Colt Python: Colt police officer chambered for the powerful Magnum 357 cartridge

History of the revolver

Its history dates back to the Second World War, when the task was set to create cheap, mass-produced weapons. At that time, there was an acute shortage of cheap and, at the same time, powerful weapons on the market (pistols were very often used at that time).

A company called Colt's Manufacturing Company solved this problem by producing a new pistol. The ammunition used was the .357 Magnum cartridge. The first version of Colt was introduced in 1955. Then, almost simultaneously, the .44 Magnum from Smith & Wesson came out. These two revolvers were direct competitors. But if the .44 Magnum was more powerful, then the Colt fully deserved the title of the most beautiful pistol in the world (and it was slightly inferior in power to its rival).

The revolver was made according to the first type of frame (this is the part to which all other parts and components are attached. This is the basis of any revolver). The revolver had the ability to install a precise, adjustable sight. The trigger mechanism was quite reliable for that time. The revolvers differed both in design and in barrel size and construction.

At the very beginning, the Colt Python was produced with a hollow pencil case. Then they began to fill it and it played the role of a stabilizer when using the pistol. If you press the trigger (descent), the drum is locked. To reduce the leakage of powder gases, a special chamber was put on the barrel. The part was put on quite tightly.

It was produced until 1999. Although it continued to be sold in some stores until 2005. However, after a long break, its production was resumed (the suspension of production was due to the company’s temporary withdrawal from the revolver market).

This model began a separate family of Colt revolvers. His successors were Colt Anaconda and Colt Stalker. Colt Anaconda is the same Python, but using a larger caliber cartridge (.44 Magnum). The Colt Stalker was produced as a budget version of the Python. It was the poor man's Python.

The table will describe the chronology of the release of models, starting with the very first.

Model release chronology

Colt description

The Colt Python is a six-shot revolver that was originally manufactured in Hartford, Connecticut in the United States.

Initially, there were two finishing design options: Royal Blue (“brown-blue”) and Bright Nickel (“light nickel”). The latest model ceased production in 2003, due to the fact that the Python began to be made from more modern materials.

The Python was available in several barrel options:

1. 2.5 inch;
2. 3 inch;
3. 4 inch;
4. 6 and 8 inch barrels.

One of the best-selling models was a revolver with a 6-inch barrel.

Around 1980, the company began producing the Python Hunter model, with an 8-inch barrel. The pistol was equipped with a 2x scope straight from the factory. It was one of the first mass-produced pistols designed for precision shooting. Python Target continued to be released for ten years.

Many collectors believed that the Colt Python was the best revolver in the world. Among them were such famous personalities as Joseph Cooper, Yang W. Wong and others.

There are also cases where the Colt Python was made to special order. For example, King Hussein of Jordan ordered several copies with four and six inch barrels. He gave it to his friends. The copies bore the coat of arms of his country.

The Colt Python was used by police and other law enforcement agencies, primarily by uniformed officers. This pistol is even named after an entire movie (Police Colt “Python 357”). The python, with a 4-inch barrel, was used primarily for concealed carry. Later it was supplanted by more advanced pistols. But despite this, the Colt Python still remained popular. Due to the fact that its production has now been resumed, its popularity continues to grow.

At the moment, the new Colt Python line also includes air pistols. An air pistol, of course, does not have the same characteristics as a combat pistol. Its caliber is 4.50 mm. Currently removed from sale.

Links[edit]

1. ^ abc Dougherty, Martin Small Arms: From the Civil War to the Present
   , New York: Fall River Press, 2005, p. 48. ISBN 978-0-7607-6329-2
2. ^ abcdef Colt Python .357 Magnum Revolver by Chuck Hawks at chuckhawks.com, accessed April 27, 2009.
3. ^ abcde e Thompson, Leroy; Renee Smits (October 1, 1993). Great Combat Pistols: A Guide to Using, Collecting, and Training with Pistols. London: Arms & Armor Publishing. paragraph 256. ISBN 978-1-85409-168-0.
4. ^ abc Wilson, R.L., The Colt Legacy,
   New York: Simon and Schuster, 1987, p. 272.
5. Jump up
   ↑ Wilson, R.L.,
   Colt: An American Legend,
   New York City: Abbeville Press, 1985, P 272.
6. ↑
   Cooper, Jeff, Cooper on Pistols, Los Angeles, Petersen Publishing Co., 1974, p.189.
7. ^ ab Hogg, Ian W. (1994) Military Small Arms: 300 Years of Soldier's Firearms
   , Salamander Publishing
8. ^ab Python 2020 is back
9. New for 2022: Updated Colt Python
10. ^ abcd Tarr, James (18 November 2013). Colt Standard Firearms Catalog. Iola, WI: Krause Publications. pp. 120–121. ISBN 978-1-4402-3747-8.
11. ↑
    Several years earlier, however, the mighty Python's days were numbered, and some collectors believe that the impeccable quality of these guns was not the same during the "strike years" that began on January 24, 1986, when more than 1,000 workers struck the company's Colt Firearms division Colt Industries, and Colt hired new workers. Update from Colt's Manufacturing Company, Inc. Archived February 20, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
12. ↑
    New York Times, October 22, 1986, “After 8 Months, UAW Sees Change at Colt Strike.”
13. ^ abcd Metcalf, Dick (1994). "Top 10 Hunting Rifles." Hand Gunning
    .
    PJS Publications. 8
    (5): 52–58.
14. Bailey, William G (1995). Encyclopedia of Police Science
    . Taylor and Francis. item 309. ISBN. 0-8153-1331-4.
15. ↑
    NYPD to replace revolvers with semi-automatics The New York Times, CRAIG WOLF, Saturday, August 21, 1993, accessed April 27, 2009.
16. ^ B Ayoub, Massad (2003) Colt Python
    , Accurate Rifle Magazine, November 2003
17. Rihanna
    Corcoran, Jodie (March 2, 2014).
    "Veronica led a one-woman virtual crusade to destroy gangs". independent.ie
    . Retrieved December 23, 2014.
18. ↑
    Cusack, Jim (13 October 2013). "Gilligan returns, now just a banal figure in a much-changed landscape". independent.ie. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
19. Fjestad, SP (August 18, 2015). "Colt's Snake Guns". American shooter.
20. ^ abc Rich Grassi (May 2005). "C&S Python .357MAG". Combat pistols
    . Retrieved April 27, 2009.

