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2020 Python Generation? Fixed?

4.6K views 17 replies 14 participants last post by  cremaley  
#1 ·
I'm a new 2020 Python 6" owner. I'm aware there were issues with the gun when they were released.

I purchased mine brand new from Sportsman's Warehouse in October of 2021 and it has been a safe-queen ever since. 0 rounds fired.

Is there anyway to tell if my gun was inspected / corrected of their initial problems without having to shoot hundreds of rounds to determine if there is a light primer strike or other failure that needs corrected by Colt?

My serial number is PY224XXX and there are two engravings beneath the barrel when you open the cylinder, a 'W' and a 'P' within a triangle.

Any guidance someone can offer would be appreciated. I plan on going to the range this weekend and putting maybe 50 rounds through it for the first time but I'd like to know if that's a good sample size to determine that the gun isn't defective....ideally supported by some marker or indication that this is a later model released after QC issues were resolved...

Thanks in advance!
 
#2 ·
I can not answer your question but I think you just need to try and see what happens. I have a PY253xxx 3” and my bore is straight and not out of center, cylinder gap measures within spec and I’ve never had a light strike. I have no noticeable line on the cylinder either. I installed Wilson sights and could not be happier. The rear sight was my only gripe about this $1500 revolver.

If you have a problem, it seems that Colt will sort it out
 
#3 ·
I can not answer your question but I think you just need to try and see what happens. I have a PY253xxx 3” and my bore is straight and not out of center, cylinder gap measures within spec and I’ve never had a light strike. I have no noticeable line on the cylinder either. I installed Wilson sights and could not be happier. The rear sight was my only gripe about this $1500 revolver.

If you have a problem, it seems that Colt will sort it out
Thank you for your response. I'm trying to avoid having to fire 500 rounds in order to feel comfortable that my gun isn't a lemon, which is ridiculous that a $1,500 gun can't give me peace of mind right out of the box a year and a half after release but it is what it is.

Does anyone else have any insights into diagnosis prior to just dumping money into a ton of rounds?
 
#4 ·
I'm a new 2020 Python 6" owner. I'm aware there were issues with the gun when they were released.

I purchased mine brand new from Sportsman's Warehouse in October of 2021 and it has been a safe-queen ever since. 0 rounds fired.

Is there anyway to tell if my gun was inspected / corrected of their initial problems without having to shoot hundreds of rounds to determine if there is a light primer strike or other failure that needs corrected by Colt?

My serial number is PY224XXX and there are two engravings beneath the barrel when you open the cylinder, a 'W' and a 'P' within a triangle.

Any guidance someone can offer would be appreciated. I plan on going to the range this weekend and putting maybe 50 rounds through it for the first time but I'd like to know if that's a good sample size to determine that the gun isn't defective....ideally supported by some marker or indication that this is a later model released after QC issues were resolved...

Thanks in advance!
No way for anyone to tell if your gun has problems before you shoot. Put some rounds through it and any problems should be apparent.
 
#6 ·
Mine is an October 2021 gun and I love it...dont let the internet spoil something like a new Python...deal with an issue if one comes up....I would check to make sure the sideplate screws are tight, and the rear sight screw was left loose on mine, might check that also ( the very small one)
 
#8 ·
I'm a new 2020 Python 6" owner. I'm aware there were issues with the gun when they were released.

I purchased mine brand new from Sportsman's Warehouse in October of 2021 and it has been a safe-queen ever since. 0 rounds fired.

Is there anyway to tell if my gun was inspected / corrected of their initial problems without having to shoot hundreds of rounds to determine if there is a light primer strike or other failure that needs corrected by Colt?

My serial number is PY224XXX and there are two engravings beneath the barrel when you open the cylinder, a 'W' and a 'P' within a triangle.

Any guidance someone can offer would be appreciated. I plan on going to the range this weekend and putting maybe 50 rounds through it for the first time but I'd like to know if that's a good sample size to determine that the gun isn't defective....ideally supported by some marker or indication that this is a later model released after QC issues were resolved...

Thanks in advance!
By well before October of 2021, all Pythons in Sportsman's inventory had received the loctited plate screws and V-spring power adjustment. The presence of the two marks on your crane documents that.

Both my Pythons have gone several thousand rounds with absolutely zero issues, both were shipped in September 2021, both have the two marks on the crane (initial proof and revision documentation). One is a PY22XXX and another a PY23XXX with nearly 2000 units between them.

