Army and Weapons | Deadly The Colt Python .357 Magnum Revolver | The 0357 Colt Python is a classic. Since its introduction in 1955, the Colt Python was a brilliant double-action revolver. The Python was produced by Colt Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut, from 1955 to 1996. Back in 1955, when the 357 Magnum Colt Python made its debut, Colt ran an ad that said: "The 'new' Python 357 - a nicer gun than you actually need."
The Colt Python was officially introduced in 1955 as Colt's top-of-the-line gun. It was originally designed for a large frame, double action (DA), .38 Special target revolver, but at the last moment, the lust was changed to .357 Magnum. This haphazard decision resulted in what is perhaps the best all-around gun in the world. Almost immediately the Python a reputation as the premium American revolver. It is built on a .41 caliber large frame for added durability. The action is mounted and hand-cut in the Colt Custom Shop to excellent fit, smoothness, and a good trigger pull to secure.
The Python has many special features. Like all Colt revolvers, the cylinder rotates in the frame for a very tight lock-up. The Python barrel has a ventilated rib on top and a full length underlug. Inside Python barrels are bored with a very light, full length, tapered toward the muzzle for superior accuracy. All pythons are excellent with adjustable sights. The front sight is attached to the full-length ventilated rib on top of the ramp, so it can be modified (in the factory or a gunsmith), if desired. The rear sight is a Accro target face. These sights are durable and very accurate. The full length lug under the barrel was originally hollow. Colt soon began leaving the underlug solid.
Even the finish on the Python is superior. Colt Royal Blue is the ultimate polished finish blue steel guns. No other blued revolver production to compare with the beauty of the Colt Python Royal Blue. For many years the best in beauty and protection was the bright nickel finish. This was a very smooth, very durable, nickel. The nickel finish was finally retired after Colt perfected the mirror polished stainless steel Ultimate Python. Colt offers two finishes for stainless steel pythons, a conventional "brushed" finish, or the mirror-like finish Ultimate. The Ultimate is a polished stainless steel Python degree comparable to a royal blue gun.
Pythons are produced with the standard four barrel lengths, 2.5 inches, 4 inches, 6 inches and 8 inches. At the 1998 SHOT Show was told by one of the Colt Python revolver factory reps that all would now be produced entirely in the Custom Shop. In 2005, the Python was all put stops.
The 2.5-inch barrel is the easiest to hide. The 4-inch barrel is probably the optimum length for uniformed personnel to perform the duty, and also makes a very fine civilian self-defense weapon. The 6-inch rein hot .357 loads reach a higher speed, and is the most popular barrel length. A 6-inch Python is the ultimate all-around handgun, useful for target shooting, plinking, hunting and self defense. The hunter is particularly the 8-inch barrel. Scope mounts are available for mounting optical sights on all the Pythons. The accuracy of the Python revolver is legendary. I've owned Pythons with 4 inch, 6 inch and 8 inch barrels, and all are, literally, more accurately than I can shoot. Custom Shop Pythons fired at targets with the Colt range. The target group for my 4 "Ultimate Python was a 3/4-inch, 6 shot group fired by hand on 25 meters from a rest, with factory loads.
The 2.5-inch barrel is the easiest to hide. The 4-inch barrel is probably the optimum length for uniformed personnel to perform the duty, and also makes a very fine civilian self-defense weapon. The 6-inch rein hot .357 loads reach a higher speed, and is the most popular barrel length. A 6-inch Python is the ultimate all-around handgun, useful for target shooting, plinking, hunting and self defense. The hunter is particularly the 8-inch barrel. Scope mounts are available for mounting optical sights on all the Pythons. The accuracy of the Python revolver is legendary. I've owned Pythons with 4 inch, 6 inch and 8 inch barrels, and all are, literally, more accurately than I can shoot. Custom Shop Pythons fired at targets with the Colt range. The target group for my 4 "Ultimate Python was a 3/4-inch, 6 shot group fired by hand on 25 meters from a rest, with factory loads.
Subjectively, this best of all DA revolvers, a "soft" shooter. By which I mean that most shooters feel that the Python is less than other DA magnum revolvers of comparable weight kicks. I use the original Colt / Pachmayr rubber grip target-style on all my pythons, which also helps to determine the effect of recoil. The style and features of Python have been extensively copied by other gun makers, particularly the frame size and full-length barrel underlug. Thus, an "L" frame S & W fit perfectly in a holster designed for Python. There is no one succeeded in copying all the features of the Python.
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