Colt Python: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:15, 21 December 2011

Revision as of 08:08, 3 January 2012

Line 35:

}}

The '''Colt Python''' is a [[.357 Magnum]] caliber [[revolver]] formerly manufactured by [[Colt's Manufacturing Company]] of [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]], [[Connecticut]]. It is sometimes referred to as a "Combat Magnum".<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-13]]: 978-0-7607-6329-2</ref>. It was first introduced in 1955, the same year as [[S&W Model 29|Smith & Wesson's M29]] .44 Magnum. The now discontinued Colt Python targeted the premium [[revolver]] market segment.{{Citation needed|date=October 2010}} Some firearm collectors and writers such as [[Jeff Cooper (Marine)|Jeff Cooper]], [[Ian V. Hogg]], Chuck Hawks, Leroy Thompson, Renee Smeets and Martin Dougherty 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 www.chuckhawks.com accessed Apr 27, 2009</ref><ref name ="Thompson">{{cite book | last = Thompson| first = Leroy | authorlink = | coauthors = 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| pages = 256| isbn =9781854091680 }}</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><ref name="Dougherty, Martin 2005, page 48"/>.

==Description==

Line 41:

==History==

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|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"/> Originally, Colt 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.<ref name="hawks"/>. Each Python revolver was boresighted at the factory with a laser and was the first mass-produced revolver to do so.<ref name ="Thompson"/>

===End of Production===

In October 1999, Colt Manufacturing Co. announced the termination of its 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 for the discontinuation of the Python line as well as a number of other models.<ref>[http://calnra.com/COLTupdate.shtml Update from Colt's Manufacturing Company, Inc.]</ref> The Colt Custom Gun Shop continued making a limited number of Pythons on special order until 2005, when even this limited production was terminated.<ref name="hawks"/>.

==Models and Variants==

Line 50:

[[File:Flickr - ~Steve Z~ - Colt Target Python (1).jpg|thumb|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.<ref name="hawks"/>. The [[stainless steel]] and Royal Blue finishes were offered until 2003 by Colt on the Python "Elite" model.

Pythons were available with {{convert|2.5|in|cm|adj=on}}, {{convert|3|in|cm|adj=on}}, {{convert|4|in|cm|adj=on}}, {{convert|6|in|cm|adj=on}} and {{convert|8|in|cm|adj=on}} barrels.<ref name="hawks"/>. The six-inch model was the most popular generally, and the 8-inch model was intended for [[hunting]]. A 3-inch barrel version is very collectible, although not rare.<ref name ="Thompson"/>

The Python Hunter model, with 8-inch barrel and factory-installed 2X [[Leupold]] scope, was made in 1980.<ref name="Handgunning">{{cite journal | last = Metcalf| first = Dick | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Top 10 Hunt Guns| journal = HandGunning| volume = 8| issue = 5| pages = 52–58| publisher =PJS Publications | year =1994 | url = | doi = | id = | accessdate = }}</ref> The Python Hunter was the first field-ready handgun hunting package made by a major handgun manufacturer.<ref name="Handgunning"/> The scope was mounted on the barrel using Redfield mounts and the gun was packaged in a Haliburton case.<ref name="Handgunning"/> It was discontinued by 1990 and briefly offered as a "Custom Shop" model afterward.<ref name="Handgunning"/> A Python Target model was made for several years in [[.38 Special]] only, in blue and nickel finishes.

Line 69:

Official Colt historian, RL Wilson described the Colt Python as "the 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"/> However, the revolver is not without its detractors. The downside to the precision of the Colt Python is its tendency to go "out of time" with continued heavy shooting.<ref name="Grassi">[http://www.cylinder-slide.com/python.shtml C&S Python .357MAG] By Rich Grassi, Originally Published in Combat Handguns May 2005, accessed at Cylinder and Slide April 27, 2009</ref> This is a condition in which the cylinder does not turn in exact alignment with the forcing cone, so a shooter may be sprayed with burning propellant when the gun is fired or the gun may not fire when used as a double-action.<ref name="Grassi"/> When this happens, the lock work needs to be re-timed.<ref name="Grassi"/>

Author Martin Dougherty notes the weight of the Python as a drawback, as it is quite heavy for a pistol, ranging from 2.4&nbsp;lbs to 2.6&nbsp;lbs, only slightly lighter than [[Smith & Wesson]]'s model [[S&W Model 29|M29]] .44 Magnum ("Dirty Harry's" gun).".<ref name="Dougherty, Martin 2005, page 48"/>. The S&W M29 with 6½-inch barrel weighs 3.0&nbsp;lbs.

==See also==

Line 80:

==External links==

{{commons+cat|Colt Python|Colt Python}}

*[http://theautry.org/the-colt-revolver-in-the-american-west/speed-versus-accuracy?artifact=90.183.18 The Colt Revolver in the American West—Python Model Revolver Pair]

*[http://theautry.org/the-colt-revolver-in-the-american-west/speed-versus-accuracy?artifact=90.183.52 The Colt Revolver in the American West—Cased Python Hunter Model Revolver]