I have always wanted one of these but the asking prices seem insane. Over two grand usually. The one I really want is a six inch nickel plated.
What I am wondering is what people think is a realistic price? I'm wondering if I should just jump on the next one I see for 2,500 - 3,000 or if I should keep waiting and hope I get lucky.
The problem is you only see sock drawer ones for sale usually. For some reason they are ALWAYS mint. You also have to be very careful as I think quite a few go back to Colt for refinishing get counterfeit boxes and papers and then are sold NIB. Go to the Colt forum and educate yourself, they are scary smart over there. The nickel one you see in my avatar which is exactly what you want I bought for $1100 two years since the timing was off. I cleaned it, fixed the timing issue and shot it for a while and sold it last year for $2400 and it certainly had its rub marks and use. If it was sock drawer mint it is a $3500 gun.
You don't state if you are a subject of MA or live in a free state. If you are in MA, you are pretty much screwed since you can't bring them into the state.
Keep your eyes open, I was at a gunshow a few months ago and saw a near-mint blued python with 8" barrel for only $2000. Reason being it was dirty and needed to be polished. That was at least $800 below market, so they are out there!
If you are going to pay a premium, educate yourself on the rampant fraud with rampant Colts.
If you are looking for a accurate revolver with a sweet trigger, just buy a S&W 686 and drop it off at David Santurri in North Attleboro.
Otherwise, you have to just poke around at gun shops and gun shows hoping to get lucky. Four Seasons has had a pretty steady diet of Pythons through the shop, but they are not cheap.
Chris