Colt Python Value: How Much Is It Worth Right Now?

How We Calculate Used Colt Python Values

The value of a Colt Python is affected by its condition, model, date of production, finish, and upgrades. Market trends affect demand too.

Rating a Colt Python’s Condition

Like all other guns, better-condition Colt Pythons are worth it. The lower your gun is on the scale below, the lower the amount you can ask for it.

• New or mint - Preowned but never-fired guns in perfect shape. Often sold for around 10% less of retail.
• Excellent - Rarely used guns that look almost perfect. Often sold for around 20% less of retail.
• Very good - Rarely used guns with mild wear marks. Often sold for around 30% less of retail.
• Good - Used but well-maintained guns. Often sold for around 40% less of retail.
• Fair - Used but not well-maintained guns. Often sold for around 50% less of retail.
• Poor - Damaged guns that may not even work. Often sold for much less than 50% of retail.

To see how we professionally evaluate your firearm (for free) and turn that condition into a payout, view our 3-step selling process for a guaranteed FFL offer.

How We Appraise Colt Python Models

The Colt Python models fall into several generations. People disagree on how many generations exist, but we can simplify them into two: Gen 1 for the classic design and Gen 2 for the modern.

Let’s take a look at how much a regular gun from each generation will usually be worth. We’ll also provide value estimates for notable models.

We’ll exclude the most collectible models from the Gen 1 guns for now, though. You’ll see why later.

Gen 1 Colt Python Value (1955-2005)

The average used Gen 1 Colt Python is worth $1,200 to $4,000.

The classic, with its unique barrel rib and balance. These were made from 1955 to 2005. First-year guns are most valuable, but we’ll talk about them later in the date section.

Gen 2 Colt Python Value (2020-onwards)

The average used Gen 2 Colt Python is worth $600 to $1,100.

The modern redesign of the Python with a removable front sight and counter-sunk barrel crown. It has tighter tolerances and a slightly modified trigger guard.

Colt Python Target .38 Special Value

The average used Colt Python Target .38 Special is worth $1,700 to $3,200.

A Gen 1 gun. This is collectible as Colt only made a few of them (around 4,000). The modern Target shoots .357s, which only makes the .38 one more desirable.

Colt Python Hunter Value

The average used Colt Python Hunter is worth $2,000 to $4,000.

Another of the rare Gen 1 Colt Pythons. It was a short-production-run model that had notable factory-installed upgrades. These included Pachmayr Grips and Leupold Scopes.

Colt Python Stalker Value

The average used Colt Python Stalker is worth $5,000 to $10,000.

Also a rare Gen 1 Colt Python. The Stalker was extremely rare because only 200 were made in 1988. Like the Hunter, they were scoped from the factory and done in stainless steel.

This is a model that holds value well. Because it’s a premium firearm in the line, we use a secure gun shipping and buying system to ensure every transaction is fully insured and legally compliant.

Colt Python Silhouette Value

The average used Colt Python Silhouette is worth $4,000 to $6,000.

Yet another rare Gen 1 Python! This was offered for a limited time in the Royal Blue finish with a factory Leupold M8-2X scope boasting a Colt medallion on one side. Highly collectible again.

Colt Python Ten Pointer Series Value

The average used Colt Python Ten Pointer Series is worth $3,000 to $5,000.

Joining the ranks of the low-production and high-value Gen 1 Pythons is the Ten Pointer. Factory-fitted with a Burris 3X scope and done in Royal Blue, only about 250 of these were made.

Colt Python Combat Elite Value

The average used Colt Python Combat Elite is worth $650 to $1,120.

The slightly bulldog-ish Combat Elite is very similar to the Python Gen 2 with a mild redesign. It’s the combat-ready version with an unfluted cylinder and a shorter grip.

How to Date a Colt Python?

To date your Colt Python, start by buying it flowers.

Kidding aside, dating Colt Pythons is especially important with the Gen 1s. 1955 ones are particularly valuable because it’s the gun’s “birth year.”

Here are some estimates of the usual sale Colt Python values by decade of production. This should give you a rough idea of how much that can affect valuation.

• 1950s Python - Usually $2,500 to $16,000 (the top end is for mint 1955 ones)
• 1960s Python - Usually $2,000 to $4,800
• 1970s Python - Usually $1,600 to $3,200
• 1980s Python - Usually $1,400 to $2,300
• 1990s Python - Usually $1,200 to $2,000
• 2020s Python - Usually $720 to $1,100

How Colt Python Finishes Affect Value

These are the usual trends for Colt Python finishes:

• Glossier finishes are preferred, e.g. the Ultimate Python’s mirror-gloss stainless finish is preferred to the regular Python’s glossy stainless one.
• Blued finishes are preferred to matte or nickel ones.
• 1950s to 1970s Royal Blue finishes are preferred to later blued finishes, being richer in colour.
• Rarer finishes are preferred by collectors, e.g. the factory gold-plated special variants.

If your Python has a preferred finish, you can nudge it to the higher end of the value range. For most, it’s just a 10% uplift. It can be more in collectible models.

For example, we’ve seen a mint-condition nickel 1955 Colt Python go for $30,050 to a collector. Yet a Royal Blue one from the same year and in the same condition sold for even more – $51,000!

How Upgrades Affect What We Pay for Your Colt Python

The Python’s such a good gun out of the factory that most people don’t bother with upgrades. Most Pythons we see in resale are stock-config. However, some people do upgrade the sights.

The most common sight upgrade we see is the Wilson Combat Rear Combat Sights for Colt Pythons. You can get these for $113.95 new.

Wilson Combat sights tend to keep value well. You can often add 30% to 50% of their brand-new price to the gun’s value (around $24 to $56) if they’re not beat up.

The Process to Sell a Colt Python to Us

Selling a Python shouldn't be complicated. We provide a streamlined process that handles the heavy lifting for you.

• Step 1: Get an instant quote based on your gun’s specific model and condition.
• Step 2: Accept our offer and ship your gun with our prepaid label.
• Step 3: Get paid the same day we validate it.