What do you think about this Python

[wheelgun28]

It is 1965 4"

The blue is very good, with no wear or marks.
It does have a turn line and someone added a yellow front sight. The pin that holds the rear sight has bulged slightly
The grips do show wear
It does have a hollow underlug.
No box or anything else.

I don't know much about Colts and Pythons.

I see Pythons selling all over the place price wise and some seem worth more than others.

Someone told me that what adds value is, its C&R, and an early model with the hollow lug?

What's it worth today?

 

[Erocksmash]

A C&R snake,.... man.... I would say 2.5k plus... that is about 3 beans(to find a new OS OTO) off the front sight

Being super early is the value, she's nice...

 

[Truckman]

Colts are worth whatever someone else is willing to pay for them, in other words no set value...Last weekend, I paid $680 for a very nice 2nd Model Detective Special......Ben

 

[Rudi]

I think it's a real beauty! Can't help with price.

 

[mauser9]

Sure looks in great shape. Sure wish I had the funds to buy one back in the early 70s. What is the asking price for this beauty?

 

[s&wchad]

The grips are correct for the date, but rougher than the rest of the gun. It looks like there's some bluing wear on the right side of the frame.

The turn line is from improper handling. The stop lug on a Colt shouldn't pop-up until the lead. that type of line only happens when someone repeatedly closes the cylinder willy-nilly and spins the cylinder to engage the stop.

You didn't say what you could get it for... If the asking price was $1500 and it times properly, I'd buy it. I'd pass at $2000. Anywhere in between, it depends on how badly you want it.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Sure looks in great shape. Sure wish I had the funds to buy one back in the early 70s. What is the asking price for this beauty?

In 1980 my wife bought me one from the custom shop for $480.00 NIB..........I still have it. It sleeps. I prefer my Smiths.

 

[sigp220.45]

Around here it would be $2500 on the low end.

 

[oysterer]

as was said: something very wrong going on here, the grips don't fit the rest and some funny shading on the right side. Id stay away from that. These guns are so over valued, the actions are finicky and the DA is atrocious, not interesting as a shooter, I would pass and plus I do not even like them in any condition.

 

[MCorps0311]

I have no clue what it's worth,but i'd love to own it.

 

[Grayfox]

The prices on Colt Snakes have gone through the roof the last few years. I'd guess that the asking price for that would be in the $2500-3000 range. However, they may ask those prices, but the trick is to find someone willing to pay it. I've seen many Pythons with sky high prices sit for a very long time without selling.

 

[Andyd]

On Gunbroker it would probably sell somewhere between $1,650 and $2,000 if the seller is patient and has a good rating.

There is a 1972 four inch Python lnib listed since almost one week for $2389. In that price range C&R eligibilty or transfer cost do not matter a whole lot anymore.

 

[shocker]

On a tangent, I see the new 4.25" Python at Bud's for $2200. My, my, things have gone up in a hurry.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

99% of people that buy these things do only 2 things..........Brag about them and fondle them........If they took them out and shot them on a steady and regular basis. They would probably rate them about the same as a taurus or charter for their durability.

 

[Ruger 13]

The cylinder turns the wrong direction. Are you sure it wasn't refinished?

 

[rockquarry]

Unless you just have to have a Python, consider other Colts that will probably shoot at least as well like a Trooper, the 357 model, or Officers Model Match. I'm speaking of older guns here, not the ones they came out with in the '70s or '80s.

I'm not being critical of Pythons, having shot two of them regularly for a long time. They do seem to be durable, contrary to what some say, but they don't have anything over the other revolvers I mentioned except maybe looks. I'm pretty sure Pythons are better guns than a Charter Arms or a Taurus, but I've never owned the latter two, so could be mistaken.

 

[Andyd]

99% of people that buy these things do only 2 things..........Brag about them and fondle them........If they took them out and shot them on a steady and regular basis. They would probably rate them about the same as a taurus or charter for their durability.

Really? I have shot my Python in competitions, and successfully so, I had also let a friend borrow it and he won many competitions with it. It did not go out of time and is still going strong. I finally gifted it to my son when he graduated police academy. No more Taurus of Charter Arms for me (though I have owned them and found a few Taurus'es to be excellent ) but Korths, Manurhin MR73s and a few S&W's. Maybe more S&W's than most have.

Yet, I am a shooter - though retired from competitions - and not a collector. I shoot in excess of ten thousand rounds a year still - and you?

 

[oysterer]

Really? I have shot my Python in competitions, and successfully so, I had also let a friend borrow it and he won many competitions with it. It did not go out of time and is still going strong. I finally gifted it to my son when he graduated police academy. No more Taurus of Charter Arms for me (though I have owned them and found a few Taurus'es to be excellent ) but Korths, Manurhin MR73s and a few S&W's. Maybe more S&W's than most have.

Yet, I am a shooter - though retired from competitions - and not a collector. I shoot in excess of ten thousand rounds a year still - and you?

