Colt Python Bore dimensions?

[philthephlier]

I have a Smython. (Python barrel on a S&W 586 Frame). Barrel is 6" and was originally 8", the target barrel Colt put on Pythons set up for 38 SPL. match shooting.
I slugged the bore not long ago and discovered the groove diameter is .354". Sounds a bit tight to me. Aren't 38 spl/357 Mag groove diameters supposed to be .357" Was this barrel meant for the target version given a tighter bore to shoot wadcutters more accurately? Any Colt experts knowledgeable about this? The gun is very accurate with almost everything I have shot in it but I am wondering if there is a best bullet I should find if indeed this is tighter than normal.

[TDB9901]

In my experience, Colts have always had a tighter bore than Smiths. My buddy's Colts often ran .355 to .356 while my Smith's went a little bigger. .357 or .358. I have not had a huge amount of experience with Colts, but I'm sure you will hear from someone here who has....Just my FWIW.

At one time in the far distant past I considered the very some conversion.

[dubber123]

I have always heard the Colts ran a tighter bore. I did however recently slug my 60's production Model 14 S&W, and it came out to .3545". Yours is definately snug, but not unheard of by any means.

[higgins]

I have slugged two Colts, a .38 spl. from the 50s, and a .357 made in the 60s, and both had .355 grooves. The chamber mouths on both were .358.

[targetshootr]

I've heard Python bores were tapered which gave them the better accuracy. Either way, pics please.

[philthephlier]

photo

[targetshootr]

That's a nice looking gun. Any idea who did the work? I've got a simliar 586 in the works using a Python barrel rebored to 44 and shortened to 4" along with a 5 shot 44spl cylinder.

[TDB9901]

DROOL!!! Maybe someday!!

[philthephlier]

I have a milling machine and access to a lathe. I did two, one on a K-frame Model 10 and this one on the L Frame. The L-frame project is a nicer combination because the L Frame is much closer in dimension to a Colt I Frame Python, so the barrel fit is a nicer match to the S&W frame. It's also nice to shoot full horse power Magnum loads that the L frame is built to handle. Many Smythons, also called Smolts, were built on KFrame Model 19's. Welding was involved and the gun was not IMHO capable of a handling a steady diet of Magnum ammo. Many others more knowlegeable than me have expressed similar feelings on the subject.

[fredj338]

I have a Smython. (Python barrel on a S&W 586 Frame). Barrel is 6" and was originally 8", the target barrel Colt put on Pythons set up for 38 SPL. match shooting.
I slugged the bore not long ago and discovered the groove diameter is .354". Sounds a bit tight to me. Aren't 38 spl/357 Mag groove diameters supposed to be .357" Was this barrel meant for the target version given a tighter bore to shoot wadcutters more accurately? Any Colt experts knowledgeable about this? The gun is very accurate with almost everything I have shot in it but I am wondering if there is a best bullet I should find if indeed this is tighter than normal.

My first Pytrhon had tight bore of 0.356". I sold it unfortuantely, but now have another bought recently. I'll have to slug it. I have a M19 w/ Python bbl, back then it was called a Smolt. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v703/fredj338/357mags.jpg I like the idea of a Smython on the L frame, just doesn't seem to be much diff than the full lug 586/686 to make a diff.

[Cherokee]

My 357 Python 8" was tight and I shot lots and lots of 357 bullsets J and cast. Its the most accurate handgun I had. Gone now but I got a 686 8" that shoots just as good. Go with regular "357" bullets and .358 cast - Walt usta say something like, when the big light hits the butt, it'll fit the barrel.

[beagle]

My old 1958 vintage Python handles .356" bullets mighty fine./beagle

[243winxb]

.355" groove in a Python leaded using swaged full wadcuttes with lite bullseye load. Could not keep shots on target at 50' indoor range.

[Dframe]

That's a nice looking gun. Any idea who did the work? I've got a simliar 586 in the works using a Python barrel rebored to 44 and shortened to 4" along with a 5 shot 44spl cylinder.

Oh you have me drooling. Please post some pix and let us know how this project goes.

[targetshootr]

Oh you have me drooling. Please post some pix and let us know how this project goes.

Will do. The cyl is stainless so the whole gun will be hardchromed and look like the one fredj has above. But I'm beginning to think it might be better to use a GP100 instead.