Gunsmith to shorten barrel

[ScottS]

Can anyone recommend a good gunsmith to shorten the barrel on a S&W N-frame? I want to shorten the current 6in to 4in for IDPA legality. I know it might be easier to just sell and get a 4in to begin with, but I don't want to go that route.

Thanks for the advice.

Scott

 

[Jim Watson]

SDM does a neat job. Not cheap.
http://www.sdmfabricating.com/

 

[Sunray]

It'd likely be less expensive to change the barrel. Machining runs $65 per hour and up.
"...to just sell and get a 4in..." No. You're not seeing the opportunity to buy another revolver.

 

[Zed]

your probably a yank, so i wont bother saying i know someone who would do it for about $80 aust.

Simple process. Screw out barrel, Cut barrel off, re crown barrel, screw barrel back in. If you can, take the barrel out yourself, and give it to a gunsmith. It will make it cheaper and easier for both of ya. But if your 6" is a standard factory job, id leave it to the smith, he probably has a jig to take the barrel out.

 

[Jim K]

Not that easy with an S&W, Zed, because the front sight base is part of the barrel. When that is cut off, a new base has to be put on or the old base cut off and attached at the new front end. Not that easy a job and quite easy to mess up. My own recommendation would be to contact S&W and see if they will just replace the barrel with a new one.

As to barrel removal, the normal practice is to clamp the barrel in special bushings in a barrel vise, then unscrew the frame using a specially shaped wrench to avoid bending it. Trying to just "screw out the barrel" can really mess things up without the right equipment.

Jim

 

[ScottS]

For reference, the weapon in question is an old M1917. Before anyone strokes, it's a beater that's been nickeled to destroy any collector value. I'd like it with the 4" barrel for all around handiness and for IDPA use.

Thanks to everyone for the help. The SDM link posted above looks pretty good. I'll drop them a note.

 

[BullfrogKen]

I recall seeing a personal gun of John Pepper's this fall that was so modified. As I recall it was a Colt. I'm sure he'd LOVE to tell you about it and who performed the work.

 

[Zed]

Good point jim, although being a sporting shooter, i didn't know if he had an after market barrel or not, i was more talking in a general sence. And i said "If you can" because alot of people i know have had the bushings made, and do them themselves before bringing it in to me to clock up. Saves me and them time. With the S&W barrels, generally if someone wants it use them purely for target use i mill off that front base anyway, and fit a better front sight, something like a walther, and a millit back sight. Makes for a crisper sight picture.

Your best bet in that case would be to order a 4" barrel and get them swapped over. That way you always have the 6" spare, if ya want to swap back.

 

[Jim Watson]

For reference, the weapon in question is an old M1917. Before anyone strokes, it's a beater that's been nickeled to destroy any collector value. I'd like it with the 4" barrel for all around handiness and for IDPA use.

Thanks to everyone for the help. The SDM link posted above looks pretty good. I'll drop them a note.

SDM might be overkill for that gun.

What (who) you need is an old fashioned gunsmith who would do it the old fashioned way, first cut and crown the barrel to 4", then either:

Cut the original front sight away from the muzzle section and silver solder it to the new location, grinding away a strip of nickel plate so as to get a good bond. File for elevation and hope he got it straight for windage.

Sand off a patch of nickel and solder down a low Williams Shorty Ramp, then install the right height bead as for a bubbaized rifle.

 

[ScottS]

I agree SDM might be overkill, although they do have quite a process there. Impressive set up.

I'd like the orginal sight simply silver soldered back on the shortened barrel.

The goal is to go from this:

To this:

We'll see how it goes.

Scott

 

[BullfrogKen]

Scott, Seriously, talk to John Pepper. I'm not gonna post his phone # here. Gimme a PM and I'll put you two in touch.

 

[ScottS]

PM sent.

 

[Onmilo]

Old 1917s and the like are fairly easy to shorten and reset a new front sight.

Worst part about it is that the lettering on the barrel usually ends up getting cut so the work is apparent to anybody who handles the revolver.

I agree with both sides on this issue IF your revolver is a 1917.

About 20 years ago some 10,000 1917 revolver replacement barrels came into the country from South America and Israel.
They are not too hard to find if you do some looking, they have no markings on them and and they aren't all that expensive, should be around $100.00 tops.
Buy one of these barrels, have it cut down and fit to your revolver and keep the original barrel, "just in case" you ever wish to return the revolver to its original state.

Total cost for the operation should be less than $300.00 including the new barrel.

 

[ScottS]

Old 1917s and the like are fairly easy to shorten and reset a new front sight.

Worst part about it is that the lettering on the barrel usually ends up getting cut so the work is apparent to anybody who handles the revolver.

I agree with both sides on this issue IF your revolver is a 1917.

About 20 years ago some 10,000 1917 revolver replacement barrels came into the country from South America and Israel.
They are not too hard to find if you do some looking, they have no markings on them and and they aren't all that expensive, should be around $100.00 tops.
Buy one of these barrels, have it cut down and fit to your revolver and keep the original barrel, "just in case" you ever wish to return the revolver to its original state.

Total cost for the operation should be less than $300.00 including the new barrel.

This is a great idea. Now, the quest for the replacement barrel begins...

I heard a rumor they were for sale through Springfield Sporters...

 

[frankt]

http://www.clementscustomguns.com/

Clemonts will cut your barrel and reinstall the sight for about $185. I have never had it done myself but I have never heard anything but good reports on his work.