BigBill
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Why do they put a python barrel on a s&w m27 & m28?
Why a Python barrel?
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tomcatt51
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Python barrels were usually put on K frames. Faster twist, 1:14, and I believe the barrels were also slightly tapered. Smaller bore dia at the muzzle than at the forcing cone.
TAROMAN
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rifling twists in the opposite direction than a Smith
calmex
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...and of course, before the L frame came along it gave you a nice, sexy looking heavy barrel on a frame that gave you the nice, sexy action of the Smith & Wesson. The best of all worlds...until the L frame came along and then you (or anyone else) could just run out and buy one.
Iggy
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SMOLT, PYITH & WESSON, or KTHON as well! 
I have a Smolt I had done in the late 70's or early 80's by Davis gun shop in Sacramento. This was made with a model 15, retaining the model 15 cylinder, adding a 357 python barrel red front sight, rear white outline sight, target trigger and hammer, was duty tuned and given a bright blue finish. I might have fired 50 rounds since I got it back from Davis. Does anyone have an idea of what this might be worth today? I'm not sure my terminology about the trigger and hammer is correct, but I know they were changed. Thanks
Laketime
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I remember reading in the early 80's of a finale process involving a ball bearing being run down the barrel. This step was the only phase in production that was off limits to the gun writer.This finale procedure was what Colt claimed gave the Python it's accuracy.Anybody know what the step was .Always been curious since I read that article.Sorry dont mean to sidetrack.
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As already said, the twist rate was faster and stabilized low velocity full wadcutter loads so much better. Most common twist rate for custom PPC revolver barrels was also 1/12 for the same reason.
The "cool factor" was also definitely in play as was the weight and balance improvement.
Was the full lugged L-frame barrel also at least partially in response to this?? Maybe!
The "cool factor" was also definitely in play as was the weight and balance improvement.
Was the full lugged L-frame barrel also at least partially in response to this?? Maybe!
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Laketime
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This process is called burnishing.
Thanks for the info
dfariswheel
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All Colt would say was that it was the "Silver ball" treatment.
They refused to say what the ball was made of, and were careful not to allow anyone to sneak one out of the plant.
They only said the ball composition was a proprietary trade secret.
People who were allowed to see the process said a silver ball was hand pressed down the bore, leaving it wilth a brilliant mirror shine.
The Python barrel on a S&W revolver started with the PPC (Practical Police Course) police target match.
In the early days a lot of top competitors used Pythons.
Many shooters were issued S&W duty revolvers and preferred the trigger feel, so custom pistolsmiths started installing the Python barrel on S&W frames.
The reason for the Python barrel was the muzzle-heavy feel and the increased accuracy due to the higher quality Colt barrels, the faster rifling that stabilized the bullets better, and the tapered bore that gripped the bullet better.
Unlike most makers, Colt always made their own barrels and they were noted for superior quality.
They refused to say what the ball was made of, and were careful not to allow anyone to sneak one out of the plant.
They only said the ball composition was a proprietary trade secret.
People who were allowed to see the process said a silver ball was hand pressed down the bore, leaving it wilth a brilliant mirror shine.
The Python barrel on a S&W revolver started with the PPC (Practical Police Course) police target match.
In the early days a lot of top competitors used Pythons.
Many shooters were issued S&W duty revolvers and preferred the trigger feel, so custom pistolsmiths started installing the Python barrel on S&W frames.
The reason for the Python barrel was the muzzle-heavy feel and the increased accuracy due to the higher quality Colt barrels, the faster rifling that stabilized the bullets better, and the tapered bore that gripped the bullet better.
Unlike most makers, Colt always made their own barrels and they were noted for superior quality.
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