A covert operation or undercover operation is a military or police operation involving a covert agent or troops acting under an assumed cover to conceal the identity of the party responsible.
120-513: The Colt Python is a double action/single action revolver chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge. It was first introduced in 1955 by the Colt's Manufacturing Company . Pythons have a reputation for accuracy, smooth trigger pull, and a tight cylinder lock-up. Pythons, built on Colt's large I-frame, are similar in size and function to the Colt Trooper and Colt Lawman revolvers. The Colt Python
240-530: A Trooper Mk V frame. Six hundred 6-inch revolvers and six hundred 4-inch revolvers were made, of which one hundred were matched sets. Though it resembles a Python visually, it is substantially different internally. The second was the stainless steel Colt Grizzly of 1994, another limited-production .357 Magnum revolver. It uses a Python barrel mated to a Colt King Cobra frame. Five hundred of these revolvers were manufactured, with six-inch Magna-ported barrels and smooth, unfluted cylinders. The ported barrel includes
360-411: A quicker initiation of fire, but compromised by having a longer, heavier trigger pull, which can affect accuracy compared to the lighter, shorter trigger pull of a single-action fire. In a DA/SA semi-automatic pistol , the trigger mechanism functions identically to that of a DA revolver. However, this is combined with the ability of the pistol slide to automatically cock the hammer when firing. Thus,
480-488: A uniform , to avoid detection or identification as a law enforcement officer. However, plainclothes police officers typically carry normal police equipment and normal identification. Police detectives are assigned to wear plainclothes by not wearing the uniform typically worn by their peers. Police officers in plainclothes must identify themselves when using their police powers; however, they are not always required to identify themselves on demand and may lie about their status as
600-436: A "buffer zone" that prevents the shooter from "jerking the trigger", allowing the remnant pressing force from the finger to be dampened via a "follow-through" motion. Although a perceivable overtravel can be felt as adding to the "creep" of the trigger break, it is not always considered a bad thing by some shooters. An overtravel stop will arrest the motion of the trigger blade and prevent excessive movement. When user releases
720-455: A 2018 study by University of Chicago political scientist Austin Carson, covert operations may have the beneficial effect of preventing escalation of disputes into full-blown wars. He argues that keeping military operations secret can limit escalation dynamics, as well as insulate leaders from domestic pressures while simultaneously allowing them communicating their interest to the adversary in keeping
840-587: A 3X Burris scope, wooden grips, an extra set of neoprene composition grips and a carrying case. Two Colt revolver variants using Python barrels but not Python frames or internals were made in small numbers by Colt. The first was the Colt Boa of 1985, a limited production run of 1,200 .357 Magnum revolvers, made for the Lew Horton Distributing Company in Massachusetts. It uses a Python barrel mated to
960-403: A 6-inch (15 cm) barrel, a compact 4-inch (10 cm) came afterward. Between 1955 and 1994, a downsized 2.5-inch (6.4 cm) barrel version was introduced which still sported full-sized grips. Colt also produced a few short runs of revolvers with a 3-inch (7.6 cm) barrel known to collectors as "Combat Pythons." In 1980, an 8-inch (20 cm) barrel Python was introduced chambered for
1080-562: A bear footprint. Similar to the Grizzly was the Colt Kodiak, which was a Colt Anaconda with a Magna-ported barrel and an unfluted cylinder. Approximately 2,000 Kodiaks were manufactured. All original Colt Pythons use the original Colt E/I frame type mechanics with a leaf hammer spring design in common with earlier Colt models, including the postwar Colt .357 Magnum model and the pre-war Colt Official Police and Army Special models. As described above,
1200-477: A cartridge or loading the chamber, the hammer or striker will rest in a partially cocked position. The trigger serves the function of completing the cocking cycle and then releasing the striker or hammer. While technically two actions, it differs from a double-action trigger in that the trigger is not capable of fully cocking the striker or hammer. It differs from single-action in that if the striker or hammer were to release, it would generally not be capable of igniting
1320-435: A degree of safety in the field compared to having a conventional, very light trigger. There are two types: single set and double set. Set triggers are most likely to be seen on customized weapons and competition rifles where a light trigger pull is beneficial to accuracy. A single set trigger is usually one trigger that may be fired with a conventional amount of trigger pull weight or may be "set" – usually by pushing forward on
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#17329028645761440-409: A distinct appearance due to a full barrel underlug, ventilated rib and adjustable sights. Colt revolver cylinders rotate clockwise compared to counter-clockwise of other revolvers (like Smith & Wesson or Ruger ). When the revolver is at full cock, just as the trigger is pressed, the cylinder locks up for the duration of the hammer strike. As the trigger is pressed, the cylinder moves into lockup by
1560-727: A formal plainclothes detective division. The first Special Branch of police was the Special Irish Branch , formed as a section of the Criminal Investigation Department of the MPS in London in 1883, initially to combat the bombing campaign that the Irish Republican Brotherhood had begun a few years earlier. This pioneering branch became the first to receive training in counter-terrorism techniques. Its name
1680-477: A fully adjustable white-outline Accro rear sight and a 1 ⁄ 8 -inch (3 mm) front ramp with red inset. A wide spur, checkered hammer and grooved, curved trigger. Initially only a blued finish was offered, it was the first time Colt produced the Royal Blue finish. Soon after the introduction, a nickel finish was added, and together with Royal Blue, these were the two factory finishes. Initially made only with
1800-424: A heavier weight and little or no discernible movement. A perceivably slow trigger break is often referred to as a "creep", and frequently described as an unfavorable feature. The trigger overtravel happens immediately after the break and is typically a short distance and can be considered an inertially accelerated motion caused by the residual push of the finger coupled with the sudden decrease in resistance after
