Raining Pythons

sigp220.45

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After being Pythonless for several years, I now find myself with two.

A few weeks ago I found a 2020 Python just hanging out in a nearby Sportsmans Warehouse. Its been a great gun and worthy of the Python name.

Last week I was headed up north to check out a 1962 Cobra at a pawnshop and en route I swung into a police supply place that sometimes has old service and evidence guns. I knew I was in trouble when the normally empty parking lot was nearly full. They had just put a bunch of guns out and I had missed the email.

There were a bunch of plastics, one lonely Beretta 84, and this guy in the overflow case.

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Yipes. There were sharks circling, but none near the case. For once being bulky worked to my advantage as I blocked their view and tried to get someone to hand it to me before I fainted. Finally one guy got tired of my attempts to get his attention and forked it over. There's something wrong with it, he says.

Indeed. It was hard to cock, not at all Python-like. When swung out, the cylinder was hard to turn by hand. The ejector rod looked straight, and the crane showed no gap when closed. Hell with it, write it up.

Once I cleared the background I paid for it and added in a $3 bottle of Rem Oil. In the car I doused it and waited. Voila - after a minute the gunked up cylinder turned like new and all was well.

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It looks new, so I doubt it was ever issued. I've got suicide guns there before, and you can usually tell right away. Maybe it was taken as evidence and just treated nicely. Who knows.

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The pointy diamonds on the stocks are still pointy.

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Serial number puts it at 1974. Here it is next to its 2020 descendant.

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Comparing the two, the stocks on the 2020 feel much better to my hand. Too bad the laminate doesn't look as nice as the old grips.

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The older one has a typically smooth, stacking action. The 2020 is just smooth, no stacking.

I'll shoot the older one tomorrow.
 
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Why RemOil? I hate RemOil. That stuff congeals.

I would use RemOil before WD-40, but not much else. I would use almost any other lubricant than RemOil.

I find RemOil to be worthy of the Rem name.
 
I would have bought that as well. Beautiful example that you just don't see in that condition coming from that kind of source. I follow several locations who sell police locker stuff. While I've seen a Python or two come out, none have been in good or excellent condition. Nice pick up, very jealous.

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Why RemOil? I hate RemOil. That stuff congeals.

I would use RemOil before WD-40, but not much else. I would use almost any other lubricant than RemOil.

I find RemOil to be worthy of the Rem name.

It was hanging next to the checkout, and no way was I going to endure the hour ride home without knowing if the gun was jacked. Best three bucks I ever spent.
 
Good going, especially on the gunked up one. 30 years ago working at a trucking company a pallet busted open and I had to retape boxes. long boxes packed with a full auto M16, a Galil, 2 pump shotguns with butt stocks cut off and 13” barrels, among many many more. The pistol boxes had Colt Python next to cheap Raven .25s. Etc., Etc...These were apparently crime guns NOT melted down and sent a dealer in Arizona. I was so glad they were put back in circulation, the legal ones that is.
 
Nice score, especially the older Python!
Great to see the two side by side.
To my eye, the older one looks to clearly be the better made revolver. You can see a lot more nuance in contours, shaping, fitting and, of course, finish.
Also, thumbs up on the Rem Oil.
Rem Oil was a DuPont product developed back when Remington was owned by DuPont. My supply goes way back, so perhaps there's a difference today, but I've found Rem Oil to be an amazing product.

Anyhow, I'm glad you're the guy who scored that old Python. Sounds like you really appreciate it!

Jim
 
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Well, it looks to me like this was a two time crime gun - maybe used once before and then stolen by you! Nice piece. I have new and old 6” guns and an old 4”. The short one gets carried when I go to the hills. I bet you’ll really enjoy it.
 
Congratulations, that was a really nice find. All my cop shop seems to have anymore are traded in .40’s. It’s been a long time since I’ve run across anything as nice as that Python in the used case.
 
For all the issues the first release of the "New Model Python" had I think the 6" version came out pretty well. Just got mine in CA courtesy of the "single action exemption". I didn't care for the new grips but had a set of Deer Hollow reproductions on hand. I think they're the best made repros out there.

Colt Python 2nd generation grips, 1960-1973 – Deer Hollow Enterprises, LLC

The finish on the NW Python is much closer to polished nickel than is shown in most photos I've seen.

They were going on an OM Trooper but I found an original set. The new Python carries silver medallions so I figure this keeps thing right.

I have an original 8" nickel Pyton in 38 Special and a Dan Wesson Model 15. Will be interesting to see how the NW Python measures up.

$1,200.00 is a fantastic deal on the legacy Python. Pays to know a bit about how they work and make right something others may have passed on.
 
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