The New Colt Python Officially Unveiled
- Thread starter Harry Callahan
- Start date
I'm quite impressed with these new ones. Thanks for posting all the info in this thread!
I especially like seeing the new internals! I've tuned 7 pythons 4 of which were my own plus over 10 of the old colt actions like the python (police positive, Officer Match, 3-5-7) as well as my new King Cobra. The new KC has more of a Python like action than the old KC/Trooper mkV series. It has bank vault lockup! The old ones were more like S&W's than colts with regards to cylinder lock up. This new "simpler" action is pretty much the same where it counts but they simplified the hammer safety mechanism and bolt drop timing parts which is great! I think they have a real winner here!
I still have a couple of questions about the new one vs the old, one is why didn't they put spurs on the top of the hammer?!?! I don't like the smooth surface there. That's not for the shooter, that's to reduce manufacturing costs I guess.
The second is, how did they escape the maintenance schedule for the timing wear parts on these new ones vs the old ones with such a similar action? The hand is still being used to "Lock" the cylinder up against the bolt which will in time loosen. The only thing I can think is they used harder steel on both the hand and ratchet so wear is delayed beyond 12,000 rounds. Even the bolt and frame could potentially be a wear point causing the "bank vault" lockup to suffer over time.
Johnnyjellybeans concern about endplay on an old Python is right on the money. The timing and internal parts are no problem to repair/replace. The endplay that develops as the frame stretches is the real concern with shooter grade pythons that have had lots of 357 Mag through them. There may be a price drop on those fairly well used Pythons for a while but as a whole, these new ones will raise the price of the old ones. You want to know how?
Since it looks like Colt priced these out to be somewhat competitive, and built them exceptionally well, every new owner of a pretty new Python who falls in love with it will want more! These are going to bring a whole bunch of new unknowing "collectors" into the Colt world! A colt collection starts with one gun. In my case a Police Positive long after buying a number of S&W revolvers. If these new Pythons were around when I bought my first revolver (S&W 686 Talo 7") I think I would have paid the extra for a Python and started my Colt sickness years earlier...
I can't wait to get one or two of these new ones in my hand!
I especially like seeing the new internals! I've tuned 7 pythons 4 of which were my own plus over 10 of the old colt actions like the python (police positive, Officer Match, 3-5-7) as well as my new King Cobra. The new KC has more of a Python like action than the old KC/Trooper mkV series. It has bank vault lockup! The old ones were more like S&W's than colts with regards to cylinder lock up. This new "simpler" action is pretty much the same where it counts but they simplified the hammer safety mechanism and bolt drop timing parts which is great! I think they have a real winner here!
I still have a couple of questions about the new one vs the old, one is why didn't they put spurs on the top of the hammer?!?! I don't like the smooth surface there. That's not for the shooter, that's to reduce manufacturing costs I guess.
The second is, how did they escape the maintenance schedule for the timing wear parts on these new ones vs the old ones with such a similar action? The hand is still being used to "Lock" the cylinder up against the bolt which will in time loosen. The only thing I can think is they used harder steel on both the hand and ratchet so wear is delayed beyond 12,000 rounds. Even the bolt and frame could potentially be a wear point causing the "bank vault" lockup to suffer over time.
Johnnyjellybeans concern about endplay on an old Python is right on the money. The timing and internal parts are no problem to repair/replace. The endplay that develops as the frame stretches is the real concern with shooter grade pythons that have had lots of 357 Mag through them. There may be a price drop on those fairly well used Pythons for a while but as a whole, these new ones will raise the price of the old ones. You want to know how?
Since it looks like Colt priced these out to be somewhat competitive, and built them exceptionally well, every new owner of a pretty new Python who falls in love with it will want more! These are going to bring a whole bunch of new unknowing "collectors" into the Colt world! A colt collection starts with one gun. In my case a Police Positive long after buying a number of S&W revolvers. If these new Pythons were around when I bought my first revolver (S&W 686 Talo 7") I think I would have paid the extra for a Python and started my Colt sickness years earlier...
I can't wait to get one or two of these new ones in my hand!
Well I can see where a Police Positive could start you down that road...I had my .22 Official Police to the range a couple days ago. Still a great shooting gun. My Police Positive is in .38 S&W, so it doesn't get shot unless I stumble on a box of ammo here or there. Anyway, I can just about throw a rock as hard as that shoots.....lol
The hammer has spurs. Just difficult to see with the details we have at the moment. Here’s a better picture of the hammer:
Attachments
Hey - Lew Horton are gone as of Jan 1, 2020. Is there another retailer who would be selling LEs and Commemorative editions that you are aware of?
It could be fun to try and pick up a different collector piece. I'm definitely getting one. Or two. Or three.
Edited to add that I haven't read all the posts in this thread so if this has been mentioned elsewhere then sorry.
Your totally right, Lew Horton Dist. co. Closed on December 31th. Colt will surely find a new distributor for their special release firearms or will do so themselves.
I didn't realize Lew Horton shut down! Well now I kind of regret selling my one of 150 model 17, was case color hardened on the frame...pretty gun. Sold it to help finance the Alberta Python, so.....c'est la vie.
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You just love to make the 'real' collectors gasp and moan with outrage don't you?
I think I'm going to take that outrage of an Enhanced King Cobra that a certain somebody polished for me, to the range tomorrow. Because, I can.
They should compare positively. The Manurhin MR73’s lockwork and manufacturing process is somewhat complex compared to the first peeks I have of the new Python. The MR’s finish itself at involves a lot of work, raw materials are also more expensive than what makes the new Python.
So yeah on pure functionality point it will compare positively I hope but from a technical level they are two different animals.
Guess we’ll soon find out.
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Oh and don’t forget that the Manurhin MR73 is a 400-500 units/year revolver. Colt will eventually make these numbers in a week or less.
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Wow! It's almost like the new IPhone came out....lol
Works like that with Fanboys and Xbox/PlayStation systems when they launch to, nothing new.. There will be an initial shortage and I don't blame dealers for making a few extra bucks while they can.
Thanks for not gouging Bullseye....wonder how long they will take to come to Canada I somehow think March is very ambitious but ya never know.