1920-480: A limited number of Pythons with 4-inch and 6-inch barrels, as gifts to friends. Casing and barrel were embossed with His Majesty's crest. The Python for King Juan Carlos of Spain bore his name in flush gold on the sideplate. Among other celebrated recipients: King Khalid and Prince Fahd ( Saudi Arabia ), King Hassan ( Morocco ), Sheik Zayed ( United Arab Emirates ), President Anwar Sadat ( Egypt ) and President Hafez Assad ( Syria )." The Colt Python featured
2040-467: A manual safety that additionally may serve to decock the hammer. Some have a facility (generally a lever or button) to safely lower the hammer. As a disadvantage, these controls are often intermingled with other controls such as slide releases, magazine releases, take-down levers, takedown lever lock buttons, loaded chamber indicators, barrel tip-up levers, etc. These variables become confusing and require more complicated manuals-of-arms. One other disadvantage
2160-563: A number of other models. The Colt Custom Gun Shop continued making a limited number of Pythons on special order until 2005, when this limited production ceased. First generation Colt Pythons had a higher cost due to the "hand fitting" by gunsmith specialists that were required due the variations that came from that era's limited capabilities with regards to the mass production and machining of precision steel parts. This required expensive gunsmith specialists to file and hand fit parts together, contributing to high labor costs. The 2020 reintroduction of
2280-534: A phenomenon where the weight of pull sharply increases at the end of the trigger's travel. All new production Pythons are shipped with Altamont wood grips. The Python has been extremely popular with both target shooters and law enforcement. The Python immediately made inroads into the law enforcement market when introduced, with the 6-inch barrel being popular with uniformed officers and the 4-inch barrel considered optimal for plainclothes use. The Colorado State Patrol issued 4-inch blue Pythons until their switch to
2400-527: A police pistol. These weapons also generally lack any type of external safety. DAO is common among police agencies and for small, personal protection firearms. The primary drawback is that the additional trigger pull weight and travel required for each shot reduces accuracy. Pre-set triggers offer a balance of pull weight, trigger travel, safety, and consistency. Glock popularized this trigger in modern pistols and many other manufacturers have released pre-set striker products of their own. The primary disadvantage
2520-466: A reputation for being fragile when subjected to hard use with magnum loads. So for the second generation Colts, engineers redesigned the rear sight which allowed them to add 30 percent more steel above the cylinder in the top strap. Furthermore, the steel used in the second generation benefits of stronger modern metallurgy. The 410-series stainless steel Colt has used in Pythons since 1983 has been replaced with
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#17329028645762640-488: A result an external safety is sometimes employed. Double-action triggers provide the ability to fire the gun whether the hammer is cocked or uncocked. This feature is desirable for military, police, or self-defense pistols. The primary disadvantage of any double-action trigger is the extra length the trigger must be pulled and the extra weight required to overcome the spring tension of the hammer or striker. DA/SA pistols are versatile mechanisms. These firearms generally have
2760-496: A single-action mechanism altogether, more commonly DAO revolvers are modifications of existing DA/SA models, with identical internals, only with access to the hammer prevented, either by covering it with a shroud or by removing the thumb spur. In both cases, the goal is to prevent the possible snagging of the hammer spur on clothing or holster. Due to the imposed limitation in accuracy, the majority of DAO revolvers have been short-barrel, close-range "snub" weapons, where rapidity of draw
2880-418: A slight loss of accuracy, which on a Python may not even be noticeable to many shooters. Colt beefed up the robustness by increasing the quality of the steel, hardness of the parts, and the amount of steel for the 2020 release of the second generation Pythons. Stacking , a phenomenon where the weight of pull sharply increases at the end of the trigger's travel, was an issue for the first generation Pythons. For
3000-549: A smooth non-fluted cylinder, a Leupold M8-2x Extended E.R. scope, and rubber grips with the Colt Medallion. A small number of Pythons were gold and silver plated for various commemoratives and special orders throughout the years. In 1982, the Colt Python Silhouette came with a rib-mounted Leupold scope and Pachmayr grips, and housed in a black fitted-case with nickel trim. There was also an 8-inch Ten Pointer Series with
3120-401: A spring) the hammer/striker, rotating a revolver 's cylinder , deactivating internal safeties , transitioning between different firing modes (see progressive trigger ), or reducing the pull weight (see set trigger ). A single-action (SA) trigger is the earliest and mechanically simplest of trigger types. It is called "single-action" because it performs the single function of releasing
3240-416: 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 gunsmith Al De John and Don Bedford were the only two gunsmiths allowed to work on
3360-502: A stronger more corrosion resistant alloy. It is available with a 3 in (7.6 cm), 4.25 in (10.8 cm) or 6 in (15 cm) barrel. The Colt Python is powered by a V-spring versus the Smith & Wesson’s leaf spring. Since the 2020-update, the V-spring has been redesigned into a "U" shape, in addition to simplifying and subtracting parts from the lockwork, to prevent "stacking",
3480-451: A tendency to go " out of time " with continued heavy shooting. Going "out of time" or mis-timing on a revolver is a condition in which the hand does not move each and every cylinder chamber to the exact correct rotation with respect to the forcing cone. Furthermore, any revolver used for many thousands of rounds may eventually require the same timing adjustments. In any case, the first and most common symptom of typical timing issues will be only
3600-415: A trigger pull to both cock and trip the hammer/striker for every single shot, unlike a DA/SA, which only requires a double-action trigger pull for the first shot (or a typical DA/SA revolver, which can fire single action any time the user wishes but uses double-action as a default). This means that there is no single-action function for any shot, and the hammer or striker always rests in the down position until
