Colt Python Target .38 Special 8-inch Royal Blue DA/SA Revolver (1981) — Limited Production with Adjustable Target Sights
This Colt Python Target is a scarce .38 Special-only variant produced in the early 1980s, with limited numbers and premium features that appeal to dedicated target shooters and Colt enthusiasts. Manufactured in 1981, it wears Colt’s high-polish Royal Blue finish over carbon steel and features an 8-inch ventilated-rib barrel with a full underlug and fully adjustable target sights. The rollmarked barrel and K‑prefix serial observed on the crane further identify it as a correct Python Target from this short-run series.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: There are several scuffs and scratches in concentrated areas of the frame and barrel, likely from holster use. The action seems to function very smoothly.
What’s Included
- Black nylon holster with retention strap for long-barrel revolver
- Pachmayr "Gripper" rubber stocks with Colt medallions (installed)
The Python Target was built specifically for .38 Special and produced only in the early 1980s in comparatively small numbers, making it one of the more desirable Python variants. Approximately 3,489 examples were finished in blue and 251 in bright nickel, placing this 1981 Royal Blue example squarely within the limited-production run.
Its 8-inch carbon steel barrel features a ventilated rib and a full-length underlug, paired with a pinned, serrated Patridge-style front sight and a fully adjustable rear target sight. The six-chamber fluted cylinder, knurled ejector-rod tip, and double-action/single-action operation reflect the model’s target-focused configuration while retaining the hallmark Python mechanics.
The revolver carries Colt’s high-polish Royal Blue finish on the frame, barrel, and cylinder, with the prancing Colt logo on the right-side frame. Factory markings include the barrel rollmark "PYTHON TARGET ★ .38 SPECIAL CTG ★" and rib address "COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO.
HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A."
A K-prefix serial is observed on the crane, consistent with the production period. The installed Pachmayr Gripper rubber grips with Colt medallions complement the revolver’s target configuration. Made in the United States, this Python Target presents as a correct and notable example of a short-lived Colt variant.