Most Smolts and Cougers were built to give PPC competitors an edge over their competition. In PPC they were superseded by custom 3 1/2 to 4 pound bull barrel S&Ws that were later superseded by automatics. The remaining PPC revolver class is Distinguished Revolver which only allows trigger jobs and minimal open sight and stock upgrades. Consequently custom PPC revolvers that were very expensive to build usually change hands at affordable prices. For ordinary folk who have to consider their budget Smolts offer nothing over L frames and Ruger created a .357 of similar weight in their GP-100s. However, Smolts and Cougers have undeniable novelty appeal and I wouldn't mind having a pair.

By the way, members have posted their Smolts built on Model 28s. Since N frame barrel threads are larger than Python threads metal had to welded on. N frame Smolts are not common.