3720-491: A war contained. He finds that covert operations are frequently detected by other major powers. A 2024 study found that state denials of covert actions, even when the covert actions were obvious, could have a de-escalatory effect (compared to making the covert action public). To go " undercover " (that is, to go on an undercover operation ) is to avoid detection by the object of one's observation, and especially to disguise one's own identity (or use an assumed identity ) for
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3840-426: A way to catch the hammer on release; while the other two have three-position safety selectors and a way to capture the hammer on release. In these triggers, the third position activates the pull and release mode, while the center selector position causes the trigger to only drop the hammer when pulled. A set trigger allows a shooter to have a greatly reduced trigger pull (the resistance of the trigger) while maintaining
3960-463: Is a covert or clandestine operation by a government agency , a military unit or a paramilitary organization in which the operation itself is at least partially hidden from the organization or government's own scrutiny. For example, in the United States, some activities by military and intelligence agencies are funded by a classified " black budget ", of which the details, and sometimes even
4080-430: Is a mechanism that actuates the function of a ranged weapon such as a firearm , airgun , crossbow , or speargun . The word may also be used to describe a switch that initiates the operation of other non-shooting devices such as a trap , a power tool , or a quick release . A small amount of energy applied to the trigger leads to the release of much more energy. Most triggers use a small flattened lever (called
4200-445: Is a trigger that must perform the double function of both cocking and releasing the hammer/striker. Such trigger design either has no internal sear mechanism capable of holding the hammer/striker in a still position (so cocking and releasing have to happen in one uninterrupted sequence), or has the whole hammer shrouded and/or with the thumb spur machined off, preventing the user from manipulating it separately. This design requires
4320-504: Is also known as traditional double-action (TDA), as the vast majority of modern "double-action" handguns (both revolvers and semi-automatic pistols ) use this type of trigger instead of "double-action only" (DAO). In simple terms, "double-action" refers to a trigger mechanism that both cocks the hammer and then releases the sear, thus performing two "acts", although it is supposed to describe doing both strictly with one trigger pull only. However, in practice most double-action guns feature
4440-427: Is cited as a likely factor. The environment that agents work in often involves a very liberal exposure to the consumption of alcohol, which in conjunction with the stress and isolation could result in alcoholism. There can be some guilt associated with going undercover due to betraying those who have come to trust the officer. This can cause anxiety or even, in very rare cases, sympathy with those being targeted. This
4560-407: Is considerably different from his counterparts on regular duties, whose main source of stress is the administration and the bureaucracy. As the undercover agents are removed from the bureaucracy, it may result in another problem. The lack of the usual controls of a uniform, badge, constant supervision, a fixed place of work, or (often) a set assignment could, combined with their continual contact with
4680-523: Is especially true with the infiltration of political groups, as often the agent will share similar characteristics with those they are infiltrating like class, age, ethnicity or religion. This could even result in the conversion of some agents. The lifestyle led by undercover agents is very different compared to other areas in law enforcement, and it can be quite difficult to reintegrate back into normal duties. Agents work their own hours, they are removed from direct supervisory monitoring, and they can ignore
4800-412: Is essential and limited accuracy is already an acceptable compromise. The purpose of a DAO action in a semi-automatic is mostly to avoid the change in trigger pull between the first and subsequent shots that one experiences in a DA/SA pistol, while avoiding the perceived danger of carrying a cocked single-action handgun, although it also avoids having to carry a cocked and loaded pistol, or having to lower
4920-418: Is essentially a firing pin directly loaded to a spring, eliminating the need to be struck by a separate hammer. The firing pin/striker then collides into the cartridge primer positioned ahead of it, which contains shock-sensitive compounds (e.g., lead styphnate ) that sparks to ignite the propellant powder within the cartridge case and thus discharges the projectile . The trapping interface between
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5040-596: Is intended for the premium revolver market segment. Produced from 1955 to 2005, and again since 2020, it was described by historian R.L. Wilson as "the Rolls-Royce of Colt revolvers", and firearms historian Ian V. Hogg referred to it as the "best revolver in the world." Some firearm collectors and writers such as Jeff Cooper and Ian V. Hogg have described the Python as "the finest production revolver ever made". The Colt Python did not have an intensive development program, it
5160-601: Is no data on the divorce rates of agents, but strain on relationships does occur. This can be a result of a need for secrecy and an inability to share work problems, and the unpredictable work schedule, personality and lifestyle changes and the length of separation can all result in problems for relationships. Stress can also result from an apparent lack of direction of the investigation or not knowing when it will end. The amount of elaborate planning, risk, and expenditure can pressure an agent to succeed, which can cause considerable stress. The stress that an undercover agent faces
5280-404: Is often considered the most critical stage of the trigger pull for achieving good practical accuracy, since it happens just prior to the shot being discharged and can cause some unwanted shakes from the shooter's hand at the instant of firing. Shooter preferences vary; some prefer a soft break with a smooth but discernible amount of trigger travel during firing, while others prefer a crisp break with
