S&W Model 29-2 barrel change

[Apiidae]

I am going to look at a few handguns to maybe purchase. One is a S&W model 29-2 with a 4" barrel. I would prefer a longer barrel. Is it worthwile changing the barrel? (I would get my gunsmith to do it.) Also, Any ideas where I would look to buy just a barrel?

 

[Barry the Bear]

It would be costly to do that and youd ruin a p&r revolver . Ive seen pkenty of 6.5 and 8.75 models around so just keep looking.

 

[rcmodel]

No it is not worth it.

New barrels for older S&W's are not available.

Used barrels have already been fitted to a different frame and are very unlikely to fit the gun you buy.

Skilled revolver-smith charges would be more then you paid for the gun, even if you could find a decent & affordable barrel.

At any rate, by the time you got done, your $850 Model 29 will be a $1,700 Model 29 with no original collector value left when you get done.

Keep looking until you find the gun with the barrel length you want.

rc

 

[Boxhead]

Up there you will likely find the 4" guns to sell for a good bit less than the longer barreled ones as far fewer people have licenses to own a "prohibited" class of firearm which a 4" gun is. At least that is what I saw while living up there.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Are you saying the new 29's have a different barrel threading, etc, that makes them unsuitable for the older guns? The reason I ask is because during the "Dirty Harry" era, many 4" 29's were sent back to S&W to be rebarreled to 6.5". I did it myself, and it wasn't THAT expensive then, so if available, at todays money rate, it would probably be the same in dollar power. As long as the newer 6.5" barrel fits, it would be a slam dunk.

 

[DM~]

I do believe the new bbls are "press fit", that's not going to work on an older frame.

DM

 

[Apiidae]

Thanks for all your input. Yes, handguns under 4 1/4"ish barrel need a prohibited licence, which they don't give out in Canada any more. The person selling has a 4", 6", and the 8 3/8" barrels. 2 out of 3 aint bad.

 

[Hanshi]

Way back - pre 1980 - I sent S&W several revolvers during those years to have them change barrels; some more than once. There were model 19s, 27s and some others. It was a fairly simple thing to switch barrels in those days. Not so easy or practical now. A real shame.

 

[BBBBill]

Lots of different flavors (viewpoints) here - collectors, shooters, DIYers, factory work only-ers. Pick your poison.
If the OP is looking for a shooter, he probably doesn't care about collectability. Canada probably won't have the selection of guns to pick from either. After weighing all of the options, a barrel change may be the best choice. It's not rocket surgery and can be done by a decent smith or a sharp gun owner with the correct tools/knowledge without damaging/destroying the gun. I've done several.
In addition to the usual correctly ground screwdrivers, a barrel vise, action wrench (no hammer handle through the frame), cup tip punches, forcing cone reamer, and a means of setting back the barrel shoulder/facing the barrel (if needed) are required. A lathe is preferred for the latter, but it can be done with the tool sold by Brownells. Kuhnhausen's S&W manual is a good thing to have handy, too.