Python/Diamondback barrel interchangeability

Dark Alley Dan

Dark Alley Dan

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Howdy, folks.

I spent the weekend teaching the firearms course and had the pleasure of hosting the daughter of a retired RCMP member.

Said member has a blued Diamondback in .38 with a satanic, baby-destroying, fundamentally-evil 4" barrel. He'd like to be able to keep it in the family, and so is looking for a 6" tube. I was able to find another one for a fellow who took the course a year ago, but I can't imagine there's a ton of them out there.

In the event we strike out on a Diamondback barrel, is the Python barrel compatible? Are the frames two different sizes? Would it look goofy?

Yours in Curiosity,

Dan
 
OK, did some research and it appears they are not compatible - two different frame sizes.

The Diamondback shares a frame size ("D" for those who wonder) with the Agent, Viper, Detective Special, and the Cobra, all of which were available exclusively with a 4" barrel or shorter. The only other long-tubed D frame was the Police Positive.

So, new question - is the Police Positive barrel compatible with the Diamondback frame?

Doesn't get much more esoteric than that, does it? :)
 
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A Diamondback in good shape will command 4 times what the gentleman bought the revolver for originally. The fact he could pass on the rewards of such a wise investment to his heirs would make him happy...non? It seems a shame to mess with a classic revolver, especially one in such demand!
 
Dark Alley Dan said:
Gotta think that as a 12.6 gun, it won't get the money we'd hoped.

At the very least, if we can find a legal-length barrel for it, it can sell into a larger market.
Click to expand...

True, many 12(6)'s are a bargain for buyers but Colt snake guns still command a premium. Also, although 4" revolvers cannot come INTO Canada, they can still be sold in the U.S. and for U.S. dollars! Don't be afraid of gunbroker.com...even considering fees to the likes of "I run guns", you'll come out ahead nicely on almost any Colt revolver being sold in the American market! Parts for these discontined revolvers are sparse as the snake gun craze has been going on for years now, and if you do find a barrel, you'll pay a kings ransom for it making it a poor return on investment.
 
Dark Alley Dan said:
OK, did some research and it appears they are not compatible - two different frame sizes.

The Diamondback shares a frame size ("D" for those who wonder) with the Agent, Viper, Detective Special, and the Cobra, all of which were available exclusively with a 4" barrel or shorter. The only other long-tubed D frame was the Police Positive.

So, new question - is the Police Positive barrel compatible with the Diamondback frame?

Doesn't get much more esoteric than that, does it? :)
Click to expand...

Yes the Police Positive barrel is compatible on a Diamondback they are both D frames. I agree with other posters however, it would likely sell for a good deal more as a prohib Diamondback then a hermaphrodite Colt collusion of parts. - dan
 
As a dealer/ collector, you are wrong if you think a diamondback with a police po. barrel will help the value, what you will do is make a police positive with a shiny frame.
Better check out values before start mucking with barrels, last one I seen sold was 1500.00, which I don't understand for a 12-6 gun in Canada.
I sold 6 inch python cheaper than that
While we are on the 4 in issue, what is the legality of a 4 in colt barrel that has never been on a gun?
If you take one off and put on a longer one , the short one has to be turned in, but I am unsure about a barrel that has never been installed????
Dark Alley Dan said:
Gotta think that as a 12.6 gun, it won't get the money we'd hoped.

At the very least, if we can find a legal-length barrel for it, it can sell into a larger market.
Click to expand...
 
Shorter barrel is a "prohibited device", and as the Mounties are certain such a thing could only be owned by a practicing Satanist, would be troublesome to possess.

Thanks, everyone, for your advice.
 
marshall said:
As a dealer/ collector, you are wrong if you think a diamondback with a police po. barrel will help the value, what you will do is make a police positive with a shiny frame.
Better check out values before start mucking with barrels, last one I seen sold was 1500.00, which I don't understand for a 12-6 gun in Canada.
I sold 6 inch python cheaper than that
While we are on the 4 in issue, what is the legality of a 4 in colt barrel that has never been on a gun?
If you take one off and put on a longer one , the short one has to be turned in, but I am unsure about a barrel that has never been installed????
Click to expand...

Ran into that with a 4" 29 barrel. Prohibited device, turn it in I was told. - dan
 
Police Positive 5" or 6" barrel on a beautiful Diamondback? Heresy!
Finding that barrel would be a quest too. Colt Diamondbacks were made in 6" lengths in 38 special & .22LR. Better luck posting a WTS/WTB/WTT ad and seek a 6". A trade possibly involving $...might work.
The RCMPolice love gun owners who turn in prohibited barrels as they can remove them from the system. However, please note, that there is NO collection method for prohibited parts enumerated in Bill C68.
 
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