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April 25, 2008
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This is the first handgun I ever bought, a new Colt Python Target in .38 Special with 8″ barrel. It sat in a display case for months, and no one bought it, while I drooled over it every time I visited the shop.
I thought the gun was gorgeous, but apparently no one else wanted it since you couldn't shoot “Magnums” in it. The price kept coming down, and finally, in 1984, it was low enough that I couldn't resist any longer. I've since put the Pachmayrs on and had Colt put their Eliason sights on it. It is tremendously accurate and a joy to shoot.
Magnumitis finally got the better of me 6 years later and I just had to have a King Cobra. Pythons were kinda expensive, even back then, despite being single with no bad vices to support.
This one has become my wife's favorite plinking gun now, and she doesn't care for those light .38 Special loads. Full-house .357 Magnums with 158 grain bullets are her favorite.
The Savantist
April 25, 2008
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Years after buying that Python Target, I did some research and found out that Colt only made about 3500 of them, starting in 1980, and about 700 of those were nickel-plated. Hmmm…that would be cool to get a matching nickel-plated Target to go with my blue gun. By then, these .38 Special Target versions were selling for $900 new, when you could find one. It had become a dream of mine, to find one, but that was in the days before the internet, so I was limited to local gun shows.
Indianapolis had their 1500 Gun Show 4 times a year, and I scoured the tables every time, never seeing one of them. Passing a table with only a few handguns, we noticed a bright stainless 8" Python. My friend had a 6" version, and I casually remarked that there was an 8" one to go with his. As I turned the gun over, I saw the "PYTHON TARGET .38 SPECIAL CTG" rollmarks and my jaw about dropped. I asked the guy if I could handle it and he said sure. He then proceeded to tell me it was a limited production gun, which I acknowledged I knew it was. As I was looking it over, he said the gun was new, unfired, which I could also see.
That bright nickel was very sharp, no scratches, a beautiful gun. Finally, I asked him. as disinterested as I could, how much he was asking for it, since there was no price tag. He said $600. Man, I figured at least 900 or 1000. I had half that in my pocket, and he accepted that as a down payment, the rest to send him the next day. A few years ago I found that set of Hogue Rosewood grips for it.
The Savantist
April 25, 2008
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All the years I've owned those 2 Python .38 Specials I enjoyed shooting them every chance I could. I've even shot them at the Big Bore silhouette targets out to 200 meters. With a 180 grain bullet, it will take down a 60-pound ram way out there, just make sure the wind isn't holding up the target. It is funny how long it takes for that slow bullet to get out there…most folks don't believe a .38 will take a ram, but I've shown a lot of them it can.
A Python is still a superb gun, but they get more expensive every day. Four years ago I decided I just had to have one in .357 Magnum. Months of searching the auctions finally netted this one, setup with Leupold 2x scope for a decent price, and it was not bid on.
As you can probably figure out by now, I love those 8" barrel revolvers, and there is a good reason for that. Despite any cool factor, which they are, that is about the minimum length barrel that I can safely shoot in the normal silhouette position I use. Anything less, and they become standing-category guns only. I tried the 158-grain loads I had for the King Cobra and they seemed to shoot well at 100 yards or less. So well, that I just had to try them on rams at 200 meters. Lots of hits occurred, but several of the rams didn't fall consistently, and it sure was fun.
I always have half-size targets set up there at 200 yards. Could this load be accurate enough for those tiny targets? The 2x scope is very limiting way out there, but those 158 grain bullets kept knocking the little ones over…man, this gun shoots! Now I need to work up a 180-grain load and shoot a match with this.
The Savantist
April 25, 2008
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My last Colt. Being a huge fan of the .22LR, I have always wanted the smaller Colt Diamondback in that caliber…a mini-Python. If you think Pythons are expensive, just price a couple of Diamondbacks! Years of fruitless searching were getting frustrating. I just couldn't pay those high prices everyone wanted. This shooter-grade finally showed up and the price was about $300 less than most other ones. There are a few scratches and bluing rubs, but I just had to have it. My bid was unopposed.
