Colt Python .357, 6" - What's It Worth?

[regency]

Pop out the cylinder

1973 911 T MFI Coupe, Aubergine

Steve

[Don Ro]

Found it, Thanks! Eye glasses help.

Same # as on the box. Is that good?

[porsche4life]

Yes, it means you have the original box!


Purdy gun! But out of my league!

[Buckterrier]

Beautiful spoon Don. I'm with the crew that says keep it. I had one, nickel plated and sold it years ago to build my first home. How I regret that. You'll miss fondling & just looking at it.

Good luck in your decision.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Beautiful. I say go pretend to be Rick from The Walking Dead and go kill some zombies.

[KFC911]

Am I the only one thinkin'...."Go shoot the dang thing"and forget about the $ . For what it was intended....

ps: I have the baby brother,a Diamondback in .22lr....it doesn't bother me a bit that my enjoyment has cost me a grand over 30+ years. Yeah, don't we all wish we had purchased several of each back when

[Taz's Master]

Originally Posted by KC911

Am I the only one thinkin'...."Go shoot the dang thing"and forget about the $ . For what it was intended....

ps: I have the baby brother,a Diamondback in .22lr....it doesn't bother me a bit that my enjoyment has cost me a grand over 30+ years. Yeah, don't we all wish we had purchased several of each back when

If that is what you want, I'd suggest selling the unfired one, buying a shooter, and invest the difference in the pool.

[on2wheels52]

"Where's the ser. # on this thing?"

If there's no letter prefix it's an older gun (worth more).
I have a 4" that may be unfired but no box
Jim

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by on2wheels52

"Where's the ser. # on this thing?"

If there's no letter prefix it's an older gun (worth more).
I have a 4" that may be unfired but no box
Jim

The ser. # starts w/a "T"...is it OK to post the ser. # or would that not be smart?
Or irrelevant?

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by Taz's Master

If that is what you want, I'd suggest selling the unfired one, buying a shooter, and invest the difference in the pool.

A wise statement...my g/f says to keep it...'maybe worth even more later', she says. I'll just have to sit on this for a while. It's so tempting to sell - really not interested in shooting it - I have other guns for that.
.
Wonderful forum members, I must say!

[on2wheels52]

Just put "xx" for the last two digits if anyone want to know the number.
fwiw, mine starts with "K". I would guess it's older than yours but not by that much.
Jim

[Don Ro]

T906xx

[Robert Coats]

Mine...no box or papers, had the already buttery-smooth action slicked up, and it wears Pachmayr grips when I shoot it, usually with 148g .38 special loads. Gave $950 for it about six years ago, would never sell. Just too damn fine a piece of craftsmanship to be a safe queen...

[aschen]

Originally Posted by Don Ro

.
As close to mine as they have.
"Colt rubber grips. Near excellent condition with very light use." - - $2,250
.
Colt Phyton .357 Magnum (C9477) - Collectors Firearms

collectors firearms are known for 2 things: their absolutely fabulous selection, and their high prices. That being said with box and never fired it wouldnt suprise me if you could get near 2500.

You don't happen to have an Colt annaconda lying around do you? FIrst dibs!

[JTO]

I was shocked at where the Python values have gone. I have a stainless 2.5" I bought in Ketchikan for $600 in the early 90's, NIB. I sent it to Bill Laughridge at Cylinder and Slide for the Super Action job and a few other improvements. It is truly sublime and I shoot it very well and have done well in IDPA BUG matches with it.
I went online because I wanted a 4" to use in IDPA. I found several 4" in the $3K range and real dogs in the $1600 range. The 2.5" stainless guns like I have are over $4K! I mean its nice but that is crazy!
But they are fine, they are no longer made, and nothing looks as good to my eye as a Python.
Troy

[Jeff Higgins]

I'm sorry, but the whole "collector firearm" thing just really bothers me. As does the whole "collector car" thing, and for all of the same reasons.

