What to do with an old rusted/pitted Colt Python.

[ghuns]

You could probably buy a revolver that looks better for 550, but I doubt you can buy one that shoots better. Even if you end up with a grand in it, you'll have a beautiful gun that outshoots 99.9% of revolvers out there.

 

[ROLEXrifleman]

Ok, hang on a sec......

There is nothing magical and no sorcery involved that makes a python shoot better than any other gun. What makes pythons pythons is the fact colt doesn't make them anymore. Prior to colt putting a halt to regular production of them in the early 2000's you couldn't give them away for $550.
Yes, they have a great trigger pull, yes the early blued models are gorgeous, yes they have a following.... But don't for one millisecond think they shoot ant better!

 

[ROLEXrifleman]

And please don't say well colt still makes them in the custom shop....

There's no magic elves there either! Just the same union labor covered under the united auto workers contract

 

[ghuns]

Ok, hang on a sec......

There is nothing magical and no sorcery involved that makes a python shoot better than any other gun. What makes pythons pythons is the fact colt doesn't make them anymore. Prior to colt putting a halt to regular production of them in the early 2000's you couldn't give them away for $550.
Yes, they have a great trigger pull, yes the early blued models are gorgeous, yes they have a following.... But don't for one millisecond think they shoot ant better!

They don't make any snake guns anymore. Why is the python worth far more than the others? It was basically a custom gun that was hand built, not assembly line produced. That you could've bought them for less money a decade ago just means we all should have bought every one we could lay our hands on.

 

[LCSOSgt11]

I should think if Colt still has their Custom Shop, they should be able to refinish it to specification.

 

[ROLEXrifleman]

I should think if Colt still has their Custom Shop, they should be able to refinish it to specification.

I don't think the question can it be refinished to his spec, the question is financially is it worth it. And the only opinion that matters on that is the op's

 

[downzero]

I don't think the question can it be refinished to his spec, the question is financially is it worth it. And the only opinion that matters on that is the op's

I agree with this, despite the fact that my previous posts might have suggested otherwise.

Value to each individual is a subjective judgment, but market value is not.

Would it be worth more after refinishing to the market? Probably not.

Would it be worth more to the OP? He'd have to decide that for himself.

 

[Obiward]

Contact CCR refinishing in TN. They did a S&W .38 for me that was in worse shape than yours years ago and it still has no rust today.

Cummings Custom Refinishing

Just plan on waiting forever and a month. CCR does good work, but to say they are slow and unresponsive is an understatement.

 

[ROLEXrifleman]

They don't make any snake guns anymore. Why is the python worth far more than the others? It was basically a custom gun that was hand built, not assembly line produced. That you could've bought them for less money a decade ago just means we all should have bought every one we could lay our hands on.

Some of us did buy as many as we could! lol

 

[Hookeye]

What I would do:

Matte refinish, hunt the hell out of it

 

[walleyepw]

I would clean it up and shoot it. It is up to you but the cost of having Colt refinish it plus what you have in it, is more than what I would want. Some fine steel wool and good oil, then have fun shooting.
You don't have to wory about scratches, holster wear, enjoy shooting.

 

[drillsgt]

If the grips are still nice they are worth 200.00 sell them get a set of pachmayrs on it, clean it up cerakote it and shoot it. Make sure the timing is good on it though, if that's off i'd pass.

 

[Sniper 79]

I think I would take it apart and bead blast it and paint it up with duracoat or have it powder coated. Find a cheap way to make it look better and use as a shooter for sure. Sell the wood grips and put a rubber Hogue on it. I am sure the insides need some polishing up and relubing also.

 

[Cestep72]

Sad its such a nice pistol.