Colt Python Python-BP4-WTS 357 Magnum

People keep suggesting that the revolver market is dead, that the segment is obsolete and that the most suitable solutions to any problems self-defense protectors might address would be some sort of polymer pistol. We would argue that there are any number of situations — how about coat or purse carry, handgun hunting, or self-defense in non-permissive states — for which a proper revolver is eminently suitable. We love it when major makers agree with us on this point.

A great illustration is the Colt Python. This beautiful example of the craftsman’s art was produced from 1955 to 2005, but it required extensive hand fitting, making it too expensive to manufacture. Produced for some 50 years, production stopped, hearts broke, and prices skyrocketed. That is until 2020, when Colt took the great qualities of the revolver, redesigned it around modern manufacturing capabilities, and reintroduced it in 2020. We’ve tested the early versions of Gen 2 Pythons for you with great results (see June 2022 issue), along with the 44 Magnum-chambered Anacondas. 

Our test guns here were a Colt Python PYTHON-BP4-WTS 357 Magnum, $1600, with a 4.25-inch barrel, walnut grips and balance much like the Gen 1 version. Pitted against it was a Smith & Wesson Model 586 150909, $900, which has seen updates of its own. The 586 sports a 4-inch blued barrel with the full underlug, just like the Python. It also brings target sights and walnut grips. There is a real price difference between the two. We wanted to know if the Python was worth it.

Colt Python PYTHON-BP4-WTS 357 Magnum

$1600

Gun Tests grade: A- [our pick]

We think Colt did a great job of modernizing the Python revolver without losing things that were right with the first generation. It was very smooth to shoot, and the Python panache is still there. If you have the extra cash, take a look at the Python.

The primary Colt entrant for the LEO market was their Police Positive model. Using a medium-weight frame with barrels ranging from 2.5 to 6 inches and chambered in 38 Special, it was a worthy competitor to S&W’s offerings. The Colt Trooper, another medium-frame revolver, was introduced in 1953 and did an outstanding job for the masses until it was discontinued in 1985. Colt introduced an upgraded revolver in 1955. Also designed to handle the pressures of the 357 Magnum, and essentially hand built, the new model was named the Python and came to be almost revered for its look, accuracy, and feel, but not its price tag. 

The new Python had the Colt Royal Blue finish, a treatment that made it look like you could go swimming in the side of the frame. The trigger was very smooth and consistent, both of which greatly aid accurate shooting. The new design changed the lock-up on the cylinder, moving the bolt notch away from the traditional, and thin, part of the cylinder directly over the chamber to the meatier segment in between. It presented visible and adjustable target sights. A full-house 357 Magnum load was almost uncontrollable in snub-nosed revolver and still a handful in a standard medium-weight version. The Python helped mitigate the recoil impulse by putting a vented rib on top of the barrel and a full-length underlug below. The result was a very smooth wheelgun that was small enough to carry and big enough to shoot.

The Python was also expensive to produce, and it was discontinued in 2004. Somewhat reminiscent of the Browning Hi-Power, prices skyrocketed, and the public clamored for its return. Springfield Armory brought the Hi-Power back to life, but in the Python’s case, Colt did its own work. The company redesigned this premium handgun to take full advantage of new machining capabilities (meaning less hand time) and brought the Python back to the public in 2020. As of this writing, Colt.com shows Pythons available with 2.5-, 3-, 4.25-, 5-, and 6-inch barrels, all of them in stainless steel. While great for outdoor carry, stainless just doesn’t seem to have the warmth of a rich, blued finish. Colt noted the consistent requests for a blued version and introduced a 4.25-inch-barrel version at the 2024 SHOT Show. Our group went by the Colt booth at least three times to look at it.