When well-heeled collectors gain an interest in anything, the market for them is essentially ruined for the enthusiasts who enjoy using whatever article that may be. Look what has happened in the early 911 world - ten years ago, they were the most affordable 911's out there. Then the collectors found them and drove their prices through the ceiling. Now the true enthusiasts, who really enjoy driving and wrenching on them, can no longer afford them. And they sit parked in someone's garage, never to be driven again. Someone who could care less if it's an early 911 or an expensive vase. All they care about is the investment value.

Firearms, of course, went down this path long, long ago. To me, the fact that that Python has never been fired is a crime. I would have fired it before ever getting home on the day I picked it up. That's just me - to each his own. I just think it's a crying shame that at this point, no one is ever likey to fire that gun and enjoy it in the manner in which it was intended.

Sigh. Rant over...

[flatbutt]

IMHO an unfired pistol is like a virgin super model. but that sure is a purdy thing.

[JTO]

I'm only really concerned about firing a squib, followed by a real load. Bulged barreles will not be fixed on a 2.5" Stainless Python.
I shoot it anyway!
Troy

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by aschen

You don't happen to have an Colt annaconda lying around do you? FIrst dibs!

.
No Annaconda here, sorry.
I have a hodge-podge of guns & rifles...bought with no thought of collectability or future value. I would see a gun and if I thought it would be fun to have/shoot, then I'd buy it. I don't have two of any gun. I've never known much about gun values, etc. I grew up in hunting country, No. Dakota, where the emphasis was on rifles & shotguns...rarely saw a handgun as a kid.
.
I have a few NIB handguns, but nothing special - 'cept the Python...and I did buy it to shoot pigs but never got around to it.
I have a Browning Hi-Power 9mm (Belgium) NIB among my NIBs...but my favorites to shoot are the following: (show & tell)
.
AMT .22 Mag. I've dropped a few varmints w/this one. Really fun to fire and quite accurate...an easy handler but more plosive than a .22 LR. You can feel the power difference...fun rig.
.

.
Garcia FI .380. Not very accurate beyond 15-20 yrds,, but again, easy handler. When I pack, it's either this or the S&W .38 (below).
.

.
This is the only shrouded hammer I have. S&W Mod. 638 Alloy. I checked out the story on this one by contacting Elliot Bros. in S. Carolina. They ordered 500 from S&W in Nov., 1989. E. Bros. sold out the guns in Feb., 1990 and apparently no more of these were to be constructed. I paid $370 for it in Dec., 1989.
It jumps quite a bit, but it's my most often carry.
.

.
Not really a "gun guy".

[Taz's Master]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

I'm sorry, but the whole "collector firearm" thing just really bothers me. As does the whole "collector car" thing, and for all of the same reasons.

When well-heeled collectors gain an interest in anything, the market for them is essentially ruined for the enthusiasts who enjoy using whatever article that may be. Look what has happened in the early 911 world - ten years ago, they were the most affordable 911's out there. Then the collectors found them and drove their prices through the ceiling. Now the true enthusiasts, who really enjoy driving and wrenching on them, can no longer afford them. And they sit parked in someone's garage, never to be driven again. Someone who could care less if it's an early 911 or an expensive vase. All they care about is the investment value.

Firearms, of course, went down this path long, long ago. To me, the fact that that Python has never been fired is a crime. I would have fired it before ever getting home on the day I picked it up. That's just me - to each his own. I just think it's a crying shame that at this point, no one is ever likey to fire that gun and enjoy it in the manner in which it was intended.

Sigh. Rant over...

No argument, but that doesn't change reality. Firing that weapon would likely cost $800. I'm not interested in owning a firearm I can't shoot. But if I owned that Python, I sure wouldn't shoot it now, and I likely would have great difficulty parting with it. I would not be interested in purchasing it, but I cannot deny that I wish deciding whether to, shoot/sell/keep as is, were my problem.

I enjoy revolvers, but I think it is insane what prices people are giving for those things. What used to be a good solid tool is quickly becoming a priceless heirloom.