686-3 barrel swap

goomba000

goomba000

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Hi all, I recently acquired a S&W 686-3 from a friend of mine. I was considering parting with it, but you guys have convinced me to keep it.

Only problem is, it has an 8" barrel and yeah... While It's cool for shooting at 50yd+, it's pretty heavy. I'd rather have something a bit more manageable, like 5" or 6" (do they make 4.5?), since I intend to shoot it a great deal.

I'm pretty new to revolvers in general. Does anyone have experience doing this sort of thing on a Smith, or knows where replacement barrels can be purchased? Also from what I've heard, the 686 has a crush fit barrel, does that mean it's impossible to replace, even by a gunsmith? Thanks.
 
Interestingly enough, I came across an Youtube video yesterday, and it was a Canadian company changing the barrel of a S&W revolver. The company's name is Silvercore, maybe give them a call or send them an email?
 
To my recollection, 686 Smiths came with 2.5, 3, 4, 6 and 8 inch barrels.
4” would be too short for Canada. So as I mentioned in your other post, 6” factory barrel is the closest you’ll get before prohib.
You can have your barrel cut to just above the 105mm by a smith who knows what they’re doing, or possibly find a barrel from a different model that will fit. Speak with a competent gun plumber if you can find one in Quebec. Otherwise there are many across Canada I’m sure can oblige.
You can give Gary Howe in Waterloo, Ontario a try. I’ve had him replace a Mod 19 Combat Magnum 2.5” barrel for me many years ago I was extremely happy with the work done. Tighter than the factory specs at the cylinder/barrel gap.
 
easy said:
To my recollection, 686 Smiths came with 2.5, 3, 4, 6 and 8 inch barrels.
4” would be too short for Canada. So as I mentioned in your other post, 6” factory barrel is the closest you’ll get before prohib.
You can have your barrel cut to just above the 105mm by a smith who knows what they’re doing, or possibly find a barrel from a different model that will fit. Speak with a competent gun plumber if you can find one in Quebec. Otherwise there are many across Canada I’m sure can oblige.
You can give Gary Howe in Waterloo, Ontario a try. I’ve had him replace a Mod 19 Combat Magnum 2.5” barrel for me many years ago I was extremely happy with the work done. Tighter than the factory specs at the cylinder/barrel gap.
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They also come from the factory with a 4.25" barrel for the CA market. It may be much quicker to find the whole gun rather than just the barrel.
 
My suggestion would be to go with a 5” barrel. Would be a sweet shooter. Find a good leather hip holster for it and you’ll have lots of fun with it.
Happy to hear you decided to keep that gun.
 
StoneHorse said:
They also come from the factory with a 4.25" barrel for the CA market. It may be much quicker to find the whole gun rather than just the barrel.
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You are correct. I just looked it up and indeed they did make them with 4.25” barrels. I’m sure Gary would know where to get one. He’s probably order a new one from S&W.
Cheers.
 
For your info, acceptable factory spec is between 4 and 6 thou. cylinder gap. Mine turned out just under 4 thou. Probably close to 3 thou. It’s tight.
 
S&W uses a 5 inch barrel as well.

The fastest route would be to have it chopped to 5 inches and reinstall the front sight.
Probably cost less as well
 
easy said:
To my recollection, 686 Smiths came with 2.5, 3, 4, 6 and 8 inch barrels.
4” would be too short for Canada. So as I mentioned in your other post, 6” factory barrel is the closest you’ll get before prohib.
You can have your barrel cut to just above the 105mm by a smith who knows what they’re doing, or possibly find a barrel from a different model that will fit. Speak with a competent gun plumber if you can find one in Quebec. Otherwise there are many across Canada I’m sure can oblige.
You can give Gary Howe in Waterloo, Ontario a try. I’ve had him replace a Mod 19 Combat Magnum 2.5” barrel for me many years ago I was extremely happy with the work done. Tighter than the factory specs at the cylinder/barrel gap.
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the info. Will definitely check with him if he can find a 4.25" or 5" barrel. I've already got a couple PMs of people wanting to buy my 8" barrel if I swap it. I don't think I'll have it cut if not absolutely necessary.
 
XTGUN said:
Can’t chop barrels below 18.5 inches have to be mfg that way or it’s prohib.
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That doesn’t apply to handguns. Only anything less than 105mm before you hit prohib. length.

The magic number for barrels is 18” (457mm), not 18.5”.
Firearms adapted from a rifle or shotgun, whether by sawing, cutting or any other alteration, and that, as so adapted are:
less than 660 mm in length 660 mm or greater in length and has a barrel less than 457 mm in length.
Click to expand...
 
XTGUN said:
I stand corrected!
Click to expand...
No worries. We’ve had these discussions before. There are several places on the net that propagate the 18.5”, so I’m not surprised of the misconceptions. Always refer to the Firearms Act when in doubt.
 
htt ps://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/325060

htt ps://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/324370
Remove spaces. Second one is "L" frame

Just for information, a place to watch.
 
Easiest just to trade for or sell and buy the gun with the barrel length you want. Assuming you can find one in time. Even if you lost a bit on the swap, buying a barrel and installing it is probably a $400+ job. Never seen a hack job come out looking good and performing well except for a simple round barrel on a single action. and hack jobs aren’t that cheap either. Frankly i’d just keep it, or at least shoot it first and see what you think instead of running with the prevailing opinions.
 
XTGUN said:
Can’t chop barrels below 18.5 inches have to be mfg that way or it’s prohib.
Click to expand...

We are talking pistols barrels, you can chop a barrel to 106mm, 4 1/2 inch,
problem is the front sight is not removal on those models, so have to manufacture a new sight, not hard to do, a new fiber optic work work nice. with a dove tail.
Better to look for a new model smith, with the 4.25 barrel, The 5 inch 686 is not something you see, the 6 in is common.
But late in the game to get too choosy. I also don't like 8 in., I shoot a 4 in all the time.
I had a spare 6 in but sold at last gun show.,
Have a 5 in milt model 10, M&P barrel, but those don't fit the L frame guns. and they are matt blue , parkerized.
 
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There are a number of possibilities you can explore, depending on what your price preference is.

1. Sell the revolver outright & buy a new or used 686. 4.25” or 6” model.
2. Have your 686 barrel reduced to 4.25, 5” or 6” with a new front sight.
3. Take off your 8” barrel & sell it. Buy a barrel blank from someone like Nine35.ca & have a competent gunsmith carve it to your desire.
 
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