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Python 2020

613K views 3K replies 306 participants last post by  dsk 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
So, the 'Yankee Marshall' of YouTube announced today that Colt dealers already have the new Python but the release for sale is set for January, 2020.

I post it in the lounge because until this FYI is verified, it's not Python category worthy.
Thanks
 
#2,009 ·
Howdy guys,
I mentioned this in another thread, but I though I'd post a brief notice here too. I went to dry fire my 2020 4.25" Python today to get accustomed to the new slim Hogue Monogrips I received yesterday. After unloading it the cylinder wouldn't close - the ejector star was protruding and hit the side of the frame.
That issue turned out to be caused by a very loose ejector rod that was becoming unscrewed from inside the cylinder.
So, please check your ejector rods to make sure they're screwed in properly. Just a heads up.
 

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#2,013 ·
“Since virtually all screws are loose and all parts are unfitted from the parts bin, would it not be much better marketing to sell the parts to a Python as a kit plus a schematic. Much better pride of ownership when the customer assembled the entire gun, loctide, torqued with a certificate of accomplishment included...[/QUOTE]”

Hahahahaha! 😂
 
#2,014 · (Edited)
Sorry all had some technical difficulties on my end. Here is my 2020 Python freshly back from Colt’s. I put some Pachmayrs on it to protect the factory wood stocks. I also ordered a Ted Blocker swivel duty holster for it while it was at Hartford:

Gun Firearm Revolver Airsoft gun Starting pistol


This Python had a few issues. It had the dinged crown, now totally fixed by Colt’s. Also the single action trigger was fairly gritty and while it was a nitpick I wasn’t sure if they’d address, the single action pull is now superb along with the buttery DA pull. I have reason to believe my gun has the new mainspring as the DA pull is a bit heavier now which is not a problem, as I felt it was a bit “under sprung” from the factory and was apparently the source of some light primer strikes in other people’s guns.

Now one thing Colt’s did not seem to address is the cylinder gap on this revolver, or shall I say the LACK of a cylinder gap. Literally, the cylinder bottoms out against the forcing cone. The smallest leaf on my feeler gauge (.001”) will not go between and there is no light visible in the gap. There is approx. .001” of endshake which is normal, so when the cylinder is held to rear that gives us just .001” of total gap.

I fired 100 rounds of hot Federal and Remington 125 grain magnums in semi-rapid fire at the range, and it appears this incredibly tight B/C gap did not have any effect on function. However, the revolver was spotlessly clean before this. I have always been under the impression a B/C gap of anywhere from approx. .004-.007” was considered ideal on double-action revolvers (including the old Pythons) in order to provide some measure of clearance for fouling and debris.

Too tight of a gap can cause the cylinder to drag against the forcing cone once the cylinder and barrel heat up or when debris is encountered. I am going to call Colt on Monday to just see if my gap is appropriate. Perhaps the new Pythons are engineered for such a tight gap? I’d love to here how anyone else’s gap measures. Will update as to what Colt says.

The last issue is an inconsistent cylinder release latch. What I mean by this is sometimes the latch operates very smoothly, yet sometimes it totally locks up and can only be overcome with strong thumb pressure and sort of “snaps” open. This issue was not addressed by Colt despite it (and the above mentioned B/C gap) being mentioned in my letter to them I sent along with the revolver.

This is a bit frustrating as during reloads at the range I would sometimes have to really work at the stubborn clunker release latch to free it up, while other times it operated smoothly. My guess is Colt was unable to replicate the effect from opening the cylinder once or twice and just ignored it. This is unfortunate, as I planned to use my Python for defense, but this is keeping it off the nightstand for now. I will also mention this continuing issue when I called Colt.

So my revolver is “kind of” fixed. The turnaround time was about six weeks. Not too bad from all reports I’ve heard. Communication was lacking however. I never received an email, phone call, letter, etc. indicating the revolver had arrived at Colt or if they were working on any issues. This wouldn’t have been a big deal but to my surprise they included nothing at all for return paperwork except a generic packing slip with no information whatsoever about what had been done to the revolver. That wasn’t so good.

I am in the military and deploying in about a months time, so won’t have time to send the revolver back again to Colt if they are willing to address the remaining problems, so will have to wait until I get back. Thanks all and hope this information has some merit to anyone considering a Python or to other owners. I do certainly like the gun and it was a joy at the range despite the issues.

