Gotta poke fun at the Python craze

Sevens · February 23, 2017, 09:27 PM

Sure, it's not like we never laugh at the silly and inflated Colt Python market. And for fans of the snake gun, this NOT Python "hate", honestly, the revolvers are truly historic, iconic and likely many other forms of "ic" but the market is ripe for discussion. This absolutely does not have to foster any negative discussion of these revolvers... likely a cornerstone of American gun and specifically revolver history.

To my point!
Gunbroker brings much to my world and often times, it's simply in the form of entertainment.
www.gunbroker.com/item/621517827
31 total bids, more than a dozen different bidders and YES, for the irrationally skeptical folks in the crowd... definitely long-established and high feedback *REAL* bidders took this 8" Python with gorgeous bright nickel finish to a final bid of $1,275.

Now I would love to leave you hanging because so far it sounds like someone got this hog for HALF PRICE but the devil is in the details. This revolver has bullets stuck in the bore and it took a return trip to Hartford where the official word from the mothership is that the rubber stocks are functional but the rest of it may be a complete and total loss.

Discuss the details, argue a position and share your thought process or simply laugh with me!

There were half a MILLION Pythons made and in this one man's opinion (nothing more than an opinion), to simply call the Python market "inflated" just doesn't capture the spirit of the lunacy.

Jim Watson · February 23, 2017, 09:33 PM

A good S&W crossover gunsmith would beat the "sprung" frame back into line with his Official Armorer's Babbitt Bar.

Wonder where the barrel is plugged? If not too far back, it could make up into another one of those fake 3" Pythons.

Sevens · February 23, 2017, 09:53 PM

Hahaha, one of the earliest bidders was a fellow that calls himself SOLD-AS-IS... haha, he dropped out early, to his credit.

Kreyzhorse · February 24, 2017, 06:32 AM

Wow.... say you steal this for a "$1300", I wonder what the hell it would cost to end up with a functional gun?

CDR_Glock · February 24, 2017, 07:22 AM

"Bullets" stuck in the bore? I can understand one bullet but multiple? That's odd.

I think the hype of this specific model is for fans of Walking Dead. Even if it's not functional, I'm sure someone will just frame it.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

rodfac · February 24, 2017, 07:50 AM

40+ years ago, working as the chief range officer on a military range, we had a no-experience trainee fail to recognize a squib load, the first cartridge fired. To make a long story short, he fired the remainder of the cylinder full in rapid succession. The gun was a Model 15.

The squib had lodged just past the forcing cone, and the rest pushed it up the bore, the last sticking between the cylinder face and the forcing cone; effectively tying up the gun and locking the cylinder in place. Our gunsmith examined it, found the squib sticking out of the muzzle, worked that loose and drove the rest of the stack back down the barrel until the cylinder gap was clear. He then drove the remainder out.

Inspection showed no visible damage to the bore (we speculated that the cylinder gap allowed enough pressure to bleed off that the bbl. wasn't bulged. I loaded it with 6 fresh rounds, (military issue .38 special 130 gr FMJ's) and shot a sub 3" group from the 25 yd. line, and we put the gun back in the service rack. Low pressure .38 Special ammunition no doubt helped...might've been a different story had it been a .357 M19 with full house loads.

Rod

MrBorland · February 24, 2017, 09:52 AM

Well, there are still many working parts in the gun (including it's intricate lockwork) and considering what functional Pythons run nowadays and the scarcity of replacement parts, it might easily make sense for someone to buy this one a $1k+.

reddog81 · February 24, 2017, 09:55 AM

What difference does it make? Most the people buying $3,000 Pythons probably never shoot them anyways so they'd probably never even notice...

reddog81 · February 24, 2017, 09:59 AM

Buy a Python - get 6 free bullets!*

*Bullets may be stuck in barrel.

