S&W Pre 27 How to Change Barrels?

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Huntolive

Huntolive

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Greetings gents!
I am seriously considering getting a pre-27 that comes with two barrels one is already installed and the other is included but I have no idea what the process is or what is it required to switch between the two barrels.

How do you switch the barrels in a pre-27?

also are pre-27's five screw or three screw and what are the implications of that?

Any reason why a pre-27 would be better or worse than a 27-2?
 
You don't just "switch" barrels on a 357 Magnum (the proper name for the so called pre-27). If I had to guess the previous owner bought a different barrel length, thinking he could just switch it. Then he found out it requires a very skilled gunsmith who knows S&W revolvers and it ain't cheep.

As for your other questions: a pre-27 is indeed a 5-screw N-frame. The implication, other than it being more collectable, is that you have 5 small screws that you can strip the threads on or bugger the heads of, if you aren't careful taking the gun apart.

And, any student of pre-lock S&Ws would no doubt tell you a pre-27 is the best N-frame revolver you can get, short of it's parent the Registered Magnum. Pre-27 are indeed superior to 27-2s and some of those same fans of the earlier guns would tell you not to change the barrel, even if it is a correct vintage barrel for the gun. A letter from S&W will tell you the pre-27 came from the factory with the barrel it has, not the one you're thinking of putting on it.

Dave
 
DR505 said:
Listen to Dave T. Don’t monkey with it.
Click to expand...

What DR505 said ^^^^^

To give you some idea on how a bearded change might be performed here is an article on doing so on a K frame. It’s obvious the writer has experience in this and has the equipment.
https://rifleshooter.com/2019/11/smith-and-wesson-k-frame-revolver-barrel-removal-and-installation/

Curious;
What barrel length is on the 27 now?
Why would you want to change it?
Why not buy one with the barrel length you are looking for?
If you do wish to buy the gun and install the other barrel I would do some research on gunsmiths that can do this for you beforehand.
 
Hey guys looks like you misunderstand what I'm talking about.
The one I'm thinking of getting comes from Smith & Wesson factory with two barrels made and finished specifically for this revolver.
I am not thinking of buying one and then changing the barrel Smith and Wesson sent this out to the original owner with two barrels.
the barrel currently on the gun is 3.5 in and it also is being sold with an 8-in matching Barrel built for this gun.
I certainly realize it's not like changing out a barrel on a Dan Wesson 15-2
But trying to find out what is involved in switching the barrels in this case were Smith & Wesson sold the gun with two barrels.
 
I have that outfit except I sent the 3.5 gun in to have the 8.375 barrel fitted later.

Is this a "pinned and recessed" model or a recent gun with the barrel screwed in tight and no pin?

Any road, you need a frame wrench. The old Bubba's Garage Technique of a hammer handle through the frame window can bend the front end of the frame out of line. I am sure a lot of DIYs have gotten away with it on P&R guns, but it is still a risk, a big one on a "torqued" barrel gun.

A barrel vise can be as simple as two blocks of wood with a groove rasped in each and clamped in a regular vise.

I am sure somebody who has done it will be along shortly.
 
Sorry. I didn’t know that. Honestly I am not familiar with that set up so I have no advice.
It does sound cool though.
 
If it is a "Pre-27," or what S&W called the ".357 Magnum," then it has a pinned barrel, and they are usually worth big money if in decent shape.
 
Yep, changing the barrel is not an easy swap and it takes a gunsmith who knows what they're doing, not your average parts swapper. Especially if the extra barrel came off another gun. If the barrel has already been drilled for the pin, it could be a challenge to get it clocked right as the shoulder of the barrel torques down against the frame.
 
Huntolive said:
Hey guys looks like you misunderstand what I'm talking about.
The one I'm thinking of getting comes from Smith & Wesson factory with two barrels made and finished specifically for this revolver.
I am not thinking of buying one and then changing the barrel Smith and Wesson sent this out to the original owner with two barrels.
the barrel currently on the gun is 3.5 in and it also is being sold with an 8-in matching Barrel built for this gun.
I certainly realize it's not like changing out a barrel on a Dan Wesson 15-2
But trying to find out what is involved in switching the barrels in this case were Smith & Wesson sold the gun with two barrels.
Click to expand...


First, get a letter from Roy Jinks affirming it is a factory two barrel set. I am not aware of any revolvers set up that way but they did make a few single shot target pistols with more than one barrel. The thing with S&W is never say never. The letter is $100 but if it proves you have a two barrel set, it increases the value. Without the letter all you have is Bubba’s word it is from the factory. I currently have six or seven extra barrels in drawers waiting to be spun into frames.

