Converting Smith and Wesson Model 10 HB to 106mm Restricted?

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08CV

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Hi all,

I have been looking into converting a 12.6 Smith & Wesson Model 10 HB into the restricted class. The HB was only sold in 4" or less so it will need to a custom barrel/conversion. The hope would be to remake it slightly longer by as little as possible. I am wondering what a conversion like this would look like and how it would work. Will it stick out like a "pinocchio" barrel? Is it possible to recess it and maybe shave the cylinder slightly to accommodate it and make it look more natural? I have heard a common method is to "bore and sleeve" the barrel, what would that imply? Are there other methods? From what I've seen few people have an interest in specifically converting a bull barrel K frame, so specific information has been difficult to find.

Also if anyone has photos of a similar 4" K-frame conversion that would be fantastic. I am very passionate about this model in particular so I am willing to pay so long as I can maintain the clean bull barrel aesthetics of the Model 10.

Cheers, and thanks in advance
 
A good gunsmith can make you a new barrel in whatever length and profile you want. Good S&W gunsmiths are rare (I'm being generous) in Canada.

When looking to get a similar conversion (on a different model - snub centennial on an alloy (!) j-frame) done I explored sending the gun to Frank Glenn in the US (via IRunGuns) - he confirmed that he can make a barrel in any length and profile and is happy to work on a gun temporarily exported to him via IRG. IRG would then take care of the re-registration. I have not gone through the process yet - the gun is safe with my father in law for now.

Good luck!
 
I have the same gun, a model 10 heavy bbl 4". I'm glad I kept it so that I can remain eligible to purchase other short barrel handguns.

At one time in Canada, you could get a really great slab barrel made up for a S&W. They were popular for the double action only ppc guns.
 
@KotKotofeich

Yes the people who do good work on K frames are getting fewer and fewer. Few shooters in general seem to demonstrate an interest in wheelguns anymore.

Any idea what sort of price range/turnaround time Frank gave for the project? Can PM if you are interested in sharing
 
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Grizzlypeg said:
I have the same gun, a model 10 heavy bbl 4". I'm glad I kept it so that I can remain eligible to purchase other short barrel handguns.

At one time in Canada, you could get a really great slab barrel made up for a S&W. They were popular for the double action only ppc guns.
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Lucky duck. I don't have 12.6 so I'll have to try and work around it by facilitating a transfer from the seller to gunsmith indirectly.

I actually saw a PPC gun for sale online the other day (pretty cheap like $600 I think?) and it was pretty unusual looking. Must have been awesome to participate in those events back then.
 
08CV said:
@KotKotofeich

Yes the people who do good work on K frames are getting fewer and fewer. Few shooters in general seem to demonstrate an interest in wheelguns anymore.

Any idea what sort of price range/turnaround time Frank gave for the project? Can PM if you are interested in sharing
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Sorry, I didn't get a quote - I wasn't going to get it done immediately so quotes would have been meaningless. If you are not dealing with a family heirloom, I wonder if it would be quicker simpler and cheaper to buy a gun in the US with the help of IRunGuns, get it rebarrelled by someone like Frank and then imported.
 
KotKotofeich said:
Sorry, I didn't get a quote - I wasn't going to get it done immediately so quotes would have been meaningless. If you are not dealing with a family heirloom, I wonder if it would be quicker simpler and cheaper to buy a gun in the US with the help of IRunGuns, get it rebarrelled by someone like Frank and then imported.
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I considered that but it actually may even be more expensive. Model 10s in the states are about $300-$350 USD right now and only about $350 CAD here. Adding the $200 import fee and $25 shipping and would push the base price even higher to around $645 before any work :(
 
Okay, so you are contemplating turning someone else's “prohib class S&W model 10, otherwise you could own it?

IMHO your quest is pretty much pointless. There is little to be gained by putting a longer barrel onto an already fixed sighted revolver. The new barrel would have to be custom made with the correct new sight profile, all of which will exceed the value of the original firearm.

Further, the changeover has not substantially increased the value of the firearm. A 4.2” barrel on a fix sighted revolver might be great for plinking, but even in PPC Service competition, the firearm is easily outclassed by all other service guns.

The new-ish S&W model 19 revolver is probably what you seek. Additionally, Ruger’s 4.2” GP100, Colt’s new 4.2” King Cobra, or even S&W’s 4.2” 586/686 revolver could achieve your goal. For example, I once researched installing S&W adjustable sights on a HB S&W model 13. Pointless.
 
hatman1793 said:
Okay, so you are contemplating turning someone else's “prohib class S&W model 10, otherwise you could own it?

IMHO your quest is pretty much pointless. There is little to be gained by putting a longer barrel onto an already fixed sighted revolver. The new barrel would have to be custom made with the correct new sight profile, all of which will exceed the value of the original firearm.

Further, the changeover has not substantially increased the value of the firearm. A 4.2” barrel on a fix sighted revolver might be great for plinking, but even in PPC Service competition, the firearm is easily outclassed by all other service guns.

The new-ish S&W model 19 revolver is probably what you seek. Additionally, Ruger’s 4.2” GP100, Colt’s new 4.2” King Cobra, or even S&W’s 4.2” 586/686 revolver could achieve your goal. For example, I once researched installing S&W adjustable sights on a HB S&W model 13. Pointless.
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That is precisely what I want to do. I know it will be expensive, worth more than the gun, and little will be gained. But just like some guys wish they had Lugers or Walther PPKs, A Model 10 HB (or 13, even rarer) is my forbidden fruit.

