Stumbled onto this one a few weeks back and couldn't resist. First one I have seen on an N frame (28-2). The plain, matte barrel rib does look nice with the plain rear sight assembly. I haven't shot it yet but will soon...












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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

Bring that to the next Bunching

My grail gun! I have a couple friends with 4" K frame, Bill Davis Smolts, but unfortunately, they are not parting with them. I'd like a 4" stainless built on an L frame.

It's a nice looking revolver but it eludes me why a person would build such a thing, why not just have a Smith or a colt?, maybe I'm missing something.

It was thought at the time that the Colt's different rifling twist and/or bore dimensions yielded slightly improved accuracy over the Smith. I guess some guys did it just 'cuz it looked cool, too.

Larry

How do you value something like that? Is it valued as just a shooter grade N Frame or does it strictly depend on how bad the buyer wants it?

I've seen a couple K fame conversions floating around but they come with an astronomical price tag.


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No doubt a lot of Smolts were created for the "coolness" factor. There are two basic reasons for the conversions: 1) Python barrels were widely believed to be more accurate; 2) S&W actions are more tuneable and smooth than the Colt. Also, Pythons that get shot a lot have a reputation for going out of time. Finally, there a lot more gunsmiths who can work on S&W revos than can do Colts.

I have always been amazed that Colt was willing to sell barrels for the conversions.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

That is SWEET!!! The best of both worlds!

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

S&WIowegan explained why someone would do it very well.

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

That is slicker than two eels in a bucket of snot!

That's the first N frame Smolt I've ever seen pics of too. Very neat. I wouldn't mind owning something like that myself.

Be sure to post up a range report on it after you go shooting.

Personally I like it but then again I own a Python and I like the ribbed barrel. The Python barrels were made for more accuracy and said to be more accurate than the S&W. Whether that's true I don't know.
Python and Colt Trooper MKV of my collection.

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	colttrooperVbest 007.JPG (241.6 KB, 105 views)

Now you have me wondering how my 8" Python barrel would look on my 28-2.


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Anybody done or contemplated cutting vents in a 686/586 barrel? Wheels are turning. :-)

I am guessing it will look great!

The reasons above were the main reasons these were done back in the day but one small addition is that before the L-frames, S&W wasn't offering a full-lug barrel and that was also something the Python barrel offered.

Most Smythons I have seen are done on 19/66's. This may be only the second N-frame I have seen done.

I happen to have a (very well used!) Bill Davis conversion on a 1980 Ruger Service Six. Some called them "Rython" but the name "Cougar" was more popular. I have nicknamed it The Puger and I love shooting it.

First came about for PPC . The Colts tighter bore & faster twist was more accurate with 148 HBWC bullets @ 50yds . Guns were shot DA & S&W actions were tuned more easily . Colt's V spring action could be tuned also by modifying the DA sear . Long time FHP armorer Walt Sherman invented a roller action sear that would make the Colts DA as smooth as the S&W's . More recent guns are S&W tuned & lightened with custom faster twist bull barrels . Douglas , Shilen , Apex blanks with twist between 1 in 12 to 1 in 10 were the rage .

Thank guys for the info now I sort of understand why someone would do that. However I have a early model python and wouldn't even consider having the barrels taken off and put on one of my Smiths. Another question did the accuracy thing pan out or was it the search for the holy grail? My 14-2 will shoot just as good if not better than my python with 148 wadcutters.

In the end the guns tend to be more accurate than the "Shooter"...... so it did pan out but LOL............ only for a few...............

Once the L-frame 686/586s came out the conversions pretty much stopped..... so I guess it's wasn't worth the cost to have a Smolt vs a Smith L-frame...............for most shooters.

But they are so cooooooool..... I'd pay a premium to have one!!!!!!!!!!!!

My roommate and I both had Bill Davis build Smolts for us in about 1981. My RB 19-4 was originally fitted with a 6" barrel, which was later swapped out for a handier 4" barrel. I carried this for years, until transitioning to autos. Yes, the introduction of the L-frame signaled the end of the Smolt. (Coincidentally, this is one of the several Smolts which Dr. Lou referenced earlier.......and it's still not for sale :P)

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John

Good morning! Very nice to see you here.
Like you, the Col's not parting with his either. Something about cold, dead hands.

I doubt many people took barrels off Pythons to make them. Back then you or your gunsmith could just call Colt and order a barrel.

