...look them over real carefully

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=398998980

I had a chance to buy a 3" about 10 years ago, for about $1k. I goofed, not buying it.

HOLY CRAP

I wouldn't give 7 grand for a halve dozen Pythons, one of the most over rated pistols Colt has ever made.

They are all over rated IMHO

Well Known fact. Do not ever, ever, ever buy a 3" Python with out a letter from Colt.

I wonder how many people have one they assumed to be 2 1/2", but is actually a 3".

Now don't be thinking about screwing some widow out of a 3".Ha! Ha!

Changes are rare, just like the 3".

You sure got that right!! I will never own a Colt firearm of any sort.

And they couldn't even take the time to run a brush through the cylinder...

Python's are fine revolvers, but they are big collector's pieces now days which takes them out of the realm of what I consider practical. The bad part about it, they are not "rare" by any means. Any day of the week, you can find 50 or more for sale. To me it's like an artificial market.

3" are rare by any means. They did not make many. Mfg. for Lew Horton with a K prefix. Demand 50 to 100% more.

If you know what you are doing the Colt market will produce great returns honestly. Just review the comments on this thread.

Sorry, I was speaking in general about Pythons; not about the 3". Any barrel length and they're typically well over priced. They're just not worth the money they bring...and I'm a Colt DA revolver fan.

I know. But long ago when I was buying the Pythons simply because of the way they felt, looked and shot and Smith did not have the "L" frame out yet. I am one of the fortunate (because I have never sold a gun) I do appreciate them. They are over priced and I love it.

But on the other side of the coin. I always looked past the Diamondbacks to buy a good K22 or K38. They are better shooters but the Diamondbacks would have been a better investment. I am not fretting it too much since the Masterpieces are fine guns.

Kevin-- I know you like to shoot handguns at long ranges. Well in .357 using heavy bullets ie; 170, 180, the 1 and 16 twist shoots them better than the Smiths in my experience.

My first Python had a 2.5" barrel. I bought it in 1966 for $50; that price included a pistol rug and 6 rounds of ammo. The Python was in almost new condition, only lacking the box. I traded it in on a M21 Winchester 16 ga., and offered to buy the Python back for $125. The dealer accepted, but then, for reasons unknown to me, I declined. Oh, well...

But then a little later I bought a M42 Winchester for $25.

I bought a 4" model Python in the late 80's; it had some finish wear, but timed and shot very well. I wasn't shy about loading it heavy, either, with 125gr JHP's and Blue Dot (not now recommended) but it seemed to take the loads in stride. I think I paid about $400 for it. The same gun now would probably be at least $1k, and maybe more

I'm not sure they were of the same quality by the 1980's, that they were in the 60's and 70's. In their prime, they unquestionably were beautiful guns, with gorgeous finishing, elegant design, smooth actions, and excellent accuracy. The design unquestionably influenced the styling of other guns, like Dan Wesson, and the full-lug Smiths. Besides the unique action, there were stories about the barrels being slightly tapered, from cylinder to muzzle, which was said to enhance accuracy. I never owned a 6 or 8" model, so I really could not compare its accuracy to my S&W's, or to a Dan Wesson.

Ayoob reported he'd heard of them breaking lockwork, in gunfights, when the owner was firing DA as fast as he could, putting a lot of stress on the action. Also, it's not easy to find good grips for them, IME.

If I could find a 6" under $1k, in good mechanical shape, it would be interesting to try it for accuracy. And if I lucked into a mint early gun at a good price, I'd sure keep it for investment's sake, but otherwise, yeah I agree with folks they are over-priced for what they are. You can buy a damn nice N frame for a lot less than a Python.

I like Colt firearms and I also think they are very elegant.
Pictures are always nice in a thread.

The Smith Model 27 is a much better handgun . The first Python i purchased was a Nickel 4 inch in the late 60's or early 70's cost me 75.00 . I have owned around a dozen or more over the years and someone wanted them more than i did. The only pistols i owned and i have truly regretted selling was a couple of 5 inch Model 27 Smiths .

Holy crap! I'm sitting on a fortune.

Not selling it, though. Kinda like it.

I think yours is the 2 1/2" model - not common, either, but not the 3"

Yep, 2 1/2." I think that qualifies as a short barrel. But, you're right. Not nearly as rare as a three incher.

Over rated I think not .. Way over priced yes.. I have smith DW and colt. And I much prefer shooting the python and Anaconda.. Won't argue the fact on the smith strength and durability.. Just when you squeez the trigger on a python you know instantly you have stepped into another rehlm never to be factory done again..
Really what a guy should do is have a smith smoothed up like a python..

I carry a 2.5" Python about 95% of the time. Since it was a gift to me from my Dad, I have sometimes rudely shut down high offers for purchase when the guy was getting obnoxiously insistent. LOVE mine and it has had zero probs since I got it in 1987.

My youngest son to the "T" except for the date.

I have a 4" that is awesome. To me its the only pistol ive ever purchased that didnt need any work to be perfect for my liking. The prev owner said it was stock anyway. And as a rule im a Smith guy, having spent many years gathering the ones in my collection. I do need an original set of grips if anyone has some.

Very, very true. I saw two go for $3000 each last night on another forum.