While most models of Colt's world-famous Python .357 Magnum were service-sized and longer, there were some more abbreviated variants made.
First introduced to Colt's 1955 catalog for a price of $125 and pitched as "a finer gun than you actually need" to "a limited number of gun connoisseurs," the big double-action revolvers most common with barrel lengths in 6-inch and later 4-inch formats.
A few went even longer, with 8-inch Python Hunter, Python Silhouette, and Python Stalker models introduced over time.
With the beefy I-frame revolver produced exclusively with a full lug barrel that carried a vented rib line along the length of its top, the Python always had a commanding and distinctive profile, making it seem even larger in the hand than its specs would belay.
Downsizing, Colt produced a few short runs of these vaunted revolvers with a 3-inch barrel known to collectors as "Combat Pythons," and, off and on between 1955 and 1994, the 2.5-inch model, which still sported full-sized grips.
And they are beautiful.
Colt Python snubs staked out a claim in gun culture in the 1960s and 70s with Det. James "Kimo" Carew (William Smith of "Wolverines" fame) on "Hawaii Five-O," and Philip Marlowe as portrayed by James Garner.
However, they have been out of production for more than 25 years, so CZ-Colt, if you are reading this, you should get on that.
