So I very carefully opened up my new 4.25 Python as I was curious as to what has been changed.
I have to say the precision and machining of the parts is extremely impressive for the most part. Sure there is a number of MIM parts but they are well made. I think the simplified action is definitely an improvement over the original and should be much more robust over time.
I did find that there are some sharp edges on the transfer bar where it rides in the frame. The slot in the frame where the bar rides is very nicely machined but the transfer bar itself is a MIM part with no polish or fitting done to it. I used an Arkansas stone and some 600 grit sand paper to just knock off the sharp corners and polish the side of the bar where it rides in the frame (I take no responsibility if you try this and mess your gun up. I am not a gun smith but I have enough experience to know what I am doing and know what not to mess with). Mind, I only knocked off the sharp edges and polished; no significant metal removal was done.
I also used the Arkansas stone to just knock off the sharp edges of the rebound lever where it contacts the hand as it also had some sharp edges. Again, no major metal removal; just rounding off the edges.
The action was already smooth but it is even smoother now. The transfer bar is directly connected to the trigger on a pivot and any drag from it in the frame will affect the trigger pull. And I know on my gun the sharp edges were causing some drag. I did not measure the double action pull weight before and after but I can tell it is lighter and definitely smoother.
I have owned 6 different vintage Pythons; some had better actions, some worse. But all of them had some stacking stacking of the trigger (increasing resistance as the trigger is pulled). This was the main reason I always ended up selling them. This new Python has hardly any stacking.
Other than smoothing of some of the MIM parts, I don't see much else that can be improved in the action. Most of the parts are extremely well machined or polished and fit extremely well.
Even though there have been some problems, Colt did a damn good job overall.
(Edit: Took my gun back apart for pictures. Did a little more polishing and smoothing of the transfer bar and rebound lever.)
Grips off.
Cylinder held in with a simple spring loaded detent and screw on opposite side (not pictured).
Side frame and cylinder latch removed. Cylinder latch just has a square spring.
Internals of the gun still installed.
Internals removed except for the cylinder stop and transfer bar.
Closeup of frame machining and slot with transfer bar. Machining marks visible but very smooth passing a finger nail on the surfaces.
Trigger and transfer bar.
I have to say the precision and machining of the parts is extremely impressive for the most part. Sure there is a number of MIM parts but they are well made. I think the simplified action is definitely an improvement over the original and should be much more robust over time.
I did find that there are some sharp edges on the transfer bar where it rides in the frame. The slot in the frame where the bar rides is very nicely machined but the transfer bar itself is a MIM part with no polish or fitting done to it. I used an Arkansas stone and some 600 grit sand paper to just knock off the sharp corners and polish the side of the bar where it rides in the frame (I take no responsibility if you try this and mess your gun up. I am not a gun smith but I have enough experience to know what I am doing and know what not to mess with). Mind, I only knocked off the sharp edges and polished; no significant metal removal was done.
I also used the Arkansas stone to just knock off the sharp edges of the rebound lever where it contacts the hand as it also had some sharp edges. Again, no major metal removal; just rounding off the edges.
The action was already smooth but it is even smoother now. The transfer bar is directly connected to the trigger on a pivot and any drag from it in the frame will affect the trigger pull. And I know on my gun the sharp edges were causing some drag. I did not measure the double action pull weight before and after but I can tell it is lighter and definitely smoother.
I have owned 6 different vintage Pythons; some had better actions, some worse. But all of them had some stacking stacking of the trigger (increasing resistance as the trigger is pulled). This was the main reason I always ended up selling them. This new Python has hardly any stacking.
Other than smoothing of some of the MIM parts, I don't see much else that can be improved in the action. Most of the parts are extremely well machined or polished and fit extremely well.
Even though there have been some problems, Colt did a damn good job overall.
(Edit: Took my gun back apart for pictures. Did a little more polishing and smoothing of the transfer bar and rebound lever.)
Grips off.
Cylinder held in with a simple spring loaded detent and screw on opposite side (not pictured).
Side frame and cylinder latch removed. Cylinder latch just has a square spring.
Internals of the gun still installed.
Internals removed except for the cylinder stop and transfer bar.
Closeup of frame machining and slot with transfer bar. Machining marks visible but very smooth passing a finger nail on the surfaces.
Trigger and transfer bar.