I have personally cut down barrels on 3 separate Smith revolvers.
The first was a 629-4 6" . Let me start by saying I have always figured that the most I had to lose was the barrel itself.
I figured I could always send it back to S&W for a new one.
The 629-4 6" was purchased for a song ,and I wanted a gun
Smith never made a 4" full lug 629.
My friend with a machine shop cut the barrel off on his band saw.
I finished and crowned the end myself, by hand ,with various tools.
My local gunsmith dovetailed a Millett front sight into the top rib.
And I just simply rubbed off the acid etched barrel markings.
The crown came out well ,and it shoots like a house afire.
I also bought a 4" model 13-3 that had the front sight ground off on a bench grinder.
I cut and crowned it to 2 7/8" ,slab sided it ,and round butted the frame.
2 weeks later a friend saw me showing it off and had to have it.
Boom ,gone. It shot exceptionally well also.
My latest project is the $200. model 28-2 ,that is currently in the 1980 to present forum.
It was also cut,crowned ,and round butted to make a
big carry gun.
Model 528?
My experience is just this; if I get a vision of what I want ,
then take my time ,using hand tools ,I can do just about anything.
Regards , Allen