In years of shooting competitions or just being in different shooting and range environments around the country I have seen guns of all kinds, stripes and flavors. I have never ever in those years seen a shooter, competitor or plain gun enthusiast bring a Python to shoot or compete with. Never. Don't know I could ever count the 625s, 686s, 586s, 28s, 27s and on and on I have seen, Manhurins, Korths, you get the point. Hundreds of thousands Pythons made but they just don't come out and get shot in places I frequent. They are known not to be shooters and that is what I have been observing.

 

[schutz5]

It looks fairly decent on my tablet.
Maybe on a big screen it is a different story.
I had thought that the hollow lug stopped by the late 1950s. Not sure.
Anyway,it appeared to my observation that it may have an early bolt drop issue based on what I seem to be seeing with the 'drag line'. Better pics can help.
If so,you may be able to get it tweaked by the likes of Frank Glenn or else may need new internal parts.
Go post this at the coltforum.c on
Those gents can steer ya right.
Also look up coltfever.com

 

[oink]

One of my former coworkers carried and shot a Python his whole career. all road patrol. There was little finish by the time he neared retirement. I don't know if he ever entered any competitions but he was an excellent shot with it. Actually he was an excellent shot with anything I ever saw him shoot. I've always be a Smith guy and never cared for what to me was a wrongly stacked double action but he sure shot it well. I've never owned one and likely never will but I do like them, but not $2500 worth. My brother has a King Cobra I'd kinda like.

 

[stansdds]

Wow! If that is the original finish, my guess would be $2500-$3000.

 

[bigl1911]

There is nothing wrong with this Python. Values on Pythons vary just like Smiths based on a series of variables - year, model variation, condition, box and the rest. This python in 1965 insofar as rarity - Colt made 9,100 units 1965. Not a rare gun. Values of Pythons start with NIB unfired and go down quickly from there. Value. All about who wants the gun. This one can be fired and enjoyed. And Smith brethren snobs, the delicacy of a Python is a bunch of hooey.

Under heavy usage:
"The "weakness" of the old Colt action is the hand that advances the cylinder in the Python also forces the cylinder into tight lockup. This hand is subject to wear and does require repair or replacement when it wears to the point that the timing is off.

In the old Colt action this is considered to be normal maintenance, just like changing spark plugs in a car.

When the hand wears and the action begins to display improper timing, it's time to have the gun serviced by a qualified Colt pistolsmith.

If servicing is delayed, the action can be seriously damaged and the cost of repair can be high."

The best part of a Python? Single action shooting and accuracy as a general statement. I am a serious Reg Mag model 27 kind of guy. I am here to say the evil Colt is a pleasure as a target gun.

Value - This one a 4" is an $1800 tops gun full retail if I wanted a Python as a shooter and I didn't have one.

 

[Thuer]

Just to compair the grips. Ignore the Diamondback. It is a old picture I dit take years ago. This is a Python made in 1961 with an open underlug. The grip is original to the revolver. I do think that the grip on the very nice 4 inch Python are correct. Aldo the medalion is darker at my Python

 

[cowboy4evr]

About a 1 1/2 yrs ago I bought an OM Trooper . It's built on the same frame as Python , same action . It doesn't have the ribbed vented barrel nor high lustrous finish . But I paid $475 and it was in excellent condition , original finish . That is probably as close to a Python as I will ever get . Single action is great , yes it does stack in double action . It just requires practice to get used to it . I have NO intention of ever selling it . Regards Paul

 

[Old cop]

I paid $85 for my Colt Cobra in ‘68, first off-duty gun, but have no idea what it’s worth now. The Python was the Cadillac of service weapons; the only time I saw on in a cop’s holster was in a movie.

 

[Art Doc]

It's possible the original stocks were pristine and the owner sold them for $350 and put on a rougher set to sell the gun.

 

[03hemi]

I'd pay $2k for that any day of the week, didn't say it was worth it, but giving the current market for Pythons?

 

[Grayfox]

As per my previous comment regarding finding someone who will pay those high prices. On the local Armslist, there's a 1962 4" Python in excellent condition with box and docs. However, it has aftermarket grips on it. Asking price is $2,920. Its been there a while and will probably be there for a long time to come. I just don't see it bringing that kind of money.

 

[stansdds]

As per my previous comment regarding finding someone who will pay those high prices. On the local Armslist, there's a 1962 4" Python in excellent condition with box and docs. However, it has aftermarket grips on it. Asking price is $2,920. Its been there a while and will probably be there for a long time to come. I just don't see it bringing that kind of money.

Anyone who knows what a pair of good condition, period correct stocks cost these days will not pay top dollar for one with aftermarket stocks.

 

[Redcoat3340]

My best buddy, Wayne Mulholland carried a Python every day of his 25 years on the California Highway Patrol. He loved that gun and it saved his life in a shoot-out (and took the life of the guy who was shooting at him). Wayne's gone now (passed in January) and his gun went to his daughter and son-in-law, as it should have. It did take him almost a year to find a decent smith in the Seattle area to service it when I got him shooting again. I miss my pal.