Colt Firearms
Colt Python For Sale
Colt Python Serial Number Location
Colt Python Location Diagram

Colt | Altamont Company

The Colt Python is known as the Rolls Royce of Colt's revolvers. First introduced in 1955, it comes in blued, nickel, and stainless versions. The Python's appearance is always striking with its hand polished metal, beautiful bluing and superb design. The smoothness of the hand-fitted action is still considered the best around. The Colt Python is one of the handfuls of guns regularly chosen to be engraved into works of art. Traditionally, it is also the most expensive of production revolvers.
Grips are offered for the Colt Python in three styles: the Oversized Finger Grooves, the Oversize Target, and the Classic Panel.
Fitting Info: ALTAMONT® makes the OEM grips for the Colt Python 2020. Any grips listed here will also fit the 2020 model. These Colt Python grips will also fit the 2021 Anaconda model.
Grip screw included with purchase.

A COLT PYTHON pistol is currently worth an average price of $1,958.50 new and $1,268.83 used. The 12 month average price is $1,971.54 new and $1,330.93 used. The new value of a COLT PYTHON pistol has fallen ($125.34) dollars over the past 12 months to a price of $1,958.50.
Apr 13, 2020 The Python’s barrel is marked simply with the snake styled C in “Colt” and the location of manufacture on one side and “Python.357 Magnum” on the other. The 6″ model has the traditional three cut-outs in the rib, and the 4.25″ has the two sections more traditional to the 4″ older models.

An extremely rare Colt Python in.256 magnum sold for $40,250 during Rock Island Auction Company's Spril 2018 Premier Auction. Experimental calibers such as this are rare as hen’s teeth for Python collectors, and it showed in the sale price. It sold in April of 2018 at the Premier Firearms Auction for $40,250 at Rock Island Auction Company.

Colt Python Target American Walnut Checkered with Silver Medallions

Colt Python Target Silverblack with Silver Rampant Colt

Colt Python Target Super Rosewood Checkered with Gold Medallions & Rampant Colt

Colt Python Oversized Fingergroove Bonded Ivory Checkered with Gold Medallions

Colt Python Oversized Fingergroove Super Walnut Checkered Engraved with Silver Medallions

Colt Python Oversized Fingergroove Silverblack with Silver Medallions

Colt Python Oversized Fingergroove Super Rosewood Checkered with Laser Logo

Colt Python Oversized Fingergroove Silverblack Checkered

Colt Python Oversized Fingergroove Super Rosewood

Colt Python Classic Panel American Walnut Checkered with Silver Medallions

Colt Python Classic Panel Bonded Ivory with Gold Medallions

Colt Python Classic Panel White Pearl with Silver Medallions

Colt Python Classic Panel Bonded Ivory Checkered

Colt Python Classic Panel Bonded Ivory

Colt Python Classic Panel Aged Ivory

Colt Firearms

Colt Python
A Colt Python with a 4-inch (10 cm) barrel and blued finish
Type	Revolver
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Manufacturer	Colt's Manufacturing Company
Produced	1955–2005 2020–present
Variants	2.5-inch (6.4 cm), 3-inch (7.6 cm), 4-inch (10 cm), 6-inch (15 cm) and 8-inch (20 cm) barrel
Specifications
Mass	38 ounces (1.1 kg) to 48 ounces (1.4 kg)
Cartridge	.357 Magnum
Action	Double-action
Maximum firing range	200+ yards
Feed system	Six-roundcylinder
Sights	Rear adj.; front ramp

The Colt Python is a .357 Magnum caliber revolver manufactured by Colt's Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut.^[1] It was first introduced in 1955, the same year as Smith & Wesson's M29 .44 Magnum. The Colt Python is intended for the premium revolver market segment. Some firearm collectors and writers such as Jeff Cooper, Ian V. Hogg, Chuck Hawks, Leroy Thompson, Scott Wolber, Renee Smeets and Martin Dougherty have described the Python as 'the finest production revolver ever made'.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]

In 2020, Colt announced it would be reintroducing the Python in the 4.25″ and 6″ barrel configurations.^[8] The reintroduced Python has been technically revised and reinforced compared to the original revolver.^[9]

Description[edit]

The Colt Python is a double action handgun chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge, built on Colt's large I-frame. Pythons have a reputation for accuracy, smooth trigger pull, and a tight cylinder lock-up.^[2] They are similar in size and function to the Colt Trooper and Colt Lawman revolvers.^[10]

History[edit]

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.^[3] As a result, it features precision adjustable sights, a smooth trigger, solid construction, and extra metal. Pythons have a distinct appearance due to a full barrel underlug, ventilated rib and adjustable sights.^[3] Colt originally manufactured Pythons with hollow underlugs but left them solid to work as a stabilizing barrel weight. When the revolver is at full cock, just as the trigger is pressed, the cylinder locks up 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.^[2] From the 1970s each Python revolver was boresighted at the factory with a laser; the first mass-produced revolver for which this was done.^[3]

End of production[edit]

In October 1999, Colt announced that it would cease production of Python revolvers. In a 2000 follow-up letter to distributors, the company cited changing market conditions and the costs of defending lawsuits as the reasons to discontinue the Python line, as well as a number of other models.^[11] The Colt Custom Gun Shop continued making a limited number of Pythons on special order until 2005, when this limited production ceased.^[2]^[12]

Production return[edit]

Colt Python, 2020 production

The Colt Python was officially re-released by Colt in January 2020, following months of circulating rumors. The new Python is built out of stronger stainless steel than the originals, and is available in 4.25' or 6' barrels with wood grips.^[8]

Models and variants[edit]

Colt Python rollmark on the barrel

Colt Python Target, 8-inch barrel .38 Special

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.^[2] The stainless steel and royal blue finishes were offered until 2003 by Colt on the Python 'Elite' model.^[10]

Colt Python For Sale

Pythons were available with 2.5-inch (6.4 cm), 3-inch (7.6 cm), 4-inch (10 cm), 6-inch (15 cm) and 8-inch (20 cm) barrels.^[2] The six-inch model was the most popular generally, and the eight-inch model was intended for hunting. A three-inch barrel version is very collectible, although not rare.^[3]

The Python Hunter model, with eight-inch barrel and factory-installed 2X Leupold scope, was made in 1980.^[13] The Python Hunter was the first field-ready handgun hunting package made by a major handgun manufacturer.^[13] The scope was mounted on the barrel using Redfield mounts and the gun wa