Our test gun is that blued 4.25-inch model — the size we prefer for home defense and general carry. That length tube is still easy to maneuver, though long enough to get some real velocity out of the load. The finish is not the Royal Blue, nor did we expect it to be. The amount of hand polishing that old style requires is incredible. The new look is more black than blue and is something less than a gloss finish. That said, the surface and the finish applied are both very smooth. The barrel sports a Colt logo along with “Hartford, CT USA” on the right side and “Python .357” and “357 Magnum” on the left. Both are succinct and say everything that need be said. The Rampant Colt logo is on the left sideplate. The black-walnut grips show a little bit of figure as well as a gold medallion version of the Colt logo. The rib has three vents, and the muzzle has a nicely rebated crown, protecting it from damage. The front sight is held on by a set screw, hinting that it would be replaceable. When we checked, we found substitute blades on Brownells.com and HarrisonCustom.com. More were available from MidwayUSA.com and Amazon.com. We also appreciated the matte-black rib leading to the sight. It did a great job of reducing glare. The rear sight is plain black and adjustable — just the way we like them.

The working parts looked similar to the older models, but we could see some changes. The cylinder still rotates clockwise, but the cuts in it have changed. We see longer grooves guiding the bolt into the notch to help secure a solid lock-up. We rotated the hammer slowly to check timing (which was perfect) and watched the bolt lock solidly into the notch as we cocked the hammer. When we used the trigger to cock the hammer, we noticed that the bolt dropped immediately on movement of the trigger, eased back into the groove as the cylinder rotated, and seemed to drop into the notch at the instant the hammer released. The timing was interesting to watch, and it left us with a revolver that had very little end shake. Good on Colt.

The cylinder latch is shaped like previous versions and must be drawn to the rear to activate. The ejector rod pushed empties out about 0.75 inch, producing just enough movement to empty the cylinder. The extractor star was triangular instead of the round format we are used to, but it seemed to get a little more meat under the rim, and we never had a problem unloading this Python. The oval hammer spur measured about 0.425 inch and had horizontal serrations. Easy to cock and decock, the hammer used a transfer-bar safety, making sure this handgun was safe to carry with six rounds loaded. Width on the trigger was good, not too narrow and not too wide, but we would like to see the shape changed just a bit. The surface was flat and, with no bevels on the sides, seemed a little sharp to run in a hurry. Fit on this handgun was very good. The edges of the grips mated well with the backstrap. All seams were tight and square.

Our Python started off with a few sharp edges. Chamber mouths were a little sharp, and the cylinder release was a little stiff to begin. Those issues were all gone by about round 100, leaving the working parts feeling as smooth as the trigger. Is this the hand-fitted trigger of the early models? No, but we still loved the feel. Smooth and light on the take-up, we could sense the springs stacking slightly as we neared full compression, leaving us with a very shootable trigger stroke. The speed targets proved that out as we went to the three-shot drills. The first shot was a little right (still in the A-zone) and the next three were all touching very near the 1-inch dot we were using for an aiming point. 

Our Team Said: For us and our hands, we thought the Python was the easier revolver to shoot quickly. Slow fire wasn’t too shabby either, with the Python averaging 1.45-inch groups across all three ammo types. Expensive, but the cost will be worth it for some shooters.

We conducted our tests at American Shooting Centers in Houston. We used a LabRadar chronograph (MyLabRadar.com, $559) to determine muzzle velocities. For accuracy, we fired multiple five-shot groups at 15 yards from a well-sandbagged Caldwell Pistol Rest from MidwayUSA.com and a mini-DRC Fortune Cookie bag from Wiebad.com. JHP = jacketed hollow point. JSP = jacketed soft point. CHP = copper hollow point

Process: Fire one shot from low ready at 5-by11-inch A Zone target placed at 5 yards. Times in seconds are averages for eight repetitions using 357 Magnum ammunition. 

Process: Fire three shots from low ready at 5-by11-inch A Zone target placed at 8 yards. Times in seconds are averages for three repetitions using 38 Special ammunition.

Process: Fire three shots from low ready at 5-by11-inch A Zone target placed at 8 yards. Times in seconds are averages for three repetitions using 357 Magnum ammunition. Elapsed times for all drills were determined using a CED7000 shot timer.

Written and photographed by Joe Woolley, using evaluations from Gun Tests Team members. GT