5400-412: Is that pulling the trigger a second time after a failure to fire will not re-strike the primer. In normal handling of the firearm, this is not an issue; loading the gun requires that the slide be retracted, pre-setting the striker. Clearing a malfunction also usually involves retracting the slide following the " tap rack bang " procedure. Covert operation#Plainclothes law enforcement Under US law,
5520-399: Is the difference between the first double-action pull and subsequent single-action pulls. DAO firearms resolve some DA/SA shortcomings by making every shot a double-action shot. Because there is no difference in pull weights, training and practice are simplified. Additionally, the heavier trigger pull can help to prevent a negligent discharge under stress. This is a particular advantage for
5640-423: Is the maintenance of identity and the second is the reintegration back into normal duty. Living a double life in a new environment presents many problems. Undercover work is one of the most stressful jobs a special agent can undertake. The largest cause of stress identified is the separation of an agent from friends, family and his normal environment. This simple isolation can lead to depression and anxiety. There
5760-399: Is to rack the slide, clearing the round and recocking the hammer. While this can be advantageous in that many rounds will fire on being struck a second time, and it is faster to pull the trigger a second time than to cycle the action, if the round fails to fire on the second strike, the user will be forced to clear the round anyway, thus using up even more time than if they had simply done so in
5880-705: The Brigade de la Sûreté ("Security Brigade"), which was later converted to a security police unit under the Prefecture of Police . The Sûreté initially had eight, then twelve, and, in 1823, twenty employees. One year later, it expanded again, to 28 secret agents. In addition, there were eight people who worked secretly for the Sûreté, but instead of a salary, they received licences for gambling halls. A major portion of Vidocq's subordinates comprised ex-criminals like himself. Vidocq personally trained his agents, for example, in selecting
6000-581: The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) must lead covert operations unless the president finds that another agency should do so and informs Congress. The CIA's authority to conduct covert action comes from the National Security Act of 1947 . President Ronald Reagan issued Executive Order 12333 titled United States Intelligence Activities in 1984. This order defined covert action as "special activities", both political and military, that
6120-622: The LeMat , as well as early metallic cartridge revolvers such as the Colt Model 1873 "Single Action Army" (named for its trigger mechanism) and Smith & Wesson Model 3 , all of which required a thumb to cock the hammer before firing. Single-action triggers with manually cocked external hammers lasted a while longer in some break-action shotguns and in dangerous game rifles, where the hunter did not want to rely on an unnecessarily complex or fragile weapon. While single-action revolvers never lost favor in
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#17329028645766240-507: The NRA Whittington Center Adventure Camp . With the re-introduction of the new 2020-era Colt Python, whenever examining issues of a Colt Python it is necessary to first determine whether the inquiry is in regard to the first generation 1955–2005 Python model or the redesigned second generation 2020-era Python with improved internals and upgraded robustness. A downside to the older generation Colt Python's precision as
6360-544: The Smith & Wesson Centennial , the Type 26 Revolver , and the Enfield No. 2 Mk I* and Mk I** revolvers, in which there is no external hammer spur, or which simply lack the internal sear mechanism capable of holding the hammer in the cocked position. A double-action/single-action (DA/SA) trigger is a hybrid design combining the features of both single- and double-action mechanisms. It
6480-589: The Smith & Wesson Model 27 , S&W Model 60 , the Colt Police Positive , Colt Python , etc. Early double-action revolvers included the Beaumont–Adams and Tranter black-powder muzzleloaders . There are some revolvers that can only be fired in double-action mode (DAO), but that is almost always due to existing double-action/single-action models being modified so that the hammer cannot be cocked manually, rather than from weapons designed that way from
6600-473: The kinetic energy from the spring releasing, and a firing pin to eventually strike and ignite the primer. There are two primary types of striking mechanisms – hammer and striker . A hammer is a pivoting metallic component subjected to spring tension so when released will swing forward to strike a firing pin like a mallet hitting a punch / chisel , which then relays the hammer impulse by moving forward rapidly along its longitudinal axis. A striker
6720-422: The organized crime , increase the likelihood for corruption. This stress may be instrumental in the development of drug or alcohol abuse in some agents. They are more prone to the development of an addiction as they suffer greater stress than other police, they are isolated, and drugs are often very accessible. Police, in general, have very high alcoholism rates compared to most occupational groups, and stress
6840-608: The trigger blade ) depressed by the index finger , but some weapons such as the M2 Browning machine gun or the Iron Horse TOR ("thumb-operated receiver") use a push-button -like thumb-actuated trigger design, and others like the Springfield Armory M6 Scout use a squeeze-bar trigger similar to the "ticklers" on medieval European crossbows . Although the word "trigger" technically implies the entire mechanism (known as
6960-406: The trigger group ), colloquially it is usually used to refer specifically to the trigger blade. Most firearm triggers are "single-action", meaning that the trigger is designed only for the single function of disengaging the sear , which allows for a spring -tensioned hammer / striker to be released. In "double-action" firearm designs, the trigger also performs the additional function of cocking
7080-510: The .38 Special. The Colt Python Target .38 Special was made in Royal Blue and only 251 Colt Python Targets were given the nickel finish. Also the Colt Python Hunter was unveiled, which was the 8-inch Python with Pachmayr grips, factory-mounted 2X Leupold scope on the barrel with Redfield mounts, and packaged in a Haliburton case that included a Colt-marked plastic ammunition box, wood handle cleaning rod and tool kit. The Colt Python Hunter
7200-402: The 1970s each Python revolver was boresighted at the factory with a laser; the first mass-produced revolver for which this was done. In October 1999, Colt announced that it would cease production of Python revolvers. In a 2000 follow-up letter to distributors, the company cited changing market conditions and the costs of defending lawsuits as the reasons to discontinue the Python line, as well as
