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| name = Colt Python
| image = File:Colt-Python.jpg
Al De John, who started with Colt in 1946 as a gunsmith, worked with factory superintendent Al Gunther. De John started to tinker with the .38 Special Officer's Model Match beefing up the cylinder, frame, and top-strap due to problems with blowback and firing pins from the excessive pressure from the .357 Magnum hammering the recoil plate.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/colt_python_complete_history/138916image_size | title=Colt Python: A Complete History | date=December 21, 2015 }}</ref> The recoil plate, a separate piece set into the frame, was eliminated by putting the firing-pin hole directly into the frame and making the top strap and crane more robust.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/colt_python_complete_history/138916 | title=Colt Python: A Complete History | date=December 21, 2015 }}</ref> Al Gunther first suggested having the iconic vent rib across the barrel. The Python snake name for the revolver came from Colt sticking to their reptilian revolver naming, following the 1950 .38 Special "Cobra". Thus the "Pythonhon" was the second snake moniker for Colt's lineup.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/colt_python_complete_history/138916 | title=Colt Python: A Complete History | date=December 21, 2015 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Thompson"/> 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.<ref name="Thompson"/> Colt revolver cylinders rotate clockwise compared to counter-clockwise of other revolvers (like [[Smith & Wesson]] or [[Sturm, Ruger & Co.|Ruger]]). When the revolver is at full cock, just as the trigger is pressed, the cylinder locks up for the duration of the hammer strike. As the trigger is pressed, the cylinder moves into lockup by the hand, and it is locked tightly. The Colt is locked up tight when the hammer falls. Colt claims that since the cylinder rotates to the right, this forces the cylinder into the frame, opposite of the Smith & Wesson.<ref>{{cite web |title=Comparing Old to New Pythons |url=https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/blog/classic-vs-modern-comparing-colts-original-and-new-357-pythons/}}</ref> The gap between the cylinder and forcing cone is very tight, further aiding accuracy and velocity.<ref name="hawks"/> ▼| image_size = 300
| caption = Colt Pythons with 6-inch (15 cm) and 4-inch (10 cm) barrels and nickel finish
| origin = United States
| type = [[Revolver]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged = yes
| is_UK = <!-- Production history -->
| designer =
| design_date =
| manufacturer = [[Colt's Manufacturing Company]]
| unit_cost =
| production_date = 1955–2005 <small>(Generation 1)</small> <br/>2020–present <small>(Generation 2)</small>
| number =
| variants = {{convert|2.5|in|cm|adj=on}}, {{convert|3|in|cm|adj=on}}, {{convert|4|in|cm|adj=on}}, {{convert|4.25|in|cm|adj=on}}, {{convert|6|in|cm|adj=on}} and {{convert|8|in|cm|adj=on}} barrel
<!-- General specifications -->| spec_label =
| weight = {{convert|38|oz|kg}} to {{convert|48|oz|kg}}
| length =
| part_length =
| width =
| height =
| diameter = <!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge = [[.357 Magnum]]
| action = [[trigger (firearms)|Double action and single action]]
| rate =
| velocity =
| range =
| max_range = {{cvt|200|yd|m}}
| feed = Six-[[Cartridge (firearms)|round]] [[Cylinder (firearms)|cylinder]]
| sights = Rear adj.; front ramp
}}
The '''Colt Python''' is a [[Trigger (firearms)#Double-action/single-action|double action/single action]] [[revolver]] chambered for the [[.357 Magnum]] cartridge. It was first introduced in 1955 by the [[Colt's Manufacturing Company]]. <ref name="Dougherty, Martin 2005, page 48">Dougherty, Martin ''Small Arms: From the Civil War to the Present Day'', New York City: Fall River Press, 2005, page 48. {{ISBN|978-0-7607-6329-2}}</ref>
Pythons have a reputation for accuracy, smooth trigger pull, and a tight cylinder lock-up.<ref name="hawks"/> Pythons, built on Colt's large I-frame, are similar in size and function to the [[Colt Trooper]] and [[Colt_Trooper#Lawman |Colt Lawman]] revolvers.<ref name="Tarr2013">{{cite book|last=Tarr|first=James|title=Standard Catalog of Colt Firearms|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CaxuAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA120|date=November 18, 2013|publisher=Krause Publications|___location=Iola, Wisconsin|isbn=978-1-4402-3747-8|pages=120–121}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
