Irod

I know that a lot of you will want to hang me..... maybe with reason......

I want to cut the barrel of my Python. Yes cut it.

I ned a shorter barrel revolver and where I live I can´t buy a shorter barrel, or a new revolver with a shorter barrel (and same characteristics of my Python). Even, if I find a shorter barrel, I don´t have the neccesary equipment to do the job, and I can bend the frame.

A gunsmither?.... hell no!!!, they are no qualificated and without the equipment.

But..... we have here exelent machinists, and I´m thinkink in mount my revolver (frame with the barrel mounted) in a lathe and cut the barrel to the desired legth.

wat about the crown? can be a 90o´s?

Any idea to disuade me?

dfariswheel

This is possible but you might look into selling or trading the Python for a shorter gun.

You'd need to cut as close as possible to a rib vent to leave as much barrel as possible in front of the vent.

Whether you have the Python reduced section at the muzzle re-cut depends on the machine operator and how much you trust him.
One option is to use a hand saw to cut the barrel as square as possible, then use a milling machine to make it perfectly square with the bore.
This might be easier than trying to lock the frame and barrel in a lathe without damaging it.

To re-crown the muzzle, simply use a round-head brass screw coated with valve grinding compound to just break the sharp inner edge.
Oscillate the screw in a circular motion with a drill until the sharp edge of the bore is JUST broken.

Irod

dfariswheel.... how much it will suffer the precision?

It´s true or a mith that the Python barrels are sligthy conical to the muzzle?

Thanks!

dfariswheel

Done right and it should have little effect on accuracy.
The only real reason shorter barreled guns don't seem as accurate is actually the shorter sight radius.

Python barrels were tapered slightly toward the muzzle.
Again, I wouldn't expect a shorter barrel to be much less accurate.
I just hate to see an expensive, never-to-be-made again Python cut up.

Jim Watson

The thought of a lathe setup that would grab a revolver by the frame and line up the barrel to be turned boggles my mind... but then I am not a machinist.

I have had revolver barrels shortened as dfariswheel describes, though. Hacksaw the barrel to within a fraction of an inch of the desired length. Then set it up square in a milling machine and slab it off flat with kind of a slicing cut of an end mill (sorry if the terminology is not right.) Bevel the outer corners and crown the bore as described. Reset the front sight, or mount a new one. I have S&Ws cut from 6 to 5 to 4 inches as IDPA reduced the maximum barrel length. It doesn't look factory but it doesn't look bad.

That last will be the trick with a Python. Note that the front sight is mounted in a groove in a looong ramp tapering up nearly the full length of the vent rib. Shortening the barrel will wipe that out. I guess a good mill man could level the muzzle end of it with the rib and cut a cross dovetail through the rib post for a front sight.

I thought about having a 6" Python cut that way but ended by trading a European automatic for a 4" gun.

Irod

I totally agree with you dfariswheel, but the main and only reason to make the cut is a sligth bulge at half inch of the muzzle.

This revolver use to be fired with wadcutter handloads and was only used as a paperpuncher. I buyit at 180 bucks plus a Taurus 82 "customized" by miself (wolf springs ans polished the internal parts), but I don´t know abut that little bulge till now. It only seems whe I see in to the barrel.

I wanted as a paperpuncher but I prefer get rid of the bulge.

what if I machine a muzzle brake or compesator un that portion on the barrel? Again, I Cant dismount the barrel, and I love the revolver, at least for IDPA/IPSC shooting stile.

Jim Watson

If your machinist can set it up, just counterbore past the bulge. It will look like a .45 from the muzzle. No need for superfluous "compensator" holes for wadcutters. But you will keep the sight radius for target shooting.

Irod

I think I will make a steel guide to insert in the barrel and assure the center. Can make it just with a vertical drill?... I think It can be done with a mill.

Again, What about the crown?

Thanks Jim !

dfariswheel

The steel guide really won't get you anything, and probably would make major problems.

Your first post said you wanted a shorter barrel, now you want to keep it the same length, but the barrel is bulged?

In that case, I agree with simply counter boring the end of the barrel until the bulge is gone. This has long been done as a method of restoring accuracy to old worn muzzle military rifles.
In this case, a careful counter-bore job would likely restore the Python to accuracy WITHOUT a lot of effort.
A good machinest could to this in a short time, and with no further effort needed.

Bill Caldwell

My first question would be how bad is the accuraccy now?......I've got an old Smith 44 Special in the safe, somebody stopped one in the barrel then ran 3 more behind it tryin' to shoot the obstruction out (Known as North Louisiana Redneck gunsmithin') Good feelable bulge, pistol is still accurate... Over the years I've seen more than a few that shot okay with bulged barrels

IROD... I've got as good a machine shop as anybody needs....lots of toolin'....Knowin' how soft PYTHON frames are, no way I'd take on this job....seems to Me like You are tryin' to destroy what You have left.....How bad does the pistol shoot now? Are You usein' it in bullseye compeyition? For defense I'll bet it shoots good enough....

Bill Caldwell

Irod

Dfariswheel: yes I want a short barrel, and what encouraged me to cut that barrel was that bulge. But you are damn rigth, those are great revolvers!!, and what wrote Jim is ok for me. Recounterboring the barrel as Jim said and you support disuade me of chop the barrell.

Bill, thanks for your coments. I will test group sizes with the most common .38 specials here, and will see the results. I really take your advise,.. but my innerself is going to push me hard!!!! aaahhh, la naturaleza humana!!!!!