686 s w

[robs257]

i have a 686 s w with 4 inch barrel i would like to replace it with a 6 inch would it be cost wise to change barrels, who does work like this ,what prices am i looking at. with the prices of hand guns today i would think barrel replacenent would be cheaper.

 

[DickM]

You should be able to sell your 686 4" for approximately what it would cost you to buy a 686 6" in equivalent condition, possibly more as I think there's a bit more demand for the 4", or simply trade it straight up. I think that will be a much less expensive option for you than a new barrel.

 

[Drail]

It would definitely be less money to trade for what you want.

 

[lev83]

agreed...look for the trade first.

 

[jerry46]

I have a 6" smith and Wesson 686 that I was thinking about changing to a 4". I telephoned Smith and Wesson and they said it would be $200 or just a little over. The problem is that it must be sent overnight express by either UPS or Fed Ex. UPS quoted me $90 to ship it. I eventually sent it for some repairs but left the barrel at 6"s. It cost $90 to send it. Funny, but it cost S&W only $14 to send it back which I also had to pay.

 

[Oro]

Funny, but it cost S&W only $14 to send it back which I also had to pay.

S&W has a firearm manufacturers license, which allows them to use a priority mail flat rate box from the USPS. If you had an FFL, you could use the USPS, too. This is why, even with the cost of an FFL transfer, it is often much wiser to go through your local FFL instead of paying overnight rates at FedEx or UPS for gun shipments. My FFL charges $20 transfer plus the $15 postage. $35 tops. And you give the extra money to support your local FFL, not anti-gun FedEx or UPS. Their shipping policies for guns are exorbitantly difficult and expensive not because they are required by law, but because they choose to make that their policy.

$200 is pretty reasonable, even a bargain, for a barrel swap. I think most small gunsmiths would charge even more - it is no small task are requires some careful machining of the new barrel, even before you buy the new barrel. Cutting down the old one is also not very cheap - it requires a sight replacement and re-crowning. Plus the roll stamping is now out of alignment (they are centered on each barrel length - this is a quick way to spot a cut-down barrel).

Swapping guns, as most have mentioned, is the smartest way to go.

 

[glockman19]

You should be able to sell your 686 4" for approximately what it would cost you to buy a 686 6" in equivalent condition, possibly more as I think there's a bit more demand for the 4", or simply trade it straight up. I think that will be a much less expensive option for you than a new barrel.

+1 I personally prefer the 4" IMHO it's perfectly balanced. I fond the 6" a little barrel heavy.

 

[robs257]

thanks for your replies on this, i'll keep it had it since 1984 not alot of ammo been put through it thought changing barrels be the answer guess not any body have any ideas on a 44 mag. used frame smaller than a n frame my hand doesn't fit that good on big revolvers can't see owning two 357's
thanks again robs257

 

[robs257]

thanks for your replies on this, i'll keep it had it since 1984 not alot of ammo been put through it thought changing barrels be the answer guess not any body have any ideas on a 44 mag. used frame smaller than a n frame my hand doesn't fit that good on big revolvers can't see owning two 357's
thanks again robs257

 

[Logos]

Maybe you should try a 696.

Not a magnum, but then......is magnum really necessary?

 

[jerry46]

Oro..........The $14 that I mentioned that S&W had to pay to ship my gun back was also by UPS. It cost me $90 to send the gun to them and $80 for them to repair it and send it back.

As for the price for the barrel swap, S&W quoted me $200 for my 686 and I think it was $240 for my son's 586. I don't know why $40 more for the blued gun. These quotes were given sometime last year.

 

[Oro]

The $14 that I mentioned that S&W had to pay to ship my gun back was also by UPS.

Again, that's because of their manufacturer's FFL and deal that you can't get. But you've learned a lesson about getting work done on handguns - shipping is insane and unnecessarily expensive. Very frustrating.

The higher price for the blued gun is because of finish work. Stainless you can take care of machine work marks with some sanding and polish. Blued requires re-bluing or substantial touch-up work. Serious changes to blued steel guns is always more expensive because of that.