Ruger Rattler" oh yeah !

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He also used Diamondback Barrels on the adjustable sight versions. Most 2" Detective special barreled ones had dehorned hammers too. I have seen a few and always lusted after one. Anyone thinking about buyin a "new" Colt snub gun ought to look for one of these. $1200 is actually very reasonable. When you pull the double action trigger on one of these you will be thinking "60s python without stacking" Very smooth and gun comes quickly apart for recleaning and reassembly, amazing ! Bill used to show how robust the action was compaed to a S&W K frame equivalent size wise. That also was a high point of Colt Barrel manufacture in the early 80s when they went to Laser aligned rifling jigs I think he used King Cobra Barrels for the 3" and longer ones. I just researched and the 2" Detective Special Speed sixes are the rarest examples !

davistrio.jpg .
 
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That is definitely a very cool revolver Gordon. I like it. :thumbup:

Thanks for the explanation. I had heard the term “Ruger Rattler” before but had no idea what was meant by it. :cool:
 
Gordon
This one is the most desireable 3" and these might be the ultimate edc fighting revolvers, ever:
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You won't get an argument from me about that statement! What an awesome snake revolver!
 
Mmm. Nice gun, but perhaps the square edges of the frame where the barrel rib begins... should've been rounded. Nice aesthetic touch.
 
Actually that may seem like a high price ..... but you would have a very good carry 357 ...
 
Gordon said:
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Funny, that is actually my picture. My Dad and Bill were great friends since Bill built all of Dad's PPC revolvers. He loved Bill's hybrids though. Here is a closer picture of his Rattler (in stainless). The action on it is exquisite, and I agree that it would make a superb fighting revolver.

rattler.jpg
 
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Ahhh, the “Cuger” blending of Colt and Ruger. That gun looks fantastic, the work on it is amazing. :thumbup:

As for the question about whether the Colt barrel is better that was posted above; I don’t know if the average shooter could shoot any better with one or the other. I honestly think it was just a way to give a gun owner a “one of a kind” look and feel to their stock handgun. Smith frames and Colt barrels (“Smolts”) were also a popular combination back before they were worth their weight in gold.

Stay safe.
 
As for the question about whether the Colt barrel is better that was posted above; I don’t know if the average shooter could shoot any better with one or the other.
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It is my understanding that the colt barrels enhanced accuracy and handling in a couple ways.
First, the bore of the Python barrels, and possibly other snake gun barrels, had better finished bores and rifling that tapered toward the muzzle. No gain twist, but tapered and better finishing that enhaced the accuracy. Secondly, the Python barrels had the full length under lug and full length ribbed barrel that improved the handling qualities and helped the shooter hold the gun steady with that bit of additional front weight. Also, it was said the ribbed barrel also helped a bit in sight alignment and pointability.
I have owned several Pythons over the years and I can definitely say they pointed much better for me than the S&W and were much more enjoyable to shoot in every way, too. YMMV, tho.

It was quite common in the 60's, 70's and 80's for a competition shooter to have his S&W M19 rebarreled with a Python barrel. They were quite adamant that it did indeed improve the accuracy. And yes, the term "Smolt" was commonly applied to such conversions.

I like the idea of the Rattlers referenced above and I do like the Rugers, too. Maybe I'll look for one someday.....
 
doubleh said:
It appears to me as building something just for the sake of being different. I seriously doubt there was much benefit to be gained in the barrel swap except for looks.
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Before the after-market barrels came on the scene, it was acknowledged by many PPC shooters that the rifling of the Python barrel provided better accuracy over the S&W barrels. But unfortunately, the Colt frame and action was both less rugged and less easily tuned than the S&Ws. Once the after-market bull and slab-sided barrels became available, the desire for the hybrids disappeared.
 
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Gryff said:
Funny, that is actually my picture. My Dad and Bill were great friends since Bill built all of Dad's PPC revolvers. He loved Bill's hybrids though. Here is a closer picture of his Rattler (in stainless). The action on it is exquisite, and I agree that it would make a superb fighting revolver.

View attachment 999097
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I don't really remember the details to this thread I put up 6 months ago and resurrected. I did have a Rattler conversion of a Ruger security six with the Diamondback 2 1/2" barrel but a daughter in law in Oregon claimed it a couple years ago after shooting it and getting the best groups she ever got with it. It was a perfect action and size for her and it is her treasured piece for CCW.
I think I was bidding on the stainless one I pictured on GB in Dec. and unfortunately lost the bid when it went to over $1200 as I remember from the $800 max I had on it an hour before it ended. I researched them and put the pictures up I found for you folks who were not aware how sweet they are. I have had S&W K 38s with 6" Python barrels when I played PPC games in the 1980s , they are very accurate but long gone. Yes the early 80s and probably earlier Python barrels are more accurate across the board than S&W in my experience. They have a tighter twist and better interior polish and that uber secret golden ball swedged thru them by Colt. Alot of Colt barrels showed up for sale in 80s and gunsmiths snapped them up..
 
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Back in the day, I always wanted a Smython. A Smith and Wesson either Model 19 or 15, with a Colt Python barrel on it. Why? Well, because all the cool kids had one, and I wanted to be a cool kid.

I never got one. If I ever ran into one today, and the price was reasonable, and I don't really know what I'd consider reasonable now for such an item, I might jump on it. I'm long past the point of wanting to be a cool kid, but I could still pretend.
 
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