Two local dealers have a Python for sale.  Both want $600 and both are about 97% condition.

Python A is a blued 6" with really ugly rubber grips.  No box or papers, serial number starts with a "V".  Comes with ugly holster, but does not have holster wear.  Original grips are whereabouts unknown.

Python B is a factory nickle 4" with a particularly tight lock-up and a little better trigger than Python A.  No box or papers, serial number starts with a 68XXX.

Which one is the better buy???

Python A.
I like blued revolvers, and wood grips are easy and cheap to find.

Yawn, dude how long have you been on this site? Buy both already. Python = My favorite revolvers. If you can afford it I'd get both. Python A for hunting maybe and Python B for CCW (if you'd wanna CCW a .357).

A "V" series would have been made in 1978 through 1980.

68XXX was made in 1967.  Numbers started that year at 61000 and ended at 73799.
This is usually considered to be an "early" Python these days.

The 6" is considered to be the "classic" Python, but 1960's Pythons are considered to be better quality.
I'd call this a toss-up with the edge going to the 4" simply for it's earlier production.

As a shooter, it depends on whether you prefer the 6" or 4" barrel.

With Colt having stopped production of the Python, apparently forever, a "smart" buyer would hock something or borrow the money and buy BOTH.
Prices will almost certainly skyrocket, and in a couple of years, you can likely double your money, certainly on the 60's nickel.

$600 is on the very low end of the scale for good Pythons these days, and it's really low for a 97% gun.
Going price is usually $700-$800 and up, to about $1000 RIGHT NOW.

I would go with the nickeled one.  Colt charges an extra $50-$75 for their electroless nickel plated guns.

If the Nickel one is ORIGINAL Finish ,  BUY IT!

Dang, I have a freind that got one from a pawn shop for 250$ I was a 4 inch one.

have an 8inch Nickel and love it would love to have a 4 inch next to it.  nickle has never been my first choice but it was my Dad's so he bought it and cherished it - recently passed it down the line - how anybody sells guns like this I'll never know....

Colt's blueing slowly declined, but, if it has the Colt royal blue finish, that's the one for me.
My Dad has my grandfather's from the early 60's. The finish is unlike anything else.
Almost black. I'm sure the nickle is great, but it's just not a Python without a 6'' barrel and blue finish.

Thanks, guys...I think I will go with the 4" since I can't afford them both...here is my reasoning.

The lockup and trigger is PERFECT on the 4", like it was never fired.  The 6" is good but not as good.  I have a 6" Anaconda .44 Mag, so that's my hunter.  I have a 2" Detective Special, so that's my CCW.  A 4" Python kinda fits right into the lineup, you know??

I have a 4" blue. I love the polished Blue Pythons..

I'd have gone for the 4 incher too.

If I was getting a Python, it would be the pimptastic 8" bright nickel model.

Well, I think the 4" nickle is about as pimpish as I can handle!!  

I probably should get a 70's-era Caddy to put it in, like Austin Powers had!

Being is you already have a snubby and a 6 inch I'd deffanantly get the 4 incher.

You might even wanna CCW it sometimes, 4 inch wheelguns CCW better then 4 inch autos IMO.