7320-463: The 2020 release of the second generation Pythons, Colt redesigned the lockwork, simplifying and subtracting parts, and redesigning the V-spring into a "U" shape where 'stacking' is no longer an issue. Author Martin Dougherty notes the weight of the Python as a drawback, as it is quite heavy for a handgun of its caliber, ranging from 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) to 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg). This makes
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#17329028645767440-433: The 9mm semi-automatic pistols fire a round with similar characteristics to the .38 Special with higher capacity, they began a migration to these, and other, semi-automatic pistol cartridges. The move away from the Python is also being driven by the increasing number of law enforcement agencies which require officers to carry department-issue weapons (as a way to reduce liability). A Python, loaded with semiwadcutter bullets,
7560-505: The Boa and Grizzly are structurally part of the Mk.III/Mk.V revolver product lines which use the much later J and V designated frames. These various hybrids are very collectible due to low production quantities, but because they are a completely different revolver action based upon the later coil-mainspring Colt products, they may not be considered Pythons. In 1997 manufacture of the Python was switched from
7680-540: The Colt Python was partially made possible with the increased precision of machining and improvements of tolerances and strength of metal injection molding, negating the need for "hand fitting" by expensive specialists. The second generation Colt Python was officially released by Colt in January 2020. The new second generation Pythons were strengthened and made to be more robust by being built out of stronger stainless steel than
7800-710: The Italian Squad in 1906 to combat rampant crime and intimidation in the poor Italian neighborhoods. Various federal agencies began their own undercover programs shortly afterwards – Charles Joseph Bonaparte founded the Bureau of Investigation, the forerunner of the Federal Bureau of Investigation , in 1908. Secret police forces in the Eastern Bloc also used undercover operatives. Undercover agents may engage in criminal activities as part of their investigation. Joh defined
7920-468: The Python comparable to Smith & Wesson 's premier .357, the M27 , which weighs 2.6 lb (1.2 kg) with a 4-inch (10 cm) barrel. Both revolvers are 6 to 9 ounces (170 to 260 g) lighter than Smith and Wesson's more powerful M29 .44 Magnum, which weighs 3.0 lb (1.4 kg) in 6 + 1 ⁄ 2 -inch (17 cm) barrel configuration. Trigger (firearms)#Double-action A trigger
8040-470: The Pythons. 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. 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. From
8160-574: The S&;W .40 caliber autoloader. Georgia State Patrol issued Pythons in the 1980s until their transition to Glock semiautomatic pistols in the 1990s. Florida Highway Patrol issued Pythons to their officers in the 1980s until their transition to the Beretta 92FS in the late 1980s. Python has since fallen out of common use, along with all revolvers, due to changing law enforcement needs that favor semi-automatic pistols. When law-enforcement agencies realized that
8280-694: The US Government could legally deny. The CIA was also designated as the sole authority under the 1991 Intelligence Authorization Act and in Title 50 of the United States Code Section 413(e). The CIA must have a "Presidential Finding" issued by the President in order to conduct these activities under the Hughes-Ryan amendment to the 1991 Intelligence Authorization Act. These findings are then monitored by
8400-560: The US right up until the birth of the semi-automatic pistol , double-action revolvers such as the Beaumont–Adams were designed in Europe before the American Civil War broke out and saw great popularity all through the latter half of the 19th century, with certain numbers being sold in the US as well. While many European and some American revolvers were designed as double-action models throughout
8520-447: The cocked position when it is pulled to the rear and the trigger is not depressed. In a revolver , this means that simply squeezing the trigger when the hammer is lowered will both cock and release it. If the user uses their thumb to pull the hammer to the back, but does not press the trigger, the mechanism will lock the hammer in the cocked position until the trigger is pressed, just like a single action. Firing in double-action mode allows
8640-462: The correct disguise based on the kind of job. He himself went out hunting for criminals too. His memoirs are full of stories about how he outsmarted crooks by pretending to be a beggar or an old cuckold . At one point, he even simulated his own death. In England, the first modern police force was established in 1829 by Sir Robert Peel as the Metropolitan Police of London. From the start,
8760-429: The cylinder, frame, and top-strap due to problems with blowback and firing pins from the excessive pressure from the .357 Magnum hammering the recoil plate. The recoil plate, a separate piece set into the frame, was eliminated by putting the firing-pin hole directly into the frame and making the top strap and crane more robust. Al Gunther first suggested having the iconic vent rib across the barrel. The Python snake name for
8880-566: The dress and etiquette rules. So resettling back into the normal police role requires the shedding of old habits, language and dress. After working such free lifestyles, agents may have discipline problems or exhibit neurotic responses. They may feel uncomfortable, and take a cynical, suspicious or even paranoid world view and feel continually on guard. Other risks include capture, death and torture . Undercover agents should not be confused with law enforcement officers who wear plainclothes —that is, to wear civilian clothing , instead of wearing
9000-608: The factory. A release trigger releases the hammer or striker when the trigger is released by the shooter, rather than when it is pulled. A binary trigger is a trigger for a semiautomatic firearm that drops the hammer both when the trigger is pulled, and also when it is released. Examples include the AR-15 series of rifles, produced by Franklin Armory, Fostech Outdoors, and Liberty Gun Works. The AR-15 trigger as produced by Liberty Gun Works only functions in pull and release mode, and does not have
