Colt Python .38 Special vs. .357 Mag - same barrels?

[IMtheNRA]

I recently saw a Colt Python with a barrel stamped .38 Special. I was wondering if there is any difference between the Python .38 Special barrel and the more common versions, stamped .357 Magnum. While I did not have a .357 Mag version to compare the two, the barrel seems identical to the .357 Mag, other than the ".38 Special" marking. Is it? And if so, are the barrels interchangeable between .38 Spec and .357 Magnum Pythons?

(I don't intend to try to shoot .357 Mag ammo in the .38 Special Python)

 

[ArchAngelCD]

While not a Colt expert I do know the barrels on S&W 38s and 357s are the same. The marking are required by law and not really telling you the barrels are different. It's like when a gunsmith installed a custom barrel on a rifle. It's required he stamp the correct clambering on the barrel.

 

[JohnBT]

There is no difference other than length and marking.

See post #3...

www.coltforum.com/forums/python/90043-python-target-vs-python-shooting-38-special.html