Colt originally manufactured Pythons with hollow underlugs but left them solid to work as a stabilizing barrel weight. It was initially released with a 6" barrel, then a 4" barrel, and finally a 2.5" barrel which was the shortest barrel that could accommodate the vent on the rib. The Python was the first time Colt used the Royal Blue finish, coming from a very high polish on the gun and then bluing. Initially, only Colt gunsmithgunsmiths Al De John and Don Bedford were the only two gunsmiths allowed to work on the Pythons.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/colt_python_complete_history/138916 | title=Colt Python: A Complete History | date=December 21, 2015 }}</ref> This gunsmithing included intricate hand fitting and polishing and each revolver would take Colt gunsmiths a little longer; about 20 minutes of labor, compared to the 15 minutes (4 guns per hour) of other Colt revolvers.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/colt_python_complete_history/138916 | title=Colt Python: A Complete History | date=December 21, 2015 }}</ref> The Python was initially priced at $125, the same as the reintroduced Single Action Army. Only one Python was built in 1955, a little over 300 Pythons were built by the end of 1956, and more than 100,000 Pythons were built by 1969.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/colt_python_complete_history/138916 | title=Colt Python: A Complete History | date=December 21, 2015 }}</ref> From the 1970s each Python revolver was boresighted at the factory with a laser; the first mass-produced revolver for which this was done.<ref name="Thompson"/>
