User:BearfootTruck/Colt Python

The Colt Python is a six-shot, .357 Magnum manufactured by Colt's Manufacturing Company. Intended for the premium market, the Colt Python became one of the most popular revolvers ever made. Even today, it is still a popular handgun thanks to its accuracy & reliability.

History
Colt salesman Bill Henry wanted to introduce a new super target revolver. Prior to this, gunsmiths had been altering other Colt revolvers such as the Officer's Model (not to be confused with the semi-auto of the same name). Colt's management accepted the idea and passed development duties on to gunsmiths Al Gunther & Al DeJohn.

After much work with an Officer's Model frame plus various bits & pieces, a prototype was ready. Originally, the new gun was going to be chambered in .38 Special, but Colt decided that it would be more profitable to chamber it in .357 Magnum. Finally, in 1955, Colt released their new revolver, called the "Python". Coincidentally, the Colt Python was released the same year as another famous revolver: the Smith & Wesson Model 29.

At first, the gun was only built on a limited basis, but demand became so great — in spite of early production problems — that it was put into standard production. The Colt Python proved itself to be popular with civilian & law enforcement alike. Starting in the 1970's, Pythons were boresighted using a laser, the first mass-produced handgun to be boresighted this way.

Despite its success, Colt stopped manufacturing the Python, claiming that changing market conditions & the cost of defending lawsuits made the gun unprofitable. Nevertheless, Colt manufactured Pythons on special order until 2005. Despite being discontinued, the Colt Python continues to be a popular revolver and is readily available on the used gun market. However, despite its widespread availability, the Python has been known to sell for a pretty penny.

Powers
Aside from the firepower imparted to it by the .357 Magnum caliber, the Colt Python has a unique feature: The cylinder locks up when the hammer is fully cocked and stays locked as the hammer strikes the current round. In contrast, most revolvers are a little loose at full cock. Because of this, the Python's accuracy & bullet velocity is improved.

Shadow the Hedgehog
In BearfootTruck's story "The Fakest Things Alive", Shadow has — or rather, had — a Colt Python. His gun had Colt's unique Royal Blue finish. Aside from that, it also had a 6" barrel and walnut grips with the Black Arms emblem etched into them. At some point, he gave it to Sonic for unspecified reasons. Most likely, he gave it away because he liked the firepower of his Model 29 better. However, because Sonic doesn't use guns, he left it as a parting gift for Sharon St. Martin, plus some ammo. It is revealed here that Shadow uses a special type of armor-piercing ammo for his firearms.

Trivia

 * Among other games, the Colt Python is available in Call of Duty: Black Ops, in both 6" & 2½" variants.
 * The Colt Python was featured as the titular weapon of Police Python 357, a French crime movie from 1976.