Colt Announces the Return of the 3-Inch Short-Barrel Python Revolver

1. Not interested in a PINO (python in name only).

   They are not the same thing. Open them up and look inside. It’s just a new revolver with an old name. And nowhere near the levels of quality control.

   • If comparing this python to the old stainless python, they are not the same. The new ones are better.

     • I’m glad these new Pythons exist. I won’t likely buy one (satisfied with my old 4″ Security Six for .357 purposes, and I’m a little cheap), but I’m really glad these new guns are being made. They seem excellent.

   • The originals had to be retimed regularly. If the newer ones don’t require that trip to the gunsmith every few thousand rounds then they’re a significant improvement.

   • That was what I assumed when they were announced, especially given Colt’s decline. But JWT wrote a gushing review here when they came out

     • If I had to choose between a new stainless Python and an old stainless Python, I would take the new one any day.
       If I had to choose between a new stainless Python and an old Royal Blue Python, the Blue Python wins regardless of era.

     • Remember these aren’t really Colts any more. They are CZs.

2. Cool!😎

3. That’s an interesting revolver. I like a Python. If I remember correctly most of the short Pythons were 2 1/2″ with a few 3″ also manufactured. I’ve always thought a 3″ medium frame revolver was a thinking man’s revolver. Round butt.

   • I never owned either, but the only “shorty” I recall was 2 1/2″, this sure LOOKS a lot better! I never liked the 6″, did not seem to balance right, most of those I owned were 4″, and I just love them. I haven’t figured why they are introducing the 3″ when I have not yet managed to obtain a 4 1/4″.

     • I believe they also made a few 8″ ones.

4. Well, the only question is, what barrel length do I get? I kinda nope they bring the 8 inch barrel back, to.

   • I can just about guarantee the 4 1/4″ will feel the best in your hand.

5. If I had the $$$ I’d get the 4n a quarter.

6. Am I off or is the price from the other introductions starting to come down some?

7. I’ve been squirreling away snake gun money ever since the neuvo Cobra was announced just waiting to find one locally with the money in hand. Never happened so now I have an SP101 and a couple of GP100’s in various lengths and a lot of money left for ammo that makes the Colt premium an ever harder pill to swallow. Having a Python or Anaconda just to say you have a Python or Anaconda is all well and good for an original version with some cache but for the reboot…….eh.

   Maybe someday the stars will align.

8. Looks nice, but no thanks. I’ll stick with the 3″ GP-100 Wiley Clapp in .357 magnum I normally carry.

   • +1
     The Python looks nice but the grips don’t look to be easily concealed. More suitable for a 6″ revolver than a 3″. IMHO the Ruger (Altamonte) rubber grips with the wood inserts are the most comfortable to shoot with and concealable to boot.

     Never tried out a Python trigger before but a 10# hammer spring and 8# trigger return spring, along with a modicum of use left my WC with a very smooth 9-1/2# DA pull and a scant 2-1/5# SA pull.

9. Looks like an excellent revolver.

   I cringe at high-priced firearms. Don’t get me wrong: I don’t begrudge anyone who spends their hard-earned cash on expensive firearms. I personally cannot justify the expense for various reasons.

   Personally, I would rather purchase and own two “lesser” revolvers for $600 than a single Colt Python for $1200.

   • Depends on which $600 revolvers you’re talking about.

     • That is a good point. GP100s use to run around $600, but I think they are more now. My used Security Six was around $300 a few years ago (and should last me a lifetime). Typically, 686’s run a little higher than GP100s. I’d see the 686 and GP100 as the main competitors to the Python.

     • Gadsden Flag,

       As Art out West indicated, Ruger GP100 revolvers were selling for about $600 as recently as two years ago. And those things are built like tanks–I imagine they would handle at least 30,000 rounds if not significantly more.

       Say what you want about Taurus revolvers–their revolvers of the last 10 years just plain work. And the triggers have been astonishingly excellent on every Taurus revolver that I have ever handled. Late model Taurus revolvers were selling for about $400 as recently as two years ago. At that price point I would be tempted to purchase THREE Taurus revolvers for the price of ONE Colt Python revolver. Even if one of those three Taurus revolvers turns out to be defective/junk, who cares when you still have two more?

       • Uncommon, who cares when you have two more? Uh, me. I always want everything to work. My 6″ stainless Python is a great revolver, but I like my S&W 3″ round butt 65s for a defense revolver. Especially with Pachmayer Professionals installed. And a couple of Safariland speed loaders.

       • Gadsden,

         Sure, I want everything to work as well. I was referring to a revolver which might be defective right out of the box from the factory. Even if that were the case (which is extremely doubtful), I would still have two fully functional and reliable revolvers available.

