S&W revolver rebarrel

I wonder if it would be cheaper to sell it and buy a non-12.6 version. A barrel replacement I'm guessing would be a couple hundred bucks or more. The price for 12.6 revolvers has really dropped, though, in the last couple of years. If you don't mind sharing, what type of revolver is it?
 
I can certainly understand it if you decide to sell. If you decide to re-barrel, I've had a Smith (model 547 from 3" to 4.25") rebarrelled by Barry Jensen of Bits of Pieces. He does beautiful work. You can call or email him to let him know exactly what you want done. It would take a while and probably cost a couple hundred or so, depending on what needs to be done. If that's the choice, your Dad can send the gun to Barry, Barry can do the work, re-register the gun as "restricted" and send it to you, once the "restricted" gun is transferred to you by your Dad. Barry does quite a few of these, and I'm sure would be happy to talk it over with you.
 
goggles_pizzano said:
Master-G, it's a stainless S&W 65-5 357 Mag and it's seen very little use.
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Hmmm...that's a bit of a conundrum. I'm am not sure if S&W made non-prohib length barrels for the fixed-sighted Model 65 (basically a stainless Model 13) so I don't know if it's possible to de-prohib it. You could probably get a barrel meant for an adjustable-sighted K Frame like a Model 66, but the rear sights won't work, and I am doubtful that you could cost-effectively add adjustable rear sights. The best way to be sure would be to contact someone like George Wortner or Charlton's and ask -- both about the barrel and the sights.

The other downside is that fixed-sighted 12.6 K Frames don't go for much on the EE; unfortunately if it's a 4" model you might only be able to get $250-$300, while a rarer 3" Model would go for a bit more. It's a shame because they're great guns, but the 12.6 market is becoming increasingly limited. I'd still think that if you took what you could get on the EE and then added the cost of the barrel you'd be really close to what you'd pay on the EE for a nice 6" Model 19 or Model 66"...I've seen some go for $450 - $500 which is good price for a great revolver.
 
George Wortner in Chatham did a 5" Model 66 barrel onto a Model 65 for me years ago, don't know if he'd still do it or not but he does amazing work. He dovetailed a new front sight in place and it looks like a factory job. The downside is that the job will probably cost you more than the gun is worth.

He also did a conversion of a 4" Model 28 to .45 ACP for me that was spectacular and the one handgun that I wish I'd never sold...


blake
 
mudgunner49 said:
George Wortner in Chatham did a 5" Model 66 barrel onto a Model 65 for me years ago, don't know if he'd still do it or not but he does amazing work. He dovetailed a new front sight in place and it looks like a factory job. The downside is that the job will probably cost you more than the gun is worth.
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I really like the sound of that -- even if it is a little expensive. You get to keep your dad's gun and make it one of a kind.
 
He also did a conversion of a 4" Model 28 to .45 ACP for me that was spectacular and the one handgun that I wish I'd never sold...
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How much did that cost and how long ago?
 
tjhaile said:
How much did that cost and how long ago?
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It's been at least 10 or 12 years ago as I think I moved that one 6 or 7 years ago or so. I had sourced a .45ACP cylinder and a 4" barrel from a 1950 target (tapered). I'd have to look thru the records but I think I paid around $250 or so all up.

I moved it because I got the itch for a 625 5" in ACP - not nearly as nice a gun as the conversion. Very sad that I sold it...


blake
 
Mudgunner49, if you can dig something up that would be much appreciated. I'm still doing my research and mulling over my options; I'm just not sure which way I want to go. Ideally I'd keep it as is, but..........
 
Hey Goggles
I have the same thing going on right now, with my dad. He has a S&W 19-5 nickle. Which has a 4" barrel. I have not been able to find a 5" nickle barrel.
I have been informed by a local gunsmith that you can have the barrel drilled and then have a sleeve put in to lengthen the barrel to your desired length.
This costs 2 to 3 hundred bucks.
In my eyes, I'll gladly pay the dough instead of selling the prohib and buying something new.
My dad's S&W is so sweet. Plus it's my DAD's :)
 
Hey jojo, I got a similar quote from Bits Of Pieces. He also warned me it probably wouldn't shoot as well after the sleeve. It's a nice piece in great shape, but I'm just not sure if it's worth it to me (I don't think I'll use it much). Ahhhh.....I'm still undecided.
 
jojo said:
Hey Goggles
I have the same thing going on right now, with my dad. He has a S&W 19-5 nickle. Which has a 4" barrel. I have not been able to find a 5" nickle barrel.
I have been informed by a local gunsmith that you can have the barrel drilled and then have a sleeve put in to lengthen the barrel to your desired length.
This costs 2 to 3 hundred bucks.
In my eyes, I'll gladly pay the dough instead of selling the prohib and buying something new.
My dad's S&W is so sweet. Plus it's my DAD's :)
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That is one way to go, ButI know of one that was done that way,
drilled out and full lenght liner with 1/2" extension added, after a couple
boxed of ammo ( 38 sp.) not 357mag, the forcing cone split.
That was on a S-W 66model I think.
 
marshall said:
I know of one that was done that way, drilled out and full lenght liner with 1/2" extension added, after a couple boxes of ammo ( 38 sp.) not 357mag, the forcing cone split. That was on a S-W 66 model I think.
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Yeah, the forcing cone is a bit of a weak point on K Frames -- have a look at it and you'll see at the bottom it's thinned out a bit to make room for the crane. It's where they'll crack sometimes if you shoot a bunch of lower weight magnum loads. I would be leery of trying it on a K Frame; on an N or even an L Frame you'd have more metal to deal with there.

One thing that would be super sweet if it worked (but not very likely to)--have the barrel length accurately checked. There have been a few cases where the factory barrel was not 4.00", but long enough that it could be re-registered as restricted. You see them on the EE from time to time. It's the longest of the long shots, but maybe worth a try.
 
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