Colt Python Repair

[mcisniper]

Colt. Fix it right the first time and factory certified.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Glad you got it back!!!

[Friesland]

tagged for return visit

[LoadedM333]

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.

Very nice Snake you have there sir, I hope I can get her back in that condition or close to it. I will be looking into what option Colt offers when I sent her in. Yes, I am very lucky to get her back. When the detective who worked on the case called me that they found my revolver and told me I can get her back after the case is over, I nearly scream on the phone. I was so excited.

Regarding the safe. I didn't have a bolted down safe back in 2004. I had a residential security container that would prevent only an honest persons or kids from taking my firearms.
Now I have a Sturdy Safe, bought from GB on this Forum last year, bolted on the concrete floor.

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

How long did it take you to get it back from Colt, if you don't mind? Since you mentioned about lottery, I might be looking into this. Seriously though, I never thought I would get any of my firearms back, let alone a Colt Python.

Glad you got it back!!!

Thank you sir.

[dfletcher]

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!

I've replaced Colt older model hammers, hands, cylinder bolts, rebound levers, etc. And I'd still say sending it back to Colt is the best move. You can have them refresh or refinish the gun while it's there. BTW, a friend has a set of wood Python grips taken off a 1965 or so blued 6". He prefers rubber Pachmayer to the originals. PM me if you're interested, he wants $250.00.

[LoadedM333]

I've replaced Colt older model hammers, hands, cylinder bolts, rebound levers, etc. And I'd still say sending it back to Colt is the best move. You can have them refresh or refinish the gun while it's there. BTW, a friend has a set of wood Python grips taken off a 1965 or so blued 6". He prefers rubber Pachmayer to the originals. PM me if you're interested, he wants $250.00.

Thanks for the offer, I will keep this in mind but right now I just want to get it sent to Colt first.

[nickel plate]

Let me back up a bit-if you bought it new around the year 2004 at the Python final run, the then laminated wood stocks would have possibly looked like this:

[jazman]

If you don't want to wait or get a second opinion, contact Frank Glenn at Glenn Custom in Arizona. Highly recommended by Grant Cunningham, renowned Colt double action gun smith. Grant is not taking work anymore due to repetitive stress injury, and Frank Glenn is the man he recommends. Just FYI, your wait for Colt isn't that long, I was once on Grant Cunningham's wait list for almost 3 years to get my Python custom tuned.Turned out to be well worth the wait.

[LoadedM333]

Let me back up a bit-if you bought it new around the year 2004 at the Python final run, the then laminated wood stocks would have possibly looked like this:

Actually, I bought it brand new in March 1996 at RNJ GUNS in Carson, CA, not sure if they're still in business. I am not sure year it was manufactured, how do I find out, using serial number?
My house was burglarized in 2004 that's when I lost it. I don't have any pictures but the wood stock and if my recollection is correct, it looked similar to yours. I actually didn't like the wood stock back then but a friend of mine said it looked much better, looking at yours, now I know exactly what he meant.

[LoadedM333]

If you don't want to wait or get a second opinion, contact Frank Glenn at Glenn Custom in Arizona. Highly recommended by Grant Cunningham, renowned Colt double action gun smith. Grant is not taking work anymore due to repetitive stress injury, and Frank Glenn is the man he recommends. Just FYI, your wait for Colt isn't that long, I was once on Grant Cunningham's wait list for almost 3 years to get my Python custom tuned.Turned out to be well worth the wait.

Thank you for the information sir, I'll keep this in mind.

[I Swan]

RNJ guns is long out of business.

[JDay]

Actually, I bought it brand new in March 1996 at RNJ GUNS in Carson, CA, not sure if they're still in business. I am not sure year it was manufactured, how do I find out, using serial number?
My house was burglarized in 2004 that's when I lost it. I don't have any pictures but the wood stock and if my recollection is correct, it looked similar to yours. I actually didn't like the wood stock back then but a friend of mine said it looked much better, looking at yours, now I know exactly what he meant.

You can check your serial online.

http://www.colt.com/Customer-Services/Serial-Number-Lookup

http://proofhouse.com/colt/index.html

[tmnguuyen]

Go to ironsights in oceanside monday night and talk to Ray Booth. He is a very good gunsmith an honest guy.

[nickel plate]

OP,
I just checked the two serial number data bases listed in post #27 and neither have my Python SN KT0XXX which I purchased new around 1990-1991 so you probably won't find yours either however on the Colt website they do list a CS phone number for further SN assistance:
1-800) 962-(COLT)2658
You can always pay Colt for a letter of authenticity but for just a date of manufacture, call that toll free number.

[kendog4570]

I've replaced Colt older model hammers, hands, cylinder bolts, rebound levers, etc. And I'd still say sending it back to Colt is the best move. You can have them refresh or refinish the gun while it's there. BTW, a friend has a set of wood Python grips taken off a 1965 or so blued 6". He prefers rubber Pachmayer to the originals. PM me if you're interested, he wants $250.00.

It's quite easy to put parts in these guns, and if they fit, the world is a beautiful place. If it needs advanced repair, timing of the lock work, or one part is out of whack, one may indeed have his hands full! An old timer told me years ago "sonny, almost anyone can work on a Smith, but the devil himself lurks under the side plate of a Colt".
I have a 4" blue that is going back to them soon for refinishing. They just wont authorize a shipping order to receive it until June 2016 so there is no queue.