Colt Python info

[shaneanderson81]

I just bought an unregistered Colt Python from a friend that inherited it from their dad who originally purchased it in Arizona at some point in time and never fired it. I looked up the serial number on the Colt website and it came up with a 1977 date. It is blue with a 6" barrel but it is missing the original box and paperwork. I paid $630 for it. My questions are: do I even own this thing legally since there is no paperwork and can I ever sell it if I wanted to? How can I tell if it is truly unfired? It has no cylinder ring and it appears new. Also, about how much is it worth? Thanks is advance for any help.

[Brandon04GT]

Did you make this purchase in CA? If you did, then the only legal way to have done so is through an FFL and have it DROS'd to your name which will also make it registered to you.

[jesse977]

Colt Pythons are bad ***. Rick from the walking dead has one

[sapro]

Sell it to me and I'll pay you more than you did.

[rallo87]

You can go to the doj website and print a voluntary registration. Then mail it in with 19.00 and it's urs. If you would like to sell it I'd love to have it.

[RickD427]

Shane,

Welcome to the forum. I see this is your first posting.

Congratulations on your purchase, a Colt Python in the condition you describe is worth far more than you paid.

You should be aware that the manner you described purchasing the weapon was very likely illegal. To know exactly what laws were violated depends on the residency of yourself and the seller, as well as where the transaction occurred.

Completing the voluntary registration form will create a record of the weapon in your name with the DOJ, but it will not remove any illegal taint from the sale.

If both you and the seller are California residents (it's irrelevant that the weapon was originally sold in Arizona), then both of you need to visit a California FFL and do a "Private Party Transfer."

If you're a California resident, and the seller is not, the he needs to deliver the weapon to a California FFL who can then transfer it to you. In this case the "Safe Handgun" list applies. I'm not sure if the Python is still listed on it.

[shaneanderson81]

I am in northern CA and I bought it from a friend in southern CA. The gun is not registered to anyone so who is to say that I'm not the original owner? I don't understand the tainted sale thing.

[Vin63]

...My questions are: do I even own this thing legally since there is no paperwork and can I ever sell it if I wanted to? How can I tell if it is truly unfired? It has no cylinder ring and it appears new. Also, about how much is it worth? Thanks is advance for any help.

...The gun is not registered to anyone so who is to say that I'm not the original owner? I don't understand the tainted sale thing.

You asked in your original post. So, if you go by your question in your second post, I would recommend deleting this thread and start a new thread just asking what we think the value of the Python might be - I would also post photos.

[sapro]

Best thing you can do, and its probably not too late, is go to a local gun store and do a "private party transfer". Both seller and buyer must be present with CA ID and buyer needs a "handgun safety card" and 2nd form of ID (ie utility bill or car registration), buyer pays $35 to FFL.

[dachan]

I am in northern CA and I bought it from a friend in southern CA. The gun is not registered to anyone so who is to say that I'm not the original owner? I don't understand the tainted sale thing.

Best thing you can do, and its probably not too late, is go to a local gun store and do a "private party transfer". Both seller and buyer must be present with CA ID and buyer needs a "handgun safety card" and 2nd form of ID (ie utility bill or car registration), buyer pays $35 to FFL.

2nd that suggestion, it's probably not too late. As of now, you've admitted to a misdeanor and implicated your friend in another; all in a public forum.

[Che762x39]

I just bought an unregistered Colt Python from a friend that inherited it from their dad who originally purchased it in Arizona at some point in time and never fired it. I looked up the serial number on the Colt website and it came up with a 1977 date. It is blue with a 6" barrel but it is missing the original box and paperwork. I paid $630 for it. My questions are: do I even own this thing legally since there is no paperwork and can I ever sell it if I wanted to? How can I tell if it is truly unfired? It has no cylinder ring and it appears new. Also, about how much is it worth? Thanks is advance for any help.

That was a really low price so how you know it was not stolen? Years ago a coworker (cop) bought a Colt Diamondback that was 50% of the market value. To carry it on duty he had to registered it and turned out it was stolen from Texas. The seller told him he inherited it too

[Che762x39]

The gun is not registered to anyone so who is to say that I'm not the original owner?

So for some reason the police comes to your place and somebody who does not like you, said you threaten them and you have a gun. Being good cops we find your gun and ran its serial number. You say its your Python but it was taken in a home invasion and murder in New Orleans in 2009. Now what Sherlock? You will be in jail a few nights before we get more details from New Orleans, saavy?

[sapro]

Just have your friend do a ppt with me for that price so you don't have to hassle with it

[shaneanderson81]

The gun is not stolen. I have personal knowledge of where it came from. I don't understand what good it would do to transfer the gun from a person who has no legal ties to it. I'm thinking the voluntary registration would be the correct application for this situation. If there is a flaw in my thinking please let me know.

[CWM4A1]

Voluntary registration only apply to: If you move from out of state and taken residency in CA or if this in infra-familil transfer as gift (straight up and down the family tree, parent to children, grand parent to grand children and vise-versa). In the situation you described, since the gun is a handgun you can't do face-to-face cash & carry transfer even if the gun is Curio-Relic, it must go through a license firearm dealer for a face to face private party transfer in order to be legal in CA.

In the voluntary registration form it will ask for where you acquire the gun. If you wrote you got it from your friend, it's a open invitation for DOJ to knock on your door and take the gun away... Get your friend and head down to a dealer for private party transfer like others suggested would be the only legit way to transfer gun into your possession. This has nothing to do with if gun is stolen or not.