Shorten Barrel of Model 28 S&W - Revolver Smith suggestions?

[FirearmsInPhoenix]

So, I recently purchased a model 28 S&W with a 4inch barrel. I'm going to have it refinished, as stated in a previous thread in which I had some questions that were seen to.

However, I'm considering also having the barrel shortened. I figure if this is an alteration I want to have done some day, best to get it done now.

I have no practical reason for doing it, other than I have a great affinity for 3-3.5 inch classic N Frames. I just like them very much.

So, I'm looking for recommendations for S&W revolver smiths. So far, I'm considering:
- Accurate Plating and Weaponry ( http://www.apwcogan.com/ )
- Cylinder and Slide ( http://www.cylinder-slide.com/ )
- Fletcher Custom Pistols ( http://www.fletchercustompistols.com/ )

Any other suggestions?

Or any comments on the above (specifically Accurate and Fletcher)? I'm leaning away from C&S because they're quoting almost 100 more than the other two and a minimum 10 month wait, though I understand their work is top notch and worth it.

I'd have the revolver sent to the Smith first to have the barrel shortened and recessed and recrowned, then off to the refinisher.

 

[steveno]

considering the money M-28's are bringing these days I wouldn't do anything to it. sell the M-28 and find something that is closer to what you want

 

[MrBorland]

I actually have a revolver currently being worked in by Fletcher. I'll let you know how I like it when I get it back, which I expect will be within the next couple weeks.

Check out Frank Glenn. Right in Phoenix, too.

SDM can also cut the barrel and install an interchangeable front sight system.

If it were me, as long as the gun's going to a good 'smith, I'd consider having at least an action job on it. I'd also have other functional elements (timing, forcing cone, endshake, throats, etc) checked and fixed if needed. Otherwise, you could spend the money to shorten the barrel & re-crown the muzzle, but still have a gun that's not up to it's potential.

BTW, how "original" do you want your 28 to look? If you're interested in having it look original, you'll need the services of someone who specializes in meticulous restoration work. For this level of detail, I'd contact Dave Chicoine at Old West, who's well-known in the S&W community for his restoration work.

 

[StrawHat]

considering the money M-28's are bringing these days I wouldn't do anything to it. sell the M-28 and find something that is closer to what you want

The only thing close to a 3.5" 357 from S&W is the M27 and he will not get the $$$ from the m28 to buy one.

FirearmsInPhoenix

...So, I recently purchased a model 28 S&W with a 4inch barrel...However, I'm considering also having the barrel shortened...I have no practical reason for doing it, other than I have a great affinity for 3-3.5 inch classic N Frames...

The 3.5" is a nice length but so is the 4". For the 1/2" difference I don't think I would go to the expense. However, I have no problem if it were a 6" barrel. If it were mine, I would use it as a 4" and keep looking for a 3.5" M27.

Or convert it to 45 long Colt!

 

[Wildbillz]

Or you could call Smith & Wesson and ask them what it would take to swap barrels out on it?

If you decide to do it? I would look for one of the less desriable bbl lenths to have it done to. The 4" ones seem to be more in demand then say a 6". You might be able to sell your 4" for the cost of a 6" and the conversion.

But thats just my .02 on it
WildBill

 

[Jim Watson]

It will cost on the order of $200 to have a nice job done.
Seems like a lot for half an inch of eye candy.
If you just must, the resale value of a good M28 plus that $200 would get you pretty close to a 3 1/2" M27.

 

[Iggy]

I picked up this 64 vintage 31/2" Model 27, fired 3 times at the factory for $725 a couple of weeks ago.


You take a $500 dollar Model 28, spend $200+ cutting the barrel off and you will wind up with a +/-$400 gun.

The guns of our dreams are still out there, you just have to be patient and look.

 

[MrBorland]

Folks - as far as I can tell, the OP's not asking whether you think he (she?) ought to have the barrel shortened. It's going to be refinished, and for all we know, it might be a beater with very little value to begin with. So how 'bout helping the OP by offering info you might have on good S&W gunsmiths, eh?

 

[Billy Shears]

Well, simply from a cost effectiveness perspective, given what it will cost to do the work, if the M28 is in very good shape and will fetch a good price, selling the gun and buying a M27 with the 3 1/2 bbl might be better.

On the other hand, if the M28 is a beater with little value anyway, shortening the barrel might be the way to get what the OP wants. Swapping out the current barrel for a 3 1/2 one would probably be the most effective way of shortening it, and I should think most any gunsmith could handle such a job.

 

[Apex29]

The only thing close to a 3.5" 357 from S&W is the M27 and he will not get the $$$ from the m28 to buy one.

Wrong. By the time you add in the cost of shipping both ways and the actual cost of shortening the barrel, recrowning the gun, remounting the sight, etc, you've just paid for a 27 w/3 1/2 inch barrel. But even after that work, you've still just got a 28.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Being in Phoenix, the obvious choice would be Frank Glenn. Frank used to be in charge of the S&W Performance Centers revolver shop and would be a great resource on what and where to have things done to your gun.

I would also recommend a full action tune if you are going to get more than just a refinish on your M28.

I personally like Randy Lee of Apex Tactical in Los Oso CA (near Moro Bay), but why would you send your gun away when you have one of the best S&W revolver smths locally

 

[1KPerDay]

I picked up this 64 vintage 31/2" Model 27, fired 3 times at the factory for $725 a couple of weeks ago.