-Panzer
 
#2,018 · (Edited)
I have always been under the impression a B/C gap of anywhere from approx. .004-.007” was considered ideal
Panzer, how many more times can you send this back and forth. Yes, the cone and cylinder touching or any gap below 4 thou won't be acceptable at all. I really start to wonder if this is a singular occurrence on your gun or maybe another situation on some guns adding to the endless list of issues. Where are we: Dinged up muzzle, pawl skipping ratchet, too light a v spring, screws spec'ed wrong backing out, ejector rod loose, no forcing cone cylinder gap or too tight a gap. I got to ask: Do they know what they are doing over there?
 
#2,015 ·
Hey Panzer that is interesting about the forcing cone gap. Maybe it is in spec for this new frame and cylinder material.

I recall a Taurus 66 revolver I used to own. A very good and accurate revolver. I only sold it because I had been able to buy some Colt revolvers and needed room in the safe.
That had very 'tight' cylinder to forcing cone gap.
Don't recall the two gap difference.
After maybe half a box of 38 special, the 'soot' would cause the cylinder to become a bit hard to push open. (no lead spitting)
It was not the cylinder release latch nor was the cylinder rotation hampered.
An easy rag swipe of the forcing cone would ease it up.

At least you are not encountering a difficult to pop open cylinder.
 
#2,017 · (Edited)
Hey Panzer that is interesting about the forcing cone gap. Maybe it is in spec for this new frame and cylinder material.
That could be. Early on I recall one 2020 Python owner saying that he had shot his until it got very hot, but he didn't mention any cylinder/barrel issued as a result.
 
#2,022 · (Edited)
Glad to see folks are getting their Pythons back. Mine has been there for 5 weeks so I’m hoping I’ll be seeing mine shortly. Sure would be nice though to get a heads up when it ships. I remember before when they received your gun they would send you a letter letting you know they received it and when it returned it would also have a letter with the work that was performed to correct anything that it was sent in for. That was back in the Brent days though when their was also a direct line of communication.
 
#2,024 · (Edited)
I ordered a 4.25 two days ago as a Large Midwest reputable supplier said they were available and shipping directly from the supplier in 10 days. They confirmed my order as well as two buddies. Got an email today saying our order was canceled as the manufacturer was out of stock?? No back order. Not sure how they are available and take our payment then out or stock days after the order. They had warnings order cannot be canceled without a 10% restocking charge form supplier.

This is not likely what you wanted to hear. WE didn't like it either. OUCH!!!
 
#2,025 ·
Ordered from what I suspect is the same site you did, same thing happened to me. I called them this morning to confirm they actually had them available, and the lady I spoke to told me their system showed their "manufacturer" had 100,000 (!!) available. I told her I thought this was almost certainly erroneous, but placed my order anyway as I was sure I'd get refunded if it turned out to be bogus. She said she would check into it, and sure enough my order was cancelled this afternoon as the "manufacturer" notified them they had none in stock. Card was never charged. Based on how it went down, I'm inclined to believe the distributor screwed up vs. the retailer in this case, as it was supposed to have shipped "directly from the manufacturer."
 
#2,028 ·
I hope Colt gets things in order quickly...if they haven't done so already. You guys deserve to experience the new Python...as does anyone else into the hobby and sport. While admittedly my shooting of my new Python hasn't been extensive (yet)...it lives up to the legend of the original in build quality and performance (thus far). It may not have the hand-fitting the original was known for...but with modern CAD/CAM and CNC design and manufacture that same hand-fitting is not really necessary. If it was...we wouldn't be seeing a new Python.
 
#2,029 ·
I am totally on board with CAD/CAM/MIM design and manufacture. What is upsetting is the human element. And, I realize that we humans are not perfect. But loose screws, loose cylinder latches, cylinder ejectors not tight, stiff spots while cocking, etc., and especially these problems still on some back as, "Repaired by factory" is very frustrating.

I think Colt has designed an incredible new Python. Somehow, they are going to have to figure out a way to get their work force more motivated. I think that 95% of the problems now are from (Not all) but way to many folks just showing up to get through the day to get their pay check. This is becoming a real problem all over America.
 
