Daily Bulletin » Python

Fan Favorites: The Best-Selling Firearms of 2015

Editor — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 15:03:46 +0000

Here at AccurateShooter.com we tend to focus on highly-accurate (1/2-MOA or better), custom-built bolt-action rifles. But for home defense, deer hunting, or just having fun with the grand-kids, factory-built firearms serve their purpose. With that in mind, we wondered, “Just what are the most popular mass-production firearms these days?” Gunbroker.com, the biggest firearms auction site, has tallied the top-selling new and “previously-owned” firearms in various categories for all of last year. Here are Gunbroker’s “Best Selling Firearms” for 2015.

GunBroker.com’s Best-Selling New and Used Firearms of 2015

Some things we expected — the Rem 700 is the top-ranking bolt-action rifle, and the Ruger 10/22 was the leading semi-auto rifle. But notably, the Ruger Precision Rifle (Below) is now the second-best selling bolt rifle in the country. That shows how popular “tactical” style bolt guns have become. It also proves Ruger has created a winner — a fine-shooting rifle that has quickly established a following.

The second most popular bolt-action long-gun is the new Ruger Precision Rifle

In the handgun rankings, there were some surprises. Despite being out of production, the Colt Python is the best-selling used revolver. Why is an out-of-production gun a top-seller? First, high-grade Pythons are actually increasing in value, making this “snake” a good investment. Pythons are also highly accurate, beautifully-finished revolvers with superb triggers. These qualities make the guns highly desirable to serious shooters as well as collectors.

Colt Python (Royal Blue) — An Appreciating Asset

Top Guns — America’s Most Popular Rifles and Pistols

Editor — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 17:20:13 +0000

Here at AccurateShooter.com we tend to focus on highly-accurate (1/2-MOA or better), custom-built bolt-action rifles. But for home defense, deer hunting, or just having fun with the grand-kids, factory-built firearms serve their purpose. With that in mind, we wondered, “Just what are the most popular mass-production firearms these days?” To get a complete answer you must consider both new AND “previously owned” sales figures. Gunbroker.com, the biggest firearms auction site, recently tallied the top-selling firearms in various categories. Below we present Gunbroker’s January 2014 “Best Sellers” among rifles and pistols.

Some things we expected — the Rem 700 is the top-ranking bolt-action rifle, and the Ruger 10/22 was the leading semi-auto rifle. But in the pistol rankings, there were some surprises. Despite being out of production, the Colt Python is the best-selling revolver. Why is an out-of-production gun a top-seller? First, high-grade Pythons are actually increasing in value, making this “snake” a good investment. Pythons are also highly accurate, beautifully-finished revolvers with superb triggers. These qualities make the guns highly desirable to serious shooters as well as collectors.

Top-Selling Firearms on Gunbroker.com

Bolt-Action Rifle	Semi-Auto Rifle	Single-Shot Rifle	Lever Rifle
1. Remington 700 2. Winchester 70 3. Ruger 77 4. Ruger American Rifle 5. Ruger M77	1. Ruger 10/22 2. Smith & Wesson M&P 3. Ruger Mini-14 4. Kel Tec Sub 2000 5. Springfield M1A	1. Ruger No. 1 2. T/C Pro Hunter 3. Winchester 1885 4. T/C Encore 5. Browning 1885	1. Winchester 94 2. Winchester 1894 3. Marlin 336 4. Marlin 1895 5. Marlin 1894

Semi-Auto Pistols	Revolvers	Single-Shot Pistols
1. Smith & Wesson M&P 2. Sig Sauer P226 3. Sig Sauer P238 4. Glock 42 5. Colt 1911	1. Colt Python 2. Smith & Wesson 686 3. Ruger Blackhawk 4. Smith & Wesson 629 5. Ruger GP-100	1. T/C Contender 2. Remington XP-100 3. T/C Encore 4. Bond Texas Defender 5. Colt Derringer

Colt Python (Royal Blue) — An Appreciating Asset

Spectacular Arms on Display in NRA’s Petersen Gallery

Editor — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:15:31 +0000

In late 2010, the NRA’s National Firearms Museum opened its Robert E. Petersen Gallery, which now showcases 400 of the finest and most valuable firearms from the publishing magnate’s world-renowned collection. We know most of you haven’t yet visited the Petersen Gallery, so we’re presenting some “eye candy” from the Gallery to give you an idea of the quality of the collection.

If you can’t make it to Fairfax, VA to view the collection first-hand, you can view a “virtual gallery” on NRAMuseum.com. The flash-based web gallery features hundreds of pro-quality “glamour shots” of the most notable arms in Petersen’s collection, including spectacular double guns and historic Gatlings. Controls allow you to rotate and zoom the images. Below are some representative samples from the Petersen Collection online gallery. CLICK HERE to view dozens more.

Investment Grade Snakes — Royal Blue 'Precious Metal'

Editor — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 18:29:46 +0000

The recent multi-trillion-dollar orgy of federal spending has many economic experts worried about the “I word” — inflation. As the government borrows more and more money, these experts caution we can expect the dollar to fall and prices to rise. Are there “safe havens” in inflationary times? Real estate is depressed, the stock market has been devastated, and as for bonds… well if interest rates rise in the months ahead, you have to be very careful about buying low-return bonds right now.

We are NOT qualified to hand out investment advice, particularly in these troubled economic times when all the “conventional wisdom” has gone by the wayside. Nonetheless, it appears that demand for fine firearms remains high. In particular, “classic” high-grade revolvers have been appreciating even while stocks tumble and home values sink.

Colt Python — An Appreciating Asset
Among the most desirable of double-action revolvers is the Colt Python, preferrably with Colt’s famous high-polish Royal Blue finish. Pristine blued Pythons sold for $800.00-$900.00 just a few years ago. Now the same revolvers are fetching up to $1900.00 at auction. The mint-condition 1977 6″ Python shown below sold for $1850.00 just last week on Gunbroker.com, and there were 15 bidders! (See Completed Auction 125683644.)

Would a Python be a good short- or long-term investment? You have to decide that for yourself. But consider this: Colt stopped producing Pythons in 2005, so the supply is fixed. And the recent Pythons are not (yet) considered as desirable as Pythons made in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. So the price of the older Pythons keeps rising. Pythons were produced with 2.5″, 4″, 6″ and 8″ barrels. All lengths are popular, but the 6″ Python seems to be the most sought-after currently.

If you’ve ever carefully inspected a Royal Blue Python, and worked the action, you’ll understand why they are so popular. The liquid-like ultra-smooth blued finish is simply the best ever offered on an American handgun. Chuck Hawks writes: “Colt’s Royal Blue is the ultimate polished blue finish for steel guns. No other blued production revolver can compare to the beauty of Colt’s Royal Blue Python.” And the Python’s double-action trigger is considered by many to be the smoothest ever made. The triggers on S&W Performance center revolvers are very, very good, but the trigger in a 60s or 70s Python is better — right out of the box. Typically, Pythons are extremely accurate, shooting sub-inch at 25 yards. Ergonomically, Pythons are a pleasure to shoot because the bore axis is lower than on most other large-frame revolvers. Chuck Hawks agrees: “Subjectively, this finest of all DA revolvers is a soft shooter… most shooters feel that the Python kicks less than other DA magnum revolvers of comparable weight.”