[Dave/hoff]

JG Sales is offering these trade-in revolvers at a pretty good price. All seem to be 4 inch, heavy barrel models with either square or round butts and are advertised as DAO, with bobbed hammers.

I'd like to ask regarding the feasibility of buying one (or two) replacing the spurless hammer (assuming that will make it SA-capable) and having the 4-inch barrel replaced with a 3-incher, in order to get the gun I really want.

So, will replacing the hammer make this a DA/SA revolver or is there something mechanically different inside that make this cost prohibitive? What about the barrel replacement...is there a source for available barrels? Would S&W do it or should I look for a local gunsmith?

Can you offer any ideas as to approximate cost for the above-detailed changes?

Thank you, gentlemen.

D.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Changing the hammer will regain the single-action capability of the revolver. Prices here indicate that the hammer will cost around $50.00:

http://www.e-gunparts.com/products_new.asp?CatID=10051

Sometimes, changing out a hammer requires a tiny bit of fitting. If a gunsmith does, this, a fee would be added but I cannot offer any sort of a valid quote.

I don't think that these have pinned barrels but rather the "crush fit". I have not tried it but understand that barrel changing is not feasible with revolvers not having the older-style pinned barrels. I think you might need to check with JG Sales to see if any of these do happen to have the pinned barrel. Good luck to you, sir.

Best.

[Old Fuff]

I agree with what was said in the above post, but changing barrels, even if possible, would be expensive.

I would have a gunsmith cut off the present barrel, mill a dovetail in the rib, and install a new front sight that could be moved to correct point-of-aim/point-of-impact for any given load. If necessary you could also file down the blade to adjust the sight for elevation. This could be accomplished without having to remove the barrel from the frame - something you don't want to do with a crush-fit barrel. A pinned barrel is another matter.

I think that if you changed both the hammer and barrel it would cost less to buy a 3" revolver in the first place. Don't do anything until you add up the numbers.

[Dave/hoff]

To receive responses from two of the members here whose opinions I respect most highly.

Thank you, gentlemen, for your sound advice and good counsel.

D.

[wep45]

contact J&G Sales directly. their internet listing does not always include their entire inventory.

they are good people to do business with and may have what you are looking for "in the back room".

http://www.jgsales.com/