Tactical and technical characteristics of Colt Python (TTX):

From the characteristics it is clear that the Colt Python has a very large mass for a pistol. This is one of its disadvantages. It is also too large in size, which sometimes caused inconvenience.

Colt Python Elite revolvers did not differ in characteristics from their predecessors. Unless they had a beautifully designed design (until 2003).

How was the model positioned?

In general, such features are inherent specifically in sports weapons. The Colt Python pneumatic quickly found a lot of buyers, and production ceased in 1999. Since then, the company that was previously involved in the production of these weapons has stopped producing them. And those models that have been produced since 1999 are made by another company. It is worth noting that this is made to order only. After the main name of the weapon, they are designated Elite.

Modifications

The pistols differed only in the length of the barrels and the ammunition used (Python Target used the .38 Special cartridge). Pneumatic, cooled and mmg pistols were also produced, created in the image and likeness of the original.

The 2022 version of the Colt Python features an improved design due to the use of new alloys that have replaced its predecessors. The upper part of the frame was also improved (a new rear sight was added to it). In the new version of Colt, the barrel design was simplified. This was achieved by reducing the number of parts. They also added a muzzle chamfer, a replaceable front sight and improved pistol grip grips made of walnut wood. The design of the new Python has not changed.

Advantages and disadvantages of Colt Python

pros

The revolver had the ability to fire armor-piercing ammunition

The Python had the ability to install modules in the form of a sight, which not all pistols had

The revolver had good accuracy (it was achieved through the use of the .357 Magnum cartridge)

Minuses

The tendency of the revolver to malfunction during prolonged shooting, which is very dangerous for the health of the shooter. This was due to the fact that when the mechanism malfunctions, the drum does not completely adhere to the barrel and the shooter receives burns from powder gases that break through the gap between the drum and the barrel

The weapon had a very large mass and barrel size, which made it uncomfortable for long-term use

Repairing a revolver takes a very long time.

The revolver had too much recoil

Below are images of revolvers.

Image of two revolvers (six and four inch). In a classic style.

Image of a revolver with a 2x scope.

Video review → TOP 10 coolest revolvers in the world

10 COOLEST REVOLVERS in the world ⭐ Colt, Magnum, Ruger, Smith & Wesson
In this video, the author describes the 10 best revolvers in the world. He also tells their history and characteristics. In this top, our pistol took an honorable 5th place.

Colt Python – Colt Python – .357 Magnum – unboxing, review

The author ordered the weapon on the Internet. In the video, he unboxes and reviews the purchased product.

New Colt Python 2020

This shows the behavior of the weapon at the training ground. They showed him shooting, loading and recoil. The video shows that the Colt Python passed several tests.

Over the long history of its existence, Colt has proven itself well in the market. Even today, it has not lost popularity and continues to be bought (though already in 2020). After all, few can compare with him.

Typically, the rise of the trigger will take up the slack when firing so that the lock remains secure. However, all revolvers need synchronization and the Python needs them no more than any other pistols.

But despite all the advantages, it also has disadvantages, which is why not everyone will like the revolver. It is suitable only for fans of heavy weapons, because not everyone can hold it in their hands due to the high recoil.

Usage

Colt Python 8- and 6-inch Barrel Revolvers (Royal Blue Finish)

Python immediately became popular among law enforcement agencies. Revolvers with a six-inch barrel were carried by uniformed officers. The Python with a four-inch barrel was considered optimal for concealed carry by plainclothes officers. However, it, along with other revolvers, was later supplanted due to the transition of law enforcement agencies to the , when it became clear that nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistols had similar characteristics to the .38 Special. Currently, Colt Python revolvers are still popular in the market and are used by elite units.