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'''Idabel''' is a city in [[McCurtain County, Oklahoma|McCurtain County]], [[Oklahoma]], [[United States]]. The population was 6,952 at the 2000 census. It is the [[county seat]] of [[McCurtain County, Oklahoma|McCurtain County]]{{GR|6}}.
[[Image:Colt-python-barrel.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Colt '''Python''' rollmark on the barrel]]
[[Image:Colt-python.jpg|thumb|300px|Colt '''Python''' (1955-1998) with 6 inch barrel and Royal Blue finish — 1964 model]]
[[Image:Colt-diamondback.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Colt's Manufacturing Company|Colt]] '''Diamondback''', a short-lived (1966-1986) .22, .22 WMR, and .38 Special revolver inspired by the Python]]
The '''Colt Python''' is a [[.357 Magnum]] caliber [[revolver]] manufactured by [[Colt's Manufacturing Company]] of [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]], [[Connecticut]]. The Colt Python is considered to be a premium [[United States|American]] [[revolver]]. Along with the [[Colt Single Action Army handgun|Colt Peacemaker]] it is considered to be one of the finest revolvers ever made by Colt.
The city was first named Pernell, then renamed for the daughters, Ida and Belle, of a Choctaw citizen on whose land the town was built.
Colt Manufacturing Co. announced the termination of its production of Python revolvers in October 1999 [http://calnra.com/COLTupdate.shtml].
==DescriptionGeography==
[[Image:OKMap-doton-Idabel.PNG|right|Location of Idabel, Oklahoma]]
The Colt Python is a [[double action]], large I-frame handgun chambered for the powerful .357 Magnum cartridge originally developed by [[Smith & Wesson]]. 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 shaved [[projectile]] when the gun is fired. When this happens, the lockwork needs to be re-timed.
Idabel is located at {{coor dms|33|53|47|N|94|49|45|W|city}} (33.896299, -94.829238){{GR|1}}.
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 41.3 [[km²]] (15.9 [[square mile|mi²]]). 41.3 km² (15.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.06% is water.
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. Routine production ceased in 1998, and individual manufacture by the Colt Custom Shop stopped altogether in 2005.
==Demographics==
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.
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 6,952 people, 2,735 households, and 1,785 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 168.5/km² (436.3/mi²). There were 3,129 housing units at an average density of 75.8/km² (196.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 56.99% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 24.45% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 10.44% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.30% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 3.37% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.43% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.96% of the population.
There were 2,735 households out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 21.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.08.
==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, but the [[stainless steel]] and Royal Blue finishes are still offered by Colt on the Python "Elite" model.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.5% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 85.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.0 males.
Pythons are available with 2.5 inch, 4 inch, 6 inch, and 8 inch barrels. 6 inch model is the most popular generally and the 8 inch model is intended for [[hunting]]. The now-discontinued 3 inch barrel version is very collectible. The revolver today is made exclusively by Colt's Custom Shop as the Python Elite model with a 4 or 6 inch barrel, and is still considered to be the Rolls Royce of handguns for its accuracy, jeweler-quality fit and finish, and aesthetic appeal. Retail prices start at $1000 USD. Recently, Colt has discontinued all production of double action revolvers, like the Python due to lack of sales and rising production costs.
The median income for a household in the city was $20,496, and the median income for a family was $24,189. Males had a median income of $24,182 versus $16,958 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $12,241. About 28.7% of families and 31.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 42.5% of those under age 18 and 18.4% of those age 65 or over.
==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. 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. Ironically, when law-enforcement agencies realized that the 9mm semi-automatic pistols fire a round with similar characteristics to the .38 Special, they began a still-continuing migration to more-powerful cartridges, not willing to accept that the rejected .357 Magnum is a ready solution. New or used, these revolvers are still popular and command high prices.
==Colt Python Serial Numbers==
*[http://www.idabel.lib.ok.us/ Idabel Public Library]
<blockquote><blockquote>
*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
</blockquote></blockquote>
{{Mapit-US-cityscale|33.896299|-94.829238}}
==See also==
*[[.357 Magnum]]
*[[Colt Anaconda]]
*[[Colt Single Action Army|Colt Peacemaker]]
{{Oklahoma}}
*[http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/Python_C.asp Official Colt Python homepage]
*[http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/downloads/Manuals/LoRes/Phyton.pdf Official Safety and Instruction Manual] (.pdf)
[[Category:Colt|PythonCities in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:RevolversMcCurtain County, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:County seats in Oklahoma]]
[[deio:ColtIdabel, PythonOklahoma]]
[[frlmo:ColtIdabel, PythonOklahoma]]
[[vo:Idabel]]
[[ja:コルト・パイソン]]
[[pl:Rewolwer Colt Python]]
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