Snake mania

[SoldierLife7]

It's not that the gun is worth more, it's just that your money is worth less.

[Ant45]

Lots of people from all types of genres lusted after something or another early in their lives but couldn't afford them then. Now maybe they're older and have the money to score that dream item so I say good for them, it's their money so who's to say it's not worth it.

[dfletcher]

I have a question in regards to the finish of the Colt Python. Many have said that the Royal Blue finish is harder to take care of than the Bright Nickel which later changed to High Polish Stainless Steel. If this is the case, wouldn't a Royal Blue Python that has a perfect Royal Blue finish be worth more than a Stainless?

The same goes to the length of the barrel. The 4" and 6" is the most popular sizes but the 2.5" or 3" is worth more because there were less of those made probably due to the fact it didn't shoot as well. There was also an 8" for hunting.

Everything is worth only as much as someone is willing to pay for it.

Also I have heard that pre-1980's Pythons are better made than the later ones. Don't know if that is true or not but I believe it's harder to find an older model that is in near perfect or perfect condition.

There are alot more blued versions out there than stainless so I'd imagine that's why the stainless costs more.

I bought an 8" nickel Python Target in 38 Special when they came out in about 1979 or so. All day long I listened to "who buys an 8" barrel?" or "a 38 Special Pythomn, what for ...?" and I've fired the thing probably 100 times or so. It sits at home in the box with all the factory stuff, and up until a few months ago I would have guessed I could sell it for $1,000.00 on a good day. Obviously things change, but yesterday's oddball gun is today's sought after rarity.

I've had other Pythons, a friend just bought a 1964 version, and I would say the earlier ones were better made inside and out. The only truly poorly made Pythons I've handled were 1980 or so made stainless versions - poor fit, poor finish. Not saying they (stainless) were all that way, but I'd restrict my buying of them to ones I can handle.

[The Gleam]

It's not that the gun is worth more, it's just that your money is worth less.

This is not an accurate statement. While I get what you are trying to imply, then the same would be true for all things, and that is not the case. For example, things do appreciate in value, and things DO depreciate in value, either due to changing technology, finite availability, newer models of better design, or new appreciation for something that was of a finer quality of a bygone era.

For example, nobody will pay any more than the original MSRP on a Raven Arms MP-25 from the same era, even in in NIB condition - IF that much.

Nobody is going to pay even close to the original MSRP on a DELL computer from 10 years ago... even though there ARE early Apple and PC computers for which collectors will pay tens-of-thousands of dollars.

Nobody is going to pay close to MSRP on a Cell-phone from 10 years ago. Or a landline based phone. Or a fax machine. Or a common manual type-writer.... even though there ARE collectible type-writers from the early 1900s that fetch tens-of-thousands of dollars.

Likewise, a Matisse or Rembrandt does not merely increase in value because the dollar holds less worth - they aren't making any more. Same goes for an original Ford Model A or 1957 Chevy Bel-Air. They get ruined, destroyed, deteriorate, trashed, in accidents, or stolen, even turned into the crusher.

These are finite, as is the Colt Python, because last I checked they aren't making any more and the available number has potential to decrease due to damage, lost, negligent care, stolen, forgotten, confiscated, or turned in to gun buy-backs voluntarily.

[SoldierLife7]

...I was trying to be humorous!

Guess I should have put a " " in there somewhere...

[The Gleam]

...I was trying to be humorous!

Guess I should have put a " " in there somewhere...

But in theory, you are right, for most things. That concept does hold true for a lot of what is typical economics and cost-driven consumerism.

[Litespeeds]

Can you imagine someone turning in a Python at a gun buy back and getting something like $200 for it when they could have sold it for maybe $2,000?

[BarrettM99]

It does happen. I heard someone turned in an original WWII Sturmgewehr Stg44 at a buy back some time ago.

[Erion929]

Can you imagine someone turning in a Python at a gun buy back and getting something like $200 for it when they could have sold it for maybe $2,000?

If something's rusted, broken, and doesn't work, $200 is better than a paperweight to some. Not all Pythons are safe queens

[The Gleam]

Can you imagine someone turning in a Python at a gun buy back and getting something like $200 for it when they could have sold it for maybe $2,000?

A couple of years ago, there was a clear and easy to see photo from a gun buy-back in Southern California (I thinkit was Van Nuys) exhibited in one of the liberal rags, and it was quite obvious that that an early blued 6-inch Python was in the photo among a host of more pedestrian or run-of-the-mill cheaper- quality guns.

It does happen unfortunately. Study the photos from the next time they post the pics of results, and I guarantee you won't fail to see at least one gun of excellent quality or rare (even outside of CA) show up in the pics.

It's disgusting.

[The Gleam]

If something's rusted, broken, and doesn't work, $200 is better than a paperweight to some. Not all Pythons are safe queens

I recently intentionally bought an aeshtetically beaten 4 inch that was carried and holstered more than ever shot (if at all) just for that reason. I essentially got a mechanically like-new gun, that had nothing but superficial wear - so I can go out and shoot a good deal through it, enjoying the luxury of a like-new gun in performance and reliability (well, reliability for a Python), and not treat the thing "safe-queenyish."

[Litespeeds]

I wonder if LEO has an opportunity to purchase any of those that are turned in and then register it instead of having them destroyed or whatever they do to all those firearms.

[The Gleam]

I wonder if LEO has an opportunity to purchase any of those that are turned in and then register it instead of having them destroyed or whatever they do to all those firearms.

Purchase?

Try abscond discreetly after the supposed "serial number check" is complete and nothing nefarious turns up. Or not even that.

There is no way the percentages of LEO that have a hand in this process, that it won't cross that one guy that sees to it that it doesn't meet the crusher/cutter/steam-roller/smelter/torch. Human nature, and I'm not sure I find much fault in that.

It's like secretly rescuing an abandoned dog set to be euthanized for nothing more than lack of a home.

[bsg]

A couple of years ago, there was a clear and easy to see photo from a gun buy-back in Southern California (I thinkit was Van Nuys) exhibited in one of the liberal rags, and it was quite obvious that that an early blued 6-inch Python was in the photo among a host of more pedestrian or run-of-the-mill cheaper- quality guns.

It does happen unfortunately. Study the photos from the next time they post the pics of results, and I guarantee you won't fail to see at least one gun of excellent quality or rare (even outside of CA) show up in the pics.

It's disgusting.

^^^ yes, it is disgusting.