     • The last two revolvers I bought were used: a S&W Model 10 and 65, both in 4″. Combined they set me back around $500. They aren’t the sexiest beasts in the world, but they’re shooters with nicely worn-in but not yet worn-out triggers. I much prefer them for outdoor excursion over the GP100, Python, and SSR in the safe.

       • My gp100-7 is a great revolver. But my model 10 carries much easier for those long days in the boonies. We don’t have big bears here so the .38 is plenty.

   • The thing about “lesser” is that a Ruger or Smith and Wesson will run about 50-60% of the price of the Colt, but be just as functional and about 90% as nice.

     I tend to stick with the Ruger’s and S&W’s, but do yearn just a little for the Python. I can’t justify the Python, but wish all the best to those who do.

     • Art, I’ve had several Pythons over the years. Still have my original 6″ stainless. That said I’ll take every early L-frame 6″ 686 you can find. Same for every Ruger Security-Six 4″ stainless HB you run across. GP-100 need not apply.

       • My Security Six is a 4″ stainless, and I really like it. That said, it fills the
         .357 niche for me, and I don’t actually carry it. For carry, I prefer little guns like my 642, LCP, or Max-9.

         I’d love to buy more revolvers but can’t really justify them. The only Colt revolver I ever owned was a 1917 (New Service) in .45acp (with moon clips) and I sold it when going a hard time (but kept my Security Six). The 1917 had cool historical aspects, but was pretty big and heavy for a .45acp.

     • I certainly could never hope to afford a Python when I bought my first one in 1968 for $160 NIB, the most expensive standard (as in, not customized or engraved) handgun in the world. I had played with one 6 years earlier and fallen in love, but had not seen one since, had no confidence I’d ever see another. Over the next 5 years I bought every one I found, 2 new and one used with a split forcing cone. Had the busted 6″ bbl replaced with a 4″ by the Custom Gun Shop. $160 was the most I ever paid, but I’d guess if I run into a new one in 3″ or 4 1/4″, I’ll likely bring it home to join my last 4″. Whatever the price. S&W model 19s are sweet, but they are not Pythons. And their current reproductions are FAR worse than the new Pythons.

10. I have bought gun that are pricey like the Barrett, SCAR and such but it seems that $1500 for a revolver is high. My wife wants one but I would rather have the longer barrel.

    • $1500 for a revolver is high.

11. I’ll stick with P&R N frames.

12. One day years ago I came upon a deal for a couple of revolvers. The first revolver was a Smith & Wesson K-38 Combat Masterpiece (Revolver Model 15), the second revolver was a Colt Python 1976 6″ barrel series E .357 mag. Both were used but in like new excellent shape, no scratches or dings. I still have them. Got both of them for less than $300.00 each. Not planning on getting rid of them. Until recently it was over a year since I last fired them, prefer semi-autos to revolvers so I usually don’t take the revolvers out that much.

    So I was out at the range with the Colt Python and someone offered me $2,800 cash for the Colt and was willing to run to the bank and get the cash and come back to the range and buy it right there. Told him its not for sale. It never occurred to me in all this time that my Colt had become such a valued and sought after revolver.

    I guess the article new Colt release could garner a lot of interest, but I still think the $1,500.00 price tag is too much for it.

    • $300 for a Python

      That must have been a while ago! Well done with that purchase.👍

      • It was in 2002. A family was liquidating the estate of a deceased relative and held an auction. Almost everything got sold off except for some furniture, one piece was a really nice antique Armoire. A few days after the auction I was in a place having lunch and overheard a lady taking to another person about her deceased relative and the auction and she mentioned this antique Armoire being left and for sale. So my wife was on an antique kick back then, and I thought I’d ask the lady about it. She said another was also interested in it but I could come by and look and she would take the best offer for it.

        So I call up the wife and pick her up and we go to look at this Armoire. Its in really great shape for an antique and really nice and was appraised at $7,000 a few years prior. The lady just wants to be done with this and says the minimum she would take is $3,000 and its certainly worth that and she asks that we write our bid down on a piece of paper, we bid $3,200.00 and the other guy bid $3,300.00 so he got it. He opens it up and there is this old wooden case on the top shelf which he removes and sits aside and says he doesn’t want it.

        So the lady says she didn’t realize it was in the Armoire and opens the case and there is the Smith and the Colt. She says she had forgotten all about the guns in the Armoire, her relatives other guns had already been auctioned off in the auction. She says she doesn’t want them, the other guy says hes not interested, so no bidding going on and I ask how much and she says “oh, a few hundred each I guess”.

