6" 629 Mountain Gun

[Lucky Derby]

I want some opinions. I have in my collection a .44 MG 4" (obviously) that I bought new in 1999. I just aquired a 6" 624 that is about 98%. I have been thinking for a while that I should trade the MG for a 6" 29/629. When I got the 624 I started thinking, "Why not just swap barrels?" I would end up with a 4" 624 (not a bad thing) and essentially a 6" Mountain Gun since it would still have all MG features including the pencil barrel. I am much more interested in shooters than collector's items. I would never try to pass off the MG as some sort of "limited run" factory job. Well, what are your thoughts?

 

[KurtC]

Swap cylinders, it's easier.

Actually, trying to swap cylinders would give you an idea as to the feasibility of changing barrels. If the cylinders are the same length, there shouldn't be much of problem.

If the cylinders are of sightly different length, one barrel will need to have the forcing cone recut, while the other one will need to have the shoulder turned.

 

[Lucky Derby]

Thanks for the idea. I had understood that a slightly different heat treatment was used on the Magnum guns and thus I didn't want to be firing magnum rounds through the frame made for the .44 special. Is this correct? Or an old wives tail? Does it hold true for blue guns, but not stainless? The 624 has a slightly shorter cylinder. Anyone know of a GOOD gunsmith in Norcal?

 

[.41Dave]

It is not an old-wives tale. Frames are heat-treated differently also, not just the cylinders. Blue or stainless makes no difference. Best to swap the barrels and leave the frames/cylinders as is.

 

[Onmilo]

Since Smith crush fits the barrels to the frames I don't recommend trying to salvage and reuse a barrel anymore, you will end up with more problems than cures.
Better idea would be to swap the .44 Mountain Gun for a 6" 629.
The Mountain Guns in any caliber are gaining a collector/shooter following and altering one in the fashion you are contemplating will have a negative effect on both the 629 and the 624 values.