#2,030 ·
About time Colt learns how to stand on their own merits or lack thereof w/o milking the pony name into the ground. Nothing came out of that factory since 30 years that cant be bought better for 1/2 the price elsewhere whether a 1911 or a revolver. Launching a new item before you figured out how to make it gets you wiped out in times of social media. Others can do it very well so go learn (no not Remington...) and come back...
 
#2,033 ·
I suspect that any delays in the delivery of additional Pythons is likely due to 2 factors:

1) Colt is working on the backlog of Pythons returned for repair.

2) Colt is making whatever fixes, both human and mechanical, that are needed to insure that going forward all the Pythons leaving Hartford will be as close to 100% as humanly possible.

Although frustrating to prospective buyers, this is Colt doing the right thing. I'm sure that most of us wouldn't mind waiting a few more weeks if it means getting a Python that's good to go right out of the box, as opposed to a Python that has to be sent right back to Colt for who knows how long, before it can be used as intended.
 
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#2,034 · (Edited)
Points well taken but it was all unforced errors. If the assembly techs paid attention to their work...the barrels with bad crowns wouldn't have been installed or would have been fixed before they could be installed. The side plate screws should have been caught by the techs. The inspectors should have caught all of those errors and targeters should have done the same. On top of that...management and union reps should have been enforcing quality control from the top down. They're all in it together. Colt definitely looks like they're stepping up and doing the right thing...it just never should have occurred to begin with.

I'm fortunate...my new Python is as perfect and beautiful as Colt intended...at least so far. The fit and finish are superb...the accuracy is as good as anyone could expect. I hope it stays that way as I plan on sending a lot of rounds downrange through it.
 
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#2,035 ·
Snidely,

I agree with you 100%. This is Colt's chance so save face and make things right - both in and out of the factory. I hope they don't screw it up.
 
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#2,037 ·
Wow!! Thanks moderators for deleting my relevant post once again! Unbelievable,when you detail exactly what happens, but its the truth, and that scares people. So may as well delete. Just ridiculous. View attachment 685455
Talk about Way Out There lol. Should be deleted and when you post the same content again that was removed by a Moderator you get a Vacation or a Ban. Enjoy it!
 
#2,040 ·
I sent mine back. they have had for about 3 weeks. I got letter 2 days ago showing no description of what the found ad stated see letter where it should have said estimate return date. I called tay said it was evaluated ad in repair department. they could not see what was found or being repaired. they did say typical repair time Is 4-6 weeks.
 
#2,041 ·
With a handful of guys getting their Python back from Colt I’m starting to feel anxious. I say this staying still calm, collected, and still patient. Panzer got his back a couple days ago. I know I was a tad behind him by a few days getting my Python in Colts hands. But I feel like mine was one of the first back to them with the crown issue. I do however feel like YouTube has helped 2 gentlemen get theirs back with a quickly turnaround because of the spotlight they’ve created for themselves and one of them still seems unhappy with his gun. Granted they didn’t have muzzle crown issues like mine did. Anyhow, I can’t wait to get the revolver back in my hands to start firing it again! :)
 
#2,042 ·
With a handful of guys getting their Python back from Colt I’m starting to feel anxious. I say this staying still calm, collected, and still patient. Panzer got his back a couple days ago. I know I was a tad behind him by a few days getting my Python in Colts hands. But I feel like mine was one of the first back to them with the crown issue. I do however feel like YouTube has helped 2 gentlemen get theirs back with a quickly turnaround because of the spotlight they’ve created for themselves and one of them still seems unhappy with his gun. Granted they didn’t have muzzle crown issues like mine did. Anyhow, I can’t wait to get the revolver back in my hands to start firing it again! <img src="http://www.coltforum.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.png" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" />
When was yours sent back? Mine was received Jan 19th.
 
#2,044 ·
Mine also had the muzzle crown issue, and I requested Colt to check the trigger pull and verify the cylinder was not susceptible to the rotation issue. Mine was received a little closer to the end of January I believe. Maybe 21st. I think that depending on what has to be done to correct the muzzle issue on each particular gun will determine of how long it’s gonna take. If I get mine back in March, I will be probably surprised. I’m looking for the opportunity to buy a 4” python before I think I will see my 6” come back home.
 
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