        So that’s how I got the Smith and Colt.

        • Awesome 👍

13. I’ll give ya 900 bucks.

    • nope

14. I just bought a 6 inch Anaconda, so I’m all set. And by that I mean the gun money is gone for now 😂 Beautiful Python though.

15. 3″ is just right.

16. I sold an original unfired in the box 3″ Python about 15 years ago for $3000 which was insane at the time. I paid $$ for a letter from the Colt Archives as to the originality of the gun and box label. Original 3″ guns are rare. When 3″ production stopped many years ago Colt sold off a large number of 3″ barrels to Numrich Arms and I have seen several re-barreled 3″ Pythons that were not original as verified by a Colt factory Letter. Also, I have seen Python barrels on Colt Trooper MKIII frames which easily fool the un-educated buyer. Check where the barrel rib meets the frame, look at the hammer and the easiest giveaway is the coil mainspring when you remove the grips. Gun Show buyers BEWARE!

    • @ Slapshot….Thanks for intel’infor!

17. They are beautiful guns and I would certainly enjoy one if money were no object.
    A local gunsmith worked over my GP100 and I am very happy with it. No doubt this will be a gun that will last long after I’m gone.

18. The new Python is one of the biggest rip offs in Colt History. Its pure junk. I personally would not even give $500 bucks for one let alone $1,500.

    Let us now take a look at this piece of complete trash.

    As usual the greed monger stock holders forced Colt to rush the gun into production and of course without even testing it they put it on the market and then had to have a recall. Colt is screaming it is not a recall out of one side of their mouths and quietly telling customers to send them back with a Colt prepaid box to have them fixed.

    Below are two links, one is from the NRA trying to do damage control but listing problems with screws falling out, fked up muzzle crowns that never should have left the factory, ignition problems with light strikes etc. etc.

    The other video is from a private individual that shows you his gun with a fked up muzzle crown as well as discussing other problems with the gun. As anyone knows the muzzle crown is critical to a guns accuracy, fk it up and you have problems big time.

    https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-keefe-report-colt-addresses-python-problems/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y1Gn-bGUSE

    The lock work on this newly made piece of trash has been completely changed. Its single action pull is in the 6lb range while the original Pythons seldom went over 3 lbs in single action. I have down through the years owned 6 Colt Pythons so I know what I am speaking about. Anyone who has been a serious competitor in either pistol or rifle shooting knows that you can have the most accurate weapon in the world but when your trigger sucks the accuracy suffers big time. I have gotten to the point in my competitive career that I can see the difference in accuracy between a bench rest rifle that has a 2 oz. trigger and one that has a 1 oz. trigger. The 1 oz. trigger if crisp will outshoot the heaver 2 oz. trigger every time even though we are speaking of only 1 oz. difference. In the case of the new and old Colt Python a difference of 3 lbs is on heck of a difference. This is one of the major reasons I voted thumbs down on the new Python.

    The internal parts on the new stinker Python are made of MIM cast parts not the high quality long lasting forged parts the original had in them.

    The original Pythons had an internally tapered barrel often called a squeeze bore. It contributed to the original Pythons accuracy. The new Junker’s do not have this.

    The polish job does not come close to the flawless polishing of the original Pythons.

    In al fairness the original Pythons sometimes suffered from a hand factory fitted on the SHORT SIDE . Yes I know the hand even when short fitted still locked up the cylinder like a bank vault that contributed to the great accuracy of the python so what was the problem???? The hand when fitted on the short side soon caused the ordinal guns to go out of time. My first 4 inch Python bought in the 70’s did this with very little actual shooting so I ordered a new hand for the gun and fainted when I saw it was completely stock with no machining in the critical parts so I spent the greater part of an entire day hand fitting this part on the LONG SIDE. After this hand fitting was done the right way and on the LONG SIDE I never had the gun go out of time again even though I shot it extensively. I had 5 other original Pythons that never gave me any problems with timing.

    Although Ruger pistols have always been crudely made of rough castings they are deliberately over engineered and last a long, long time and are much cheaper in price. No they usually do not shoot as accurately as the older Colts and Smiths that is for sure. This was very true back when Ruger bought barrels for all their guns from outside sources. The accuracy problem was much improved when old man Ruger, before he kicked off, finally broke down and bought some barrel making machinery and finally started to make his own barrels.

    So is the Python really worth it old or new??

