, especially the 3". I had not done any research as I had not been looking for one but I soon found out that was a huge mistake. The gun was great but the rear sight is so bad it should be an embarrassment for Colt to put such a junk rear sight on such a nice gun that costs a pretty penny!

The rear sight windage adjustment is done by loosening a very small (0.50") set screw. You can then make adjustments by turning the windage screw and drifting the very loose blade back and forth to where you think might be right, tighten the set screw and shoot a group. After several groups, the set screw may or may not remain tight and thereby allowing the sight to drift and you have the pleasure of trying to sight in all over again. To say I was frustrated is an understatement.

I researched this when I got home and found out the Python rear sight is hated by many and replaced by most. The options are a Wilson Combat Battlesight or Kensight Elliason. While I liked the idea of the Elliason sight, I ordered the Wilson. Hopefully, it will be here sometime next week and I can get the gun up and running like it's supposed to.

Research before you buy. Lesson learned.

Rant complete.

I have the Wilson Combat rear sight on my Python and I really like it.

 

[eclayton]

I researched this when I got home and found out the Python rear sight is hated by many and replaced by most. The options are a Wilson Combat Battlesight or Kensight Elliason. While I liked the idea of the Elliason sight, I ordered the Wilson. Hopefully, it will be here sometime next week and I can get the gun up and running like it's supposed to.

I have samples of both. Wilson sights on two Pythons and an Anaconda. Kensight Elliasons on a pair of King Cobra Targets. I like the Wilsons better, but both are vastly better than the factory rear sight.

 

[eclayton]

I have owned several Pythons. This is my first generation 2 Python. The old ones were all great and trouble free but eventually were sold or traded for something that I thought I wanted more. I'm older and wiser now, just not wise enough to have done my research ordered a new rear sight in advance.

As an aside, I don't care for the QR code etched on the side either.

It could be worse; when I bought my Pythons, the Wilson sights were out of stock and back ordered for months everywhere they were sold. People were flipping them for scalper prices on auction sites. At least now supply has caught up with demand.

I thought at first that Colt engraving their techno-garbage QR code in such a prominent place on an otherwise beautiful revolver was an incredible “FU” to the consumer. But then I started reading reviews on a lot of forums and found a number of younger guys saying they don’t mind it, and a few who actually like it and think it looks cool. I don’t get it, but then I am a dinosaur and clearly no one cares. I still own five new Colts and I think the new Colts are the best revolvers currently manufactured.

 

[WildBillWJW]

You mean like a Glock that works right out of the box without having to replace parts. Yeah, at least it wasn't one of those.

Amen to that.
WJW

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

Have an old Anaconda .45colt x6 inch and am thinking about buying another in 4 inch or a Python before the years out.

 

[WildBillWJW]

Wait until you get on the firing line.

I'd rather 6 for sure than 15 maybe as the old saying goes.

The fact ONE revolver has a factory issue does NOT invalidate the FACT wheelguns are the more dependable option for serious social work.

Where have you been for the last 30 years. I have experienced untold failures to fire, cylinder lockup, timing issues, etc… from several of my past owned S&W revolvers, still my preferred double action. And never have any of my Glocks ever failed to go pop, and feed the next round…the most reliable guns I have ever fired/owned, and probably the most reliable handguns ever made. It is the one handgun, I would stake my life on! If I need to beat anything I will get a hammer or a club. Sorry, but sometimes the truth hurts.
WJW

 

[WildBillWJW]

I had all most convinced myself to try one of the new Pythons. Like the idea of one of the 5” blue versions. So I recently handled several in my LGSs, and a new cobra as well. And while the single action pulls were fine to me, they all had an unpleasant stacking to the double action. No thank you, I’ll just keep owning and shooting my Smith’s, with their glass rod breaking single action pull, and consistent double action. And though I love my N frame MG’s, for woods walking, and four legged predator protection, I’ll take my Glock 20 with Underwood 200 grain loads.
WJW

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

Where have you been for the last 30 years. I have experienced untold failures to fire, cylinder lockup, timing issues, etc… from several of my past owned S&W revolvers, still my preferred double action. And never have any of my Glocks ever failed to go pop, and feed the next round…the most reliable guns I have ever fired/owned, and probably the most reliable handguns ever made. It is the one handgun, I would stake my life on! If I need to beat anything I will get a hammer or a club. Sorry, but sometimes the truth hurts.
WJW

The semis are reliable.

Until they aren’t.

With the wheelgun, once a failure to fire is encountered, a simple pull of the trigger is all that is needed to fire the next round in battery.

Not so with the automatic. And when Things get physical (and they often might) your bottom feeder will become a paperweight when the slide gets knocked out of battery during a point blank contact shot.

The FBI conducted a study to that told us in no uncertain terms it was three shots, three yards, three seconds. And for that, the revolver is still king.

 

[RebCop]

Pythons ain't great..........A while back I took my 1980 Python(from the custom shop)out to shoot after it being in the safe for a long time...It snapped on 60% of the ammo I put in it.......Mainspring gone again..........This is the THIRD one I've put in it..........In the last 45 years it;s gone out of time TWICE...........TWICE I've had to remove the hand and peen it longer to get it back in time...... This gun has a very low round count......99% single action ...Never has these problems with a Smith or Ruger........Iffen it wasn't a gift from my wife it would now be just a distant memory.......As to have to buy a $200.00 rear sight to replace the crappy ones they are using now ........PULLS A VACUUM.......!!

Ironically people have responded to this post saying I abused it......They say they have run 30,000 rds through theirs with no problems..........That statement is where the real manure is..................

Back in the old PPC days we'd say ,"If you take a Python to a match bring two, because the first will break". The old ones do tend to go out of time.