Cutting down revolver barrels

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Liberty.357

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I know this has been asked before but still couldn't find much info in a search. Perhaps those with knowledge can chime in. I'm looking to chop down particularly old S&W revolvers to 106mm. Anyone know of good smith's in Canada that do this. I've checked Dlask and armsco no luck, haven't heard back from bits and pieces.

Anyone know much about this? I'm only interested in old blue revolvers (model 19's, 29's ect.).
 
Just have to ask (WHY?). You throw all collectability out the window and you wind up something not as desirable to most in the end. Some will argue that it is yours to do with as you please. My .02 cents, once you do that 99.9% of collectors would not want it and 99.9% of the people that are interested will lowball you for 1/2 your asking price.
 
That's a fair question. If we lived in a free country like the USA, I would agree. With our barrel length laws, I disagree. I don't like long barrel revolvers. I think alot of people would agree and if done properly, I don't think it wouldn't affect it's price in Canada.
 
Cutting and crowning a barrel is cutting and crowning a barrel.
Resetting the front sight is more of an issue than shortening the barrel. More time and effort than the c&c.
The profile of the barrel is going to affect the cost as well. A barrel with a full length underlug will be a more complicated job than a simple round one.
Unlikely that you would ever recover the cost of the alterations, unless someone else appreciated your customization.
 
I'm not always against mods but in this case I'm not sure what the point would be,,,, it can't be carried concealed in Canada and accuracy would likely suffer so why shorten it?

I'm also trying to figure out what kind of gun it is, I can't remember seeing an antique handgun with a barrel longer than six inches (unless it's a colt or S&W in which case it would be foolish to alter it)
 
4.2" barrel oldschool blue S&W's don't last long on the EE. Sure people who buy them to store wealth and collect dust at the back of the safe won't bat an eye. There is a market for good 4.2" revolvers in Canada, not just the crappy new ones now days. I wouldn't sell it if I didn't recoup costs anyways, I can't imagine being unhappy stuck with a whole lot of four inch oldschool blue S&W's lol. Life sure would suck.

Pains me to have to steep so low to be modifying such beautiful guns. Just remember that T.I.C. or this is Canada, we're used to getting f***ed. On the flipside, their aren't that many new revolvers that I wouldn't mind taking a hacksaw to. Chiappa rhino comes first to mind!
 
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Polar_Hunter said:
I'm not always against mods but in this case I'm not sure what the point would be,,,, it can't be carried concealed in Canada and accuracy would likely suffer so why shorten it?

I'm also trying to figure out what kind of gun it is, I can't remember seeing an antique handgun with a barrel longer than six inches (unless it's a colt or S&W in which case it would be foolish to alter it)
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Have you ever held a 4 inch revolver? It has a better balance and point of aim most the time then a 6 inch. It also looks better. Bare in mind these are my own opinions(especially point of aim). I own a 6" python and I'd much rather have a 4". Revolvers are more for the enjoyment of shooting, CC is semi auto dominant.
 
Jason at Gunco, Ottawa did one for me 4 years ago.

The biggest problem was getting the sight base. The one I used was a Wiegand base that takes the S&W classic sights.
 
I think a much better way to go would be to find a Smith or dealer you could work with to buy prohibited short barrel guns and have them rebarreling to 4.2" and re-register as restricted.
Prohibs are often cheaper and have a small market. Rebarreling might even be cheaper than cutting depending on the labour and parts available.
 
I'm not aware of any supply of 4.2" barrels to swap into prohibs. Making a barrel from a blank can be complicated - most often there is an underlug.
Shortening a barrel will reduce the sight radius; this can affect aiming precision. Might or might not be an issue.
One of my favourite recreational shooters is a 4" M&P in .38 Special.
 
BigUglyMan said:
Probably damn near the cost of a gun. It's a mod with no practical value and zero increase to the resale.
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IMO, if the OP wants a shorter barrel the best option would be to sell what he's got and buy one. Even if the shorter barrel gun costs more, the difference in price should be less than the smithing cost of a cut/crown/sight install, plus the new gun w/shorter barrel will be more desirable if he decides to sell down the road.
 
tiriaq said:
I'm not aware of any supply of 4.2" barrels to swap into prohibs. Making a barrel from a blank can be complicated - most often there is an underlug.
Shortening a barrel will reduce the sight radius; this can affect aiming precision. Might or might not be an issue.
One of my favourite recreational shooters is a 4" M&P in .38 Special.
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Actually the cost isn't too bad. I paid about $130 YMMV, plus the cost of the sight base and sight.

https://i.imgur.com/xNT6CPQ.jpg
 
Having a barrel cut is reasonable if you can't otherwise find what you want. Making a new barrel that duplicated the original appearance would not be practical; most revolver barrels are fairly complex shapes. If you want a 5" S&W Model 29, they are so rare that you can pretty much forget finding one that was made that way. This one was already cut when I bought it:

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Compared to the usual 6-1/2" barrel, I think it is more balanced in both appearance and feel and I find I can shoot it just as well.

As with any sort of customization, the point is not to maximize resale value, but to get exactly what you want.

Personally, a properly done 4.2" Model 19, for example, would be worth more to me than a 6" one, assuming both are fairly run of the mill. Anything special, e.g. NIB condition, 4 or 5-screw, etc. deserves to be left to the collectors.
 
New barrels from scratch certainly wouldn't be cost effective. Never looked but thought there might be a stash of new-old-stock at Gun Parts Corp or something.

Personally I'm partial to longer barrels on most handguns.
 
tjhaile said:
Having a barrel cut is reasonable if you can't otherwise find what you want. Making a new barrel that duplicated the original appearance would not be practical; most revolver barrels are fairly complex shapes. If you want a 5" S&W Model 29, they are so rare that you can pretty much forget finding one that was made that way. This one was already cut when I bought it:

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Compared to the usual 6-1/2" barrel, I think it is more balanced in both appearance and feel and I find I can shoot it just as well.

As with any sort of customization, the point is not to maximize resale value, but to get exactly what you want.

Personally, a properly done 4.2" Model 19, for example, would be worth more to me than a 6" one, assuming both are fairly run of the mill. Anything special, e.g. NIB condition, 4 or 5-screw, etc. deserves to be left to the collectors.
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Wow, nice 29. See that's what I'm talkin' bout! I got a 27 in 5" from factory, looks sweet aswell. N frames look and feel well balanced with a 5" barrel. I personally can't stand any revolver over 5"(and I own a 6" python lol).

Well done 686 RePete. S&W started making 4.2" barrel stainless 686 though now days. I wish they made a 4.2" 586.

I'm surprised at that lack of knowledge alot of members have on the old school S&W's. Then again I've always been back a few generations, don't understand all this newage stuff, never will.

It seems to me this endeavour is good to go. If it costs around $250-300 for the whole process I wouldn't mind. Just worried it will get into $500-600+ range real quick. Like others have mentioned a 4.2" Model 19 is worth more than an 6" in most shooters eyes, in Canada.
 
tjhaile That 27 is beautiful. I dislike long barrels on revolvers. I would have one cut down to make it what I wanted, if I could not get the one I want, & if I was never going to sell it.
 
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