What's up with the Pythons

[Art Doc]

All guns are up.

All Colts are way up (not making any new ones).

Pythons, Anacondas and Diamondbacks are way, way up.

I have 3 Pythons and 2 D'backs. I call them my retirement fund.

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

The gun is featured prominently on a very popular TV show about zombies. ... It doesn't help that they went for a premium even before Rick Grimes started toting one around.

This is true. Considering that The Walking Dead is one of the top watched shows right now, it's main character (Rick Grimes) is responsible for a lot of the current demand in the Colt Python. I say it's both good and bad. Good that younger guys are getting interested in revolvers but bad that prices are going up.

Maybe this season Rick's Python locks up and he goes for a 686. Then I can sell mine for triple what I paid

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

I think the Python's are one of the best looking revolvers out there. I'm not going to lie, I feel in love with the Python when I started watching the Walking Dead I own a 6" in Royal Blue of 1976 vintage because I got it for a great price that I could not refuse. I have not shot it yet but I think the DA on this gun is better than the DA's on my 686's. The SA on my Python is not as good as my Smith's though. I bet if the 586/686 went out of production 12 years ago, they would be up in value like the Colt's.

James

 

[jarhead1178]

Never owned a colt python but did pick up near mint 6 inch stainless 357 colt cobra a couple of years ago, no box or papers for 600 dollars. Guy offered me a thousand for it last year. Took the offer and bought myself a new shield 9 and new cannik tristar t00 9 and had money left over. I only like to have guns that I can carry in my old age.

 

[BigBill]

I did a quick search and found this on the High Road forum, it explains lock up; you can read the entire link at the bottom.

dfariswheelAugust 28, 2010, 09:11 PM
If you have an old style Colt like a Detective Special or Python, the cylinder should lock up tight only when the trigger is pulled and held back.

If you have a S&W, Ruger, Dan Wesson, Taurus, Rossi, or a newer Colt like a Mark III or King Cobra, the cylinder is intentionally designed NOT to lock up tight.
This allows the bullet passing from the chamber to the barrel to force the chamber into alignment with the bore.
In these types of guns, the action will lock up as tight as it's going to with the hammer just cocked.
Pulling the trigger won't lock it tighter.

in other words, if you have something other than a older style Colt your gun isn't broken and trying to "fix it" will prevent it from operating properly.

Cylinder lockup - THR

It wasn't the final tight lock up that was the problem the cylinder didn't turn far enough for the cam to go in the slot on the cylinder. When I pulled the trigger the cylinder would turn into place as the cam locked in place the gun fired.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

How about a NIB 4" Python?

 

[BigBill]

With most of the big gun manufacturers discontinuing there revolver line up at least s&w is still offering there classic revolvers and some new PC tuned revolvers which look pretty good price wise too.

Colt is too busy with government contracts to throw us little people a bone.
When the contracts slow down colt will throw us a bone and I'll throw it back to them.

My brother purchased a colt trooper that was an awesome revolver. He got a good one while I got the what ever.

 

[wbraswell]

The pimps are buying them all up.

 

[jimmyj]

WELL !
Colt Pythons, and other Colt Revolvers are "High Price" plus Smith and Wesson Revolver are also climbing higher and higher in price.

**** Has anyone noted the prices on wood revolver grips lately ?? and the grips are just two pieces of carved wood with a screw.

 

[ohiojerry]

Mines not going anywhere for any price.

 

[BCDWYO]

I've always been partial to S&W, but the Python's one of those I wish I'd made a move on when they were in production, when prices on new and used were in the realm of reality. Aside from the $$$, a Python would have to be a safe queen. Parts are getting hard to find, as well as guys who know how to work on them. Pythons were hand fitted, as close to custom as any production gun could be, (another reason Colt quit making them). You don't take Wedgewood china and Lennox crystal when you go camping. For the same reason, much as I'd like to, a Python would be my last choice for EDC. I'd even think twice about too many range trips. Too much to risk.

This was the exact reason I sold my Python when prices started to climb. I was just afraid to shoot it much and didn't know anyone who worked on them, so it was a safe queen. I honestly always preferred good S&W triggers anyway.

As to the wild rumors about one or two guys buying up "ALL" the pythons...I have a hard time swallowing that one. Pythons are out of production and scarce, but are still a LOT of them in existance...by no means are they rare enough for one or a few people to gobble them all up.

 

[george minze]

This thread needs to have at least one picture in it.

Or two I suppose...

That finish say's it all.......

 

[ben_g1]

WELL !
Colt Pythons, and other Colt Revolvers are "High Price" plus Smith and Wesson Revolver are also climbing higher and higher in price

You sure got that right! I was watching three guns close to home (Iowa) on GB today. All three from same person and all three nice S&W 27-2 3 1/2" barrels in presentation cases. Two of the auctions ended at $1425. & $1757. The last one ends in 16 hr. and is up to $1075. Look out Pythons, there's a new sheriff in town .

