Colt Python Refinish Advice

July 14, 2018, 05:10 AM

john kwoka

I have a King Cobra I sent back to Colt to reblue and service and was pleased with results, price, and turn around. Thats my suggestion.

July 14, 2018, 07:16 AM

Badhammer

Never used them but have seen posts on other forums from a lot of folks who have. The majority were positive.

https://www.fordsguns.com

July 14, 2018, 09:00 AM

MikeinNC

I have a 6" blued Python and it has some small pitting at the end of the barrel and on the sides of the cylinder where it was left in a holster for some time....

it looks ugly but shoots like a dream

Enjoy your new grail gun

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July 14, 2018, 10:07 AM

Rinehart

As far as I know, fall 2016 was the end of Colt Python refinishing/rework. (I was in the cue and then I wasn't via email and conversation with Colt). 12131 is right. It's likely that Colt will never do that quality of revolver work again because those capable master gunsmiths retired. Doesn't appear to be a "B" team.

I'm still debating about who to go to for a damaged Python barrel replacement and reblue. (No choice on this one, it's beyond merely ugly). Some of the shops that people speak highly of are kinda expensive and I have a son heading to college in the fall...

July 14, 2018, 11:31 AM

SIGfourme

I have not dealt with Ford's personally but the reputation is there.

https://www.fordsguns.com/the-python-project

July 14, 2018, 11:36 AM

MG34_Dan

You should post pictures of your Python along with it's serial number over on the Colt forum and ask for suggestions/recommendations there.

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July 14, 2018, 11:42 AM

Sgt 127

It doesn’t quite look like Nickel in the pictures. Post a good close up of some of the stamping. It looks like chrome to me, it has a slight blueish tint. It may have been refinished.

Either way, it looks really good. I wouldn’t spend the money on a refinish.

Try gently polishing with a micro fiber rag and Mother’s Billet Polish. It’s the least abrasive metal polish out there, you will be surprised at what it looks like. Very light touch. You don’t know how thick the finish is.

Either way, great deal on that gun.

Cummings Custom Refinishing offers Quality Craftsmanship at affordable prices. Fully Lic FFL's for over 30 years
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www.ccrrefinishing.com

July 14, 2018, 08:58 PM

heavyd

quote:
Originally posted by CCR:
From the photos you posted it does not look like the Nickel Colt used back then.

Do you think you guys could whip this thing in to good shape? Cost?

H. Dean Phillips
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July 14, 2018, 11:22 PM

cas

I would say nickel because it looks just like a S&W 586 I have. Discolored because of (I guess) the rubber grips, and frosty in other spots. You can gently polish it out by hand. Though it might come back. Assuming it's nickel. Mine did a little.

_____________________________________________________
_{Sliced bread, the greatest thing since the 1911.}

July 15, 2018, 02:58 AM

bczrx

From talking to guys at Colt Forum I found Frank Glenn, in Arizona.

I will have him work on my Colt 357 and OMM, once I have the cash on hand.

I've spoken with him on the phone and have high confidence in him also.

Frank Glenn custom gunsmithing

Sigs and Non-Sigs: I enjoy having options!

July 15, 2018, 08:50 AM

Rinehart

I did both there and here. That pistol was a basement flood victim. It shoots perfectly, but it's way past cosmetics.
Even the purists agreed it needs a new barrel.

quote:
Originally posted by MG34_Dan:
You should post pictures of your Python along with it's serial number over on the Colt forum and ask for suggestions/recommendations there.

July 15, 2018, 09:52 AM

Lt CHEG

Go to www.customshopinc.com. They are who the Colt Custom Shop currently recommends. They do amazing work. I almost picked up a Python that needed a little love to send to them but I ended up buying a SIG MCX instead. If the gun shop still has the Python in a couple months and they're willing to come off the price a bit more then I still may take on the project. From talking to the guys at custom shop INC. I'm confident they would do a great job.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

July 15, 2018, 09:59 AM

Mars_Attacks

Someone nickled a blue gun.

Polish it up and just shoot it.

My Colt factory nickled gun, you can see where the copper layer actually warms the color a bit.

____________________________

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July 15, 2018, 10:17 AM

az4783054

quote:
Originally posted by bczrx:
From talking to guys at Colt Forum I found Frank Glenn, in Arizona.

I will have him work on my Colt 357 and OMM, once I have the cash on hand.

I've spoken with him on the phone and have high confidence in him also.

Frank Glenn custom gunsmithing

Frank Glenn is an excellent choice. He's a former Olympics champion shooter and former AZ DPS armorer. When he retired he opened his shop to build 1911 pistols. He's a master at whatever he does.

Beware of a man whose only pistol is a 1911, he's probably very good with it.

July 15, 2018, 11:12 AM

apf383

Beautiful score OP. No matter how you plan to refinish it, I bet its a great shooter. FYI, go easy on the Magnum loads though.

Foster's, Australian for Bud

July 15, 2018, 01:18 PM

ether

That's a bright stainless finish, but it's so rough it looks "brushed". Pythons also came with "brushed" stainless finishes in the late 80s/90s. I'd have it finely bead blasted to make it look like a "brushed" finish...or just leave it alone...it's a great find either way.

Second thought, it could be a brushed finish that someone tried to polish to "bright"...hard to say from pics, but it's stainless.

I'd ask Colt how it started out and then see if they could bead blast it, if that's your choice. Even if it started out "bright", it'll never look right that way again.

July 15, 2018, 06:43 PM

Sig Dale

At $750 into the Python, I would get it refinished if that is the way you want to go. You will always get you money back and if it cost you $300 or so to refinish, you will get that back also.

They aren't making them so you will be alright down the road. I bought this one new in 1987 and it has never been fired. Yours would look the same when it gets the bright stainless treatment and in my opinion, it is the best looking gun out there

July 15, 2018, 08:39 PM

cas

Please, before you spend any real money, get yourself some Mother's polish and a soft rag/towel and give it a try.

here's my 586 under the grips.

There were several spots on the frame and cylinder that looked the same way. I polished them out. I never bothered with under the grips.

I haven't shot the gun in several years, in taking that pic I saw a new spot on the frame.