Rear sight off center

[MygunisaS&Wrevolver]

Would Colt barrels with a right hand rifling twist have a natural tendency to shoot a little differently than a left hand twist S&W barrel? Maybe this was something that was allowed for in the manufacturing of the Python frame. I don't know but throw this out as possible speculation. I had an old Kuhnhausen Colt Python book that might answer these questions but I think I loaned it to someone and now can't find it!

 

[steelslaver]

I put the rod down thew barrel and measured from it to both sides. It shows that the muzzle is .004 of center.

Nothing is far off. Just the sum of little bits all stacking up one way. Little over clocked, muzzle a little off center, rear sight body a little of center, all adding up one way and none taking away. . I found the reason the adjustable sights were made go more than just a tiny bit to either side. LOL

 

[bigmoose]

Steelslaver,
How 'bout a thread or some photos on that Crackshot? I love old single shots.

Cap

 

[MygunisaS&Wrevolver]

I found my old Kuhnhausen Python book. I don't know whether this will help your Smython sight issue or not? You probably already know this info. Kuhnhausen talks about fitting the barrel shoulder with a .002" clearance bevel into the inside 50% of the new shoulder with the other 50% remaining at 90 degrees. The threads are .5634-32 tapered (.017" tpi) for requalifying the barrel and requires machining a one thread revolution from the shoulder. No more variation than .001" between the barrel shoulder and frame before final torque. Also one full turn = approximately .035". Phew...lots more info in the book.

 

[CALREB]

Did the Python barrel start out as an 8" barrel . If it was cut down could that have changed something?. Stamping looks off center, but I am not too familial with Pythons. Haventy owned one since 1979. 6" Nickle was my first handgun.

 

[steelslaver]

No, it was a 6" and there is no sign it was ever cut or re nickled

As it got mounted on a K frame Smith I redid the threads to .540-36 just like very other S7W barrel. By the way Colt used 2 different threads on Python barrels The newer ones had .562-36 threads (most have a single pin on front sight) and most of the older ones used the .5634-32 threads and had 2 pins holding front sight blade. But those go away when you mount them on a K frame. One of the newer .562-36 barrels should thread right into a L frame

 

[steelslaver]

It rained for a while so I went ahead and turned to barrel back a tiny bit, then I gave the front sight a tap with a brass punch.
Quit raining and sun came out and it was nice at about 3.30, so I hauled it and crack shot to the range. The pistol bays and 22 bays are almost exactly 5 miles 2 stop signs and 2 traffic lights from my door.

First I shot the Crackshot. A little drifting of the rear dovetail and it was centered, but a bit low. No file, so waited til I got home to take a bit off the top of front sight.
Crackshot

Then moved over to a pistol bay and setup the Smolt
here are the 20 yds results. 6 rounds with 3 touching and I believe the slightly off rounds were me not dialing it in perfect more than the gun

Rear sight now is still a bit off and needs a few more for POI to be centered, but not that bad.

Looks better than it did with the paint job finish it had when I bought it.

 

[mmande]

I think Pintos also had a nickel thumb latch. That would really set it off! I really love my three Smolts so this has been a very interesting project to me.
Good luck;
Mike

 

[bigmoose]

Thanks for the photos. Both of those guns look great, and I enjoy seeing and reading about your projects.

Cap