[Echo23TC]

As I was cruising around the net, I ran across an S&W 686 barrel, 8 3/8", for sale. Now, I just happen to have a 686, 4", and I began to wonder - just how tough would it be to change the barrel on this revolver? Is it even within the realm of do-ability for the home 'smith? Or would I just be more likely to screw up a perfectly good revolver? Would this best be handled by a "real" gunsmith?

I'm not planning on doing it; I was just curious. It's not the first time I've seen barrels for sale.

[Old Fuff]

Smith & Wesson revolvers that don’t have what is called a “pinned barrel” have barrels in which the threads are crush fitted when the barrel is assembled to insure a tight fit to the frame. Once the barrel has been fitted to a gun they may not fit another one. Fitting a new barrel should be done at the factory. If your original barrel was pinned a gunsmith can change it, but special tooling, particularly blocks to support the frame and barrel are needed. Don’t try too do it yourself.

[Jim Watson]

Yup.
There have been a lot of barrels changed out with a bench vise and a couple of blocks of hardwood grooved to hold the barrel; and a hickory hammer handle through the frame.
There have been some frames bent that way, too.
Then there is the little matter of vertical alignment, S&W threads are not particularly well justified. And also cylinder gap; barrel shank, receiver ring, cylinder and yoke dimensions vary enough to make it a crapshoot whether you would get a correct .006" gap or a wide .012" gap or an interference fit that would not let you close the cylinder.
I have seen it done DIY but I have also seen my FLG cleaning up after an attempted DIY, too.

[Mike Irwin]

Can it be done at home?

Yes.

Should it be done at home by someone who isn't familiar with the process, and who may or may not have the right tools?

How comfortable are you with the distinct possibility that you might really screw up your revolver?

[Echo23TC]

Mike,

I'm not at all comfortable with that possibility! I was planning on getting a long barreled revolver eventually anyway, it kind of fits in with my current N frame obsession.

Either that, or get a Dan Wesson Pistol Pack...

Yep, just watch, there goes Echo off on a tangent.

[Standing Wolf]

I rebarrelled revolvers a few times years ago without really knowing what I was doing. I didn't ruin any, but in retrospect, it's obvious I was lucky.

Any good gunsmith should be able to do the job, which would necessarily include setting the cylinder-breech gap to specifications. The job should set you back anywhere from $50 to $150, depending...

[Haycreek]

The "Dan Wesson Revoler" Revolver perfection !