Smolt Smython

[Tom_R]

Unlike the original Smythons that Bill Davis and others made, starting in the 1970s that had the Python Barrel on the S&W K Frame, my Smython is on a 686 frame.

I prefer the L Frame to the K Frame and the barrel lines up nicely.

JoJos in Southington, CT did the barrel swap, and they slicked up the action for me as well.

It was the first time I shot it, and it did not disappoint.

I am looking forward to a lot more range time with this one.

 

[ContinentalOp]

That's interesting. My understanding of the "Smythons" was that they were all Python barrels on L-frames due to the similarity in frame sizes. I don't think I've ever heard of a Python barrel mounted on a K-frame. But I will freely admit this is not an area I have a lot of familiarity with.

 

[Tom_R]

They started in the 70s before the L Frame ever existed, so the most common ones were done on Model 19s.

I have seen a Picture of 6" Python Barrel On a 28-2 N Frame and it was beautiful.

 

[k22fan]

Offhand I do not recall another Smolt on an L frame but I've probably forgotten one or two. Back in the 1970s when Davis had a store near me their clerks said Smolts were made to create heavier PPC revolvers. There was also a questionable claim Colt barrels were more accurate with 148 grain hollow base wadcutters. They had them on the shelf along with Cougers, Python barrels on Security Six revolvers. (note er as in Ruger) L frames were a few years off in the future.

I did not see an N frame Smolt before seeing my first on this forum. The main reason they are so scarce is that the Python barrel threads are smaller than an N frame barrel threads. For K frames and Six series revolvers Python threads can be turned and rethreaded in a lathe. To get a Python barrel in an N frame requires sleeving the N frame, a custom adapter, welding metal onto the Python thread, cutting off the Python barrel shank and machining a new shank further forward or some more practical gunsmith wizardry that I'm unaware of.

If I over look contaminating a S&W with a Colt part an L frame Smolt ain't bad looking.

 

[jimbo728]

Very nicely done. Shoots good too.
Jim

 

[S&WIowegan]

L frames were the answer...

...to converting K frame S&Ws to Smolt/Smythons. The idea was to get more weight on the barrel to steady the gun for target shooting(NRA) and PPC. I doubt many of us will find L frame Smiths converted to Smolts. The reason being L-frames have full-underlug barrels(like Pythons).

I have a Smolt built on a Model 19-3 round butt(so a snub). The Python barrel has no markings at all. Because the original gun was a snub, the extractor rod was very short. A local friend(and forum member) donated a normal extractor rod so I can clear the cylinder of empties.

I haven't shot this gun a lot so I can't talk accuracy.

 

[JayFramer]

These are actually properly called "Cith & Pythosson Mythons".

 

[k22fan]

These are actually properly called "Cith & Pythosson Mythons".

Before reading this forum the only name I'd heard them called was Smolt. That's what Davis' clerks called them.

 

[schutz5]

Nice revolver!
Doe it have the "M" stamp?, haha.

 

[rwsmith]

Well, I haven't heard much....

....but I've sure never heard of a smolt smython.

 

[CH4]

To my eye smolts don't look proper unless you use a k frame snub with the long sight tang that mates with the top of the barrel. I don't care for the step between the barrel and top strap, especially with the new style sight base.

 

[Tom_R]

To my eye smolts don't look proper unless you use a k frame snub with the long sight tang that mates with the top of the barrel. I don't care for the step between the barrel and top strap, especially with the new style sight base.

I will be getting the longer rear sight assembly and have it fitted to the top strap. I may even have it hard chromed to match the finish. The top strap looks like it needs to be machined to fit it.

I also have an L Frame Target Hammer in hard chrome to go in it as well. I tried fitting the hammer, but for some reason the surfaces didn't line up, so I will leave it to a professional.

 

[Tom_R]

...to converting K frame S&Ws to Smolt/Smythons. The idea was to get more weight on the barrel to steady the gun for target shooting(NRA) and PPC. I doubt many of us will find L frame Smiths converted to Smolts. The reason being L-frames have full-underlug barrels(like Pythons).

I have a Smolt built on a Model 19-3 round butt(so a snub). The Python barrel has no markings at all. Because the original gun was a snub, the extractor rod was very short. A local friend(and forum member) donated a normal extractor rod so I can clear the cylinder of empties.

