Colt Python
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| Colt Python | |
|---|---|
 Colt Pythons with 4" and 6" barrels and nickel finish |
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| Type | Revolver |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Colt's Manufacturing Company |
| Produced | 1955-1996 |
| Variants | 2 1/2", 3", 4", 6" or 8" barrel |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 38-48 oz. |
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| Cartridge | .357 Magnum |
| Action | Double-action |
| Feed system | Six-round cylinder |
| Sights | Rear adj.; front ramp |
The Colt Python is a .357 Magnum caliber revolver manufactured by Colt's Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut. The Colt Python is considered to be a premium American revolver. Along with the Colt Peacemaker it is considered to be one of the finest revolvers ever made by Colt.
Colt Manufacturing Co. announced the termination of its production of Python revolvers in October 1999 due to lack of sales and rising production costs.[1] The Colt Custom Gun Shop continued making a limited number of Pythons on special order until 2003, when even this limited production was terminated. (Although the Colt Python homepage under external links below states that this limited production continues, it has been confirmed by Colt that this is not the case and the web page is out of date.)[citation needed]
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[edit] Description
The Colt Python is a double action, handgun chambered for the powerful .357 Magnum cartridge built on Colt's large I-frame. Pythons have a reputation for superior fit & finish, accuracy, smooth trigger pull and a tight cylinder lock-up. If there is a downside to all this precision, it is the Python's tendency to go "out of time" with continued heavy shooting. This is a condition in which the cylinder is no longer turning into exact alignment with the forcing cone, so a shooter may be sprayed with tiny bits of hot gun powder when the gun is fired, or the gun may not fire when used as a double-action. When this happens, the lockwork needs to be re-timed.
The Colt Python was first introduced in 1955 as Colt's top-of-the-line model, and was originally intended to be a large-frame 38 Special target revolver. As a result, it features precision adjustable sights, a smooth trigger, solid construction, and extra metal. Pythons have a distinct appearance. A full barrel underlug, ventilated rib and adjustable sights combine to give the gun its unique look. Originally, Colt manufactured Pythons with hollow underlugs but quickly left them solid to add stabilizing barrel weight. What gives the Python an edge over other wheelguns is that when the revolver is at full cock, just as the trigger is pressed, the cylinder locks up tight for the duration of the hammer strike. Other revolvers have a hint of looseness even at full-cock. The gap between the cylinder and forcing cone is very tight, further aiding accuracy and velocity.[citation needed]
[edit] Variants
The Python was originally available in two finishes: Royal Blue and Bright Nickel. The Bright Nickel model was discontinued with the introduction of the more durable satin stainless and mirror-polished Ultimate Stainless models. The stainless steel and Royal Blue finishes were offered until 2003 by Colt on the Python "Elite" model.
Pythons were available with 2.5 inch, 4 inch, 6 inch, and 8 inch barrels. The six-inch model was the most popular generally and the 8 inch model was intended for hunting. A rare 3 inch barrel version is very collectible, although not all 3 inch barrel variants are rare.
The Python Silhouette model, with 8 inch barrel and factory-installed Leupold scope, was made in 1981. A Python Target model was made for several years in .38 Special only, in blue and nickel finishes.
Two variants of the Python were made in small numbers by Colt. The first was the Colt Boa of 1985, which was a limited production revolver, also .357 Magnum caliber, made by Colt for the Lew Horton Distributing Company in Massachusetts. It resembles closely the Python. Six hundred 6" revolvers and 600 4" revolvers were made, of which 100 were matched sets. Though it resembles a Python visually, in order to keep its purchase cost down it is substantially different internally and required less hand fitting. The second was the stainless steel Colt Grizzly of 1994, another limited production .357 Magnum revolver. 500 of these revolvers were manufactured, with 6" Magna-Ported barrels only. The Grizzly has smooth, unfluted cylinders. The barrel is ported and includes a bear footprint. The frame and action were based on the Trooper/Mk-III action.[citation needed]
Similar was the Colt Kodiak which was an Anaconda with a Magna-Ported Barrel and an unfluted cylinder. Approximately 2000 Kodiaks were manufactured.
[edit] Usage
The Python immediately made inroads into the law enforcement market when introduced, with the 6" barrel being popular with uniformed officers and the 3" and 4" barrels considered optimum for plainclothes use.[citation needed] However, it has since fallen out of favor (along with all other revolvers) due to changing law enforcement needs that favor semi-automatic pistols, combined with agency policies banning "special" ammunition, including Magnum loads. Police singled out the .357 due to its penetration capability. The round continues to have lethal force even after going through people and walls, putting those behind the intended target at risk. When law-enforcement agencies realized that the 9mm semi-automatic pistols fire a round with similar characteristics to the .38 Special and were cheaper to maintain, they began a migration to these, and other, automatic pistol cartridges. Colt's Python revolvers are still popular on the used market and command high prices.
[edit] Colt Python serial numbers
- 1955 — 1
- 1956 — 300
- 1957 — 1650
- 1958 — 5550
- 1959 — 7050
- 1960 — 9100
- 1961 — 13100
- 1962 — 18800
- 1963 — 24800
- 1964 — 30800
- 1965 — 41400
- 1966 — 50500
- 1967 — 61000
- 1968 — 73800
- 1969 — 90000-99999
- 1969 — E1001
- 1970 — E6301
- 1971 — E21201
- 1972 — E38001
- 1973 — E53501
- 1974 — E61001
- 1975 — E83701-E99999
- 1975 — 01001E-15000E
- 1976 — 15001E-48300E
- 1977 — 48301E-86200E
- 1978 — 86201E-99999E
- 1978 — 01001N
- 1978 — V01001
- 1979 — V36737
- 1980 — V88374 to V99999, AL0101 to AL9999, LA0101 to LA9999, VA1001 to VA9256
- 1981 — K16266
- 1982 — K75748
- 1983 — K99999. T01001 to ????
- 1984 — T27541
- 1985 — T34453
[edit] See also
[edit] References
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