Colt Python Repair

[LoadedM333]

Hi all,

Looking for some advice on repairing my 6" Colt Python Stainless that I just got it back today.
Background: Back in 2004, my house were burglarized and I lost several guns including my Colt Python. A few months ago, a detective from San Diego Sheriff called me regarding a stolen Colt. They arrested a douchebag that had possession of my gun, hope he rots in jail damn bastard. After a long 30days wait for the LEGR from CA DOJ, I got her back.

I tried test fire with snap cap and the trigger appeared to be functional but there are some broken parts. Broken ejector rod, broken part of the hammer and missing screw holding rear sight. The bastard also replaced my original wood grip with plastic but at least it's still a Colt.

I bought it new and it was fairly new when I had it, I only fired a few rounds. Now she had a few scratches now but at least I got her back. I live in San Diego and would like to know a good Python gunsmith to work on her or should I send her back to Colt directly? Below are couple of pictures of her current state. Sorry for the poor quality phone pictures. Any advice would be much appreciated.

004 (Medium) by tonypkk, on Flickr

002 (Medium) by tonypkk, on Flickr

[GM4spd]

Send it back to Colt. Don't even consider some angry beaver gunsmith. Plus
Colt WILL HAVE any parts that will be required. It looks like the gun may
need to be refinished. Pete

[jhmc2000]

I would get it back to colt and wait it out. Glad it found its way back home.

[LoadedM333]

I would get it back to colt and wait it out. Glad it found its way back home.

Just checked with Colt customer service, they said to hold off sending any repair to Colt for double action revolver until June 2016 due to backlog. Guess I need to wait to get her fix up.

[gc44]

Sorry about your wait time, but sending it to Colt for repair is best solution, as noted above. There may be authorized Colt service stations out there but you don't know who will be working on your gun- a factory trained gunsmith or some yahoo like the ones we see that run a family teevee series gunstore. Colts do hold their value- even if repaired, but if some yahbahsh got ahold of it and diddled with it, value drops, sometimes dramatically. Keep the paperwork from Colt-and the cops- it'll sure mean more when you sell it than paperwork from Joe Schmo's fixit-shop or no papers at all. Scratches can be rubbed/polished out at the factory.

[BigPimping]

Send to Colt......accept no substitute. Don't risk it.

[langss]

Send it to Colt, no better choice. They are not fast, but the are complete. I had a brand new one sent back years ago, bad timing.....bad timing for me as well.....took forever to get it back, but its never missed a tick since.

[Waffleobill]

Colt, period.

[Dvrjon]

Just checked with Colt customer service, they said to hold off sending any repair to Colt for double action revolver until June 2016 due to backlog. Guess I need to wait to get her fix up.

Will they not accept it if it comes in now? It's useless to you in this state. Get it shipped to them and put in the queue. They'll also give you a complete priced estimate before they begin work. The good news is Colt just came out of bankruptcy. Move now and get the gun in line.

[JDay]

It's ruined. The cost to have it repaired is more than its worth. Just sell it to me for parts, I'll give you $500.

[liberallyloaded]

Will they not accept it if it comes in now? It's useless to you in this state. Get it shipped to them and put in the queue. They'll also give you a complete priced estimate before they begin work. The good news is Colt just came out of bankruptcy. Move now and get the gun in line.

This. I'd get it in line right away to be worked on by Colt; their work speaks for itself in terms of repair/refinishing/customization vs having someone bubba up your python.

[LoadedM333]

Will they not accept it if it comes in now? It's useless to you in this state. Get it shipped to them and put in the queue. They'll also give you a complete priced estimate before they begin work. The good news is Colt just came out of bankruptcy. Move now and get the gun in line.

I will contact them again to see if I can get it in line.

I suppose I can wait a year or two to get her fixed up, hell, the thief had her for 11 years before I got her back. Thanks everyone for great advice!

It's ruined. The cost to have it repaired is more than its worth. Just sell it to me for parts, I'll give you $500.

Thanks for the offer but she's a keeper and besides, I usually don't sell my firearms.

[nickel plate]

Man, eleven years of being out on the street and you get your Python back along with eleven years of economic appreciation value! I think you're seasoned enough to wait a little longer for Colt to repair and polish up the BSTS. This will also give you enough time to search out a set of genuine Colt GEN lll walnut stocks.
I have the exact same model as yours and bought a set of walnut stocks on GB. Once the Pachmayr "Gripper" came of and the walnuts went on, that beautiful length of back strap fluting was once again showing for all the world to see. Matches nicely with the fluting on the face of the trigger.
You're a very lucky man, OP! You didn't mention if the guns were in a safe or just stashed about but in either case I hope you've upgraded your home security.

[bug_eyedmonster]

I waited to send a Python back to Colt, and it was well worth the wait. The estimated time it took was longer than what it actually took, and they charged me what the estimated price was, but ended up doing a bit more work to it. Congrats on getting that gem back, hope you went to buy a lotto ticket too!

Jerry

[onelonehorseman]

Glad you got her back OP! You'll get her back in shape eventually. . . at least she's home!