Python accuracy?
 

Gents,
sorry if I am too off-topic. I've heard that a Colt Python will soon lose its famous accuracy if full .357 loads are used frequently. What do you think? I've just bought one and wouldn't like to ruin it through carelessly blasting away .357 rounds.
Thanks!!

Alvaro,

Don't believe everything you read/hear.

Tom A.

Even though the Python is a heavy gun it is possible to shoot it loose with heavy loads. I had a brand new one back in the mid 70s that I shot a lot of hot hand loads in and it totally lost its timing of the cylinder/barrel alignment and it would spew bits of shaved jackets out the side. I had an unfortunate shooter receive a bit of the jacket in his neck from Python. So I stopped firing it and returned it to Colt, they sent me a brand new Python and I backed off the loads a bit and never had any more problems. My handloads that caused the problem were a 150 Sierra JHC bullet in front of a maximum load of Wincheser 296 Ball powder. I dont know if I just had a lemon or did I really mess up in loading those hot loads. I shoot a similar load in my heavy Model 27 SMith 357 Magnum and have had no problems in it. Well, that was my experience with the two Colt Pytons I have had, they were phenomenally accurate. The hot load would group in 4" at 100 yds with open sights, I have never been able to duplicate that accuracy since, but at what price I paid for it.

Wow!, how interesting comments! It's a true privilege hearing from such knowledgeable gents.
Tac's and Thor's comments are specially interesting, coming from first hand experience. (BTW Tac, it had to be heart breaking surrendering your guns. We will follow suit soon, I'm positive, crushed by the tsunami of the politically correct. This is a good country with an indecent Socialist government, but that's another story...)
Anyway, the article I read said more or less that the reason for the problem
is the way Colt achieved the fine accuracy for which the Python is noted.
The Python, unlike other models in Colt's line, uses a two stage hand to
rotate the cylinder. The first stage does the rotating and the second stage
actually transfers finger load from the trigger to the cylinder and then
to the cylinder stop bolt. Effectively this rigidly locks the cylinder in
place behind the breech end of the barrel at the moment of firing. When a heavy load, is fired and the position of the cylinder is rigidly locked between the second shelf on the hand and the stop bolt, accuracy is excellent until the second stage gets battered, which happens eventually, and then deteriorates.
Curiously enough, for some reason this didn�´t happen to Tac�´s gun.
So for me, the urge to fire the hot rounds I reload (158 gr. Speer HPs on top of a hanful of a, sigh, French powder) is going to be gut wrenching.
Rick, thanks for your warning; I never shoot 38; I only use long cases.
Well, naff said. Thanks a lot again.
Alvaro.

The Python is a great gun but because of the way Colt assembled them both tac's and Thor's experiances are possible. Colt payed its fitters on piece rate. There was one older fitter whos name excapes me now who turned out perfect guns and there were others who ranged fron good to marginal at best. If you have a 70's gun it can run the full range in terms of quality. At no time will the barrel be the problem. But as Thor noted the timing of the gun has a drastic effect on accuracy. If you have one that needs work be carefull who you have do the work. It takes a better than average pistol smith to tune up a Python.

Well, thanks again friends. All your comments are most interesting and enlightening.
Tac, if you ever come to Madrid, I'll buy you a meal and drink at the range and all the ammo you feel like burning, if they haven't taken our guns yet....

Just when we colonials think we won those wars, you make us suspect you let us go because we just didn't have enough class.

Tac, man, the world can be incredibly small... I live in Alcala. Ring me up when you come again: 918812266
Didn't know Cathy was buried in England; most curious the flowers thing, who takes them??
BTW, my English is far from perfect and I didn't understand anything of the exchange between you and Heinz; kept me wondering what you two meant...

Alvaro, Tac and I occasionally go off track on long running jokes. Ig is supposed to watch us but occasionally nod's off.

I was impressed by the care extended to Queen Katherine's grave, but I should have said it directly.

Tac was chastising me for being flippant.

My apologies. I am also a great fan of the Colt revolver. My eyes and brain always prefer the Smith and Wesson. My hand likes the Colt.

Tac, sorry i didn't answer your last msg; I didn't know it was there. You said some beautiful things about the Queen; in English. The translation was made with an auto translater wasn't it? BTW, "no tengo mas donar" doesn�´t mean anything...