I haven't shot this gun a lot so I can't talk accuracy.

It wasn't just the barrel weight, it was the twist rate of the rifling.

Colt Python Barrels had a faster twist then S&W Barrels at the time, so you were supposedly getting the best of all worlds.

Is this specific setup more accurate then a 6" 686?

Not in my hands. I am not anywhere near the shooter that can take advantage of such a thing.

However, is this thing different, cool, and in the Spirit of 'Mercia?

Yes it is.

By the way, if you have a Smython and you don't shoot it, that is unfortunate. I'd love to see a pic of it.

 

[Tom_R]

Nice revolver!
Doe it have the "M" stamp?, haha.

It's a dash 3, so the hammer nose issue was fixed at that point.

 

[ContinentalOp]

It wasn't just the barrel weight, it was the twist rate of the rifling.

Colt Python Barrels had a faster twist then S&W Barrels at the time, so you were supposedly getting the best of all worlds.

I've read that Python barrels also have a tapered bore, narrowing slightly at the muzzle, and that this contributed to their intrinsic/mechanical accuracy.

Any accuracy (pun intended...) to this claim?

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
Yes the Python had a tapered bore, extra polishing in the bore
and a 1/14 twist as apposed to the 1/18 twist of a S&W.
When shooting WC bullets [especially HBWC which are quite long]
at the lowest speeds[like for PPC] , the faster twist helped greatly.

 

[SW CQB 45]

just out of curiosity,

a Python barrel threads wont screw on a SW receiver? (yes/no)

what gunsmithing was required?

I can see the ejector rod end needed shortening (based on the pic)

when I started at a PD in 1989, we were issued 686s in Bianchi Hurricanes however the Lt/Armorer had a Smython in a Bianchi Judge.

 

[Tom_R]

just out of curiosity,

a Python barrel threads wont screw on a SW receiver? (yes/no)

what gunsmithing was required?

I can see the ejector rod end needed shortening (based on the pic)

when I started at a PD in 1989, we were issued 686s in Bianchi Hurricanes however the Lt/Armorer had a Smython in a Bianchi Judge.

Good eye on the ejector rod, so I will address that first. That is actually a 629 ejector Rod. The 686 rod was bent. The bend was enough to gum up the pull on one or two chambers. No one had spare 686 ejector rods. S&W didn't neither did Numrich or Midway. So I got some N Frame Stainless ejector Rods from Numrich and ground one down. Sanded the burrs off and it works like a charm.

The Barrel had to be re-threaded. The Colt threads don't mate up, so they re-threaded it.

The Armorer had good taste.

Edit/add:
We also had to have ball detects put on the crane and frame for front end lock up since the ejector rod on a Colt does not lock the front end up. It's why grinding down the 629 ejector was NOT an issue.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Pig Hunter]

I can't remember the specific numbers but the thread pitches are different. With a K frame you have to turn down the barrel shank and re-thread to the Smith threads and cut the flat on the bottom of the barrel for the yoke to close. Then you have to address the front lock up, either with detent balls in the yoke or machining for the pin to lock the ejector rod. With and N frame , as said earlier, Either weld up the Colt barrel shank and re=cut the threads or make a shim ring with Smith threads on the outside and Colt threads on the inside.

 

[k22fan]

I've read that Python barrels also have a tapered bore, narrowing slightly at the muzzle, [...]

Groo here
Yes the Python had a tapered bore, [...]

The last few inches before the muzzle the bores of Anschutz .22 target rifles are a tiny bit tighter than the bore leading up to that point. They are button rifled. The choke is created by leaving outside barrel diameter larger for those last few inches. The thicker barrel walls spring back more after the rifling button is pulled through.

Please explain how it was feasible for Colt to machine Python barrels with a tapering groove diameter.

 

[LSWC]

Smython-Smolt-Snake & Wesson

This one came out of Ten Ring Precision in San Antonio. It is a hoot to shoot.

 

[Tom S.]

The last few inches before the muzzle the bores of Anschutz .22 target rifles are a tiny bit tighter than the bore leading up to that point. They are button rifled. The choke is created by leaving outside barrel diameter larger for those last few inches. The thicker barrel walls spring back more after the rifling button is pulled through.