The profile, balance, fixed sight and appearance are all draws to me for that specific model. I have a 4.2" GP-100 and it's very nice but it's just not the same. I had a chance to use a 10HB extensively for a short period (which I no longer have access to) and it was fantastic. If I have to pay the cost of a new Smith & Wesson to get it I am prepared to do so. Gun desires or purchases are not always rational lol
 
Model 19 barrels are not available new. I needed a rebarrel on a 19 and had to go with a 586 barrel full under lug about a $700 touch. Had it done at Murray Charlton they did a wonderful job, but I think he has retired?
 
A 4 in can be bored out and a 106 or 107 mm lined installed, than a collar installed, looks silly, and the one I handled, worked fine until 357mag was used, split the forcing cone Model66
I think if the drill was stopped just before the forcing cone, it would have worked, but the liner would stick out more.
cutting the cylinder back and using full wad cutter bullets should work, with a model 10 , you will not be using 357mag ammo anyway.
Cost wise, No. If you did it your self , than maybe.
but than again, I shoot mainly 4 inch guns ( better than my 6 in one) for some reason.
BTw, there are 5 in NOS 38 s-w barrels to be had in Canada ( s-w Victor barrels) about 90.oo they are not bull barrels.
 
marshall said:
A 4 in can be bored out and a 106 or 107 mm lined installed, than a collar installed, looks silly, and the one I handled, worked fine until 357mag was used, split the forcing cone Model66
I think if the drill was stopped just before the forcing cone, it would have worked, but the liner would stick out more.
cutting the cylinder back and using full wad cutter bullets should work, with a model 10 , you will not be using 357mag ammo anyway.
Cost wise, No. If you did it your self , than maybe.
but than again, I shoot mainly 4 inch guns ( better than my 6 in one) for some reason.
BTw, there are 5 in NOS 38 s-w barrels to be had in Canada ( s-w Victor barrels) about 90.oo they are not bull barrels.
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Yes maintaining the overall aesthetics of the bull barrel in particular are of great importance for this project. I have tons of material for copper plated 158 grain bullets so I'll be shooting that for the next while. I like to speedload, and wadcutters may stand in the way of that. I saw the S&W barrels the other day but as you mentioned they are unfortunately pencil barrels.
 
Standardvel said:
Model 19 barrels are not available new. I needed a rebarrel on a 19 and had to go with a 586 barrel full under lug about a $700 touch. Had it done at Murray Charlton they did a wonderful job, but I think he has retired?
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Yeah there website says they are closing down and won't be taking any more gunsmithing jobs :(
 
I guess if you really want that bull barrel, you could have it sleeved, or better yet a new barrel made.
Herron arms may be able to help you out. They do a bunch of custom work.
 
wbaad said:
I guess if you really want that bull barrel, you could have it sleeved, or better yet a new barrel made.
Herron arms may be able to help you out. They do a bunch of custom work.
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Thanks, I'll reach out to them. A custom new barrel may be the neatest solution to this.
 
enefgee said:
You could try to get a new factory 4.25 inch and have it fitted.
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I had the same problem with a Model 10 I got off the EE. At some point, presumably circa Bill C-68, someone apparently had a gunsmith cut the original 4" barrel back just behind the front sght and silver-solder the end of another barrel he had on hand onto it to bring it over the ridiculous 105mm limit !!! Actually did a pretty decent job but I could see that although the grooves were lined up, it seemed a bit of SS had remained in the grooves so it didn't shoot all that well, although I'll admit I was (and am) rather out of practice and it could partly have been me! Anyway, I got a 5" .38 S&W barrel from Tradex and had Rusty Wood install it ($200 :eek:) Someone here (bearhunter? Jethunter?) said those barrels are actually bored .357 and it seems this is correct.

However, after this I noticed to my surprise that Numrich/GunParts actually had Model 10 HB and regular barrels in 4.25", presumably from some small production run in the past. Problem is, they won't export them, although it might be worth checking with IRG or Prohpet River or someone to see if they could get one, if they are still available.

Just checked- yes, they have 4.125" HB for $81.25. Link here.

HB at Numrich.jpg
 

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Tradex, a banner sponsor has restricted length New Old Stock barrels that will fit the Model 10 S&W.

They are stamped 38 Smith and Wesson and I believe they are replacement parts for the older Victory model pistols which have the same thread pitch/diameter on their tenons. There were some comments that the bore diameters are slightly large. All of the barrels I bought had identical bore diameters as 38 Special marked barrels.

They're relatively easy to fit, if you know the procedure, have a set of feeler gauges and a lathe.

Just to see how difficult it would be, I did one conversion with a file and drill press. It can be done, but it takes a lot of fiddling and fitting to get it right. Not something most folks want to attempt.

The Tradex barrels are new in grease from 75 years ago. They have a light profile and they're cheap. Mine also shoot both jacketed and cast bullets well.

NO, I don't do installs/conversions.

The whole job only takes about an hour, if the gunsmith knows his stuff.

I tried to get some of those and other profile 4.125" barrels into Canada. There is an EXPORT BAN PLACED ON THEM BY ITAR. Not sure why.
 
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