Just shoot it.
 
#9 ·
I was an early buyer of the 6" and 4.25", low serial numbers. Side plate screw was loose on the 4" and tightened it a little (I have not had to tighten it since). They have both been fired at least 500 rounds each and not a single issue. Picked up the 3" late last year and it's just as good as the others, no issues.

Just like it's been said already you'll have to shoot it. Enjoy your pistol.
 
#12 ·
I have a fairly early one, June 19 2020 actually. I've only put a few hundred rounds through it but, they were a mix of all kinds of .357 and .38's and everything ran 100%. I bought the 6" for a target/range gun, as I've got plenty of other, shorter wheel guns for packing in the woods.

As far as feeling confident in it, I do to this point. That confidence however, is different with every gun. If it's intended as a range gun, I expect the first 100 rounds will reveal any issues. If it's a personal defense, daily carry ccw gun, it's an entirely different story, regardless of the reputation of the manufacturer and gun model. Take a Sig P226 for example. Hands down, one of the best combat pistols ever. That said, I'd never buy one new, plink 100 rounds through it and call it good to go. It would involve many training days, different magazines, purposefully induced malfunction clearance drills, down and dirty usage from unconventional firing positions, different ammunition types, a slight bit of neglect (not cleaning between sessions, inclement weather exposure, etc) and well past 500 rounds without one hitch in its giddiyup before I'd consider making it a daily carry.

Might even smash a few coffee beans with the butt, just in honor of Mr. Colt and Mr. Kopec. ;)

Bottom line, you'll never know until you shoot it. I'm betting it'll be all smiles after that first cylinder goes downrange.
 
#14 · (Edited)
I got the 6" around 1/12/20 and it had to go back to Colt for adjustments. I got the 4.25" one around 4.15.20. I believe all the systemic issues had been identified and worked out in the Feb & March time Frame. I say systemic issues because who know what problems may come up on a case by case basis. I've fired the 6" and the 3" a lot and they are really a blast. Haven't fired the 4.25" and since I have the other two, I may not ever fire it. Life is good :D I went to the range at least twice (200ish rounds)before I noticed the issues with the 6". Once I ran it through as double action only (50ish rounds), that is when I developed the cylinder issues.
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#15 ·
Don't recall a bigger deal made about less.... Sense release of the 2020 Python, hundreds and hundreds of thousands have been manufactured & sold (around 400k units last I heard). Not even counting the Anaconda (just a scaled up carbon copy), King Cobra or Cobra.....
GunBroker has consistently listed the Colt Python as the most popular, highest selling revolver for 3 years running (and counting). By any measure the 2020 Colt Python has been among the top selling firearm for all general categories (handgun, rifle, shotgun) since it's reintroduction. All the while being sold at a premium to MSRP (due to rampant demand). Only now are you starting to find 2020 Pythons being sold at discounts to MSRP (and not big ones either)....
PS.... Long gone are the days where you could get two S&W 686s for the price of a Python.... Hell of a lot closer in price now and nowhere close in quality. Just a cold hard fact.

The public has spoken, the verdict is in. 2020 Pythons are great revolvers. I've got 2 original era Pythons and my admiration for them isn't diminished in the slightest by the 2020 Python next to them in the gun safe. The 2020 gets shot way, way, way more.

Take your 2020 Python out and shoot the hell out of it. Statistical odds of yours having a problem are very low. If by some happenstance or luck of the draw, you got one with a problem; send it back to Colt. They'll fix you right up!
 
#16 ·
I'm a new 2020 Python 6" owner. I'm aware there were issues with the gun when they were released.

I purchased mine brand new from Sportsman's Warehouse in October of 2021 and it has been a safe-queen ever since. 0 rounds fired.

Is there anyway to tell if my gun was inspected / corrected of their initial problems without having to shoot hundreds of rounds to determine if there is a light primer strike or other failure that needs corrected by Colt?

My serial number is PY224XXX and there are two engravings beneath the barrel when you open the cylinder, a 'W' and a 'P' within a triangle.

Any guidance someone can offer would be appreciated. I plan on going to the range this weekend and putting maybe 50 rounds through it for the first time but I'd like to know if that's a good sample size to determine that the gun isn't defective....ideally supported by some marker or indication that this is a later model released after QC issues were resolved...

Thanks in advance!
if you don’t want to test it, return to Colt and request the specs be verified