Colt Python, Shooter Grade 4' .357 Magnum, A trip to Colt Manufacturing for repair and service.

This shooter grade Python was produced around 1972. When I purchased it, it was badly out of time, and would fail to lockup in double action or single action. I took a gamble and purchased this pistol from pictures only, and even after asking all the required questions through email and phone conversations the buyer still failed to disclose that the pistol had timing issues. 

When I received the pistol through my FFL, I was pleasantly surprised, the bluing was better than pictured, wear was minimal and with the exception of the timing issues it was a really good deal for a shooter grade gun. It came wrapped in an old gym sock and was wearing a set of Hogue rosewood mono grips. I have smaller hands and those grips leave me feeling like I’m trying to grasp a fat baby’s leg. I left the grips on for the meantime and gave Colt Manufacturing a call. 

For anyone who has heard horror stories about Colt Manufacturing, or has heard of substandard service, rest easy knowing that those stories are most likely the rare exception rather than the rule. I had a really good experience and I commend Colt for their patience in answering my questions each month, “Is it ready yet?” “any new developments, payments?” I waited a total of 140 days from sending it out through Fed-ex and its return through Fed-ex 4 ½ months later. 

Here is a breakdown of my timeline.

Overnight - Sent to Colt Manufacturing through Fed-ex

Day 2 – Called to verify its arrival.

Month 1 – Called regarding status, was informed that an estimate of repair, parts and shipping charges was in the mail.  I went ahead and paid the estimate via credit card. The paper copy of the estimate arrived 3 days later

Month 2 – Called regarding status, was informed that I could expect repairs to take aprox 90 days from date payment of estimate was received.

Month 3 – Called asking to place a hold on the return shipment because I would be on vacation at the time of its return

Month 4 – Called to remove the hold, was told that the pistol would ship in 2 days time now that hold was removed.

2 days later – Signed for pistol from Fed-ex, delivered right to my front door.

I was pleased that the whole thing took only 140 days, I know people who wait as long as 6 months to a year or more to get their firearm serviced from the manufacturer, and Colt estimates 90 days from receipt of payment. They were accurate on their estimation and very helpful on the phone when I called. I highly recommend their service department.

When I got my Python back I noticed immediately how good the action felt. I think the action this recently serviced python is better now than the action on my lightly used 1980 Python. I even contemplated boxing up my 1980 python to have the same factory tuning completed.  

I threw a set of old vintage smooth python target grips on, and I bought a separate set of really nice vintage Second Generation Python target grips for display purposes. This is really a classy shooting iron and it was much more accurate at the range than I was. It ran smoothly with everything from .38 special to full power Buffalo Bore 180 grain .357 Magnums. 

I shouldn't compare the Python to the S&W 686, but with the similarity in looks it’s inevitable, but that’s where the comparison should end. I shot both side by side and I can see why the Python is bringing twice the price of a 686. I love my 686, but for different reasons altogether… lets just say that I wouldn't ever want to drag the python along on a wet and muddy trail hike in the Washington Cascades, but I won’t hesitate to holster up my 686 for the trip. I plan to take both pistols on a hog hunt later this month and I’ll see if I can bring myself to keep the Python holstered on my hip for a day or two.