Colt Addresses Python Issues in New Video

by
posted on February 21, 2020
Following the launch of the Colt Python at the beginning of 2020, some issues emerged that were highlighted by certain YouTube personalities and also shared across social media. In particular, these issues included light primer strikes, cylinders that wouldn't rotate with each trigger pull and damage to the muzzle crown of the guns. Colt has addressed these issues with an all-new video, which you can watch above.

Light Primer Strikes

In the video above, Colt highlighted the fact that company employees have heard of consumers experiencing light primer strikes with their guns. Colt has been able to replicate this occurrence when using imported ammunition that features heavier primers, so first and foremost, the company strongly recommends using only high-quality, SAAMI-certified, brass-cased ammunition in the Python.

Colt, however, will be making a slight change to the mainspring used in the Python in order to accommodate a greater variety of ammunition. This will lessen the chance for a light primer strike, and the modified mainspring will affect the trigger pull slightly, but it still provides a double-action pull between 7-9 lbs. as specified.

Cylinder Rotation

Baldini also highlights the fact that Colt employees have seen a small number of Pythons with loose sideplate screws. How does that factor into cylinder rotation? In the video above, a Python revolver is shown with its sideplate removed in order to highlight how the cylinder hand functions to advance the cylinder.

In short, the sideplate supports the hand and ensures it remains in position in order to advance the cylinder. If the sideplate is loose, then the hand can miss the ratchet that advances the cylinder, due to the tight tolerances inside the gun. To prevent this issue from occurring, Colt will now use thread-locking compound on the screws that hold the sideplate in place.

The company encourages owners of Colt Python revolvers to send their gun back to Colt if they're experiencing cylinder-rotation issues. The company will inspect the hand for damage and then properly torque and lock the sideplate screws into place.

Damaged Muzzle Crowns

Some Colt Python owners have noticed damage around the muzzle crown on their gun, which is an issue that Colt found during initial manufacturing and thought it had solved, but it's clear that some guns escaped from the factory with muzzle-crown issues. Owners of guns with this damage can receive a pre-paid label from Colt to get the damage addressed.

For more details on Colt's response to the Python, check out the video above.

Related Reading
SHOT Show 2020: Is There a Problem With the Colt Python?
SHOT Show 2020: Colt Python
5 New Revolvers Seen at SHOT Show 2020

Latest

French resistance fighters with no. 4 enfield rifle bren machinegun world war ii
French resistance fighters with no. 4 enfield rifle bren machinegun world war ii

I Have This Old Gun: French Resistance No. 4 Lee-Enfields

Among all of the No. 4 rifles made throughout World War II, this relatively small batch of guns has a unique history that bears witness to some of the bravest fighters of the war: the French resistance.

New For 2025: Taurus 650

For 2025, Taurus re-introduced its "hammerless" revolver design with the 650, which provides double-action-only operation and a shrouded hammer for a seamless, snag-free profile.

I Have This Old Gun: Norinco Model 320

The Uzi submachine gun is one of the most iconic and recognizable firearms of the 20th century. As a highly successful design with more than 10 million produced to date, it has spawned numerous copies, licensed and otherwise, and has been manufactured everywhere from Belgium to southeast Asia.

Henry Repeating Arms Donates To First Responders Children’s Foundation

Henry Repeating Arms recently donated another $25,000 to the First Responders Children’s Foundation at a celebratory National First Responders Day event in New York City’s Times Square.

Review: Cimarron Cavalry Model Henry Nettleton

While the Colt Single Action Army (SAA), which celebrated its 150th birthday in 2023, is still being made by the company that first brought it into existence, the popularity of the design and its connection with martial and frontier history has created a vibrant market for derivatives, many of which are produced in Italy.

The Armed Citizen® Dec. 23, 2024

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.