Python Possible timing issue?

I don't see a problem.
It's not uncommon for most any revolver or automatic to have primer strikes off slightly.
None of those look too bad.

One thing you can do to give a little more information is to use a marker to put a mark on the edge of the base of the cartridges and load the cartridges with with mark positioned at 12:00 O'clock in each chamber.
That way when you open the cylinder you'll be able to tell in what direction the slightly off-center strikes are.

Still, I don't see anything to be concerned about.

Roll the brass on a table to ascertain that the primer pockets are concentric. As to timing, it is easy to check on an unloaded gun. Either SA or DA, pull the trigger back and hold tension on it. There should be zero rotational play in the cylinder. Now, ease the trigger forward 1/8" or so and you should have a touch of rotational play - about like non-Colt revolvers normally do. Pull the trigger back again and you should be able to watch the hand rotate the cylinder a few thousandths into exact alignment with the barrel. They are tuned and timed so that when the trigger is all the way back, the hand pre-loads the cylinder against the bolt, and the bolt against the left edge of its window in the frame. If it does that on all six chambers, the timing is good.

I'll have to try that trick with the marker next time I shoot, just have to get more ammo first. I was more curious, then worried because the gun was running flawlessly. From what I can tell the action is timed properly, cylinder locks up solid, bolt begins moving the very instant the hammer is pulled. I'm now wondering if it was simply me pulling the trigger with an uneven amount force, possibly causing a mild amount of throw by.

These we all double action shots?

Not all were double action, some where single action. I'd say I fired 70% double action 30% single action.

The reason I asked was that it is technically possible, in double action, for the hammer to drop before the trigger is all the way to the rear. "If" this occurred, you might have some off-center strikes. But, this also has to do with the alignment of the firing pin with the chambers, the diameter of the chambers and the fit of the unfired rounds. They must be smaller than the chamber, and so will settle to the bottom of each chamber when they are in firing position.

Truthfully, if timing is good and you experience no misfires, this is largely academic.

po18guy said:

Truthfully, if timing is good and you experience no misfires, this is largely academic.

Click to expand...

No lead shaving either, so I agree that this is an academic issue. Like dfariswheel said, it's not always dead center even on a perfectly timed gun.

Having shot many different DA revolvers of different makes, I see nothing unusual here. I just went out and looked at a number of empties in my tumbler and most of them are slightly different in primer strike location. I think you are good to go.

Right then, that about answers my question. Thanks to all who answered for the reassurance on my gun. As a newbie Python owner, I was second guessing myself allot as to the timing but everything appears to be in working order according to what po18guy said.

If one must be absolutely certain, Brownell's sells ranging rods to check cylinder-barrel alignment. If the gun were shot from a fixed rest, its accuracy would undoubtedly be surprising. Colt's would not have released it with something as obvious to them as ranging problems. Knowing how precise they are, but being unfamiliar with the fitting/tuning procedure, I cannot imagine a Python being assembled without the use of a ranging rod.