Posted: 4/12/2006 9:04:00 PM EDT
| Hello - I am new to this forum and have questions regarding my Colt Python. The sideplate on my Colt Python has apparently been removed and replaced by a prior owner. The edges of the sideplate are too low in the lower areas and too high in the upper areas. You can see and feel the ridges in the upper areas. Also there are some buckles or uplifted metal along the edges where the sideplate meets the frame in the upper areas. These are all small inconcistencies but I am concerned as to whether or not the sideplate can be adjusted and the small buckles can be smoothed out without having to refinish the whole gun. The gun has the original blue/black factory finish. Also I would like to know the proper procedure for removing and replaceing the side cover or if this is a job strictly for a smith. Thanks in advance. |
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Well, maybe defariswheel will respond for you also, but my guess would be (without seeing the revolver) that some idjit pryed the plate off...a big no-no. For removal, first make sure you have the correct screwdrivers that fit the screw heads...anything else will bugger up the screws at the minimum, or worse, slip and scar the finish on the sideplate, etc. Once the screws are out, take a plastic screwdriver handle, a wood hammer handle or maybe a leather mallet and tap the side of the frame below the sideplate in the grip area until the vibration (at that point it is just a friction fit) loosens the plate and you can lift it off. You may get lucky and find that careful replacement of the plate will be all that is necessary, but if not, I doubt that there is much "adjustment" possible as the tolerances are very precise. If the misalignment is really bad and noticeable, you may need to send it back to Colt and have them fit a new sideplate to the pistol...my guess is this will be expensive. |
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That pretty well covers it. Like all revolvers, Colt side plates were hand fitted at the factory, and Colt's were even more difficult to fit due to the curves in the plate. Due to this super-close fit, and the quality of the blue job, which as you can see is easy to damage, I recommend leaving side plate removal to a genuine Colt-qualified pistolsmith. Most local gunsmiths are NOT qualified to work on Colt's. It's possible someone pried the plate off, and may have even sprung it. Colt can possibly repair the original plate, and I'd contact them about it before doing anything else. With the Python forever discontinued by Colt, Python prices are starting to skyrocket. On an expensive gun like this, you get the pros to look at it. It wouldn't hurt to let Colt look it over anyway, since the usual reason for a Bubba to remove a side plate is to get inside and "improve the trigger". |
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I really appreciate both of your inputs. I am suspicious that the guy that removed the sideplate may have also modified the action. This is my first Python and I have heard that the triggers are very light so I didn't think much of it when I first checked it out. When I got it home and looked it over more closely I verified that the sideplate had surely been removed and replaced and I felt that the trigger was too light. When I first looked it over I felt the slight edge on part of the sideplate but assumed that no one would mess with a Python because there would be no need. I'm leaning towards sending it to the factory for repair but haven't done this before. Will the factory provide a cost estimate when I send it in or do they just follow your instructions, make all necessary repairs and send the bill? Thanks again |
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When you send it, ask for an estimate before they proceed with the work and I am sure they will send one. Maybe they do email now and it will be faster than "snail mail" used to be. I just missed a like new 6in. blue Python at the last show (actually, I did not "miss" it but the seller would not take a local check  ) for a really good price...I am still pizzed! DFW is right...these guns are so nice there is little excuse for not sending them back to Colt for repair, especially as almost no local 'smiths have any idea of how to do correct repair work.
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| Best of luck on the next Python you find. I have always been a bit skiddish on bying a Python because of the price. I was caught off guard when this one just happened to show up at a small town local gun show. There were a couple guys breathing heavy behind me as I checked it out so I knew if I walked away to think about it would be gone. The price was $695 and I figured if I could get it for a little less then I would take a chance on it. I couldn't believe it when he came down. Obviously he knew what he was doing and I didn't. I hope the repairs aren't so steep that it won't be worth fixing it up. |
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Colt always send an estimate of repairs and costs. Word that Colt will no longer make DA revolvers including the Python has hit. Pythons at gun shows that were tagged at $800 to $1000 have shot up to prices around $1400 AND ARE SELLING. I doubt you can afford NOT to get your's fixed. |
| Sorry to hear that Colt may discontinue revolver manufacturing. That does however make a good case for investing to repair mine. It's always disappointing when for any reason the value of certain guns takes a sharp jump. Good for the seller but for the buyer it may eliminate possibilities of ever owning one. |
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I too am sorry that Colt is discontinuing the Python. I made a wise choice when I bought my brushed SS 6" Python 20 years ago, and I followed that up by buying 2 D-frame 6" blued Diamondbacks in 38sp and 22LR. The Diamondbacks are like a little miniture Python inside and outside. The "other half" wasn't exactly overjoyed about my purchases back then, but when I tell her that I can probably sell it today for more that what I paid for them, I think she will be pretty happy. knapweed: Fixing the side plate problem could potentially get pretty pricey since it is a blued gun. They would most likely have to stripe off the old finish, repolish, and reblue so that the side plate and the rest of the gun would match. If you do go through with it, I would be sure to save all of the documentation from Colt such as receipts etc to prove that it was a factory repair. |
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I found this at the Colt website: Colt Firearms Repair
If you contact Colt for repairs, let is know what transpired. |
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"Sorry to hear that Colt may discontinue revolver manufacturing" There's no MAY about it. Colt stopped manufacture of their last two DA revolvers, the Python and Anaconda, in late 2004 early 2005. The story was, they shut down production to so they could clear the factory floor to allow installation of new production machinery, and that production would restart in 2005/2006. Early this year a member of the 1911 forum was given a tour of the Colt plant and a look at Colt's plans for the future. He was told in no uncertain terms that Colt would no longer make DA revolvers, and that the Python specifically was never to be made again. |
That would make perfect sense, their website contains zero info on DA-type revolvers, all they got is their SAA line. Now, what about spare parts? Would barrels, side plates etc would have to be custom made in the future? |
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Since there's not too much demand for spare barrels and side plates during the production life of a revolver, few are made compared to smaller, more often replaced parts. For this reason, the supply of spare barrels, side plates and cylinders dries up quickly. Side plates are seldom needed so they will be rare even as used parts. Side plates are hand fitted at the factory, so a used one seldom can be used since it's already BEEN fitted to another gun. I recommend buying as spares: Side plate screws. Cylinder retention screw cap. Bolt. Hand. Bolt screw. Firing pin and spring. Rear sight elevation screw. If you plan on damaging your Python, buy a new front sight and a rear sight blade. It's very unlikely you'd ever need a side plate, hammer, trigger, or crane. Python cylinder collars can be stretched ONCE to correct end shake. However, having a GOOD gunsmith modify the cylinder by installing a bushing would be cheaper than buying a new cylinder. New cylinders MUST be custom fitted, and this also usually requires a new ejector. Having a bushing job done would cost less, AND be much easier to find someone qualified to do it than finding someone qualified to do a cylinder install. |
   
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