Which Pythons to stay away from?

FoghornLeghorn · March 25, 2014, 11:11 AM

I'm giving my son my six inch barrelled Python as a gift. That means I'm in the market for another Python with a six inch barrel.

I bought mine years ago, but remember that there was a period when Colt's quality control slipped on revolvers. In 1989 I bought a new single action Colt that was really sorry. In fact, the mainspring broke after only cocking it a few times.

Was there such a period with the Python that was inferior? Is there some way to know the serial number range? I plan to go to the Wannamacher show in a few weeks to shop, and want to be prepared before I drop $2,000 or more for a revolver.

P5 Guy · March 25, 2014, 04:11 PM

The ones let lose in the Everglades?

I've never been a fan of the Colt Snakes myself. I've had a couple and never warmed to them.
I'd like a nice early Detective, though.

Dfariswheel · March 25, 2014, 07:38 PM

Guns are not bottles of wine. There are no "good years" or "bad years" there are just good or bad guns.
Guns made during the Colt strike of the mid-1980's are the most likely to see something not right, but even then, most of them were fine quality.

The way to buy a Python is to LOOK at them. If it seems to look good and is in proper timing, it usually IS good.
Buying a gun based on just the year made will cause you to miss a good one or buy a bad one.

The main thing to watch out for today are Pythons that have been "helped".
That means re-finished guns being sold as like new-original.
Also beware of counterfeit boxes, manuals, papers, test targets, and even fake hang tags.
You have to know what to look for to ID fake boxes, but these days it's gotten so bad any Python "in the box" should be assumed to be a fake box unless proven otherwise.

So, if you see a Python that's in your price range and looks like it's a good one, if probably is and will almost always be a good shooter.
If you're shopping for a collectible that's like new in the box, be very careful, the fakers are out in force.

Don P · March 26, 2014, 10:14 AM

Colt employee's went on strike in 1985 and the strike lasted 5 years. They were part of the UAW. This is the period when QC went down hill in Colts production as non skilled workers were assembling firearms. My personal opinion is not owning anything that came out of Colt from 1985 and later.

FoghornLeghorn · March 26, 2014, 10:25 AM

Quote:

My personal opinion is not owning anything that came out of Colt from 1985 and later

Would you happen to know the serial number range?

PetahW · March 26, 2014, 10:40 AM

.

RE: Colt Python dates:

SN T27541 was 1984

SN T34453 was 1985

IDK whether those SN's were the 1st-made or the last-made, of their respective years.

.

Don P · March 26, 2014, 12:48 PM

Link here, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_Python#History
and the serial numbers, http://proofhouse.com/colt/pyth.htm
and here, http://www.colt.com/CustomerServices...berLookup.aspx
and here, http://www.coltforum.com/forums/colt...al-ranges.html
and here, http://www.colt.com/ShopOnline/tabid...2/Default.aspx

The pocket guide is thru 1998

FoghornLeghorn · March 26, 2014, 01:18 PM

Thanks so much for all the information.

Dfariswheel · March 26, 2014, 07:34 PM

I own two stainless Pythons, both made during the strike.

The 4 inch is superb quality and is extremely accurate. Timing, alignment and all mechanical and appearance items were dead on right out of the box.

The 6 inch is not only superb quality, it's very possibly the most accurate Python I ever fired of the MANY MANY I worked on over the years. (All pistols were test fired for accuracy and function off sand bags after servicing).

Had I passed on them due to the years made, I would have missed out on some of the best Colt's I ever saw in all those years.
On the other hand I've seen Pythons made during the late 1950's that were messes.

KyJim · March 26, 2014, 09:05 PM

DFarriswheel -- Are you saying that the bosses actually knew something about making guns?

March 25, 2014, 11:11 AM	#1
FoghornLeghorn Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2011 Posts: 1,000	Which Pythons to stay away from? I'm giving my son my six inch barrelled Python as a gift. That means I'm in the market for another Python with a six inch barrel. I bought mine years ago, but remember that there was a period when Colt's quality control slipped on revolvers. In 1989 I bought a new single action Colt that was really sorry. In fact, the mainspring broke after only cocking it a few times. Was there such a period with the Python that was inferior? Is there some way to know the serial number range? I plan to go to the Wannamacher show in a few weeks to shop, and want to be prepared before I drop $2,000 or more for a revolver.

March 25, 2014, 04:11 PM	#2
P5 Guy Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 1,804	Which Pythons to Avoid? The ones let lose in the Everglades? I've never been a fan of the Colt Snakes myself. I've had a couple and never warmed to them. I'd like a nice early Detective, though.

March 26, 2014, 10:14 AM	#4
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,213	Colt employee's went on strike in 1985 and the strike lasted 5 years. They were part of the UAW. This is the period when QC went down hill in Colts production as non skilled workers were assembling firearms. My personal opinion is not owning anything that came out of Colt from 1985 and later. __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

March 26, 2014, 12:48 PM	#7
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,213	Link here, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_Python#History and the serial numbers, http://proofhouse.com/colt/pyth.htm and here, http://www.colt.com/CustomerServices...berLookup.aspx and here, http://www.coltforum.com/forums/colt...al-ranges.html and here, http://www.colt.com/ShopOnline/tabid...2/Default.aspx The pocket guide is thru 1998 __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

March 25, 2014, 07:38 PM	#3
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,562	Guns are not bottles of wine. There are no "good years" or "bad years" there are just good or bad guns. Guns made during the Colt strike of the mid-1980's are the most likely to see something not right, but even then, most of them were fine quality. The way to buy a Python is to LOOK at them. If it seems to look good and is in proper timing, it usually IS good. Buying a gun based on just the year made will cause you to miss a good one or buy a bad one. The main thing to watch out for today are Pythons that have been "helped". That means re-finished guns being sold as like new-original. Also beware of counterfeit boxes, manuals, papers, test targets, and even fake hang tags. You have to know what to look for to ID fake boxes, but these days it's gotten so bad any Python "in the box" should be assumed to be a fake box unless proven otherwise. So, if you see a Python that's in your price range and looks like it's a good one, if probably is and will almost always be a good shooter. If you're shopping for a collectible that's like new in the box, be very careful, the fakers are out in force.

March 26, 2014, 10:40 AM	#6
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. RE: Colt Python dates: SN T27541 was 1984 SN T34453 was 1985 IDK whether those SN's were the 1st-made or the last-made, of their respective years. .

March 26, 2014, 01:18 PM	#8
FoghornLeghorn Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2011 Posts: 1,000	Thanks so much for all the information.

March 26, 2014, 07:34 PM	#9
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,562	I own two stainless Pythons, both made during the strike. The 4 inch is superb quality and is extremely accurate. Timing, alignment and all mechanical and appearance items were dead on right out of the box. The 6 inch is not only superb quality, it's very possibly the most accurate Python I ever fired of the MANY MANY I worked on over the years. (All pistols were test fired for accuracy and function off sand bags after servicing). Had I passed on them due to the years made, I would have missed out on some of the best Colt's I ever saw in all those years. On the other hand I've seen Pythons made during the late 1950's that were messes.

March 26, 2014, 09:05 PM	#10
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,149	DFarriswheel -- Are you saying that the bosses actually knew something about making guns?