shooting my Colt Python...

[nickel plate]

I hope it's my diminishing eyesight and the lighting in your photos but I seem to detect a very slight yellowing on your Python's frame which is indicative of nickel plating.
Proof of stainless steel is a stamped capitol letter "S" and can be found in two places. Under the ejection rod on the hollow lug and under the ejection star on the ejection rod bushing.

[45acpguy]

I hope it's my diminishing eyesight and the lighting in your photos but I seem to detect a very slight yellowing on your Python's frame which is indicative of nickel plating.
Proof of stainless steel is a stamped capitol letter "S" and can be found in two places. Under the ejection rod on the hollow lug and under the ejection star on the ejection rod bushing.

It's the lighting. She's definitely stainless.

[nickel plate]

WHEW!!

[BRCOZ]

I bought my blue 6" for my 21st birthday in 1977. It has less than 500 rounds fired. The 4" has had more rounds fired in it. They get attention at the range when I pull the out.

[hambam105]

Whip-out a classic Colt revolver at your local public range and can't hit sheet...yeah, you will get some attention.

[Gryff]

I agree, gun are meant to shoot. However, when making a $3K purchase on a gun, I just can't help but consider depreciation should I (God forbid) have an emergency and need to liquidate my collection. I keep my firearms in PRESTINE condition, so I'm wondering if shooting the Python would drop its value significantly.

Keep in mind that Python prices are artificially high, and there is a strong chance they won't remain at the current levels forever. They will always be valuable, but you have to accept that your $3000 gun may be a $2000 gun a few years from now. If you bought the gun to shoot, then shoot it. Enjoy it. Put it to the use it was designed for. Take care of it, but accept that you can't guarantee that it won't depreciate. So enjoy it.

[hambam105]

I have been hearing about Pythons being over-priced since I paid $400 for a new one in 1977. Well...my parents actually bought it for me, when the 14 day wait ended I was in bootcamp.

Since then....
I have been waiting to snap-up Colt Pythons and other quality Colt revolvers when these pistols start loosing their artificially high value. By then I'm sure beach front property values in Malibu will have tanked and I won't have any cash left over to buy sheet.

[45acpguy]

Keep in mind that Python prices are artificially high, and there is a strong chance they won't remain at the current levels forever. They will always be valuable, but you have to accept that your $3000 gun may be a $2000 gun a few years from now. If you bought the gun to shoot, then shoot it. Enjoy it. Put it to the use it was designed for. Take care of it, but accept that you can't guarantee that it won't depreciate. So enjoy it.

There's nothing artificial about the $-2800 from my savings account, LOL. I understand the market on firearms can/will fluctuate over time, that's to be expected. Most Pythons I've seen for sale have been in near prestine condition and commanding high $$. Mine is very, very clean as well. It's obviously been fired before, there's no doubt. I guess my question was more or less, does "honestly" disclosing the round count of the revolver affect its value. As the guns sits now, the original owner claims under 200rds, and the revolver's condition definitely backs that claim. If the overall physical condition and mechanical functionality of the revolver remains in excellent shape, would a 200rd fired Python hold more value than say a 1500rd Python?

[zapatito92]

awesome score OP I would love to get my hands on one of those bad boys one day

[Citadelgrad87]

I have been hearing about Pythons being over-priced since I paid $400 for a new one in 1977. Well...my parents actually bought it for me, when the 14 day wait ended I was in bootcamp.

Since then....
I have been waiting to snap-up Colt Pythons and other quality Colt revolvers when these pistols start loosing their artificially high value. By then I'm sure beach front property values in Malibu will have tanked and I won't have any cash left over to buy sheet.

Except beach front property is limited, while they made pythons for decades. Some variants are indeed rare, but pythons, while commanding high prices, arent rare by any definition, and we can easily determine rarity in the gun world and correllate it to pricing. There have been articles discussing this phenominon, and i hope everyone who has one makes money, but i dont understand the Python market or how it can hold up.

[45acpguy]

here's a link to the pics I took of the Python after I had a chance to clean and polish her up a bit...

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=19327170#post19327170

[Che762x39]

That's a bit disappointing. Never would have thought the Pythons wouldn't be able to handle moderate to full power .357 mag loads.

I had a 6 inch Python in the early 1980s. Carried it daily and being a shooter and a reloader I put a lot of rounds down range with it. I used it in PPC matches too.

S&W and Ruger fanbois were hating on the Python back then. Just like we have haters today. Enjoy that fine revolver.

[Che762x39]

I have been hearing about Pythons being over-priced since I paid $400 for a new one in 1977. Well...my parents actually bought it for me, when the 14 day wait ended I was in bootcamp.

Remember in 1977 that $400 for a Python would have got you a S&W 19 and a S&W 36 and two boxes of bullets.

For about the same price you could have got a Colt Single Action Army.

For Boot Camp graduation I got a Winchester Model 94 and I still have it.

[Gryff]

S&W and Ruger fanbois were hating on the Python back then. Just like we have haters today. Enjoy that fine revolver.

Wonderful gun, but there is a reason why it was never a popular platform to be used for high-end PPC guns. Again, shoot it and enjoy it, but given cost and design, it isn't a platform you want to hammer.

[hambam105]

but i dont understand the Python market or how it can hold up.

I don't claim to understand the high price of Colt Pythons myself, other than the price has been up ever since I saw the BGs using them in the movie Magnum Force.