Finally, a Smolt!

[Green Frog]

I’d reall love to have back my street carry gun he built, a Model 10 HB with Bomar cover up rib and one of Fred’s action jobs. That’s about the only 38 revolver that still makes me salivate at its very thought!
The Schmidt-built nickel Combat Commander got a 38 Super (or 9mm?) conversion in blue after his passing with mostly parts from his estate. I can’t remember the last round of 45 or 38 Super I shot, but if that gun came within my reach…
Froggie
PS To get back on topic, there was apparently just enough steel in a Python barrel tenon to rethread it to N frame specs and plenty for a K frame, and Fred was known to do both upon request.

 

[K Frame Keith]

I’ve always admired the Python but the price was always a roadblock for me and I’ve always favored the Smith and Wesson double action.
I grabbed a 686 as soon as they hit the market and told myself it was the S&W equivalent of the Python and I do believe it is, especially after an action job.
However, the L frame is just a bit chunkier than my beloved K frames and does handle just a little differently. And that Python barrel is beautiful.
In my imagination, a four inch Smolt would feel like a six inch K Frame in the hand. The slim K Frame with a heavier barrel; something between an K frame and an L frame.
One can dream. Congrats to all you Smolt owners!

 

[CH4]

Hmmm
Getting a 2.5” 686-3 today. Perhaps I’ll start looking for a new 2.5 or 3 inch Python barrel.

 

[Rodan]

Getting a 2.5” 686-3 today. Perhaps I’ll start looking for a new 2.5 or 3 inch Python barrel.

Good luck with that...

With the insane prices of 2.5" and especially 3" early Pythons lately, used barrels in those lengths are snapped up quick when they're not priced into orbit.

I grabbed my 4" barrel off eBay as a buy it now, and I don't think the seller knew what they had, or just wanted it gone because it was about 1/2 the usual asking price. At that same time, there was a 2.5" barrel with a $3000 BIN, and a 3" with a $6000(!!) BIN.

As crazy as that sounds, you could buy one of those barrels, install it on your Python and still make $$$$ on GB with the going prices.

 

[CH4]

Good luck with that...

With the insane prices of 2.5" and especially 3" early Pythons lately, used barrels in those lengths are snapped up quick when they're not priced into orbit.

I grabbed my 4" barrel off eBay as a buy it now, and I don't think the seller knew what they had, or just wanted it gone because it was about 1/2 the usual asking price. At that same time, there was a 2.5" barrel with a $3000 BIN, and a 3" with a $6000(!!) BIN.

As crazy as that sounds, you could buy one of those barrels, install it on your Python and still make $$$$ on GB with the going prices.

True, I just picked up a 1964 2.5" Python - birth year gun. They aren't cheap. I was talking about current production. Not sure how hard they will be to find. There's a vintage 3" barrel on one of the big sights that's listed for $$$$. Been there a long time.

 

[Rick Sanborn]

I picked up a 4” old model Anaconda .45 Colt barrel off eBay last year. I might need to find a 625 .45 Colt and get it swapped out, that would be unique to be sure.

 

[D1911]

That would be cool! I thought about looking for a .44 Anaconda barrel for my Redhawk and have my gunsmith build a large caliber Couger. That would be neat.

 

[80sgyrene]

Rodan, how much did Hogue charge for the stippling of your grips, if you don’t mind me asking.
I have a set I would like to have done.

Beautiful gun by the way.

 

[Rodan]

The stipling was $35, plus the shipping both ways. Just call their customer service and tell them what you want and they'll email you an order # and shipping instructions. Turnaround was about 6 weeks for mine.

Well worth it... got the Smolt back out to the range today, and rapid D/A strings were much easier to control.