This week I got a 4" blued Python from a very reputable gunshop of primarily vintage firearms. I used all the knowledge I got from this forum to judge whether this gun was mechanically sound or not and it appeared to be problem-free. Cosmetically it looked 99%, not a mark other than gun oil & fingerprints. In the shop this Python looked & felt immaculate.
Arrived at a fair price, & I'm happy. Once home I remove the grips & use Flitz gun wax to clean & polish the gun & it looks great until I hold it under a spotlight & I see that the sideplate was a slightly different shade of blue, slightly lighter & steelier looking. That wasn't too bad but what really caused concern were faint streaks on the sideplate that wouldn't come off w/ cleaner or polish. It looked like a wet black car dried in the sun w/ a dirty, wet towel. This problem was only on the sideplate. Under magnification it looked like the plate hadn't been fully polished before blueing. I took it to my gunsmith & he said the sideplate had been replaced & the screws refinished. This problem was only visible under direct spotlight.
I took the Python back to where I bought it & the 2 owners were split in there opinions. One thought it came from the factory that way, the other thought it might have been replaced but couldn't understand why. Python serial # was 762xxE.
They refunded my money & there were no more problems.
What do I come away from this experience with? I'm not certain, other than to be patient, & bring a flashlight. I've bought several used Colt revolvers and almost half of them have problems. I have about the same amount of used S&W's & they're all fine. Is it the same way for everybody?
I understand all about the complexities of the Colt mechanism, and the hand-fitting, etc. When they're working they're fantastic & I prefer them over S&W's. But lately it has been discouraging.
[This message has been edited by shortcut (edited 01-10-2004).]
Arrived at a fair price, & I'm happy. Once home I remove the grips & use Flitz gun wax to clean & polish the gun & it looks great until I hold it under a spotlight & I see that the sideplate was a slightly different shade of blue, slightly lighter & steelier looking. That wasn't too bad but what really caused concern were faint streaks on the sideplate that wouldn't come off w/ cleaner or polish. It looked like a wet black car dried in the sun w/ a dirty, wet towel. This problem was only on the sideplate. Under magnification it looked like the plate hadn't been fully polished before blueing. I took it to my gunsmith & he said the sideplate had been replaced & the screws refinished. This problem was only visible under direct spotlight.
I took the Python back to where I bought it & the 2 owners were split in there opinions. One thought it came from the factory that way, the other thought it might have been replaced but couldn't understand why. Python serial # was 762xxE.
They refunded my money & there were no more problems.
What do I come away from this experience with? I'm not certain, other than to be patient, & bring a flashlight. I've bought several used Colt revolvers and almost half of them have problems. I have about the same amount of used S&W's & they're all fine. Is it the same way for everybody?
I understand all about the complexities of the Colt mechanism, and the hand-fitting, etc. When they're working they're fantastic & I prefer them over S&W's. But lately it has been discouraging.
[This message has been edited by shortcut (edited 01-10-2004).]