RIDE-RED 350r · February 24, 2017, 10:20 AM

Snake guns were expensive long before the Walking Dead first aired. Some things just end up being a collectors item and demand what many would deem crazy prices. Prices are set by what the buying market is willing to pay and that's all there is to it.

Would this S&W fan like to own a snake someday? Sure... but I doubt that will happen unless the bottom falls out of the market for them. It's not that I won't pay the price for them, I am just a man of more modest means that just can't justify paying a month's salary for one.

Old Stony · February 24, 2017, 10:55 AM

I once had a 6' Python come into my gun shop that was loaded with a barrel full of bullets from the forcing cone to slightly out the front of the barrel. The barrel could be wiggled in the frame, so obviously the gun was trashed. I called Colt and asked if they would like to have it as an example of their quality firearm able to hold together through this torture. They had absolutely no interest and didn't even want to discuss the problem.
I can certainly understand how they could bleed off some of the pressure through the cylinder gap. I bought an 8" model through their custom shop years ago. I ordered it with factory action work, Elliason sights, etc.. as I was doing a lot of competition back then. The blast from the cylinder gap was terrific and I measured it with a feeler gauge. The gap was .010 so I called Colt and they again had no interest and said that was completely within factory specs.

bedbugbilly · February 24, 2017, 11:01 AM

I love vintage S & W - give me my 5" K frame M & P anyway. I bought a very nice 98% 4" blued Python a few years ago because I got it at a steal and I had always heard about the "Python Experience". Well, "been there and done that" and for me, I hated the Python - yes, well made and good action but too much "iron". But that's a personal thing and I don't knock anyone who likes them as we all like different things. I ended up selling the Python as I always reached for my old M & P K frame. I consigned it and was amazed at what they put on it - I made good profit - they got their commission and it was gone in no time at all.

To each their own! Looking at the link the OP posted, it looks to me like that's the most expensive pair of grips I've ever seen!

Reloadron · February 24, 2017, 04:49 PM

I have a 4" and it shoots just fine. I also had a 6" but my brother managed to repay part of a loan and got his gun back.

The Python I have does shoot well but I also have other S&W and Colt revolvers I enjoy shooting every bit as much, including a S&W Model 28 I really like. I really don't give any thought to what a Colt Python may or may not be selling for these days. I don't tend to sell any guns I have with a few exceptions. Hell, when I check out one of the grandsons can have the Python as well as many of the other guns. Anyway, while I do enjoy shooting the Python I also like several other revolvers just as much.

Ron

jmf552 · February 24, 2017, 05:48 PM

There is a new "Python 2.0" on its way to join the new Cobra. It was mentioned, but not shown, at the last SHOT show and I have a good friend in the industry who has handled a fireable prototype at the Colt factory. He said it looks the same on the outside, except the trigger guard is slightly larger, but the innards are all a new, more manufacturable design, which should be more reliable also. Apparently, Pythons could have timing issues if they got rough use. They didn't tell him a price point, but he expects it to be competitive.

ThomasT · February 24, 2017, 06:10 PM

Did anyone else notice the seller only takes PayPal? I was under the impression that PayPal doesn't do any gun deals.

Sevens · February 24, 2017, 06:44 PM

Paypal vehemently does not do guns themselves and Paypal likely has a laundry list of other (dumb) rules but folks do as they choose and they take the risks for doing so. Certainly nowhere in the hemisphere of illegal, but both parties agree to willfully skirt the rules of Paypal.

Nothing to see here.

Model12Win · February 24, 2017, 07:49 PM

Quote:

There is a new "Python 2.0" on its way to join the new Cobra. It was mentioned, but not shown, at the last SHOT show and I have a good friend in the industry who has handled a fireable prototype at the Colt factory. He said it looks the same on the outside, except the trigger guard is slightly larger, but the innards are all a new, more manufacturable design, which should be more reliable also. Apparently, Pythons could have timing issues if they got rough use. They didn't tell him a price point, but he expects it to be competitive.

