New, Cheaper Pythons on the Horizon

[NY-1]

This is a strange move from Colt IMO. I always considered the Python to be a flagship sort of gun. One that commanded a high-gloss blued, nickel, or stainless finish. To see them offered with a flat bead-blast just looks odd to me. I wouldn't be averse to Colt bringing back one of their older offerings in this style of finish though. (The return of the MKIII Trooper is always on my wish list, after all!)


Also, I definitely preferred the looks of the old Pachmayr-esque rubber grips with the Colt medallions that they used to put out. Never cared for the Hogue Monogrip's aesthetics, or the lack thereof.


NEW Colt Pythons! Same Snake Gun with Hogue Grips, Bead Blast FinishThe Firearm Blog

 

[F224]

Excellent idea by Colt! Offer a field/rough duty version for everyday carry. The one thing it needs is a smooth faced trigger for double action shooting.

 

[Borderboss]

IMHO, it's a good move. I like the beadblasted finish much better than the shiny finish, and the Hogue grips are great in my hand. Knocking the price down $200 is a good move to try to better compete against S&W.

I could be wrong, but I don't think you'll ever see the return of the Royal Blue. That's got to be such an expensive finish to put on these days, with the cost of labor, that I'll bet it won't sell.

 

[ladder13]

I’ll stay with polished stainless.

 

[glenncal1]

Let's see where have we seen this strategy before??

Model 27 and Model 28 perhaps.

 

[luvsmiths]

It is a CZ Python.

 

[malph]

IMHO, it's a good move. I like the beadblasted finish much better than the shiny finish, and the Hogue grips are great in my hand. Knocking the price down $200 is a good move to try to better compete against S&W.

I could be wrong, but I don't think you'll ever see the return of the Royal Blue. That's got to be such an expensive finish to put on these days, with the cost of labor, that I'll bet it won't sell.

I agree. It's a good move. It will make Colt available to more people.

Buy the "grade" you want and can afford.

 

[The Norseman]

New finish

I just seen the TFB article. The $1200 price
is welcoming. I need to see one before I
decide which finish I like best.

I like the rubberized grips, makes for comfort
secure handling when shooting a lot and
shooting hotter reloads.

This is a better announcement than S&W
coming out with the “Response”.

Now CZ/Colt needs to announce a new
Anaconda in 45 Long Colt, 5”bbl.

 

[moosedog]

It looks terrible. Looks like someone painted it with primer.

 

[Model 15-4ever]

The race to the bottom at Colt is back! That worked out so well for them last time, right before they dropped revolvers entirely.

The fact that they cannot manage to put any kind of a polished blue finish on a "premium" production revolver tells you all you need to know about Colt.

 

[WardenRoss]

Hate it!

Demeans the whole idea of a premium revolver.

But what do I know. I'm a diehard Smith guy.


,

 

[glenwolde]

I might actually buy one that isn't pimped out.

 

[glenwolde]

Hate it!

Demeans the whole idea of a premium revolver.

But what do I know. I'm a diehard Smith guy.


,

The large majority of stainless Smith revolvers are not bright and shiny so I don't get that.

 

[Model 15-4ever]

The large majority of stainless Smith revolvers are not bright and shiny so I don't get that.

The S&W 686 Deluxe is polished stainless and the MSRP of $1009 is less than that flat-blasted budget Python.

 

[Miracle Man]

To me it's like buying a Corvette with a 75 horsepower 4 cylinder in it.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

My thoughts are worth what they cost…nothing. But to me the Python is a premium, flagship revolver. That means it’s superior in fit, finish and performance.

I think it’s a marketing ploy to open up sales to those who might desire a Python but at a lower MSRP. Maybe it will work…maybe not. It’s not like Colt is going to get any police contracts with it.

Colt did this in the ‘80s with their Peacekeeper and Commando Special revolvers…due to an extended strike and it’s ensuing shortage of polishers those two models were produced with matte finishes at reduced prices to still be in the market.

Alternative theories…Colt may be using new employees that aren’t fully prepared and trained for assembling standard Pythons so they get their experience on these…or…this is a good way to sell blems without calling them blems. Just speculation on my part.

Maybe Colt should give a different model name rather than Python to them…maybe “Python Commando” or “Python El Cheapo”?

If the bead blasted Python bombs out it will become an instant collectible…go for big bucks on Gunbroker. Stranger things have happened.

 

[kbm6893]

It looks terrible. Looks like someone painted it with primer.

I agree. Big difference between a high gloss stainless and a matte finish, but this things looks like spray paint.

And it's still more money than a 686. No thanks.

If they wanted to bring back the Colt Trooper or Official Police, then I'll take a look. But the Python is SUPPOSED to look high end. And the comparison between the S&W Model 27 and 28 isn't really accurate. The 28 still looks WAY better than this new Python.

 

[Onomea]

Hey, if ya wanna spend less, just buy a Ruger:

 

[robvious]

Colt has just figured out what to do with the less than perfect items that makes financial sense for them..

 

[Shrek Of The Arctic]

I don't begrudge the cheaper version, but it isn't for me. There are still a heap of "field grade" revolvers out there for much less than $1,200. The folks insistent on a Colt Python but eschewing the premium finish and grips seems a very small segment of the already small group of revolver fans.

On the upswing though, there is an entire new generation out there raised on polymer, cerakote, and pure function that don't share many of our sense of aesthetics from the days of yore. and perhaps it could draw them in?

As a lover of revolvers, I always hope to see wild success. That goes for everything from the new Henrys to the Chiappa Rhinos, The Colts, Smiths, Rugers, and everything inbetween. Whether or not I get to see that come to fruition....that's a different matter altogether.