SW / Python Hybrid?

[Landpimp]

picked up this one last year...nickel 19-3 with 6" nickle Python barrel.......its really pretty cool

not sure who did the work, but was told these were fairly common around WA in the 70's

 

[bountyhunter]

Would anybody mind if I asked the price? There is no PM ability on the board (I asked) and I still can't find a single case where somebody will tell me what one of these actually sells for. I'd like to know in case I see one.

 

[Landpimp]

I paid either $300 or $400 for mine, it was a evidence gun(bought from my buddy who buys them from the PD) so I cant say thats a realistic price or not, seemed fair to me.....but I am a sucker for nickle

 

[bountyhunter]

Originally posted by Landpimp:
I paid either $300 or $400 for mine, it was a evidence gun(bought from my buddy who buys them from the PD) so I cant say thats a realistic price or not, seemed fair to me.....but I am a sucker for nickle

I would have trampled a nun to get that gun for $400.

It's a really beautiful piece and just what I am looking for, I just don't think $900 is a realistic price is why I asked to get other people's price points. I can't find them offered for sale in the usual places like Gunsamerica.

 

[Dale53]

I was shooting PPC when these were all the vogue. I cannot speak for the "Coolness factor" as that is a personal thing. However, as I remember it, having to use a factory barrel was rather limiting. The Python barrel added needed "front end weight" for that particular course of fire. I was on a rather limited income (trying to raise three kids on a modest salary) so my PPC gun was a Model 14 S&W that I added a Bomar Rib to. It would shoot considerably under an inch at 25 yards off the Ransom rest. In fact, factory Remington WC's regularly shot 5/8" groups. My best reloads with my solid base
wad cutters would do about 3/4" but the factory ammo was JUST a tad bit better on average. That Remington Factory Wadcutter stuff at that time (late sixties and seventies) was some pretty wonderful stuff.

So, even tho' my Smith was not a custom gun it would shoot right along with the best of the customs (having a "weight forward" pistol WAS an advantage). When Smith introduced the 686, I considered the issue closed but continued to shoot my Model 14 and still have it. When they put me in the ground it will pass to my sons and son-in-law along with the rest of my guns.

Make no mistake, however, the Smython was a good concept and I would be a happy owner of a good one put together well. In the meantime, I'll just keep on "making do" with my Model 14 and my 686 (6").

Dale53

 

[Steve638]

Smolt

Check out SMOLT thread in 61 to 80 revover forum lots of posts and pics. of some real pretty hybrid handguns

 

[waltey]

I just had a "smolt / smython" built for my wife . It was done by 10 ring in Texas by Alex Hamelton . He does these farly often (about 2 or so a year . ) Had a action / tune done at that time also . Realy smooth action, This was built on a round butt model 19-4 snubby , now it has a 6" python barrel, wide target hammer & trigger. National debt ($1500) but it is something I always wanted & wife said why don't ya just do it ?

 

[cal50]

Another nice variation was the "Cougar" or the Ruger revolver frame with a Colt python barrel. Darn nice combo and my friend had one and sorry I did not buy it when he decided to sell it.

 

[captainjohnsofd]

worked for Austin Behlert many years ago in Union, NJ- he did a number of these conversions, the usual candidate was a blue square butt Model 19 and a blue 6" Python barrel- usually ended up as PPC guns...Python barrels were known to stabilize 148 grain wadcutters better than bull barrels- and the result was a really good looking revolver without the price of a Python

 

[Green Frog]

worked for Austin Behlert many years ago in Union, NJ- he did a number of these conversions, the usual candidate was a blue square butt Model 19 and a blue 6" Python barrel- usually ended up as PPC guns...Python barrels were known to stabilize 148 grain wadcutters better than bull barrels- and the result was a really good looking revolver without the price of a Python

Of course nowadays with the price of parts and the price and wait time for top shelf gunsmithing (and Austin Behlert was definitely top shelf!) this kind of project isn't nearly as attractive and practical. Add to that the availability of the 580 and 680 series of S&W revolvers and a lot of the luster is gone from this conversion, cool though it was/is.

Also, there was a run of Model 14s done using full under lug 6" barrels, rumored to be leftovers from the 16-4 project, that Smith did back in the late '80s or early '90s... sort of a factory version of a "Smython." Then again, is anybody shooting any revolver games these days (PPC, Steel Challenge, etc) where a heavy barrel, light recoiling revolver is the dominant gun of choice?

Froggie

 

[snubbiefan]

I have a brother-n-law that has one in nickel. He has turned down $1300 for it....I told him he was nuts....I know what he has in it. In this particular case...the builder did not fit a center-pin bolt or anyway at all to lock the front of the crane. Likely would not shoot-loose, but a latch on the front of a gun is there for a reason. His is just for looking at and not shooting anyway. It's just something different. Go buy a 686 or 586 if you want a full underlug and a useful gun.