Did you guys read that?? THE COL. COLT'S REVOLVING SNAKE PISTOL OF MAGNUM CALIBER IS GOING TO RETURN!!!

Jim Watson · February 25, 2017, 02:02 PM

You had better buy a lot of New Cobras and get all your friends to buy them to convince Colt management that it is worth their while to bring back another revolver.

Years ago, I saw a Python Mk III. On the 1969 coil spring action of the Trooper Mk III but with vent rib full lug barrel and Royal Blue. Engraved, too.
I have since seen pictures of a couple more though not engraved.
Guess they did not think they would go over and so kept building V spring Pythons.

laytonj1 · February 25, 2017, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Did you guys read that?? THE COL. COLT'S REVOLVING SNAKE PISTOL OF MAGNUM CALIBER IS GOING TO RETURN!!!

Yeah, and santa clause is real....

Jim

coolbreezy · February 25, 2017, 07:32 PM

While im a fan of the colt snake guns, esp. The anaconda, i see see no reason for the extremely steep and unwarrented prices that most people ask for them. IMO, the smith L and N 357's are just as good and much more feasible in terms of cost.

tipoc · February 26, 2017, 02:36 PM

It's especially ironic in that Colt ceased making the Python due to low sales. Folks thought paying $1,000. for a new Python was too much.

tipoc

snubbyfan · February 26, 2017, 02:57 PM

I'd rather have a 4" S&W 686.

tipoc · February 26, 2017, 03:06 PM

Deleted cuz it's too off topic.

Niner4Tango · February 27, 2017, 08:35 PM

Maybe they'll have enough usable parts to build a Smython
https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...02&postcount=3

Sevens · February 27, 2017, 09:13 PM

They could but it would be a BAD idea given the damage and which part of a Python is used for a Smython.

However, if the goal was inserting a "look at me!" picture... done!

I have a Bill Davis "Cougar" and would love to add a 6" Smython one day.

February 23, 2017, 09:27 PM	#1
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Gotta poke fun at the Python craze Sure, it's not like we never laugh at the silly and inflated Colt Python market. And for fans of the snake gun, this NOT Python "hate", honestly, the revolvers are truly historic, iconic and likely many other forms of "ic" but the market is ripe for discussion. This absolutely does not have to foster any negative discussion of these revolvers... likely a cornerstone of American gun and specifically revolver history. To my point! Gunbroker brings much to my world and often times, it's simply in the form of entertainment. www.gunbroker.com/item/621517827 31 total bids, more than a dozen different bidders and YES, for the irrationally skeptical folks in the crowd... definitely long-established and high feedback REAL bidders took this 8" Python with gorgeous bright nickel finish to a final bid of $1,275. Now I would love to leave you hanging because so far it sounds like someone got this hog for HALF PRICE but the devil is in the details. This revolver has bullets stuck in the bore and it took a return trip to Hartford where the official word from the mothership is that the rubber stocks are functional but the rest of it may be a complete and total loss. Discuss the details, argue a position and share your thought process or simply laugh with me! There were half a MILLION Pythons made and in this one man's opinion (nothing more than an opinion), to simply call the Python market "inflated" just doesn't capture the spirit of the lunacy. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

February 23, 2017, 09:53 PM	#3
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Hahaha, one of the earliest bidders was a fellow that calls himself SOLD-AS-IS... haha, he dropped out early, to his credit. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

February 24, 2017, 06:32 AM	#4
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Wow.... say you steal this for a "$1300", I wonder what the hell it would cost to end up with a functional gun? __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

