Hi. I was wondering if anybody has changed their 4" barrel to a 4.25" or longer barrel on their Smith 581/681. I want to retain the same L-frame style, without just screwing in any old skinny 6" barrel. I want to have it transferred to one of my kids who doesn't have a 12.6 PAL. Any suggestions?
Smith 581 barrel change from prohib status?
- Thread starter MensaMan
- Start date
No problem. Just have the barrel changed and the gunsmith reclassify as Restricted instead of prohib and you are away. One of the best Smith gunsmiths is near you. Murray Charlton is still doing some smithing work and is the best choice for something like that.
I'll PM u the contact
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I'll PM u the contact
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sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
This might be a good time to contact your federal MP and ask him why your son cannot have this specific firearm... even thought he took the restricted course and got the background check...
And insist for a rational answer. "Because we said so" is NOT a rational answer...
Before you do anything (other than get hold of your MP), have you measured the barrel or had it measured, with calipers, to see exactly how many MM it really is? It only needs to be 105.01 to be restricted. The verifiers have to round up. There are more than a few that started out with Smith & Wesson's 4 1/8" barrel that turns out to be slightly longer...
Gunzik, You got me excited with that comment. I measured my barrel and it is 4.11". I need it to be 4.14". My K-frames are all less than 4". Damn, I lost by the width of a hair. Thank you for that - I just blindly trusted my Registration Certificate.
I honestly don't think my MP will be willing to help me. He is NDP and I know his feelings on firearms in general.
I honestly don't think my MP will be willing to help me. He is NDP and I know his feelings on firearms in general.
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Whether your MP "wants" to help you or not is a moot point. It is HIS job to help his constituent.
If you asked him and he ignores you, just think of the field day we will have in the next election. Mr. So-and-So was blinded by party ideology and failed to help constituent deal with a bureaucracy that doesn't make sense...
Ho, before I forget, always communicate with your MP in writing, and always CC someone else. In this case, you can send a copy of the letter to the minister... this way it is harder for your MP to say he didn't receive the letter... and it is also harder for him to ignore your request since 'other' people are aware of it.
If you asked him and he ignores you, just think of the field day we will have in the next election. Mr. So-and-So was blinded by party ideology and failed to help constituent deal with a bureaucracy that doesn't make sense...
Ho, before I forget, always communicate with your MP in writing, and always CC someone else. In this case, you can send a copy of the letter to the minister... this way it is harder for your MP to say he didn't receive the letter... and it is also harder for him to ignore your request since 'other' people are aware of it.
All these years I've been measuring to the forcing cone. After 40 years of gun ownership, I am still learning. I measured to the face of the cylinder and got 4.157". I think it's worth a trip over to my verifier/gunsmith and have him check it out for me. Thanks for the great suggestions.
AK! Our verifiers are taught to measure to the cylinder, between chambers. I think that instruction is even posted by the RCMP.
In this case, a few thou make a difference -- this could be end shake + gap. Doesn't matter, at 105.01 mm it's supposed to be rounded up, and that's a restricted. Lots of mis-measured handguns are out there. ..
In this case, a few thou make a difference -- this could be end shake + gap. Doesn't matter, at 105.01 mm it's supposed to be rounded up, and that's a restricted. Lots of mis-measured handguns are out there. ..
I submit it's been a VERY long time since I took the verifier's course so perhaps I'm mistaken, though I've always heard it stated to measure to the forcing cone. Otherwise one could theoretically remove the cylinder and then what do you measure to? Also I sure wouldn't want to measure a gun as a couple thou over prohibited based on end shake; a simple tune-up turns your gun prohibited again!
Just sayin'.
The revolver barrel measuring standard is detailed in the "Application to Register Firearms (for Individuals)", form # RCMP GRC 5624 EW (2008/06/27) V4 CAFC 998 (http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/form-formulaire/pdfs/998-eng.pdf)
This document states:
Barrel Length
For firearms other than revolvers, the barrel length is the distance from the muzzle of the barrel to and including the chamber, but it does not include the length of any attachments. ...
The barrel length of a revolver does not include the cylinder. Revolver barrel length is measured from the muzzle of the barrel to the breach end immediately in front of the cylinder. ...
This document states:
Barrel Length
For firearms other than revolvers, the barrel length is the distance from the muzzle of the barrel to and including the chamber, but it does not include the length of any attachments. ...
The barrel length of a revolver does not include the cylinder. Revolver barrel length is measured from the muzzle of the barrel to the breach end immediately in front of the cylinder. ...
One possible issue with what the OP wants to do is that the front sight on fixed-sighted 581/681 revolvers is lower than the front sight on 586/686s. I don't think that any 581/681 barrels longer than 4" were ever made so if you want to de-prohib you'll probably need a 686 barrel. If you choose to do to go ahead with the re-barrelling it may be possible to have whoever installs the barrel to reduce the height of the front sight to match the fixed rear sight.
Thanks, Master-G. You're right - only a 4" barrel was made for the 581/681. If I fail at the re-measure on the overall barrel length, then I could try for a used 586 barrel. I'm just considering all my options right now with my post-1946 prohibs. I hate to sell right now, with the prices of prohibs dropping so quickly. But I am sure I am among thousands facing the same dilemma.