The Colt Python is intended for the premium [[revolver]] market segment. Produced from 1955 to 2005, and again since 2020, it was described by historian R.L. Wilson as "the [[Rolls-Royce (car)|Rolls-Royce]] of Colt revolvers",<ref name="Wilson1"/> and firearms historian [[Ian V. Hogg]] referred to it as the "best revolver in the world."<ref name = "Hogg94"/> Some firearm collectors and writers such as [[Jeff Cooper (Marine)|Jeff Cooper]] and [[Ian V. Hogg]] have described the Python as "the finest production revolver ever made".<ref name="Dougherty, Martin 2005, page 48"/><ref name="hawks">[http://www.chuckhawks.com/colt_python_revolvers.htm The Colt Python .357 Magnum Revolver] by Chuck Hawks at chuckhawks.com accessed April 27, 2009</ref><ref name="Thompson">{{cite book| last = Thompson| first = Leroy| author2 = Rene Smeets| title = Great Combat Handguns: A Guide to Using, Collecting and Training With Handguns| publisher = Arms & Armour Publication| date = October 1, 1993| ___location = London| page = [https://archive.org/details/greatcombathandg0000thom/page/256 256]| isbn = 978-1-85409-168-0| url = https://archive.org/details/greatcombathandg0000thom/page/256}}</ref><ref name = "Wilson1">Wilson, R.L., ''The Colt Heritage,'' New York City: Simon & Schuster, 1987, P. 272.</ref><ref name = "Wilson2">Wilson, R.L., ''Colt: An American Legend'', New York City: Abbeville Press, 1985, p. 272.</ref><ref name="Cooper">Cooper, Jeff, ''Cooper on Handguns'', Los Angeles, Petersen Publishing Co., 1974, p. 189.</ref><ref name="Hogg94">[[Ian V. Hogg|Hogg, Ian V.]] (1994). ''Military Small Arms: 300 Years of Soldiers' Firearms'', Salamander Publishing</ref>
==History==
===Development and design===
The Colt Python did not have an intensive development program, it was essentially gunsmiths on the production floor trying to come up with a match revolver using mostly existing pieces and parts, and what they created was one of the "finest-looking handguns ever made" according to Keefe.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Keefe |title=Colt's Pythons |url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/colt-s-pythons-then-now/ |website=American Rifleman |access-date=7 October 2023}}</ref>
▲Al De John, who started with Colt in 1946 as a gunsmith, worked with factory superintendent Al Gunther. De John started to tinker with the .38 Special Officer's Model Match beefing up the cylinder, frame, and top-strap due to problems with blowback and firing pins from the excessive pressure from the .357 Magnum hammering the recoil plate.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/colt_python_complete_history/138916 | title=Colt Python: A Complete History | date=December 21, 2015 }}</ref> The recoil plate, a separate piece set into the frame, was eliminated by putting the firing-pin hole directly into the frame and making the top strap and crane more robust.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/colt_python_complete_history/138916 | title=Colt Python: A Complete History | date=December 21, 2015 }}</ref> Al Gunther first suggested having the iconic vent rib across the barrel. The Python snake name for the revolver came from Colt sticking to their reptilian revolver naming, following the 1950 .38 Special "Cobra". Thus the "Python" was the second snake moniker for Colt's lineup.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/colt_python_complete_history/138916 | title=Colt Python: A Complete History | date=December 21, 2015 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Thompson"/> 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.<ref name="Thompson"/> Colt revolver cylinders rotate clockwise compared to counter-clockwise of other revolvers (like [[Smith & Wesson]] or [[Sturm, Ruger & Co.|Ruger]]). When the revolver is at full cock, just as the trigger is pressed, the cylinder locks up for the duration of the hammer strike. As the trigger is pressed, the cylinder moves into lockup by the hand, and it is locked tightly. The Colt is locked up tight when the hammer falls. Colt claims that since the cylinder rotates to the right, this forces the cylinder into the frame, opposite of the Smith & Wesson.<ref>{{cite web |title=Comparing Old to New Pythons |url=https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/blog/classic-vs-modern-comparing-colts-original-and-new-357-pythons/}}</ref> The gap between the cylinder and forcing cone is very tight, further aiding accuracy and velocity.<ref name="hawks"/>
===Production of Generation 1 (1955–2005)===
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