February 24, 2017, 07:50 AM	#6
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,624	40+ years ago, working as the chief range officer on a military range, we had a no-experience trainee fail to recognize a squib load, the first cartridge fired. To make a long story short, he fired the remainder of the cylinder full in rapid succession. The gun was a Model 15. The squib had lodged just past the forcing cone, and the rest pushed it up the bore, the last sticking between the cylinder face and the forcing cone; effectively tying up the gun and locking the cylinder in place. Our gunsmith examined it, found the squib sticking out of the muzzle, worked that loose and drove the rest of the stack back down the barrel until the cylinder gap was clear. He then drove the remainder out. Inspection showed no visible damage to the bore (we speculated that the cylinder gap allowed enough pressure to bleed off that the bbl. wasn't bulged. I loaded it with 6 fresh rounds, (military issue .38 special 130 gr FMJ's) and shot a sub 3" group from the 25 yd. line, and we put the gun back in the service rack. Low pressure .38 Special ammunition no doubt helped...might've been a different story had it been a .357 M19 with full house loads. Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73. Last edited by rodfac; February 24, 2017 at 07:55 AM.

February 24, 2017, 11:01 AM	#12
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	I love vintage S & W - give me my 5" K frame M & P anyway. I bought a very nice 98% 4" blued Python a few years ago because I got it at a steal and I had always heard about the "Python Experience". Well, "been there and done that" and for me, I hated the Python - yes, well made and good action but too much "iron". But that's a personal thing and I don't knock anyone who likes them as we all like different things. I ended up selling the Python as I always reached for my old M & P K frame. I consigned it and was amazed at what they put on it - I made good profit - they got their commission and it was gone in no time at all. To each their own! Looking at the link the OP posted, it looks to me like that's the most expensive pair of grips I've ever seen! __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

February 23, 2017, 09:33 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	A good S&W crossover gunsmith would beat the "sprung" frame back into line with his Official Armorer's Babbitt Bar. Wonder where the barrel is plugged? If not too far back, it could make up into another one of those fake 3" Pythons.

February 24, 2017, 07:22 AM	#5
CDR_Glock Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2010 Posts: 704	"Bullets" stuck in the bore? I can understand one bullet but multiple? That's odd. I think the hype of this specific model is for fans of Walking Dead. Even if it's not functional, I'm sure someone will just frame it. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

February 24, 2017, 09:52 AM	#7
MrBorland Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2007 Location: NC Posts: 2,614	Well, there are still many working parts in the gun (including it's intricate lockwork) and considering what functional Pythons run nowadays and the scarcity of replacement parts, it might easily make sense for someone to buy this one a $1k+.

February 24, 2017, 09:55 AM	#8
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	What difference does it make? Most the people buying $3,000 Pythons probably never shoot them anyways so they'd probably never even notice...

February 24, 2017, 09:59 AM	#9
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	Buy a Python - get 6 free bullets!* *Bullets may be stuck in barrel.

February 24, 2017, 10:20 AM	#10
RIDE-RED 350r Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2014 Posts: 425	Snake guns were expensive long before the Walking Dead first aired. Some things just end up being a collectors item and demand what many would deem crazy prices. Prices are set by what the buying market is willing to pay and that's all there is to it. Would this S&W fan like to own a snake someday? Sure... but I doubt that will happen unless the bottom falls out of the market for them. It's not that I won't pay the price for them, I am just a man of more modest means that just can't justify paying a month's salary for one.

February 24, 2017, 10:55 AM	#11
Old Stony Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2013 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,705	I once had a 6' Python come into my gun shop that was loaded with a barrel full of bullets from the forcing cone to slightly out the front of the barrel. The barrel could be wiggled in the frame, so obviously the gun was trashed. I called Colt and asked if they would like to have it as an example of their quality firearm able to hold together through this torture. They had absolutely no interest and didn't even want to discuss the problem. I can certainly understand how they could bleed off some of the pressure through the cylinder gap. I bought an 8" model through their custom shop years ago. I ordered it with factory action work, Elliason sights, etc.. as I was doing a lot of competition back then. The blast from the cylinder gap was terrific and I measured it with a feeler gauge. The gap was .010 so I called Colt and they again had no interest and said that was completely within factory specs.

