I picked up this 1972 Colt Python for $750. It’s in rough shape. I do have the original wood grips. A cop ran the numbers to confirm it is legal.

My first thoughts are to have a smith check out the action and refinish it. Looks like stainless to me.

What kind of work should I have done to it and who do you recommend? Will it need to be plated or can the stainless be fixed?

Looks polished stainless to me. That can be re-polished to like new mirror. $750, what steal. So, you stole it, but the cop said it was legal?

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
Looks polished stainless to me. That can be re-polished to like new mirror. $750, what steal. So, you stole it, but the cop said it was legal?

I probably won’t ever find a steal like this again.

Might be nickel.

I believe any silver Python is Nickel, no?

I have the younger brother to yours. 4" Nickel, if I remember right it was a late 50's build.

I say look for some info on the timing check to make sure it's safe to shoot... then shoot it. A lot.

That's a nice pistol in spite of it's condition. I'd contact either COLT or aftermarket CCR. I'll bet it'll come back as good as new and twice it's cost.

Pythons came in blued, nickel, satin stainless and polished stainless. My first impression was it might be really degraded nickel. Ask COLT to run the serial number.

IMO, that trigger shoe really isn't needed.

Bright Ni Pythons look different.

That’s Bright Stainless.

Send it to someone who knows Pythons.

Call Bob Cogan at Accurate Plating and Weaponry, Inc. He is considered one of the best refinishers in the country.


http://www.apwcogan.com/home

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mbacker_99,

If it's stainless, you can polish it yourself pretty easy with some elbow grease and flitz or collinite metal wax and some microfibers. If it's nickel send it to Ford's in Florida. Colt made very very few stainless Pythons. Can't help you on who to send it to for work.....Turnbull possibly?

Will Colt refinish it?

quote:

Originally posted by heavyd:
Will Colt refinish it?

Colt is not taking any Python work right now.

quote:

Originally posted by mbacker_99:

quote:

Originally posted by heavyd:
Will Colt refinish it?

Colt is not taking any Python work right now.

Bastards

quote:

Originally posted by heavyd:

quote:

Originally posted by mbacker_99:

quote:

Originally posted by heavyd:
Will Colt refinish it?

Colt is not taking any Python work right now.

Bastards

Current Colt shop might not be qualified enough to work on real classics like the Python.

I sent a Trooper, from the 60s, to Colt for repair. It came back with the same problem. I think that they did not have the right part(s) nor expertise.

Crazy! I need to find someone highly qualified. Top men. Only the best will do.

quote:

Originally posted by Nick B:
That’s Bright Stainless.

A ‘72 Python couldn’t be stainless.

quote:

Originally posted by xray 99:

quote:

Originally posted by Nick B:
That’s Bright Stainless.

A ‘72 Python couldn’t be stainless.

You’re right. Quick research shows stainless wasn’t an option until 1982. Nickel it is.

I’m actually glad. I think having it plated might make it look mint. Probably more expensive than polishing stainless.

Apparently we have very different definitions of rough! I would leave it as is and shoot it ANY refinish even a very professional one will decrease the value of the gun

I think I agree... I'd leave her as she is to show her hard knocks... now since it is just chrome coated... I might consider having her striped and blued well. Shiny stainless or chrome on a gun does nothing for me... now dull (grey) I like a lot.

guy up the road from me has one for sale with a little bit more barrel for $3K!