Editing Colt Python (section)

==Models and variants==
[[Image:Colt-python-barrel.jpg|thumb|right|Colt ''Python'' rollmark on the barrel]]
[[File:Flickr - ~Steve Z~ - Colt Target Python (1).jpg|thumb|Colt Python Target, {{convert|8|in|cm|adj=on}} barrel .38 Special]]

The Colt Python featured a fully adjustable white-outline Accro rear sight and a {{convert|1/8|in|adj=on|0}} front ramp with red inset. A wide spur, checkered hammer and grooved, curved trigger. Initially only a blued finish was offered, it was the first time Colt produced the Royal Blue finish. Soon after the introduction, a nickel finish was added, and together with Royal Blue, these were the two factory finishes. Initially made only with a {{convert|6|in|cm|adj=on}} barrel, a compact {{convert|4|in|cm|adj=on}} came afterward. Between 1955 and 1994, a downsized {{convert|2.5|in|cm|adj=on}} barrel version was introduced which still sported full-sized grips. Colt also produced a few short runs of revolvers with a {{convert|3|in|cm|adj=on}} barrel known to collectors as "Combat Pythons."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/colt_python_complete_history/138916 | title=Colt Python: A Complete History | date=December 21, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.guns.com/news/2021/06/07/ultimate-snub-nosed-snake-gun-25-inch-colt-python | title=Ultimate Snub-Nosed Snake Gun: 2.5 Inch Colt Python }}</ref>

In 1980, an {{convert|8|in|cm|adj=on}} barrel Python was introduced chambered for the .38 Special. The Colt Python Target [[.38 Special]] was made in Royal Blue and only 251 Colt Python Targets were given the nickel finish. Also the Colt Python Hunter was unveiled, which was the 8-inch Python with Pachmayr grips, factory-mounted 2X Leupold scope on the barrel with Redfield mounts, and packaged in a [[Zero Halliburton|Haliburton]] case that included a Colt-marked plastic ammunition box, wood handle cleaning rod and tool kit. The Colt Python Hunter was the first field-ready handgun hunting package made by a major handgun manufacturer. It was discontinued by 1990 and briefly offered as a Colt Custom Shop model afterward.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/colt_python_complete_history/138916 | title=Colt Python: A Complete History | date=December 21, 2015 }}</ref> 

In 1981, Coltguard, a proprietary [[electroless deposition|electroless]] weather-resistant plating, was also made available. The stainless Python was reintroduced in 1984, followed in 1985 by the super-polished stainless Ultimate Python, which was fitted with an Elliason target front sight. In 1988 only 200 Colt Python Stalker were produced in stainless steel. It has an 8-inch vented ribbed barrel, a smooth non-fluted cylinder, a Leupold M8-2x Extended E.R. scope, and rubber grips with the Colt Medallion. A small number of Pythons were gold and silver plated for various commemoratives and special orders throughout the years.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/colt_python_complete_history/138916 | title=Colt Python: A Complete History | date=December 21, 2015 }}</ref>

In 1982, the Colt Python Silhouette came with a rib-mounted Leupold scope and Pachmayr grips, and housed in a black fitted-case with nickel trim. There was also an 8-inch Ten Pointer Series with a 3X Burris scope, wooden grips, an extra set of neoprene composition grips and a carrying case.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/colt_python_complete_history/138916 | title=Colt Python: A Complete History | date=December 21, 2015 }}</ref>

Two Colt revolver variants using Python barrels but not Python frames or internals were made in small numbers by Colt. The first was the Colt Boa of 1985, a limited production run of 1,200 .357 Magnum revolvers, made for the Lew Horton Distributing Company in Massachusetts.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.guns.com/news/2021/07/20/rare-snake-gun-sighting-do-you-know-of-the-colt-boa#:~:text=The%20Colt%20BOA%20was%20only,the%20company's%20double%2Daction%20revolvers. | title=RARE SNAKE GUN SIGHTING: DO YOU KNOW OF THE COLT BOA? | date=11 August 2023 }}</ref> It uses a Python barrel mated to a [[Colt Trooper Mk III|Trooper Mk V]] frame. Six hundred 6-inch revolvers and six hundred 4-inch revolvers were made, of which one hundred were matched sets. Though it resembles a Python visually, it is substantially different internally.

The second was the stainless steel Colt Grizzly of 1994, another limited-production .357 Magnum revolver. It uses a Python barrel mated to a [[Colt King Cobra]] frame. Five hundred of these revolvers were manufactured, with six-inch Magna-ported barrels and smooth, unfluted cylinders. The ported barrel includes a bear footprint. Similar to the Grizzly was the Colt Kodiak, which was a [[Colt Anaconda]] with a Magna-ported barrel and an unfluted cylinder. Approximately 2,000 Kodiaks were manufactured.<ref name="Tarr2013"/> All original Colt Pythons use the original Colt E/I frame type mechanics with a leaf hammer spring design in common with earlier Colt models, including the postwar Colt .357 Magnum model and the pre-war Colt Official Police and Army Special models. As described above, the Boa and Grizzly are structurally part of the Mk.III/Mk.V revolver product lines which use the much later J and V designated frames. These various hybrids are very collectible due to low production quantities, but because they are a completely different revolver action based upon the later coil-mainspring Colt products, they may not be considered Pythons.

In 1997 manufacture of the Python was switched from the main assembly line to the Colt Custom Shop, and the gun was offered in both highly polished and matte stainless steel and renamed the Colt Python Elite. It remained in limited production, off and on, until 2004.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/colt_python_complete_history/138916 | title=Colt Python: A Complete History | date=December 21, 2015 }}</ref>

In 2020, Colt reintroduced the Python in {{convert|4.25|and|6|in|cm|adj=on}} barrels, followed by a {{convert|3|in|cm|adj=on}} version in 2022.<ref name="Colt's Manufacturing LLC">[https://www.colt.com/series/PYTHON_SERIES "It's back: Python 2020"]</ref> The reintroduced Python has been technically revised and reinforced compared to the original revolver.<ref>[https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/new-2020-upgraded-colt-python/370795 "New for 2020: The Upgraded Colt Python"]</ref> Of the first issues, the 6-inch is generally the most common, the 8-inch was intended for hunting, the 4-inch was preferred by plain-clothes police, the 2.5-inch and 3-inch were limited and have become rare.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/colt_python_complete_history/138916 | title=Colt Python: A Complete History | date=December 21, 2015 }}</ref>

With the production return in January 2020, Colt sanctioned and authenticated the first engraved new production Colt Python. It was made by [[Tyler Gun Works]] and sold for $18,026 via auction on [[GunBroker.com]] on February 27, 2020. The proceeds were donated to the [[NRA Whittington Center|NRA Whittington Center Adventure Camp]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The First Engraved Colt Python |date=January 31, 2020 |url=https://americanhandgunner.com/discover/the-first-engraved-colt-python/ |access-date=May 18, 2023 |publisher=[[American Handgunner]]}}</ref>