GunarSailors
US Veteran
I think it looks great!!! Does anyone have any history on this conversion? Thanks in advance.
Last edited:
Colt Python barrel on a S&W 19-3
- Thread starter GunarSailors
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
I agree, they do look good! For the life of me I can't remember what they're called. I've also seen some stainless/blued combos that look neat too.
rburg
Member
Didn't they call them Smolts? Some crazy idea that the bullet turning the wrong way might be better. Or they need something to do so they check to see that barrel is tight every range session.
Colt barrels are often tighter than S&Ws. I think it used to be .355 and .357. Loads that are just hot in the S&W are way over the top in a Colt. Not always or in every gun. Other people enjoy shooting their guns for decades without a tune up. Colts need it much earlier and more frequently. Mixed breeding was an attempt to get the best of both worlds.
Colt barrels are often tighter than S&Ws. I think it used to be .355 and .357. Loads that are just hot in the S&W are way over the top in a Colt. Not always or in every gun. Other people enjoy shooting their guns for decades without a tune up. Colts need it much earlier and more frequently. Mixed breeding was an attempt to get the best of both worlds.
05CarbonDRZ
SWCA Member
Some also called them Smython's.
Smythons, I believe..
Tom_R
Member
I think it looks great!!! Does anyone have any history on this conversion? Thanks in advance.
The legendary Smolt Smython.
From what I have read, competition shooters in the 70s would put Colt Barrels on the 19 with the idea of having the accuracy of the barrel of the Python, with the Action of the 19. I guess best of both worlds was the intent, but the Python's accuracy was due as much to its action, and how it would lock the Cylinder.
Still a real cool looking revolver, and I love this one from Gunar.
Supposedly the conversion would also be done with Rugers, where the Colt Barrel would go on the Ruger Frame. They were nicknamed Cugers.
Hamilton Bowen puts Anaconda Barrels on Rugers now, and they look really nice. Probably a pretty penny for one.
Gunar where did you find this one? It looks like the inspiration for the 586!
Dennis The B
US Veteran
There were two primary reasons for the conversions. A lot of shooters like the S&W action because it's easier to "slick up" and less complicated than the V spring, continuous stacking Colt.
The Python barrels are slightly tapered from throat to muzzle. The bullet's travel through the barrel becomes a bit more restricted, thus more accurate than the S&W barrels.
In the 1970's they were a very popular conversion.
The Python barrels are slightly tapered from throat to muzzle. The bullet's travel through the barrel becomes a bit more restricted, thus more accurate than the S&W barrels.
In the 1970's they were a very popular conversion.
Gunsmiths were creating the Smython for PPC shooters back before they began putting heavy aftermarket barrels and ribs on Model 10s, K38's and Model 19s. Apparently it took a lot of expensive machining work to make the threads work. I always thought they were pretty neat looking.
Engine49guy
Member
Best of both worlds IMO,
Superior S&W action mated to the prettier Colt vented rib F/U barrel ....Like It !
Superior S&W action mated to the prettier Colt vented rib F/U barrel ....Like It !
No matter what they labeled them...
Somebody ruined to good revolvers.
Somebody ruined to good revolvers.
Call it anything but ugly.
I would be proud to own it.
I would be proud to own it.
rbrbrb6
Member
I have a 6" blued python barrel that has been re-bored to 41 caliber sitting in the parts box. Just waiting to get a few other projects wrapped up then we are going to find a nice model 57 and have the same thing done.
Doug.38PR
Member
I think it looks great!!! Does anyone have any history on this conversion? Thanks in advance.
HOLY SMOLTS BATMAN!
keithherrington
Member
Don't know who did it first, but...
Bill Davis in Sacramento, CA and Jimmy Clark when in Louisiana were early adopters. They both turned out quite a few and they were very popular in PPC matches before the guns got crazy with 1" diameter bull barrels and ribs. The accuracy of the Python was renowned, not so much for the action (locking the cylinder contributes to accuracy ONLY if the cylinder precisely lines up with the bore), but because the barrel was tapered towards the muzzle and because the barrel had a faster twist, 1 in 14". The S&W's was and still is 1 in 18.75". The faster twist was a significant benefit when shooting the 148 grain wadcutter load most popular in PPC shooting. To test this theory and to get a gun that gave me an edge in Bullseye with a revolver, I had Hamilton Bowen build me a "sleeper" using a Model 16 as a base. Bowen first bored the cylinder to 38 Special using a very tight match chamber. Its so tight that I have to press RN loads into the chambers the last little bit. He then took a 6" barrel from a Model 17 (I got it new from S&W) and had it bored and rifled to match a Python. It has a tight (.3565") bore that tapers just a smidge and has a 1 in 14" twist. Well, it works just like I planned and has allowed me to shoot some pretty good scores over the years. Of course, Bowen's action work is superb as well. Here is what it looks like...pretty much like any other Model 14 with a full lug barrel.
Interestingly, it doesn't much like the new Federal Match 148 load. 50 yard group are about 4" in size. But it shoots American Eagle 158 LRN into 3" and the old WW White Box 148 match load into less than 2" to 50 yards. Fortunately, I have a huge supply of White Box to last me the rest of my life.
Keith
Bill Davis in Sacramento, CA and Jimmy Clark when in Louisiana were early adopters. They both turned out quite a few and they were very popular in PPC matches before the guns got crazy with 1" diameter bull barrels and ribs. The accuracy of the Python was renowned, not so much for the action (locking the cylinder contributes to accuracy ONLY if the cylinder precisely lines up with the bore), but because the barrel was tapered towards the muzzle and because the barrel had a faster twist, 1 in 14". The S&W's was and still is 1 in 18.75". The faster twist was a significant benefit when shooting the 148 grain wadcutter load most popular in PPC shooting. To test this theory and to get a gun that gave me an edge in Bullseye with a revolver, I had Hamilton Bowen build me a "sleeper" using a Model 16 as a base. Bowen first bored the cylinder to 38 Special using a very tight match chamber. Its so tight that I have to press RN loads into the chambers the last little bit. He then took a 6" barrel from a Model 17 (I got it new from S&W) and had it bored and rifled to match a Python. It has a tight (.3565") bore that tapers just a smidge and has a 1 in 14" twist. Well, it works just like I planned and has allowed me to shoot some pretty good scores over the years. Of course, Bowen's action work is superb as well. Here is what it looks like...pretty much like any other Model 14 with a full lug barrel.
Interestingly, it doesn't much like the new Federal Match 148 load. 50 yard group are about 4" in size. But it shoots American Eagle 158 LRN into 3" and the old WW White Box 148 match load into less than 2" to 50 yards. Fortunately, I have a huge supply of White Box to last me the rest of my life.
Keith
Last edited:
OP
GunarSailors
US Veteran
Sorry, it's not mine. But it's for sale here in Georgia...
Goblin
Member
Buy it if you can afford it.
How do you figure they "ruined" anything? Back in the day when this was being done, you called Colt and ordered a barrel. On the Smith & Wesson end, no different than any barrel swap. The guns were still being made. No big deal.
I've always thought they were the inspiration for the 586/686, and the Ruger GP-100 both. I'm sure neither company would ever admit it, but the timeline is right for someone looking at one and saying, "We need to build one of these ourselves."
I'd like to have a Smolt myself.
BubbaBlades
Member
Both of these Smythons are as accurate as any of my Colt Pythons. The actions must have been worked on because they are smoother than my stock Model 19s.
My Cougar is very accurate but the action is no better than a standard Ruger.
Mark
Similar threads
