M2HMGHB
Member
How difficult is it to replace a 4 inch pinned barrel model 19 with a 2 1.2 inch barrel? Could someone please explain what is requred?
Smith Wesson model 19
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1. You have to find any buy one of the older 2 1/2 inch barrels made for the "pinned" style frame.
2. A gunsmith will have to assemble and fit the new barrel.
3. You will have to replace the extractor rod and center pin, as both are shorter then those used in the 4 inch and longer guns. These too should be fitted by a gunsmith.
I think you would save time, effort and money by selling your 4 inch revolver and put the return plus the money you would spent on modifying it, toward the purchase of a gun with a 2 1/2" barrel.
2. A gunsmith will have to assemble and fit the new barrel.
3. You will have to replace the extractor rod and center pin, as both are shorter then those used in the 4 inch and longer guns. These too should be fitted by a gunsmith.
I think you would save time, effort and money by selling your 4 inch revolver and put the return plus the money you would spent on modifying it, toward the purchase of a gun with a 2 1/2" barrel.
FPrice
Member
M2HMGHB...
Generally Old Fuff has pretty good advice but in this instance I disagree with him slightly.
I think your best bet is to KEEP your 4" M19, look for a 2.5" M19, buy it, and have TWO great revolvers.
To paraphrase an old commercial,
"Double your pleasure,
Double your fun.
Have two Model 19's
Instead of just one."
Generally Old Fuff has pretty good advice but in this instance I disagree with him slightly.
I think your best bet is to KEEP your 4" M19, look for a 2.5" M19, buy it, and have TWO great revolvers.
To paraphrase an old commercial,
"Double your pleasure,
Double your fun.
Have two Model 19's
Instead of just one."
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
I have to concur. By the time you buy the new barrel, have the gunsmith install it, buy the new extractor rod, and have the gunsmith install it, you've paid most of the price of a second revolver.
Frankly, the Old Fuff would keep the 4 inch too and forget the 2 1/2" version because he considers the frame to be oversized for this length of barrel. He is also not very fond of using Magnum cartridges in this barrel length either. If the truth were known, a 3 inch model 10 or 13 would be more his cup of tea for this application.
But that isn't what M2HMGHB wanted to know ... His question had to do with what was involved in changing a barrel.
Now on the other hand the "Fuff" would be delighted to follow FPrice's advise and get two revolvers - he just might alter the choice a bit ...
But that isn't what M2HMGHB wanted to know ... His question had to do with what was involved in changing a barrel.
Now on the other hand the "Fuff" would be delighted to follow FPrice's advise and get two revolvers - he just might alter the choice a bit ...
or you can have the best of both worlds by having your barrel shortened to 3" and your front sight remounted.
this would give you a snubby while keeping a full lenght ejection rod
this would give you a snubby while keeping a full lenght ejection rod
stans
Member
Honestly, in a K-frame, there really is not much difference in concealability between a 2 1/2 inch barrel and a 3 inch barrel. The big difference is the ejector rod. 2 1/2 inch guns use a very short rod with a short stroke, 3 inch guns use the standard rod, so ejecting empties might be a bit more on the positive side.
FPrice
Member
Old Fuff...
" Now on the other hand the "Fuff" would be delighted to follow FPrice's advise and get two revolvers - he just might alter the choice a bit ..."
Interesting comparison: I have three M66's, a 2.5", 3", and 4" barrel lengths. I wonder why the M19 did not have a similar choice.
You are probably right about the choice of the 3" over the 2.5". But given that choice I'd still take both.
" Now on the other hand the "Fuff" would be delighted to follow FPrice's advise and get two revolvers - he just might alter the choice a bit ..."
Interesting comparison: I have three M66's, a 2.5", 3", and 4" barrel lengths. I wonder why the M19 did not have a similar choice.
You are probably right about the choice of the 3" over the 2.5". But given that choice I'd still take both.
Jim Watson
Member
Hmm, I had a 2.5" barrel replaced with a 4" because I wanted a long barrel and round butt. Looks and feels good. Fortunately, the 4" screwed in with sight straight up and with a spec cylinder gap, so no heavy gunsmithing was required, just parts swap of barrel, ejector rod, and center pin.
JNewell
Member
Talk about luck! I priced out a barrel change on an M63, both on a parts/tools basis and on having S&W and/or a gunsmith do the work. In general, it comes to such a large % of the cost of a new gun that I agree with all of the posts above.
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