    Once again whether you decide to buy a quality “original Python” or the newer crudely made “fake python” or a cheaper make of revolver it depends how much money you have or want to spend and how much snob appeal you need. A Cast Iron Ruger will knock off a deer or even black bear probably further than your skills are capable of but it will not get the oohs and ahhs at your gun club either. And the further advantage of owning the newer MIM cast iron Python is you can lie to your friends and make them easily believe you have a super accurate python that makes their Rugers look like fugitives from a scrap iron pile of rejected castings. It works every time.

    • ” I have down through the years owned 6 Colt Pythons so I know what I am speaking about ”

      Ahhhh… dueling resumes. Any time someone pops in with a claim like this, you know it’s all BS. Especially when it’s coming from a known and frequent BSer.

      • Look Moron when I started buying Pythons in the late 60’s and early 70’s I paid for $260 fro them. But the last two I bought a couple of years ago I paid $1,700 and $1,800. Not everyone is a cheap ass hill hack like you. Eat your heart out.

        • You claimed you were born when America hit the population mark of 200 million. Which was 1968.

          As always you are lying. You’re a mentally ill person. Your obsessive need to lie shines through. If the truth would save your life you’d tell an obvious lie.

          Sad, really. But onl;y the mentally ill would brag about being a member of the ss/antifa.

        • dacian:
          Your use of disparaging pejoratives (e.g. “moron” and “cheap ass hill hack”) to address people with whom you disagree is not earning you respect from anybody. You should consider toning it down.
          And, while I am at it, I suspect that you use voice recognition software to “craft” your habitually overlong comments on this website. You ought to seriously consider curtailment of same. Nothing you have to say is so damned important that an average reader will bother to read one of your multi-thousand-word replies.
          That having been said, you will NEVER hear from me again, no matter what. So, don’t bother treating me to any of the above.

        • To Jethro WM

          Look you mental midget I said it was roughly 200 million. I did not bother to look up the exact figure.

          Anyone with even half a brain would have guessed by now that a young man would never have been able to make the posts I have made because young men do not have the experience with firearms or with life in general to make the type of posts I make, especially in regards to how it was in the past. But this is way over your Neanderthal mentality. You never cease to keep making a complete fool of yourself with each and every post you make.

        • To complete disapproval

          Look Moron you said nothing about the original insult that was directed toward me. That makes you a hypocrite. If you insult me then I give your an insult right back in your face. Its the only way to treat such people. So shove your comment where the sun does not shine. It was amusing.

        • dacian the nazi. Only a young man would make the kind of statements you make. If you’re truly asenior and still talking like a 13yo jackwad then my comments about you being mentally ill are ever more spot on.

          Again, you’re a liar. As for firearms experience. You have access to a computer. You can bluff through any subject.

        • Who said you had any experience with firearms?

19. I have a 1970’s vintage Python in blue with a 6″ barrel. Don’t use it as a carry weapon. Enjoy breaking it out now and then. Never have had a timing issue or failure to fire. My wife actually uses it more than I do now days. Not really in the market for another revolver, except perhaps a nice antique single action in 44-40 or 45 long colt.

20. I want one. I’ll probably end up spending even more for to replace the grips with custom wood grips.

    I like gp100s fine for practical purposes but they are utilitarian and that’s all. I don’t like sw’s keyholes, and have had too many bad experiences with Taurus.

    • https://ruger.com/products/gp100/specSheets/1769.html

      That’s my GP100. I think she’s gorgeous!

      • ChoseDeath:
        Here’s mine: https://ruger.com/products/gp100MatchChampion/specSheets/1755.html
        And I think she’s gorgeous too.

21. The new Pythons really are great guns. Most of the haters I’ve seen are NOT owners or even potential buyers. They’re typically old Fudds with their pile of older guns and grew up when $1500 would buy you a nice used car, so they just can’t see why any new gun should cost that much, or tactibeards who hate revolvers as a general rule. Fun fact: a quality steel and wood firearm will cost around $1000 now (yes I know the grip is laminate…but it IS wood) and it goes up from there. There’s a surprising level of new engineering and changes in the Python. If they’d just made an upsize King Cobra for $1500 I would have avoided them like the plague. But my 6″ gun has been a treat. And I’m a S&W collector, really…but this is a gun to buy and hand down to your kids, maybe the only new Colt I’d say that about.

22. For a Manhurin or Korth that would be a steal.

23. A lot has to do with age and the security of your money, when I was 20 and just getting married, I couldn’t afford pot to p in or the window to throw it out of, as you get into your 50’s and older, you learn to save and manage your money. Love my Pythons and Anacondas I love my Smith & Wesson Model 29 and my Ruger Alaskan .454 Casull, but I would not carry these concealed, I carry the Ruger LCP 2 and I’ve got 2 Taurus 605 black and stainless, all great guns.

24. 💪🏼

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