Please explain how it was feasible for Colt to machine Python barrels with a tapering groove diameter.

It's quite feasible but not practical for a production gun.

 

[Tom_R]

This one came out of Ten Ring Precision in San Antonio. It is a hoot to shoot.

I actually talked to him and was seriously considering having him do it. He knows what he is doing. I used a local shop to me that does great work. Yours came out really nice.

 

[krsmith58]

my education continues . I usually learn something here everyday . I never heard of this custom combination . looks great and shoots great. what distance were you shooting at . thanks for sharing . kenny

 

[Protocall_Design]

Please explain how it was feasible for Colt to machine Python barrels with a tapering groove diameter.

The barrels tapered from .357 at the forcing cone to .355 at the muzzle. All the different barrel lengths were like that. How is that even possible? They were forged with a rifled and tapered mandrel in the bore. There was a different mandrel for each length. Inside done first, then machine the outside. These were production guns. They made thousands.

The Python barrels were more accurate with light target loads because of the tighter twist. The tapered part didn't hurt anything, but I've had PPC guns that shot just as well with a 1 in 10 to 1 in 14 straight bore. I think a 1 in 12 would be about the ideal twist for revos across the board, but no one makes that twist.

 

[Doug M.]

I had heard of the K frame conversions, back when PPC ruled the roost. These were made for serious competitors. Most of us mortals cannot shoot well enough for the difference to be worth the money. While I'd not heard of a similar conversion on the L frame, I don't know why it could not be done. I don't much care for the full lug barrels anyway, so not worth it even if I could shoot that well.

FWIW, JoJos has a very good reputation; a prosecutor friend of mine in the area speaks very well of them, as do a couple other folks I know of nearby.
'

 

[Tom_R]

I had heard of the K frame conversions, back when PPC ruled the roost. These were made for serious competitors. Most of us mortals cannot shoot well enough for the difference to be worth the money. While I'd not heard of a similar conversion on the L frame, I don't know why it could not be done. I don't much care for the full lug barrels anyway, so not worth it even if I could shoot that well.

FWIW, JoJos has a very good reputation; a prosecutor friend of mine in the area speaks very well of them, as do a couple other folks I know of nearby.
'

JoJos does excellent work.

They are known for their work on 1911s, ARs and Glocks but John and Jody did a lot of revolver work back in the day.

He did an action job on this one for me and it is super smooth.

These were not commonly done on L Frames, but I really like L Frames better then K Frames, and there are so many Pre-Lock 686s out there. So I figured what the heck.

I can't wait to shoot this some more. I'll shoot some magnums when I get to an outdoor range.

I bet it will handle magnums with ease.

 

[StrawHat]

I was a competitor in PPC in the decades prior to self loaders becoming common in LE holsters. Most of us used Davis conversions but one fellow used a Travis Strahan and there were a couple others I cannot recall. I do not recall a single Smolt ever, at least not among the top places in the classifications. I do know when I got my 686, 6" for the Distinguished leg that opened my eyes. It was not long before my practice scores were close to my Davis scores. After several thousand cyclings of the action I opened it up and smoothed a few of the "sticking" parts and my scores were pretty much the same with both revolvers. I started using the 686 for both legs and did not notice a difference. Ho the er, when I quit the PPC game the revolvers I sold were the 4" and 6", 686s and I still have my Davis revolver.

Kevin

 

[Tom_R]

I was a competitor in PPC in the decades prior to self loaders becoming common in LE holsters. Most of us used Davis conversions but one fellow used a Travis Strahan and there were a couple others I cannot recall. I do not recall a single Smolt ever, at least not among the top places in the classifications. I do know when I got my 686, 6" for the Distinguished leg that opened my eyes. It was not long before my practice scores were close to my Davis scores. After several thousand cyclings of the action I opened it up and smoothed a few of the "sticking" parts and my scores were pretty much the same with both revolvers. I started using the 686 for both legs and did not notice a difference. Ho the er, when I quit the PPC game the revolvers I sold were the 4" and 6", 686s and I still have my Davis revolver.

Kevin

I'd love to see some pics of your Bill Davis Gun.

 

[JayFramer]

Wonder if the new Python bbl would fit on a current S&W L frame once modified?

Maybe the Smolt Smython might return someday...