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John 3:16 .

You can still buy Python barrels . However you can buy a custom bull barrel blank cheaper . Brownells even sells a Clark bull barrel made from Douglas blanks , pre threaded for S&W frame . You'll pay a 'smith to install , cut forcing cone & Taylor throat , set gap etc. PPC smiths can tune & reduce DA pull weight down to 8lbs or less . Federal primers recessed & seated correctly are necessary . Or like OP you can buy a used gun in excellent condition much cheaper than one can be built .

... and it appears to be Magnaported... Very nice! Unless the price was crazy, I'm sure that one would have come home with me as well.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

You know I had not even thought about it until now but its pretty interesting a python bbl will thread into a K and a N frame gun.

Was not aware they both shared the same threads.

Maybe its worth keeping an eye out at the gun shows for a loose bbl.

Back when these were being done, the heavy custom barrel and Aristocrat or Bomar rib were yet to be available. It was an effort by those who were chasing a perfect PPC gun and had the dough to try to win PPC events. Those were the days when the Nationals was held in Jackson Mississippi. Ron Power and the Behlerts used to come show their wares. A lot has changed since then!

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

Also the barrel is tapered and the twist is left hand and barrel diameter is .355 IRCC.

I want a Smython badly.

[QUOTE=paplinker;139629904]You know I had not even thought about it until now but its pretty interesting a python bbl will thread into a K and a N frame gun.

Was not aware they both shared the same threads.

QUOTE]
It won't and they don't. The Colt barrel must be turned and rethreaded to fit the S&W frame.

Larry

That is cool and the finish is beautiful. If there's an accuracy difference between my 6" Python and my 6" 586 I'll never know it.

I'd love a o see it and I think it would look great. Some people don't like the vent rib of the Python. Back in the day it was probably cheaper to o get a Python barrel installed. A Python barrel today would likely cost over $400, and the installation just as much or more.

Don't have a Python now but do own a Colt's Officers Model Match and it LOVES 148 WCs and a little bullseye pushing them. It's not as crazy for 158 grain lead bullets.

These Smythons and Cougars were built for guys who were looking to gain a few points over their fellow competitors for the win. We're talking 5 to 10 points and Xs. 50 yds double action requires excellent marksmanshhip and every mechanical advantage you can find. I've owned, shot traded, sold and kept over 100 38s, 357s in my shooting life of 60 years and the best two bar none are: A Ruger GP100 Target gray model and a 4" 586 no dash. My present OMM from Colt is the tightest 38 I've ever owned. It was built in 1960.

Back when revolvers ruled the line @ Bulleye matches the Colt's Officers Model Match & Remington Targetmaster 148 HBWC ammo was the ticket for the Centerfire part of a 2700 . The Colt's had a tighter bore , faster twist & chambers were cut much tighter than the S&W K-38's . Plus a Colt was tuned to pass a match range rod on all chambers & the single action trigger pull was superior to the S&W . I too still have one that was my first CF gun & it too is a 1960 vintage . My Grandfather bought me a K 22 , the OMM & a pre Gold Cup NM 1911 for me to compete with . The K 22 went away in 1968 when I bought a 107 H-S Military Citation for the 22 portion , which I still have along with the OMM & 4 digit 1911 NM .

I love seeing these hybrids show up from time to time. That one is in really nice condition. To me the Colt barrels were the most reliable part of their revolver lineup.

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Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

You are exactly right. I tried to explain this to a man recently that wanted to buy mine. If you figure in a nice 19 and the barrel AND the work involved you start looking at $1,200 plus. As a side note, IF you do this, try to get a 2 1/2 inch 19 to start with instead of a longer barrel. The 2 1/2 won't leave the little space you end up with on the longer ones. The round butt pictured above is a perfect example of the rib matching up perfectly. The longer 19s won't do this. I have one. It's pictured on the Forum somewhere. A beautiful gun with magnificient stock/grips on it. It was done at 10X in Texas by Mr. Hamilton.

Bingo! You just explained why my Smolt was built on a Model 19 snubby. It leaves the gun with a really short extractor rod. A member here swapped me into a long one.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

The late Gil Hebard listed the Python barrel having a .355 bore so I ordered a Hensley and Gibbs mold with a bullet diameter of .3555 which I still have today.

We use to shoot Bullseye at the Baltimore County Range near Loch Raven Reservoir in the late 60's.