The Colt Python is a .357 Magnum caliber revolver introduced in 1955 and manufactured by Colt's Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut. Shown below is an introductory June 1955 magazine advertisement. Note the fully checkered "first generation" grips and the introductory price:
The Colt Python is still considered by the experts to be one of the finest revolvers ever made by Colt:
"I purchased the gun used, in excellent condition, with a 6 inch barrel in the stainless finish. I was hesitant to part with that much money as I own a Colt Trooper MK III, which I considered to be a very fine and similar gun. THEY ARE NOT! The gunsmiths at the Colt Custom shop worked over all the Pythons before they left the factory. The finish on these guns is also of a much higher standard than the plain factory guns. Is it worth it? HECK YES! This gun performs as good as it looks. You could not pry the smile off my face after first shooting it. I still grin like an idiot when I shoot it. Out of a safe full of guns it is by far my favorite and most accurate handgun. If you have any love of revolvers this is simply the pinnacle of factory guns. In my book they never evolved further than the Python." — handgunreview.com
"The accuracy of the Python revolver is legendary. I have owned Pythons with 4 inch, 6 inch, and 8 inch barrels, and all have been, literally, more accurate than I can shoot. [Colt] Custom Shop Pythons come with targets fired on the Colt range. The style and features of the Python have been extensively copied by other gun makers, particularly the frame size and the full-length barrel underlug. However, no one has succeeded in copying all of the features of the Python." — Chuck HawksColt Manufacturing Co. announced the termination of its production of Python revolvers in October 1999. The Colt Custom Gun Shop continued making a limited number of Pythons on special order until 2003, when even this limited production was terminated. (Although the Colt Python home page states that this limited production continues, it has been confirmed by Colt that this is not the case and the web page is out of date.)
1964 Colt Python — 6 inch barrel, 2nd generation grip
Description The Colt Python is a double or single action, large I-frame handgun chambered for the powerful .357 Magnum cartridge originally developed by Smith & Wesson. Pythons have a reputation for superior fit & finish, accuracy, smooth trigger pull and a tight cylinder lock-up. It was first introduced in 1955 as Colt's top-of-the-line model, and was originally intended to be a large-frame 38 Special target revolver. As a result, it features precision adjustable sights, a smooth trigger, solid construction, and extra metal. Routine production ceased in 1998, and individual manufacture by the Colt Custom Shop stopped altogether in 2003. Pythons have a distinct appearance. A full barrel underlug, ventilated rib and adjustable sights combine to give the gun its unique look. Originally, Colt manufactured Pythons with hollow underlugs but quickly left them solid to add stabilizing barrel weight.
Above: 1977 Colt Pythons — nickel plated with 6 inch and 4 inch barrels, both with 3rd generation grips
The Python was originally available in two finishes: royal blue and bright nickel. The nickel model was discontinued in 1983 with the introduction of the more durable satin stainless and mirror-polished Ultimate Stainless models. The stainless steel and Royal Blue finishes were offered until 2003 by Colt on the Python "Elite" model. Pythons were available with 2.5 inch, four inch, six inch, and eight inch barrels. The six-inch model was the most popular generally and the eight inch model was intended for hunting. The shortest barrel version is very collectible. The Python Silhouette model (see photo below), with 8 inch barrel and factory-installed Leupold scope, was made in 1981. A Python Target model was made for several years in .38 Special only, in blue and nickel finishes. Today the Python is no longer manufactured due to lack of sales and rising production costs. It is rumored that a small number of Pythons were built in .41 Magnum caliber, but Colt officially denies that the factory ever produced such a variant. It would be possible for a highly-skilled gunsmith to re-bore and re-chamber a Python to fire .41 Magnum ammunition.
1981 Colt Python Silhouette — 8 inch barrel and factory installed Leupold scope
The Colt Python Hunter, above, is similar to the Python Silhouette.
Colt Python Target — 8 inch barrel — only available in .38 Special Usage The Python immediately made inroads into the law enforcement market when introduced, with the six inch barrel being popular with uniformed officers and the three and four inch barrels considered optimum for plainclothes use. However, it has since fallen out of favor (along with all other revolvers) due to changing law enforcement needs that favor semi-automatic pistols, combined with agency policies banning "special" ammunition, including magnum loads. Ironically, when law-enforcement agencies realized that the 9mm semi-automatic pistols fire a round with similar characteristics to the .38 Special, they began a still-continuing migration to more-powerful cartridges, not willing to accept that the rejected .357 Magnum is a ready solution. The Python revolvers are still popular on the used market, such as at GunsAmerica, and command high prices.
Colt Python (left) — blue with 4 inch barrel, 2nd generation grip
Final Colt Python Specifications (2003)
Colt Handguns Inspired by the Python
Colt Stalker (Years?) Stainless with 8" barrel, unfluted cylinder, and factory installed Leupold scope. It appears to be a stainless version of the Silhouette (see above). Apparently, Colt made a number of Python and/or King Cobra based special models. I do not know all of them.
Colt introduced a .45 Long Colt version of the Anaconda in 1993. Colt Manufacturing Co. announced the termination of its production of Anaconda and other double-action revolvers in October 1999. Anaconda serial numbers and dates are not available.
Above, top — Colt Anaconda with 8 inch barrel The .45 LC Colt Anaconda was introduced in the handsome Colt brochure image below:
Colt Kodiak (1993)
Colt Diamondback (4" barrel: 1966-1986 &mdash 6" barrel: 1978-1986) Colt introduced the Python-inspired double-action Diamondback as a deluxe model. It had a wide serrated target hammer, ventilated rib, fully adjustable target quality sights, and full-length barrel underlug. It is a 6-shot revolver with a swing out cylinder. Visually, the Diamondback is a scaled down version of the Python. It has been called "perhaps the finest .22 LR and .38 Special revolver of the modern era". Because of the gentle recoil of .22 caliber ammunition and the Diamondback's target quality construction, the .22 version of the Diamondback makes an excellent training gun for novice shooters.
Above: Nickel-plated Diamondback — .38 Special caliber, 4 inch barrel (left)
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