The Pietta Python

[jack the toad]

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck....what is it? It might be an duck that's uglier but it's still a duck right?


Am I the only one around here that is hoping they decide to make a Detective Special? Anyone?

Not to hijack and prolly not on the same level quality wise as a Pietta might be but have you seen the Armscor RIA M206?

 

[Jdavis]

Folks, this is a silly matter to argue about. Pietta calls the 1955-P a Python replica. Which, in fact, it is. It isn't a genuine Python and never is intended to be one. It is intended to be a replica! A replica can be identical in nearly or all respects to the original and will never reach the lofty status of the Colt. It is produced to provide a lower priced alternative to the genuine Python that anyone can enjoy. It's finish, action, and accuracy may or may not be equal to the Colt but, it is what it is designed be, a replica. Python collectors and owners have a lot of pride and money in their guns so, don't expect them to embrace a copy that sells for a fraction of the market value of the Colt.

 

[DWalt]

I have a Pietta 1858 Remington Replica and an 1860 Colt Replica. Workmanship on both looks great to me, given that I paid less than $100 each for them ANIB at a gun show several years back. I wouldn't buy a Pietta Python (I already have enough Colts and enough .357s), but I sure do like the idea of a new parts source for the old Colt OMMs, OMTs, OPs, .357s, and Troopers - assuming the parts are indeed interchangeable.

 

[jack the toad]

I have a Pietta 1858 Remington Replica and an 1860 Colt Replica. Workmanship on both looks great to me, given that I paid less than $100 each for them ANIB at a gun show several years back. I wouldn't buy a Pietta Python (I already have enough Colts and enough .357s), but I sure do like the idea of a new parts source for the old Colt OMMs, OMTs, OPs, .357s, and Troopers - assuming the parts are indeed interchangeable.

Good point.
I'm not interested in a replica either but a parts source would be nice.

 

[eb07]

You can blame the walking dead for this.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

A thousand bucks for a Python replica is ridiculous. One can probably rummage and find a real Colt for that

I do believe that you will be very surprised if you shop for a Python. Any less than 2000 dollars is a bargain, assuming it's not a beater.

I always wanted a Colt Python, and a Colt Diamondback. But I got into Smith & Wesson revolvers and sort of never looked back. I don't know if my Model 27 Classic is a better gun than a Colt Python but the majority would agree that it is. Prettier, too, actually. That is not to defame the Colt Python - some people like Cadillacs and some people like Lincolns. Same argument for the most part. But the Cadillac is probably the better car. Prettier, too.

 

[muzzleblast]

?

This thread has me wondering:

Is this really a 1911?



Or, just another knock-off, replica of the Colt 1911?

MB

 

[ralph7]

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck....what is it? It might be an duck that's uglier but it's still a duck right?


Am I the only one around here that is hoping they decide to make a Detective Special? Anyone?

I like Detective Specials, too.
Just don't think they could cut the cost versus buying the real thing, like they can with a Python.
In other words, they would have to sell their replica for about $350-$450 to be able to do it and it still wouldn't be the wide chasm the Python has over it's replica.

 

[Otreb]

I'd like to see and handle before casting any judgement. I recall people telling me it's impossible to produce such a revolver these days without it being prohibitively expensive and such craftsmanship not attainable these days.
The old V spring action is tricky to produce without hand fitting to insure a long lived reliable action, I'd like to see how themItalians pull it off.

 

[GatorFarmer]

I had a Python for a bit. Mine looked terrible, still seemed to work. People forget that before the L frame S&Ws the Python had a reputation as a good strong carry gun in .357. They were not exactly common, but they did end up in some police holsters.

I do not find particularly aspire to have a Python again. But nor is my masculinity and sense of self threatened by those who do, nor those who want a less expensive copy. Me? I want a nickel plated Army Special in .32-20.

I have a Colt 3rd Generation 1860 Army. It seems to have taken a while for these to be accepted as "real" Colts, but they apparently will now letter as such. The parts started life with Uberti, went to Brooklyn, and were finished and assembled under lisc by the old Iver Johnson folks. Seems a nice gun. I perpetually try to trade mine off though. It is turned, not fired, and I can not bring myself to be the guy to fire it.

If, and that is a big if, the metallurgy is solid on the Pietta, and thebparts interchange, I imagine better quality American made springs will be a niche market item to upgrade the Piettas.

Come to think of it, if they made an ugly utility model, I might be interested. Dull, maybe parkerized finish and recoil absorbing rubber grips...maybe even a Tritium sight. The sort of thing you get lynched for if you did it to a real Python.

 

[Bat Guano]

They were about $125 when I was a kid and I can't say as I ever lusted after one. All this time later, I still don't. As for being Italian made--color me highly skeptical about quality.

Now, drift this thread over to Ferraris and Sophia Loren and you've got my full attention.

 

[stu1ritter]

Indeed Bat Guano, they were $125, at least in 1959 when I bought serial number 6303 from a gunshop in Aberdeen, Maryland where I was a young buck private undergoing my military training in small arms repair. It was my first handgun at age 17. I had lusted after the Python ever since I saw the advertisements in the Rifleman. I sold it to a friend of mine while stationed in Germany and he still has it. I shoot it every time I'm in Germany visiting him. Brings back many memories. I'd be interested in the Pietta just to have it to shoot.

