[Jeff Higgins]

Back to the original question - my brother just sold an early '80's issue 6" blued Python for $3,200. Pretty much pristine condition, but by no means "new in box". Insanity - sheer insanity. I've personally shot that gun enough to know I prefer my S&W Model 19. When we bought these things new, the 19 was only about $100 cheaper. I doubt I could get $700-$800 for it today, and it's in equally pristine condition. The "collectors" have run amok and ruined yet another formerly affordable niche in the shooting world.

As far as revolvers in general, I just have to kind of chuckle to myself whenever I see the reaction of younger and/or newer shooters when first exposed to them. When I started this game, everyone shot revolvers. Autos were pretty much just a curiousity that a few shooters played with, unless they were using them for some form of competition. Certainly no one carried one. If you shot a handgun, you shot a revolver. Even more certainly, no one's first handgun was an auto - we all learned the basics on revolvers. Safer, simpler, and more reliable.

The fit and finish of the standard Colt or S&W revolvers back then, what they applied to their run of the mill working guns, was head and shoulders above anything available today. The glass smooth actions, the wonderful triggers, all of that was simply how they were. My how times have changed. Hand one of these standard old revolvers to a new shooter weaned on today's matte finished, mostly plastic autos with their horrible triggers and they are universally stunned to see what a good handgun can be, what they used to be. I just chuckle at the thought that they have become more or less a novelty today. Amazing...