It seems to shoot pretty well, with limited ammo testing, and the trigger is not up to Python standards, probably still a factory trigger. I just wish Colt had made an 8" version. I still look for Pythons, especially the Target models, hoping one day to add another at a good price.
The Savantist
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January 24, 2009
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As can only be expected, you've posted another bevy of beauties!
I have always loved the looks & feel of the Python's...Anaconda's too, as well as a bunch of other Colt guns...but as you said, the price is pretty crazy on most of them. I keep an eye out for a good deal, but they are rarely at a price I can justify.
Since you're out of Colts to show, I'll add my one & only to the thread...even though most of you guys have already seen it, so this post will be non-climactic.
LOL!
When this little Lawman MK III .357 snubby came along for $400 in almost new condition, just I couldn't say no & snapped it up. I've never been a snubby sort of guy, preferring instead long barrels (long ones help me hit things
), but this little guy just looked fun.
[Image Can Not Be Found]
(one of these days I'm going to get non-blurry pics & switch these for better ones)
At first, I thought about using it for CCW (when I get a permit), but it's in too good of shape to get holster marks all over it. I decided to not expose it to that sort of treatment & look for a stainless version of some sort. A Model 15 DW is sounding pretty good.
April 25, 2008
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That's a neat little Colt. I shot a Smith 60 years ago, and it sure was fun. The Colt bug has bitten lately, although not near as strong as the Dan Wesson one. Now I am on the lookout for Anaconda's and Trooper MKIV's...it never ends, does it.
The Savantist
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January 24, 2009
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IHMSA80x80 said:
…it never ends, does it.
No, I don't think it ever does.
I'd also like to find an old Colt double action from the 20's in good shape, in addition to many others made in later years.
January 22, 2008
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IHMSA80×80, looks like a pretty nice stable you have going there! I have two lonely Colts a Trooper III in 22LR and a Mustang 380. Oh yeah and the Colt AR15 I bought off of my brother-in-law last year.
Nice looking Lawman Charger! I like the looks of the Colt snubbies.
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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I too like the colts but do not own any. My father has a matched set of officer's models match in .38 special and .22 LR that shoot as great as any double action I have ever fired. They are a treasure that he has. I'll have to find time to photo them together. Thanks IHMSA for posting.
SMF
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
April 25, 2008
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Just picked up some Hogue grips to replace the Pachmayr's on my 8" Python Target. They feel a lot better than the original grips.
The Savantist
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Dans Club
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November 17, 2008
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nice uns!!Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
January 22, 2008
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Range Officer
Range Officers
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February 9, 2009
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IHMSA Very nice, Always wanted a Python, just can't quit buying Dan's long enough to do it.
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
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January 24, 2009
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IHMSA80x80 said:
They feel a lot better than the original grips.
I hear ya. Those originals look about the same as these on my 4" Lawman (that I acquired since this thread began). They look nice, but they put the pinky finger too far forward for a comfortable grip, IMO.
Your Hogues look great, maybe that's something I need to look into.
March 15, 2011
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Colt M1917 45 ACP revolver (in civilian life, known as the "New Service). Shoots this classic round with moon style clips. My humble contribution to the salute of this Colt DA thread.
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
March 27, 2009
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Wow, Now to search me out some Colt's! Never know what they will bring around here!
Nice looking and keep the pics coming! 
September 26, 2010
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My only Colt is a Delta Elite, 10mm. Bought it in the late 80s. Still a great shooter even after many thousands of heavy relodeds.
May 3, 2011
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That's a beautiful Colt Python 38 spl. You can beef the load up a little bit with that heavy frame. That should be a collectors gun today. I have never seen one like that before.
January 22, 2008
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I just could not resist, when I found this Colt Python listed on Texas Gun Trader. I had owned a Python back in the late 1980's. When I moved to Houston in 1990 and leased a townhouse, the place was broken into and all my firearms were stolen. It has taken a long time to replace that missing Python.
This is an 8" model with Colt factory rosewood grips. It was produced in 1981, the year with the greatest number of Pythons produced (~59,000).
It will share space on my safe with my only other 2 colts, both of them Cobras.
-Wayne
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