 

[durango]

tl;dr:
-----------
Purist: "It ain't a real Colt!"

Pragmatist: "I like it, it looks and functions just like a real Colt!"

Purist: "You cheapskate! You just don't want to spend thousands on a popular gun because you aren't as cool as me, and I love real Colts!"

Pragmatist: "Now hold on, I never said it was a real Colt. I just said I like it."

Purist: "Whatever, your replicas are not the REAL thing!"

Pragmatist: "Oh yeah? I can shoot my replicas, your real thing stays in a box and rusts."

Purist: "You're just stingy and you smell of rotten bananas."

Pragmatist: "You're ugly and your mother dresses you funny."


-----
Beyond that, I like Italian guns. I think they tend to spend more time on the finish and fit than many contemporary American manufacturers. Count me in for a nicely finished, shootable, enjoyable Italian Pony.

So, now that we've hashed out the purists from the pragmatists, how about we all have a refreshing beverage and head to the range?

 

[Kaedan]

tl;dr:
-----------
Purist: "It ain't a real Colt!"

Pragmatist: "I like it, it looks and functions just like a real Colt!"

Purist: "You cheapskate! You just don't want to spend thousands on a popular gun because you aren't as cool as me, and I love real Colts!"

Pragmatist: "Now hold on, I never said it was a real Colt. I just said I like it."

Purist: "Whatever, your replicas are not the REAL thing!"

Pragmatist: "Oh yeah? I can shoot my replicas, your real thing stays in a box and rusts."

Purist: "You're just stingy and you smell of rotten bananas."

Pragmatist: "You're ugly and your mother dresses you funny."


-----
Beyond that, I like Italian guns. I think they tend to spend more time on the finish and fit than many contemporary American manufacturers. Count me in for a nicely finished, shootable, enjoyable Italian Pony.

So, now that we've hashed out the purists from the pragmatists, how about we all have a refreshing beverage and head to the range?

*slowclap* Thank you for summing that up so nice and neat. And with no big red letters or crazy elitism attitude.

 

[muzzleblast]

THANK YOU!

Well said. Thank you.

MB

tl;dr:
-----------
Purist: "It ain't a real Colt!"

Pragmatist: "I like it, it looks and functions just like a real Colt!"

Purist: "You cheapskate! You just don't want to spend thousands on a popular gun because you aren't as cool as me, and I love real Colts!"

Pragmatist: "Now hold on, I never said it was a real Colt. I just said I like it."

Purist: "Whatever, your replicas are not the REAL thing!"

Pragmatist: "Oh yeah? I can shoot my replicas, your real thing stays in a box and rusts."

Purist: "You're just stingy and you smell of rotten bananas."

Pragmatist: "You're ugly and your mother dresses you funny."


-----
Beyond that, I like Italian guns. I think they tend to spend more time on the finish and fit than many contemporary American manufacturers. Count me in for a nicely finished, shootable, enjoyable Italian Pony.

So, now that we've hashed out the purists from the pragmatists, how about we all have a refreshing beverage and head to the range?

 

[s&wchad]

This thread is starting to require too much of the staff's time.
I call your attention to the following:

2. Remember- opinions will differ. Get over it. State your opinion calmly, and allow others to state theirs. Discussion will be fine, but there is no need to take a thread into a verbal fistfight or shouting match.

3. Do NOT descend into personal attacks on a member.
Naiveté, or viewpoints different from yours are no reason to call a member an idiot or moron.
If a poster is obnoxious, report him and ignore him.

If you want this thread to remain open, stay calm and don't get worked up over the opinion of others.

 

[Dennis The B]

There's been a huge amount of speculation, not only here, but on other fora. I've read accounts of Pietta's investment in new CNC equipment, and that may enable them to do a lot in modern manufacturing terms. But will the tight tolerance capabilities alone allow them to recreate the Colt mechanism and feel that Colt did with hand fitting?

Right now, the P 1955 is vaporware. Until those who really know revolvers literally get into the guts, it's a matter of speculation/opinion.

Pythons are in a very expensive niche market, with no increase in supply since 2007. It would seem that Pietta will create another, separate niche.

 

[bummer]

If the Pythons sell hopefully they will make a Diamondback or a Detective Special. Colt's management must be blind to the consumer

 

[Dennis The B]

If the Pythons sell hopefully they will make a Diamondback or a Detective Special. Colt's management must be blind to the consumer

Colt may very well not be in any position financially, to re-enter the revolver market, even on a licensing basis. They seem to have a new recovery plan every other month, and having to refinance debt so often, certainly doesn't help.

Revolvers, although I dearly love them, are a shrinking market. Especially when you consider that the largest share of the pistol/revolver market is the "plastic" self-defense pistol. Fewer folks are shooting revolvers, even in competition. Even S&W only produces a very few (17) of their "Classic" revolvers.

I heartily agree that a "new" D frame would be a great revolver to have. The D frame is larger than the S&W J, and it would make a great carry piece. I have a couple of DS's and a Diamondback, and they're great revolvers. I even had El Paso Saddlery make a concealed carry holster for the DS's. In .38 Special, a newer frame may be tough enough to shoot +P all the time.

It would also seem that the Colt actions, even on newer CNC equipment would be a very complicated endeavor.

I'm a natural skeptic when it comes to any company moving "backward" into long past markets.

 

[Hot Toddy]

Make an Anaconda again and they can take my money!!!!