 

[DR505]

I'll bet that in twenty years the 686 will be as much in demand as the Python is now.

To tell the truth, I never thought Pythons were so good looking. I'd like to see how they look without the ventilated rib.

Yes, I think they look silly, with that big bridge-looking vent rib over the little .357" hole in the muzzle. I've never been impressed with the Python. I've shot them and prefer the action of a good S&W.

 

[koz5614]

I grew up in a S&W family, but I own one Colt revolver

I bought this Austin Behlert tuned Python in 2007 for $600. I wanted one because my dad had a four inch Python in the early 80s, and because of the movie "Electra Glide in Blue". I'm glad I bought it when I did; the prices have climbed to a point where "average" guys like me just can't afford one. The value of my revolver may have doubled, but my salary hasn't. Although it's a beautiful revolver, I'd put the fit & finish of my 27-2 up against my Python any day.

 

[Ben_hutcherson]

I like Colts, and in fact have three Colt double action revolvers in my collection. I also have an Official Police on lay-a-way at a local shop.

I've never shot a Python, but the to honest they've never really appealed to me. I'm just as happy with my Trooper 357 as I would be with a Python. I realize that the Trooper probably isn't as nicely hand-fitted as a Python(although it's very nice in and of itself) but I prefer it appearance wise to a Python and it cost me a third of what a similar condition Python would have.

We have discussions in watch collecting circles all the time about why relatively common pieces command high prices, while much rarer ones bring much lower prices. At the end of the day, even though Pythons are relatively common, there are a lot of folks out there looking for them and obviously able and willing to pay the prices they are bringing. I certainly don't fault anyone for paying the current going prices to buy a gun that they like. I'm just not going to be one of the people paying those prices.

 

[oberon]

Python is the absolute pinnacle of production double action revolvers. There are some customs that are as good and better for even more money. Mine was literally shoved into my hands for $435 OTD many years ago.
Now, you must understand, I am a S&W man. To me, the S&Ws are the real deal workhorse of service revolvers. Old ones & not so old ones. No doubt about it. Style, durability, reliable performance.

So why are there more Colts in my pile than anything else?
Well... some of 'em are 1903 & 1908 model Ms and Ns, and most of the rest are DAs that will never be made again. Lots of nostalgia & mystique in 'em. So there is a noticeable presence of 'em in my safe.
Most of my stuff is of the 'used' and 'well used', or 'beat-up' variety.
I ain't afraid to get into 'em and tinker 'em up and make 'em run decent. I do like the Colt lockwork & trigger, though.
By way of comparison, the S&Ws don't need tinkerin'. They just run the same year in & year out. Good guns, indeed.

 

[Beemerguy53]

First, Colt stopped making them ca. 2007. With stopping production, comes scarcity in the market. The Python action was hand fitted; like no other revolver. The Python has a finish (Royal Blue, nickel) which was far better than any other Colt, and to some, superior to other manufacturers. That mystique remains, and it drives up the cost of the remaining market. What could be purchased for as little as $400 new, now commands prices in excess of $2000, and the price is not going down. One only has to decide when, or if, to jump into the fray.

The Colt action was unique. It continually "stacked" until the sear released. The S&W, on the other hand, stacked up to a certain point, and then used the same amount of pull to release the sear. Folks generally line up on one side, or the other.

The barrel on the Python has a tapered bore, which greatly added to accuracy. That's why the Smolt conversion (Python barrel, K frame) was a popular conversion. You just never see a S&W barrel, and a Colt frame. The Python is also larger than the S&W K frame (and the attendant problems with light .357 bullets), smaller than the N frames. That was a selling point.

The Python was a status symbol especially for some police officers. Carrying one denoted an elite status, if you will.

No one person can possible corner the market on used Pythons. There are thousands out there, and some folks won't sell their guns at any price. That's the way markets operate.

There are also niche markets within the general market. 2.5" and 3" models bring a real premium, because they're scarce within the family. The most common barrel length, 4" does bring the least money (relatively). There is a lot of fakery out there,too. Just look at the number of fake boxes, documentation, "California Combat" models, etc., that are for sale. Folks will pay a premium for the accoutrements.

I own three, and they're great revolvers.

You make excellent points, especially about the value of Pythons. Production has stopped, demand is still strong and growing, so prices will continue to rise.

I love my S&W revolvers...but I also love my two Pythons. Shooting them is a wonderful experience: They have the best trigger imaginable, and they are far more accurate than I am. It's never been a mystery to me why Pythons are so sought-after...

 

[perrazi]

this has been posted before, but due to the python discussion, could stand posting again.

 

[rrob692326]

Own both a python and a 686 both with 6 inch barrels and I have to say the python has a better double action and the smith has a better single action. I don't shoot the python anymore since I had colt restore it. It is just a safe queen now like so many others. I will say I shot better with the smith. I paid 150 for it in the early eighties and it was in perfect condition.
Aloha
RR