9120-467: The first generation, increasing the steel mass of the backstrap, and thirty percent more steel beneath the rear adjustable sight. When Colts were first introduced, they were initially designed to shoot bullseye matches, and during the 1950s and 60's most shooters were using light .38 Specials for their matches. But as the Pythons became more widely adopted with law enforcement and shooters who ran their guns with higher powered .357 Magnum rounds, Pythons gained
9240-421: The first place. The Taurus PT 24/7 Pro pistol (not to be confused with the first-generation 24/7 which was a traditional pre-set) offered this feature starting in 2006. The Walther P99 Anti-Stress is another example. A double-crescent trigger provides select fire capability without the need for a fire mode selector switch. Pressing the upper segment of the trigger produced semi-automatic fire, while holding
9360-405: The force occasionally employed plainclothes undercover detectives, but there was much public anxiety that its powers were being used for the purpose of political repression. In part due to these concerns, the 1845 official Police Orders required all undercover operations to be specifically authorized by the superintendent . It was only in 1869 that Police commissioner Edmund Henderson established
9480-481: The hammer from accidentally dropping, or a " decocker " – a lever that safely and gently drops the hammer (i.e. decocks the gun ) without fear of the gun firing. The latter is the more popular because, without a decocker, the user is forced to lower the hammer by hand onto a loaded chamber, with all of the attendant safety risks that involves, to return the gun to double-action mode. Revolvers almost never feature safeties, since they are traditionally carried un-cocked, and
9600-430: The hammer is manually lowered again. This gives the positive aspects of a single-action trigger without the need to carry "cocked and locked" (with a loaded chamber and cocked hammer), or with an empty chamber, which requires the user to chamber a round before firing. A potential drawback of a DA/SA weapon is that the shooter must be comfortable dealing with two different trigger pulls: the longer, heavier DA first pull and
9720-637: The hammer on a loaded chamber, if one only fires a partial magazine. A good example of this action in a semi-automatic is the SIG Sauer DAK trigger, or the DAO action of the Sig P250 . For striker-fired pistols such as the Taurus 24/7 , the striker will remain in the rest position through the entire reloading cycle. This term applies most often to semi-automatic handguns; however, the term can also apply to some revolvers such as
9840-616: The hammer requires the user to physically cock it prior to every shot; unlike a DA/SA gun, which cocks itself every time the slide is cycled. There are many examples of DA/SA semi-automatics, the Little Tom Pistol being the first, followed up by the Walther PPK and Walther P38 . Modern examples include weapons such as the Beretta 92 , among others. Almost all revolvers that are not specified as single-action models are capable of firing in both double- and single-action mode, for example,
9960-424: The hammer – and there are many designs where the trigger is used for a range of other functions. Firearms use triggers to initiate the firing of a cartridge seated within the gun barrel chamber . This is accomplished by actuating a striking device through a combination of mainspring (which stores elastic energy ), a trap mechanism that can hold the spring under tension , an intermediate mechanism to transmit
10080-454: The hammer/striker (and nothing else), while the hammer/striker must be cocked by separate means. Almost all single-shot and repeating long arms (rifles, shotguns , submachine guns , machine guns, etc.) use this type of trigger. The "classic" single-action revolver of the mid-to-late 19th century includes black powder caplock muzzleloaders such as the Colt 1860 "Army" Model , and Colt 1851 "Navy" Model , and European models like
10200-412: The hand, and it is locked tightly. The Colt is locked up tight when the hammer falls. Colt claims that since the cylinder rotates to the right, this forces the cylinder into the frame, opposite of the Smith & Wesson. The gap between the cylinder and forcing cone is very tight, further aiding accuracy and velocity. Colt originally manufactured Pythons with hollow underlugs but left them solid to work as
10320-562: The intelligence services of other states. Law enforcement has carried out undercover work in a variety of ways throughout the course of history, but Eugène François Vidocq (1775–1857) developed the first organized (though informal) undercover program in France in the early 19th century, from the late First Empire through most of the Bourbon Restoration period of 1814 to 1830. At the end of 1811 Vidocq set up an informal plainclothes unit,
10440-403: The investigation; they also stipulate that agents may not instigate criminal activity (to avoid entrapment) or participate in violence except for self-defense or the defense of others. Most other legislation surrounding authorized criminality is not uniform and is a patchwork of federal and state laws. There are two principal problems that can affect agents working in undercover roles. The first
10560-465: The late 1930s and early 1940s, Walther introduced the first "double-action" (actually DA/SA hybrid) semi-automatic pistols, the PPK and P.38 models, which featured a revolver-style double-action trigger, allowing the weapon to be carried with a round chambered and the hammer lowered. After the first shot, they would fire subsequent shots like a single-action pistol. These pistols rapidly gained popularity, and
10680-420: The late 19th century, for the first half of the 20th century, all semi-automatic pistols were single-action weapons, requiring the weapon to be carried cocked and loaded with the safety on, or uncocked with an empty chamber ( Colt M1911 , Mauser C96 , Luger P.08 , Tokarev TT , Browning Hi-Power ). The difference between these weapons and single-action revolvers is that while a single-action revolver requires
10800-445: The lower segment of the trigger produced fully automatic fire. Though considered innovative at the time, the feature was eliminated on most firearms due to its complexity. Examples include MG 34 , Kulsprutegevär m/40 automatic rifle , M1946 Sieg automatic rifle , Osario Selectiva, and Star Model Z62 . A progressive , or staged trigger allows different firing rates based on how far it is depressed. For example, when pulled lightly,