You take a $500 dollar Model 28, spend $200+ cutting the barrel off and you will wind up with a +/-$400 gun.

The guns of our dreams are still out there, you just have to be patient and look.

Absolutely gorgeous. *droool*

 

[CraigC]

I find myself under no moral obligation to save my guns for future collectors and I have no interest in what collectors think my guns are worth now. Life is too short and nothing is sacred. If there is a particular configuration that is unavailable from the factory, you have to take matters into your own hands. It's your gun and your money, go for it. It just gets me how so many folks are so ardently against building custom guns. Thankfully, there are plenty who have no reservations about having such work done and thus, we have more wonderfully talented gunsmiths in this country than ever before.

And if folks had been paying attention, they'd know that this particular gun had already been refinished and the action slicked up. You also need to realize that he's wanting it hard chromed, so it would be silly to sell it, buy a nice model 27, just to save a 4" refinished model 28 from getting bobbed.

That said, I'd have a hard time spending the money for half an inch, but I have spent the money for one inch on a single action. So that's purely an individual choice. It should turn out fine with something like the Weigand interchangeable front sight installed into a pocket milled into the sight rib.

 

[Sniper X]

I got a lot of the same comments when I asked basically the same question about getting a 3in barrel put on my Smith & Wesson Model 10-8. Now the 10-8 is not a collector piece, nor is it hard to find in great condition for a great price, however, finding one in 3in is nearly impossible! So I still want to swap a 3in barrel for my 4in....an inch makes a huge difference in appearence and carry-ability for me!

 

[Oyeboten]

Iggy,


How are you measuring the Barrel on that 2 Inch?


Looks like 3 inch or a tad more even, to me.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I think you're mis-reading his post. He posted 31/2", but lost the space between the 3 and the 1/2...he meant 3.5"

The original .357 Magnum came in factory barrel lengths of 3.5", 5", 6.5", and 8.375". They refused to cut to lengths between this because they said that their machinery only allowed 1.5" adjustments in cuts.

The M28 Highhway Patrolman came in barrel lengths of 4" and 6"...go figure

 

[EmGeeGeorge]

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Products.aspx?catid=10105

buy another one, mod the replacment.... keep the original?

 

[FirearmsInPhoenix]

Check out Frank Glenn. Right in Phoenix, too. – MrBorland

Being in Phoenix, the obvious choice would be Frank Glenn. Frank used to be in charge of the S&W Performance Centers revolver shop and would be a great resource on what and where to have things done to your gun. - 9mmepiphany

Very interesting comments from all contributors. Thanks for the interest.

To MrBorland and 9mmepiphany, exactly one of the answers I was hoping for. I was sure their must be a good S&W smith in Phoenix, but I just didn't know. I will be contacting Mr. Glenn. Thank you very much. very helpful to me.

 

[whitecoyote]

I can highly & personally recommend Mag-Na-Port.
http://www.magnaport.com/
Here is a S&W model 28, .357 mag. they built for me. Barrel is 2.5", grip is converted to a round butt, etc. Grips are Elk horn, and rear sight is a C&L Extreme Duty.
You can read about it here: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...-s-wm28hp-updated-09-11-09-w-pics-pg-6-a.html

Here is another S&W model 28 I had converted by Mag-Na-Port. It is very similar to the .357, but I had this one bored out to .44 Special.
You can read about the .44 Special here: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/141829-project-s-wm28hp-44special.html

 

[Jim Watson]

The original .357 Magnum came in factory barrel lengths of 3.5", 5", 6.5", and 8.375".

Strange.
I always thought the original .357 "Registered" Magnum was anything you wanted between 3.5" (right in front of the underlug) and 8.75" (10" NRA maximum sight radius). Soon reduced to 8.375" for 10" NRA maximum barrel + cylinder length.


I hope the OP gets what he wants; I had a couple of guns sawn off at 5" when that was accepted by IDPA and had to have them cut again when the maximum was reduced to 4". But it seems not cost effective to me.

 

[1KPerDay]

whitecoyote... very jealous.... drooooool

 

[CraigC]

I always thought the original .357 "Registered" Magnum was anything you wanted between 3.5" (right in front of the underlug) and 8.75" (10" NRA maximum sight radius).

It was, in 1/8" increments, if I remember right.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I always thought the original .357 "Registered" Magnum was anything you wanted between 3.5" (right in front of the underlug) and 8.75" (10" NRA maximum sight radius). Soon reduced to 8.375" for 10" NRA maximum barrel + cylinder length.

You're correct, my mistake...I was thinking of the M-27

I remember reading about the change in max length from 8.75" to 8.375" when I questioned the odd length

 

[FirearmsInPhoenix]

VERY Nice. That's actually very close to what I want. Except I'm looking for about a 3.25 inch barrel with a little more recess on the crown. I also want the original front sight setup used, just re-applied to the shortened barrel (like yours). I think I'll be going with the C&S rear sight set up as well. I was already considering it. I'll be sending mine of to get the Metalife SS Chromium finish done. And I think I'm going to add a red insert.

Magnaport did excellent work.

I can highly & personally recommend Mag-Na-Port.
http://www.magnaport.com/
Here is a S&W model 28, .357 mag. they built for me. Barrel is 2.5", grip is converted to a round butt, etc. Grips are Elk horn, and rear sight is a C&L Extreme Duty.
You can read about it here: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-rev...cs-pg-6-a.html

 

[9mmepiphany]

Just another option if you wanted to stay with the adjustable sights...rugged and fast to align, from Apex