February 24, 2017, 04:49 PM	#13
Reloadron Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2016 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Suburbs Posts: 1,750	I have a 4" and it shoots just fine. I also had a 6" but my brother managed to repay part of a loan and got his gun back. The Python I have does shoot well but I also have other S&W and Colt revolvers I enjoy shooting every bit as much, including a S&W Model 28 I really like. I really don't give any thought to what a Colt Python may or may not be selling for these days. I don't tend to sell any guns I have with a few exceptions. Hell, when I check out one of the grandsons can have the Python as well as many of the other guns. Anyway, while I do enjoy shooting the Python I also like several other revolvers just as much. Ron

February 24, 2017, 05:48 PM	#14
jmf552 Member Join Date: February 15, 2017 Posts: 15	There is a new "Python 2.0" on its way to join the new Cobra. It was mentioned, but not shown, at the last SHOT show and I have a good friend in the industry who has handled a fireable prototype at the Colt factory. He said it looks the same on the outside, except the trigger guard is slightly larger, but the innards are all a new, more manufacturable design, which should be more reliable also. Apparently, Pythons could have timing issues if they got rough use. They didn't tell him a price point, but he expects it to be competitive.

February 24, 2017, 06:10 PM	#15
ThomasT Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,753	Did anyone else notice the seller only takes PayPal? I was under the impression that PayPal doesn't do any gun deals.

February 24, 2017, 06:44 PM	#16
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Paypal vehemently does not do guns themselves and Paypal likely has a laundry list of other (dumb) rules but folks do as they choose and they take the risks for doing so. Certainly nowhere in the hemisphere of illegal, but both parties agree to willfully skirt the rules of Paypal. Nothing to see here. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

February 25, 2017, 02:02 PM	#18
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	You had better buy a lot of New Cobras and get all your friends to buy them to convince Colt management that it is worth their while to bring back another revolver. Years ago, I saw a Python Mk III. On the 1969 coil spring action of the Trooper Mk III but with vent rib full lug barrel and Royal Blue. Engraved, too. I have since seen pictures of a couple more though not engraved. Guess they did not think they would go over and so kept building V spring Pythons.

February 25, 2017, 07:32 PM	#20
coolbreezy Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2010 Posts: 271	While im a fan of the colt snake guns, esp. The anaconda, i see see no reason for the extremely steep and unwarrented prices that most people ask for them. IMO, the smith L and N 357's are just as good and much more feasible in terms of cost. __________________ S&W highway patrolman 28-2/ Springfield mil spec 1911 (semi custom)/ Sig P220 match elite .45 acp/Kimber micro 9 stainless/ Remington 870 tac14/ Taurus pt22/ S&W 629-1 3" .44 mag/ S&W 629 PC V-Comp/ Beretta M9/ Stevens/Savage 311A 12 ga double bbl/ Magnum research Desert Eagle XIX .44 mag/ S&W 460 xvr/ Glock g40 10mm longslide/ H&K usp compact .45 acp/ Ruger SuperBlackhawk Lipsey Edition/ S&W 686+ 3-5-7 talo edition

February 26, 2017, 02:36 PM	#21
tipoc Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Location: Redwood City, Ca. Posts: 4,114	It's especially ironic in that Colt ceased making the Python due to low sales. Folks thought paying $1,000. for a new Python was too much. tipoc

February 26, 2017, 02:57 PM	#22
snubbyfan Member Join Date: September 1, 2016 Posts: 65	I'd rather have a 4" S&W 686.

February 26, 2017, 03:06 PM	#23
tipoc Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Location: Redwood City, Ca. Posts: 4,114	Deleted cuz it's too off topic.

February 27, 2017, 08:35 PM	#24
Niner4Tango Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2007 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 287	Maybe they'll have enough usable parts to build a Smython https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...02&postcount=3

February 27, 2017, 09:13 PM	#25
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	They could but it would be a BAD idea given the damage and which part of a Python is used for a Smython. However, if the goal was inserting a "look at me!" picture... done! I have a Bill Davis "Cougar" and would love to add a 6" Smython one day. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.