12.6 handgun reclassification any suggestions?

kevclare

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I have a couple short barrelled handguns I will need to re-barrel at some point has any one had any experience with this that can point me in the right direction ? Currently they are 2 S&W 686 revolvers a model 27 also and old smith model 5906 pistol . I’d hate to turn them into the red army for destruction my preference would be to find a replacement S&W barrel for my guns. Any info would be helpful thanks
 
Why are you not keeping them 12.6? Is this an estate you have to convert to keep Them yourself as a non 12.6 holder? Or to pass on?
 
Why are you not keeping them 12.6? Is this an estate you have to convert to keep Them yourself as a non 12.6 holder? Or to pass on?

None of these are 12.7 eligible (all are post 1946), so I am guessing he wants to rebarrel to allow them to be reclassified to restricted do they can be passed on to non 12.6 eligible family members.

The process is fairly simple, find the restricted barrels, have them installed, get them verified and submit the reclassification application to have the registration changed. Once they are reclassified, they are no longer 12.6 so long as the restricted barrel stays on the frame. For some reason, they revert to 12.6 if registered as frame only. The barrels once removed become prohibited devices and must be turned in or destroyed.
 
^ +1 for Bits of Pieces, I had discussed rebarrelling a 5906 with them and Barry said they could do it. (Did not go through with it so can't comment on the quality of work.)

Remember, if you don't find someone to rebarrel the others for you, you can always sell them - either on EE here or consign at one of the auctions. That way you get at least some money out of them - no need to surrender for destruction.

Even if they were never registered, there are businesses that will be able to register them and resell for you.
 
bitsofpieces will do an exemplary job of rebarreling the revolvers, however, they will not verify them for you or submit the applications for reclassification.

OP, if you do some due diligence and look on US sites, such as Numrich/Sarco etc and use a broker, those barrels can be brought legally into Canada.

Removing the barrel retaining pin, ejector rod spring and plunger is easy. You will need to find a smith that knows how to set the proper clearance gap, between the cylinder face and the barrel tenon. The smith will also need to have some math skills so the sights can be at top dead center when the barrel is screwed tight in the frame.

It's not a difficult job and most will not cut back barrels to say 4.5 inches (115mm)

Another issue, at least where I live is to find a "verifier" that will actually do the job. It seems they're only interested in verifying their own.

What I've had to do is take pics of before the job and after, with a measuring device in the photos, showing the length of barrel, which is measured from the gap of the cylinder face to the muzzle.

This process is not speedy. You will have to contact them through emails as well as over the phone. I believe the CFC people are working from home right now??

The smith that does the job, will have to turn over the original prohib barrel to be destroyed.

Once the barrel is taken off, it becomes a prohibited device and you need a 12-6A license to possess it.

I've had to make arrangements for the local RCMP to come to my place and pick up the barrels, because my licence won't allow me to possess or transport them to the Police station for surrender.

IMHO, if the revolvers are in VG to Exc condition, it's worth the effort.

I have several in my safe right now, waiting for the CFC to get back to work. Dealing with some of them can be tedious at best.

It's nice to be able to ask for a supervisor to take over or be present.
 
Further to Bearhunter, the shop /gunsmith has to be 12-6.
The feds in their wisdom decided yrs ago that we did not need prohibited devices, which includes these barrels , long mags etc.
I do have a barrel, but my hands are toast, and shop closed.
I don't like to verify someone else work, though a barrel switch is straight forward, as long as the spec's are O.K., plus it has to be in my hands.

Trade Ex had K frame barrels , nos for victory models, a couple years ago. The 686 is a L frame and the threads are different.

Closely check the barrel on the 5906, While I have not check these, I have run into a couple of 39's with 105.6-106mm factory barrels on them which is restricted length.
Their is a FRT number for them, but never checked the 5906, to see if any listed.
Hi grade 12-6 stuff is still bringing good money on the online auction sale.

If you are worried about "they" taking your 12.6, I don't think so, I am too old to worry about it, that is what I use to shoot most of the time.

Posts like this, it really helps if people would include a area of the country.
 
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Thanks for the quick responses sounds like the gunsmith at bitsofpieces has done reclassifications in the past , unfortunately i haven't been able to track down any replacement barrels yet numrich gun parts / gunbroker and brownells are all out of stock or don't carry what i need
 
Just type in the barrel length/type you want on your search engine and there will be several responses.

You will have to go through a broker to get it into Canada.

Revolvers seem to be making a comeback in many areas of the US. Just not much that beats the practicality of them.

That doesn't mean automatic pistols don't have their place or aren't popular by any means.

A few years ago, revolvers, especially M&P types were being sold at close to scrap prices and many were being broken down for saleable parts.
 
I had a 4" Model 28 converted to .45ACP by George Wortner years back, one of several that I truly regret selling. In a rare example of good luck I got far more for it than I had in in but that's another matter altogether.

It's worth the time and aggravation (and expense) if you really want to keep the guns...
 
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