Rifleman Review: Colt's Blued Python

 In 2020, Colt reintroduced its iconic Python revolver, but the initial guns were made from stainless steel and had a polished finish. Many Colt fans clamored for another version with a blued finish, just like the classic revolvers Colt made in the mid-20th century. In 2024, Colt answered consumer demands with two models of blued Python, one with a 4.25" barrel and another with a 6" barrel. Watch our "American Rifleman Television" Rifleman Review segment above to see the details of this popular double-action revolver.

"Probably the most iconic revolver of the 20th century was the Colt Python. Beautifully made, beautifully polished, but eventually just too expensive to make," NRA Media Editorial Director Mark Keefe said. "So the Python was discontinued, but it was brought back in recent years in stainless. Well, this gun is the one that I wanted all along from today's Colt, and this is a 4.25" blued Python, and it is a lovely gun."

Colt's Python is a double-action, single-action revolver with a six-shot cylinder chambered in .357 Magnum. As is typical with Colt's revolvers, cylinders turn clockwise when the trigger is pulled or the hammer is cocked. A cylinder release latch is located on the left side of the frame and must be pulled rearward to allow the cylinder to crane out from the left side of the frame for loading and unloading.

 "They took a little time to figure out exactly how they were going to make this finish look as nice as the original. And it's a little blacker than the original Colt Python, but the polish underneath is really nice," Keefe said.

As relayed in "The Return Of The Blued Python," Colt's Justin Baldini highlighted that the company's polishing and bluing process is largely the same as they've treated other finely polished and blued guns in the company's lineup. While it lacks the personal touch of the polishing done in the mid-20th century, the process still provides a rich, even finish for a deep blued finish.

" Now, with the modern Pythons, they've done some things a little differently. The internal lockwork is improved, so that they're less likely to go out of time than the originals," Keefe said. "But also they've made some little changes, in particular, the front sight. If you look at the front of the muzzle, you'll see there is a screw there, so you can easily interchange your front sight."

Other small changes include the serrated, curved trigger shoe, as well as the enlarged trigger guard that provides room for gloved hands.

" This is a lovely rendition of the modern Colt Python and the one I was waiting for all along," Keefe said.

Colt Blued Python Specifications
Manufacturer: Colt's Mfg.
Action Type: double-action, centerfire revolver
Chambering: .357 Mag.
Frame: carbon steel, blue
Barrel: 4.25"
Rifling: six groove, 1:14" LH twist
Cylinder Capacity: six
Sights: adjustable; square-notch rear, red-ramp front
Trigger: double-action, 9-lb., 9-oz. pull; single-action, 5-lb., 6-oz. pull
Stocks: Altamont solid walnut, target-style with gold medallions
Length: 9.75"
Height: 5.5"
Width: 1.54" (cylinder)
Weight: 42 ozs.
MSRP: $1,599

To watch complete segments of past episodes of American Rifleman TV, go to americanrifleman.org/artv. For all-new episodes of ARTV, tune in Wednesday nights to Outdoor Channel 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. EST.