Pawn shop find: 1977 Colt Python

[olivehead1]

Picked this up last week after it had been out for a couple days. Doesn't look to have been shot much, just a bit of holster wear. Locks up tight.

Based on the Blue Book, I'd say it's maybe 90%, although some say more like 85%. I'm just going by the BBGV photo grading, which pictures a Ruger Single Six rated at 90% with some "pitting, freckling, finish discoloration," chipping on the trigger guard "certainly not indicative of normal wear," and "pitting and metal discoloration on the fame, hammer, and loading gate," none of which is present on this Python. The additional wear on the cylinder vs. the frame and barrel would keep this gun from as high as 95%, but I'd still say a solid 90%. I guess in the end it doesn't matter.

Cost me about the average going rate for a new production blued 4" Python, with the 3 vents on the barrel rib--I just can't get over that decision by Colt, especially since they'd already put out the stainless with the correct 2 vents.

 

[Baxter6551]

That’s a beauty !! Congratulations!

 

[CH4]

Very nice! To my eye, that’s a solid 90% gun. For what a new 4” 3 vent Python is going for, I’d take that one any day of the week. Grips are beautiful.

 

[PaulDoc]

The best part about your "SCORE" is you can play without worrying about the first ding. I have a 1965 4" that I love to shoot. I also love the rich tones of those grips. ENJOY.

 

[stansdds]

That's a nice looking Python. I agree, looks closer to 90% condition to me.

 

[DHernandez]

I gotta say you are way off, it’s a 89.7%… anyone can see that!

 

[Yendor357]

When I see/hear a story like that, I always wonder: How many bad decisions has someone made in their life to have to pawn a 48 year old Python.

And (b) I wish I could have bought that thing for what the pawn shop guy paid.

 

[olivehead1]

When I see/hear a story like that, I always wonder: How many bad decisions has someone made in their life to have to pawn a 48 year old Python.

And (b) I wish I could have bought that thing for what the pawn shop guy paid.

The shop paid $1,250 for it and made a couple hundred bucks on the sale after knocking $200 off the asking price for me. I've got a good relationship with them, but it still surprised me a bit since the gun had only been out about a day and a half.

I've been regularly shopping pawn shops for about 10 years now for all kinds of things. Great place to find hand and power tools. I paid $60 for a near new Porter Cable 3-gal air compressor that retails for about $170 and $100 for a LNIB contractor grade Dewalt drill with 2 batteries and hard case, all still wrapped in plastic, that retailed at the time for about $230.

Things end up in pawn shops for all kinds of reasons. Especially with guns it seems, a lot of times it's because a spouse died and there's stuff to get rid of and going to the extra work and trouble of trying to get top dollar through some kind of private sale or auction just isn't worth it to the surviving spouse or kids. And of course other times it's because someone is just really hard up.

 

[olivehead1]

I gotta say you are way off, it’s a 89.7%… anyone can see that!

Ok, ok, I get it.

 

[03hemi]

Picked this up last week after it had been out for a couple days. Doesn't look to have been shot much, just a bit of holster wear. Locks up tight.

Based on the Blue Book, I'd say it's maybe 90%, although some say more like 85%. I'm just going by the BBGV photo grading, which pictures a Ruger Single Six rated at 90% with some "pitting, freckling, finish discoloration," chipping on the trigger guard "certainly not indicative of normal wear," and "pitting and metal discoloration on the fame, hammer, and loading gate," none of which is present on this Python. The additional wear on the cylinder vs. the frame and barrel would keep this gun from as high as 95%, but I'd still say a solid 90%. I guess in the end it doesn't matter.

Cost me about the average going rate for a new production blued 4" Python, with the 3 vents on the barrel rib--I just can't get over that decision by Colt, especially since they'd already put out the stainless with the correct 2 vents.

So you stole it, I would have too.
Not to mention, they advertise it with the 2 vents, but you get the 3 vents? I don't get it either.
Still trying to find one in blue myself, guess I'll have to wait until the 2.5" or 3" are released.

 

[blackdeuce]

Very nice!

I bought my first Colt revolver a few weeks ago. A new 5" stainless Python. For my 40th wedding anniversary. How did she know to buy it?

 

[Ethang]

When I see/hear a story like that, I always wonder: How many bad decisions has someone made in their life to have to pawn a 48 year old Python.

And (b) I wish I could have bought that thing for what the pawn shop guy paid.

I think trading one in on a 40 Glock during the mag ban might be the worst mistake ever...

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Glocks...as solid a pistol as they are...have no soul. Guns like a Python...blue steel and walnut...do.

 

[olivehead1]

Glocks...as solid a pistol as they are...have no soul. Guns like a Python...blue steel and walnut...do.

^^^^^This.

Btw I had to add extra "^" so the post wouldn't be "too short."

Really, ***?

p.s. And it won't let you post Wiskey Foxtrot Tango.

Again, ***?

 

[CajunBass]

Congratulations. I don't know the percentage, but it falls into the class of "really nice gun" to me.

I'm a big fan of the Python, especially 4", blue ones. I had a 1964, 4" at one time, but a "personal economic downturn" forced me to sell it.

I replaced it eventually with a new, blue, 4" one that is IMHO, at least a good a gun as the old one was. The number of vents didn't bother me. I didn't even notice it until it was pointed out on the internet.

It handles any ammo I've tried in it, but it really loves 38 wadcutters.

I have one of it's SS brothers too.

 

[got2hav1]

Blue 4" Python is a thing of beauty. Yours is in very good condition. You did good! I had a '77 myself at one time. It to was a shooter but I did enjoy it. I'll show off the only one I have left. A lettered (late '63) first year snubbie.

 

[Jocko-44]

^^ That's is a beauty, got2hav1! Wow

 

[Grayfox]

Pythons are great guns. I have two from the 1970s.

The 6" was made in 1975. It was left to me by a very dear friend who passed away. I'll never sell it.
I had almost given up on a 4" and was on the verge of buying one of the new ones when this 1978 came up for sale locally. It wasn't cheap, but the price was reasonable for what it is. So I grabbed it. No regrets as I prefer the older blue ones over the new ones.