A S&W "Snake Gun" - Smython

grinchcop said:
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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Good morning! Very nice to see you here. :D
Like you, the Col's not parting with his either. Something about cold, dead hands.
 
andy52 said:
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.
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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.
 
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 .
 
410bore said:
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...

674ddbce3eac4587f84844c97d69bc97.jpg
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... 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.:)
 
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!
 
S&WIowegan said:
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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Also the barrel is tapered and the twist is left hand and barrel diameter is .355 IRCC.
 
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.
 
Dr.Lou said:
Anybody done or contemplated cutting vents in a 686/586 barrel? Wheels are turning. :-)
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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.
 
Goblin said:
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.
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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.
 
Lee's Landing Billy said:
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.
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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.
 
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.
 
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