10920-558: The main assembly line to the Colt Custom Shop, and the gun was offered in both highly polished and matte stainless steel and renamed the Colt Python Elite. It remained in limited production, off and on, until 2004. In 2020, Colt reintroduced the Python in 4.25-and-6-inch (10.8 and 15.2 cm) barrels, followed by a 3-inch (7.6 cm) version in 2022. The reintroduced Python has been technically revised and reinforced compared to
11040-415: The optional ability to cock the hammer separately, reducing the trigger to perform just one action. This is opposed to "double-action only" firearms, which completely lack the capability to fire in single-action mode. In a DA/SA trigger, the mechanism is designed with an internal sear that allows the trigger to both cock and release the hammer/striker when fully pulled, or to merely lock the hammer/striker in
11160-493: The original revolver. Of the first issues, the 6-inch is generally the most common, the 8-inch was intended for hunting, the 4-inch was preferred by plain-clothes police, the 2.5-inch and 3-inch were limited and have become rare. With the production return in January 2020, Colt sanctioned and authenticated the first engraved new production Colt Python. It was made by Tyler Gun Works and sold for $ 18,026 via auction on GunBroker.com on February 27, 2020. The proceeds were donated to
11280-640: The oversight committees in both the US Senate and House of Representatives. As a result of this framework, the CIA "receives more oversight from the Congress than any other agency in the federal government", according to one author. The Special Activities Division (SAD) is a division of the CIA's Directorate of Operations , responsible for Covert Action and "Special Activities". These special activities include covert political influence and paramilitary operations. According to
11400-543: The primer. Examples of pre-set strikers are the Glock , Smith & Wesson M&P , Springfield Armory XD -S variant (only), Kahr Arms , FN FNS series and Ruger SR series pistols. This type of trigger mechanism is sometimes referred to as a Striker Fired Action or SFA. Examples of pre-set hammers are the Kel-Tec P-32 and Ruger LCP pistols. Pre-set hybrid triggers are similar to a DA/SA trigger in reverse. The first pull of
11520-413: The purposes of gaining the trust of an individual or organization in order to learn or confirm confidential information, or to gain the trust of targeted individuals to gather information or evidence . Undercover operations are traditionally employed by law enforcement agencies and private investigators ; those in such roles are commonly referred to as undercover agents. A black operation or "black ops"
11640-456: The revolver came from Colt sticking to their reptilian revolver naming, following the 1950 .38 Special "Cobra". Thus the "Python" was the second snake moniker for Colt's lineup. The Colt Python was first introduced in 1955 as Colt's top-of-the-line model and was originally intended to be a large-frame .38 Special target revolver. As a result, it features precision adjustable sights, a smooth trigger, solid construction, and extra metal. Pythons have
11760-543: The sear reaches the point of release, which is described as resembling the breaking of rigid materials when the strength fails under stress . The actuation force required to overcome the sear resistance during the break is known as the trigger weight , which is usually measured with a force gauge in newtons in SI units , or alternatively kilograms or grams in metric units, and pounds and/or ounces in US customary units . The break
11880-401: The set trigger, and then pulling the firing trigger. A double set, double phase trigger can be operated as a standard trigger if the set trigger is not pulled, or as a set trigger by first pulling the set trigger. Double set, double phase triggers offer the versatility of both a standard trigger and a set trigger. Pre-set strikers and hammers apply only to semi-automatic handguns. Upon firing
12000-433: The shorter, lighter subsequent SA pulls. The difference between these trigger pulls can affect the accuracy of the crucial first few shots in an emergency situation. Although there is little need for a safety on a DA/SA handgun when carrying it loaded with the hammer down, after the first shots are fired, the hammer will be cocked and the chamber loaded. Thus, most DA/SA guns either feature a conventional safety that prevents
12120-406: The shortest, lightest, and smoothest pull available. The pull is also consistent from shot to shot so no adjustments in technique are needed for proper accuracy. On a single-action revolver, for which the hammer must be manually cocked prior to firing, an added level of safety is present. On a semi-automatic, the hammer will be cocked and made ready to fire by the process of chambering a round, and as
12240-404: The takeup. Setting the takeup travel (also known as the first stage) to near zero essentially makes the trigger a single-stage trigger. Some single-stage triggers (e.g., Glock Safe Action trigger, Savage AccuTrigger ) have an integral safety with a noticeable spring resistance that can functionally mimic a two-stage trigger. The trigger break is named for the sudden loss of resistance when
12360-539: The term authorized criminality to describe this phenomenon, which she restricts primarily to undercover law enforcement officers, excluding confidential informants . These criminal activities are primarily used to "provide opportunities for the suspect to engage in the target crime" and to maintain or bolster their cover identity. However, these crimes must be necessary to advance the investigation otherwise they may be prosecutable like any other crime. The FBI requires that such activities must be sanctioned and necessary for
12480-505: The total, are hidden from the public and from most congressional oversight. A single such activity may be called a black bag operation ; that term is primarily used for surreptitious entries into structures to obtain information for human intelligence operations. Such operations have been carried out by the FBI , CIA , KGB , Mossad , MI6 , MI5 , ASIS , COMANF , DGSE , AISE , CNI , MSS , R&AW , ROK UDU , SVR , FSB , ISI and
12600-411: The traditional single-action-only pistols rapidly lost favor, although they still retain a dedicated following among enthusiasts. Today, a typical revolver or semi-automatic pistol is a DA/SA one, carried in double-action mode but firing most of its shots in single-action mode. A double-action trigger, also known as double-action only (DAO) to prevent confusion with the more common hybrid DA/SA designs,
12720-401: The trigger and the hammer/striker is typically referred to as the sear surface. Variable mechanisms will have this surface directly on the trigger and hammer or have separate sears or other connecting parts. The trigger pull can be divided into three mechanical stages: When considering the practical accuracy of a firearm, the trigger takeup is often considered the least critical stage of
