Colt Python & Colt SAA help for deciding what to get

[81Degrees]

Either one of your choices is good. Just about anything with the Colt name
will increase in value,especially if the condition is pristine. 1911 Military
and Commercial variants bring more bucks then your two choices. Pre WW2
Military Blued Colt Pistols bring an extraordinary premium such as this
RS inspected Colt Military from April 30,1941.

Seeing that 1911 never gets old.

Unless we're talking about 10-15% roi within a year then I wouldn't purchase either model for an investment.

[glockman19]

For me a 3" correct Python and a SAA 5.5" .45LC gen 1 & 2 would be my choice for investment.

For shooting I'd still get the 3" Python but get a 4.75" gen 3 SAA in .357mag nickle plated.

[bsg]

learn the firearms you are considering for purchase and learn them well before parting with your money. very small details can mean the difference between an investment purchase and a burn. your ability to recognize these small details and to know other important information is paramount to a purchase that feels good now and is not regretted later.

[Killer Bee]

^^^ excellent point should consider buying a few books first..

The Book of Colt Firearms

Seven Serpents: the History of Colt's Snake Guns

Standard Catalog of Colt Firearms

I'm sure you could find some better suited books for the specific models you're shopping for..


here's a few that I use frequently, some other hardbound on the book shelf..

and could always use more

notice the 1971 editions, those are quite handy in research for guns of that year

[lostinsurf]

Investing means buying the best available.
The best XXXX goes up a higher percentage more than the lower grades.
It is the same rule in coins, guitars, cars, and ...

A very hard rule that has been taught to me several times painfully.

I'm a accumulator. I like to shoot.

[den888]

My vote would be for a Python with all boxes and manuals. 2.5" and 8" barrels are the rarest.

[Johneracer]

Colt saa is one of the most iconic firearms ever made. 2nd gen is what I would get. Prices are rising fr a clean investment model. Fort courage in Simi Valley has one on display for sale. I think it's about $3k.

[Litespeeds]

My vote would be for a Python with all boxes and manuals. 2.5" and 8" barrels are the rarest.

Rarest is the 3" Combat Python. Then there are the special editions like the Snake Eyes.

[dfletcher]

Hey All,

I recently have made the decision and buy a few guns. I want to buy them for an investment and not to shoot them. I have always wanted to have a Colt Python and Colt single action army. I want to buy them in collector grade with box, paper etc. So here are my questions:

First question is regarding the Colt Python. What is the model valuable barrel length? What about Blued vs stainless steel vs nickel finish? Are there any years that are better than others?

Second question goes along the same lines for the Colt SAA. What is the best generation to purchase? 1st, 2nd, or 3rd? what caliber? barrel length? Nicket or blued finish?

Any help or even additional comments would be great.

Thank you!

My vote would be for an early to mid-60's Colt Python with 6" barrel and blued. For Colt SAA I would say 2nd Generation, 7 1/2" in 44 Special - just a personal choice on the SAA.

I have an 8" nickel Python target model, nickel in 38 Special - I can still hear the "who buys a 38 Special Python .... 8" bbl?" in my ears 35 years later. As I recall I wanted something as accurate as my Dan Wesson. The 6" is all around classic for the gun, I admit not liking pretty much any 4" adjustable sighted revolver though.

Anything manufactured has it's good and bad versions. When the 1st stanless Pythons came out I thought the finish was just OK and the action mediocre. I've seen some mid to late 70's versions where the bluing wasn't all that great. I think staying in the 60s avoids those problems.

I had a 3rd Generation Colt SAA, 7/2" bbl in 45 Colt. Beautiful gun, but the bluing though absolutely perfect seemd fragile - one rub and I think it would have gone down to bare metal, almost as a scratch and not a rub. The 2nd Generation, while not as highly polished, seems much more durable.

[Erion929]

4" unfired, blued Python, amongst the S&Ws:

[westcoast362]

How about the .38spl Python?

[simonp]

Colt Python hands down, blued, 2.5 or 3 inch if you can find it then 4, then 6. Fact is you will never lose money on an older Colt Python in California - my pythons were my best gun investments I ever had. I still have a 2.5' sitting in my safe, part of my retirement plan