Older Python's better ?

[marksolar]

I just read the Python poll.
Are older Python's better than the newer examples ?
I just bought a newer 4" blued with the factory black medallion grips ( circa 1996 ) and its a beauty.
What say you ?

[kurac]

usually older examples of anything bring more money given the condition is identical

[brianm767]

Mine is a 6" blued 1964 model, I have never handles another firearm of any kind that seems to be of the same quality, but honestly I haven't handled a newer Python. But mine is not pristine it shows its 30+ years of duty on the CHP.

[NewGuy1911]

Great question; I have a 1965-70 Nickel 6", wish I had kept the cardboard carton and wood grips.

[HOGLEG]

New or old all Colt Pythons are the Cadillacs of 357's.

[redcliff]

The older ones have grips worth $300 or more. The same can't be said for the new ones. I haven't examined a 1996 blued model to see how it compares with the older ones I have.

[NikePenguin]

I have a 1965 6" blue. I like the older ones "better" but I am biased (and fortunate!). Old and new are at the least different (if only the finish and markings). "Better" is pretty subjective. "Collectible/valuable" can be determined by looking at the market for the various vintages (which I've never bothered to check).

In the end, you are a Python owner and in a rare club.

[kostner]

New or old all Colt Pythons are the Cadillacs of 357's.

Yep no doubt about that a real great revolver. Had a six inch blue stolen from my shop and reported it to the LAPD who called me a few months later that they had recovered my gun. But by the time I came down to the station to pickup my property no one know anything about who called me. Never heard from them again. Should have followed up on this but never did and now its years to late. Sure make one wonder.

[bsg]

congrats on your new acquisiton.

this site (ColtFever) may be of some interest to you:

www.coltfever.com/The_Colt_Python.html

[The Gleam]

All year Pythons are well made, however when I compare my late-1960s and early 1970s Pythons to 1980s/1990s examples, I do see a differentiation in fit, finish, and tighter tolerances on the older models with better attention to INTERNAL finishing and machining as well. Yet if I look at some of the Colt Elites from the Colt Custom Shop in the later 1990s, I see that same early quality and attention in those particular guns - on par with "Freedom Arms" quality.

I simply think that the early models (1960s/1970s) received more hand-fitting attention than later models. It's likely that as the gun grew popular, like all things, it went the way of higher production, higher numbers in demand, requiring faster out-put, so some of the custom attention each gun previously received suffered, just to get them out the door to retailers.

[DrewN]

The old wheelgun guys I shoot with swear the cutoff is when they inserted a letter into the serial number, which was '69 IIRC.