Kevin
 
I'm guessing that, without supporting paperwork, the unattached barrel was the original barrel returned with the gun when the currently installed barrel was installed.

Too, I'd look to see whether or not there is anything wrong with either barrel, just in case it wasn't merely a matter of inches.


Todd.
 
Darn, I need to look in the safe to see if mine is still there. You have described it to the T except I had the extra barrel fitted ten years after I got it.
 
Actually I cannot be sure or verify if it was sold originally with the gun that may partly be an unverified assumption.
Smith & Wesson's definitely do seem to present some mystery.
I wish I could be more sure what's going on here without telling you all that this gun is for auction currently on GunBroker I'm sure you can easily find it there under S&W model 27
I'd love to know what you guys make of it the auction ends in two days.
I'll probably get out bid anyway:cuss:
 
Huntolive,


Are you talking about the nickeled one? The description says both barrels are numbered to the frame. If the original barrel was replaced because it was defective, it would not have been returned by the factory. So, you have better odds it was at least made into a two barrel set. The extra barrel needs a locking bolt, spring and retention pin to make the swap easier.

To answer your question about changing barrels on S&W revolvers, with the proper tools, it is not to hard. I have changed about two dozen. For a normal replacement a good solid vice is necessary, a frame wrench, proper barrel wrench or clamp, dimpled drift pin and some patience.


But, if this is an already fitted barrel, it could be as simple as a dimpled drift pin and a strong pair of hands. It would depend on how it was done at the factory.

I wish you luck on the bidding. Personally, the shorter barrel is the one I would want. Not much use for the ones more than 4” in my opinion.

Kevin
 
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If that's the case, changing barrels will be a whole lot easier. It probably came with one and was sent back for the other. I imagine the bidding will skyrocket in the last hour.
 
I seriously doubt that it was made and shipped with interchangeable barrels. Been dealing with Smith since the late fifties, had several barrels changed but never heard of this. Ain t sayin' it didn't happen but even as a non-gambling man is risk a few bucks on that bet.
 
Thanks Kevin for your detailed and helpful information and thanks Craig for busting my bubble and reminding me I'm just a poor shlub who will probably get out bid even though I probably put it to more real life use than whatever Rich sob is going to stick it in there safe till they die:evil:

Even if I don't get it I've learned something and I appreciate your input
 
Basically, the old S&W's with pinned barrels are not designed to occasionally change barrels on, like Dan Wesson guns were. It isn't difficult to change a pinned barrel, but you do need proper tools or you risk doing permanent damage to the frame, barrel or both. If the barrel that's mounted isn't the one you want, have a gunsmith change it to the other one, and leave it that way. If the gun is nickel plated, double the trouble of barrel changes, nickel is a tough finish, but it will chip, unlike a blue finish.

And whether it is a 3, 4, or 5 screw gun, unless something internal is actually broken or worn out, the side plate does not need removal. Cleaning and lubrication can be done without disassembly. The front side screw holds the yoke in place; if the cylinder needs removal, that's the only screw you have to remove, and it is a fitted screw. If it strips or breaks, a new one has to be fitted to screw tight and allow the yoke to rotate.

The "Pre" guns are too valuable to screw around with unless you know what you're doing, otherwise you can turn a $1500+ gun into a $500 POS.
 
StrawHat said:
Current time is 8:45 pm, EST. Are you still bidding?


Kevin
Click to expand...
Why straw hat?
Are you the one who bought it for about three grand?
Nope I got out of bid at 1600.
I've decided that Smith & Wesson 357 magnums and model 27s ought to be blue anyway not nickel and it seemed like too much of a pain in the butt to change out the barrels so it lost a bit of its luster to me.

Looking for a good deal on a Python or a blue Smith & Wesson 357 Magnum in the "pre-27" to 27-2 era
 
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Totally agree with you on single barrel lengths. I did the extra barrel thing and found it was a pain. A relatively easy swap but resighting etc made it no fun.


No, not me on the buy. For that money I would rather have two revolvers with barrels of the length I want not have to futz around with swapping. Although if it letters as a two barrel set, it would have collector interest. But not to me.


Kevin
 
That's right Kevin especially with current ammo prices no fun sighting in when not necessary:what:
That sucker went for over $3,000.
Hell I could almost buy a scar 17 for that:evil:

Thank you gentlemen I am now resigning from this thread.
 
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