12840-414: The trigger break. It can be a very critical factor for accuracy because shaking movements during this phase may precede the projectile leaving the barrel and is especially important with firearms with long barrels, slow projectiles and heavy trigger weights, where the more significant resistance drop can make the trigger finger overshoot and shake in an uncontrolled fashion. Having some overtravel provides
12960-409: The trigger is pre-set. If the striker or hammer fail to discharge the cartridge, the trigger may be pulled again and will operate as a double-action only (DAO) until the cartridge discharges or the malfunction is cleared. This allows the operator to attempt a second time to fire a cartridge after a misfire malfunction, as opposed to a single-action, in which the only thing to do if a round fails to fire
13080-479: The trigger is tasked to perform, a.k.a. the trigger action (not to be confused with the action of the whole firearm , which refers to all the components that help handle the cartridge, including the magazine , bolt , hammer and firing pin / striker , extractor and ejector in addition to the trigger). While a trigger is primarily designed to set off a shot by releasing the hammer/striker, it may also perform additional functions such as cocking (loading against
13200-431: The trigger pull begins. With semi-automatics, this means that unlike DA/SA weapons, the hammer does not remain cocked after the first round is fired, and every shot is in double-action mode. With revolvers, this means that one does not have the option of cocking the gun before shooting and must always shoot it in double action mode. Although there have been revolvers that were designed with trigger mechanisms totally lacking
13320-409: The trigger pull. Often triggers are classified as either single-stage or two-stage based on the takeup. A single-stage trigger is often called direct trigger and is popular on hunting rifles. A two-stage trigger is often called pressure trigger and is popular on competition rifles. Some fully adjustable triggers can be adjusted to function as either a single-stage or two-stage trigger by adjusting
13440-425: The trigger, and it travels to its resting position. On semiauto firearms the movement eventually passes by reset position where trigger-disconnector mechanism resets itself to its resting state, in which pulling the trigger releases the sear. The reset event does not occur in double action firearms and in full auto firearms. There are numerous types of trigger designs, typically categorized according to which functions
13560-514: The trigger, or by pushing forward on a small lever attached to the rear of the trigger. This takes up the trigger slack (or "take-up") in the trigger and allows for a much lighter trigger pull. This is colloquially known as a hair trigger . A double set trigger achieves the same result, but uses two triggers: one sets the trigger and the other fires the weapon. Double set triggers can be further classified into two different phases. A double set, single phase trigger can only be operated by first pulling
13680-485: The user to manually cock the hammer before each firing, a single-action semi-automatic pistol only requires manual cocking for the first shot, after which the slide will reciprocate under recoil to automatically recock the hammer for a next shot, and is thus always cocked and ready unless the user manually decocks the hammer, encounters a misfiring cartridge , or pulls the trigger on an empty chamber (for older weapons lacking "last round bolt hold open" feature). In
13800-416: The weapon can be carried with the hammer down on a loaded chamber, reducing perceived danger of carrying a single-action semi-automatic. When the user is ready to fire, simply pulling the trigger will cock and release the hammer in double action mode. When the weapon fires, the cycling slide automatically cocks the hammer to the rear, meaning that the rest of the shots fired will be in single-action mode, unless
13920-416: The weapon will fire a single shot. When depressed further, the weapon fires at a fully automatic rate. Examples include FN P90 , Jatimatic , CZ Model 25 , PM-63 , BXP , F1 submachine gun , Vigneron submachine gun , Wimmersperg Spz-kr , and Steyr AUG . Each trigger mechanism has its own merits. Historically, the first type of trigger was the single-action. This is the simplest mechanism and generally
14040-478: Was changed to Special Branch as it had its remit gradually expanded to incorporate a general role in counter terrorism, combating foreign subversion and infiltrating organized crime . Law enforcement agencies elsewhere established similar Branches. In the United States, a similar route was taken when the New York City Police Department under police commissioner William McAdoo established
14160-408: Was essentially gunsmiths on the production floor trying to come up with a match revolver using mostly existing pieces and parts, and what they created was one of the "finest-looking handguns ever made" according to Keefe. Al De John, who started with Colt in 1946 as a gunsmith, worked with factory superintendent Al Gunther. De John started to tinker with the .38 Special Officer's Model Match beefing up
14280-554: Was the first field-ready handgun hunting package made by a major handgun manufacturer. It was discontinued by 1990 and briefly offered as a Colt Custom Shop model afterward. In 1981, Coltguard, a proprietary electroless weather-resistant plating, was also made available. The stainless Python was reintroduced in 1984, followed in 1985 by the super-polished stainless Ultimate Python, which was fitted with an Elliason target front sight. In 1988 only 200 Colt Python Stalker were produced in stainless steel. It has an 8-inch vented ribbed barrel,
14400-917: Was used to murder Irish crime reporter Veronica Guerin in 1996, an act which resulted in the creation of the Criminal Assets Bureau . The Colt Python was featured prominently on the AMC horror drama, The Walking Dead , being carried by its main protagonist, Rick Grimes , during its 11 seasons from 2010 to 2022, leading to a large increase in market demand which assisted in the reintroduction in 2020. It has been featured in many TV series, movies, comics, and video games including The X Files , Burn Notice , Hawaii Five-O , Starsky and Hutch , City Hunter , John Wick , American Gangster , Fight Club , and King Kong . According to Colt historian, R. L. Wilson, Colt Pythons have been collected by Elvis Presley and various kings: "H.M. (His Majesty) Hussein I of Jordan ordered
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