Colt Forum banner

Stainless Python Value

1827 Views 13 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  Bigl1911
For those of you who have been collecting Pythons for a while, why is stainless the most valued? I understand if you are looking for a gun to carry that stainless is the most durable finish but why is it so collectible? Has it always been so (since Colt stopped producing Pythons) or is a recent phenomena (cause largely by Nick Grime's character in Walking Dead)? To me, it is surprising that an 80s stainless model (which supposedly were made during the lows of Colt manufacturing quality) are more sought after than 60s models (supposedly of higher quality)?
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
I think it's do to lower quantities made, no corrosion issues to worry about and easy to fix scuffs and light scratches in finish.
some people still enjoy shooting their handguns, which do you think is going to show better after use? An oop's with a sts is no big deal, and oop's with a 61 blue cuts it's value in half or better
But who spends $3000 plus for a shooter? I really don't think that people paying this kind of money is looking for a gun to shoot, but perhaps I am wrong...
Lol, I shoot all my guns, 1905's Colt 45's, Bsts Pythons, 50's Pythons, 60's Pythons and you know what else I do, I put them in holsters. The day when potential value of something I own excludes me from using it for it's INTENDED purpose is the day I sell it and buy something I can use. 3k, you cannot even buy a clapped out beater car with a semblance of reliability for that price. It's not the days of silver notes and gold reserves , today's money has no real value.

But who spends $3000 plus for a shooter? I really don't think that people paying this kind of money is looking for a gun to shoot, but perhaps I am wrong...
  • Like
Reactions: 3
I asked this question some time back and the overwhelming answer for the guys that buy and sell was; smaller numbers of stainless. And right now they are hot. I had a brain lapse for about 10 hours a few days ago and posted my 1982 stainless on gunbroker for $3500. I got the 4 digit bug and was going to get funds to buy another one. Anyway after waking up the next morning, I ran to the computer to stop the ad because losing the stainless wasn't worth it. I had 21 "watchers" in 10 hours on a 7 day auction. I don't know what they are worth but it would have sold for that or more.
And right now they are hot.
Which makes me wonder how much of current pop culture is affecting value...
Which makes me wonder how much of current pop culture is affecting value...
If only I could count the number of times I have heard: "Isn't that the gun from the walking dead show."
If only I could count the number of times I have heard: "Isn't that the gun from the walking dead show."
LOL. Me too. Mine has the wood grips that came with the early model and is just like Rick's on the show.
Pop culture does have it's influence in the gun collecting community >> Rick's got a bad a$& Python! I'm looking for one just like it! Lol
The bright stainless Pythons are really hot items due to the appearance of nickel but the durability of stainless. I have to say I'm a big fan of them but the preferable collectors gun is the older real royal blue model preferably made prior to the early 1980s. But I hate to handle them for fear of hurting the pristine finish.
I personally like it so much more because I am attracted to the bright luster of the finish and have a hard time keeping my nickel guns clean over the years. Though in the last few years the royal blue is starting to match my desire for stainless.
Pop culture does have it's influence in the gun collecting community >> Rick's got a bad a$& Python! I'm looking for one just like it! Lol
I agree with you you! Ever since the first episode of TWD I have admired the Python more!! Heard of seen but never paid real attention to them. Just like the S&W Model 29, it too was a hit after the first Dirty Harry. It was out of production like a year prior because of low sales!
I just purchased a Bright Stainless early this week. Good condition with box no papers not perfect but very good condition. It was more of an impulse buy than anything and no it was not inexpensive in fact I probably overpaid.. I bought it mainly because I did not have a bright stainless in my pit and in the Golden State we are limited on how we can get these off rostered guns. Me, I am going to fire it since it is not an unfired example. My thought is any gun that is not a time capsule and complete it should be shot. That is me and how I go. The other side are these Bright Stainless/Stainless guns comparable in beauty and workmanship to a handmade Python 55 to 63 or any other nice revolver of that era like a 3-5-7? No way IMHO; however they, Stainless are cool and they are definitely overpriced but they are attractive and easier to maintain. Are they going to drop in value from today's numbers? I am not sure but they are not going to drop drastically is my thought one way or the other if you take care of them. When we do the compare game there are two guns on GB right now one is a blue target buy now around 3400 complete LNIB and the other a nickel target NIB TBD reserve. I would purchase either of these guns before a Bright Stainless for collectable status and beauty including the one I just bought... This being say they (targets) are off roster gun and honestly the idea of single shot converting them I am not comfortable doing at this time... Last week I picked up a 8" Blue another near perfect complete at over 1k less than what I paid for the Stainless 6.. Unfortunately, someone got too aggressive cleaning the cylinder face at the forcing cone and wore down the bluing on the face, but I am here to tell you the stainless in no better looking than the near perfect 8". And yes I am going to fire it probably later today. Not a great picture but it makes the point.... Prices for ALL Pythons short of the rare and unusual are in general stupid is my thought. The one Python no one talks about is the 1976 Bicentennial commemorative which can be had for 4k as part of a 3 gun set.. That is right three guns!! I own one (an unfired set) and am here to tell you fit and finish as as good or better than any of my other Pythons or other Colts. In fact with the engraving it may be my best.. 3.5 to 4k for a stainless or 4k for a three set Bicentennial that includes a SAA and a Dragoon both engraved... Hummm.. Here is another one.. Just purchased a Colt Camp Perry Model made in 1930 lettered for 3400... Colt made 2500 of these single shots over 20 years.. And we pay more than this for a Bright Stainless?

Attachments

See less See more
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top