44 Magnum old vs new

[magshooter]

I have a Smith and Wesson M. 629-1 .44 Magnum that I Bought in the early 80's. I am planning on getting a new Smith and Wesson 629 .44 Magnum in the near future. Would i be able to take my 9 inch barrel off of my old gun and put it on a newer model 629.

These are some of the guns that I am looking at and want to know if i can put my 9 inch barrel on. my barrel style is the same as the first link but in a 9 inch. The second link is a different barrel style will my barrel still fit that gun?

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/26258/S&W+M629+6RD+44MAG44SP+6"

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/26275

 

[Salmoneye]

Why on Earth would you want to take the barrel off your old gun and put it on a new chassis?

And shouldn't that length be 8-3/8"?

 

[magshooter]

yes it is 8-3/8 to be exact and I had a problem with my original gun and want to be able to put my longer barrel on the new gun since its cheaper to buy with a shorter barrel

 

[lobo9er]

What problems are you having with your original that can't be remedied. Be cheaper to fix the one you have I would think. unless it got FUBAR'd

 

[243winxb]

Would i be able to take my 9 (8 3/8") inch barrel off of my old gun and put it on a newer model 629.

I guess yes, if your a gunsmith. Otherwise, no.

But if one is pinned and the other is not, may be a problem, dont really know.

Colt Python barrels have been put on Smith and Wessons back in the 70's. So, if you have enough $$$, anything is possible.

 

[CraigC]

Far as I know, the barrels on new S&W's aren't even removable by anyone but S&W.

 

[BobWright]

I've swapped barrels from on generation to the next on blued Model 29s with no problem. Well, I didn't do the work but S&W did, as did my gunsmith also. If you do swap barrels, have your 'smith pin it whether it was originally pinned or not. Its not a big deal to drill and pin the barrel, and replaced barrels on Smiths never tighten up to the original setting. Without the pin, it will turn on you in time.

This Model 29 was rebarreled from a 6" to an 8 3/8" full lug barrel, done by S&W:

 

[MrBorland]

Far as I know, the barrels on new S&W's aren't even removable by anyone but S&W.

AFAIK, this is true for their 2-piece barrels, which are only installed on a few models.

The more traditional 1-piece barrels are still used on most current S&W revolvers and, unless something else has changed I don't know about, can be removed by a competent gunsmith.

I don't recall seeing a .44mag S&W with a 2-piece barrel, but that's not to say they aren't part of their current line-up. A little Googling would likely clear that up.

 

[lobo9er]

This Model 29 was rebarreled from a 6" to an 8 3/8" full lug barrel, done by S&W:

looks like it has been done! nice revolver

 

[FROGO207]

The 29-6 has a pinned barrel from the factory. I have one of those in 8 3/8" and mine is.

 

[BobWright]

This Model 29 was originally purchased as a 6" standard barrel, and I had Smith & Wesson make it up with a 5" full lug barrel. I don't remember what "dash number" it is, but it was not a pinned barrel model. I had trouble with the barrel turning in the frame, so had my gunsmith drill and pin it:




Bob Wright

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I guess yes, if your a gunsmith. Otherwise, no.

But if one is pinned and the other is not, may be a problem, dont really know.

Colt Python barrels have been put on Smith and Wessons back in the 70's. So, if you have enough $$$, anything is possible.

It will definitely be a problem to switch a barrel from a pinned S&W to a new, unpinned gun. Current production S&Ws use a crush fit barrel, so the old pinned barrel will not fit.

 

[sgt127]

Pretty much anything "can" be done. You will, of course, ruin the resale value of both guns. And, be out some cash.

Is the frame cracked or something catastrophic on the original gun? If not, sell it and buy what you want.

If you just want to do it, go for it.

I am curious as to why you want to swap barrels.

 

[CraigC]

You will, of course, ruin the resale value of both guns.

Not if done properly by a competent gunsmith.

 

[MaxP]

I too am of the school that says modify it if it is not exactly as you want. On that note, I have never lost money on a custom.

 

[BobWright]

It will definitely be a problem to switch a barrel from a pinned S&W to a new, unpinned gun. Current production S&Ws use a crush fit barrel, so the old pinned barrel will not fit.

The new barrel will fit, but as I pointed out with my Model 29, it will have to be pinned. S&W will not pin your barrel, but its a pretty simple job for you 'smith.

Once you break that original factory installation, replacement barrels tend to rotate in the frame. Only way to correct this is to pin it.

Bob Wright

P.S. Once the barrel has been pinned, S&W will pin any replacement barrel they install.